Questions re: Spirulina
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Hi all, I have 3 horses, Max- PPID/borderline IR, Ginger- prob early PPID/early IR, and Ari- an RMH w some physical EMS traits.. All are fed the IR diet… hay is below the 10% ESC+Starch but usually soaked for two of their three daily feedings anyway, plus 1/2 lb Stabul 1 with Flax, Vit E liquid, tbsp iodized Salt, and scoop EquiVM that Dr. K suggested would be an acceptable balancer based on my current hay analysis. Dr. K also noted that my hay was very low in protein. Financial considerations (and a general KISS philosophy) keep me from trying any or every promising thing that comes along, but that article’s slight hint of a reason for Max’s gut issues, the high protein value, and the fact that bulk Spirulina seems be available at a reasonable cost prompts me to ask … 1. Would Spirulina be a good choice to increase protein intake for all three horses and possibly even help Max’s gut issues or would it’s antihistamine properties be harmful if none have any suspected allergies or respiratory issues? 2. If not, what would be the most practical way to add protein? I did check into whey protein but cost prohibitive with three horses, Max’s Case history is up to date if helpful, none for Ginger or Ari as no clinical Dx yet. As always, your advise and input is greatly appreciated🙏🏻. -- |
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DEBBIE GIRARD <dgwof@...>
Hello,
Im very interested to see what advise you get regarding Spirulina. Im wondering if you can share where are you finding it online that sells it resonably priced. thanks a bunch -- Debbie Girard Massachusetts 2022 |
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Debbie,
I feed spirulina to my mare because before I knew she was IR, she had a summer with horrible allergies and was scratching herself bloody and nothing else worked. The spirulina (i use Uckele) worked very well. We all take spirumina in this house as well (costco tablets) for allergies and again, works wonders. In my understanding It is a mast cell stabilizer which decreases the histamine response. I think its worth the price. This last time I bought the Neutricost brand off Amazon. I think it was cheaper because of the shipping. -- Lesley Bludworth Phoenix, AZ 7/2022 Sophie TWH mare IR/EMS, PPID? https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/SophieB%20Case%20History https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=277749 |
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Frances C
This is from a search I did a couple of years ago re price of bulk spirulina. Shipping costs varied.
H.R. Supplements 55# $272.00 My best horse 6# $56.00 Nutra Vita Shop 11# $79.00 -- - Frances C. December 2017, Washington & California Case history: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Frances%20and%20Phoenix Phoenix's Photo Album: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=12382 |
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Lesley Bludworth
Debbie,
It looks like the spirulina was contained in 500 g of some kind of feed. I cannot get what the equivalent amount of spirulina is in that amount of product they fed. The other factor is the horses may have become much improved just by the dietary switches alone that were made. -- Lesley Bludworth Phoenix, AZ 7/2022 Sophie TWH mare IR/EMS, PPID? https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/SophieB%20Case%20History https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=277749 |
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Hi Debbie,
I’m waiting to hear if Dr K or others have any feedback re: it’s usefulness as a protein source as well as an insulin reduction tool before ordering, but BoxNutra seems to be reasonable for human grade Spirulina Powder at $116 for 5 kilos which equals 11 lbs. They do charge shipping and to NorCal from wherever they ship from was @$16. Looks like they have a couple of discounts at the moment also. -- Lynda M Northern CA Jan 2022 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Lynda%20and%20Max Max Photos - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=277238 Ginger Photos - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=278091 |
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Hi Lynda and all
Info in the files https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/files/Spirulina See specifically Use of Jiaogulan and Spirulina in Horses.pdf Report File Equine Congress - Invited Speaker Session - Dr. Kellon's Jiaogulan/Spirulina presentation. The above details trials Dr Kellon ran with member horses. Spirulina is also referenced in several files here on PPID, allergies and other. https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/filessearch?p=name%2C%2C%2C100%2C1%2C0%2C0&q=spirulina Personally, I have used spirulina in cases of allergies. You need to be there before the histamines start in earnest. I did try it specifically for Beau to lower insulin when a few members reported they saw an insulin drop. I'm not sure if the confounding factors for those cases were pulled apart, however, we did not see insulin get better. Beau was severely IR, iron overloaded and became diabetic, as well as PPID. -- Nancy C in NH ECIR Moderator 2003 ECIR Group Inc. President 2021-2022 HOW TO SEARCH THE ARCHIVES: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/1993 |
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PS...you can read the nutritional tables for spirulina here. Feedipedia reports there can be a wide variation in the amount of protein -- from 30 to 60 percent. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/67
Usually we are feeding some 20 grams of spirulina so lets use that as an example. Unless I have messed up the math, you are going to add only 6 to 12 grams of crude protein based on the above. Not sure what your goal is Lynda but that is not a lot for an 1100 pound horse who requires a lot more just for maintenance. -- Nancy C in NH ECIR Moderator 2003 ECIR Group Inc. President 2021-2022 HOW TO SEARCH THE ARCHIVES: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/1993 |
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Spirulina is about 57% protein and it's very low sugar but is not very palatable.
There is one study showing decreased insulin and better IV glucose tolerance in EMS horses fed 1.5% of body weight in hay plus 500 grams (over 2 lbs) of a pellet with spirulina vs those fed 500 grams of a control pellet **but** the article did not reveal: - diet before the experiment - how much Spirulina was contained in the pellets - what other ingredients were in the pellets both groups were fed and I have written to the authors without getting a reply. -- Eleanor in PA www.drkellon.com |
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Cindy Giovanetti
My horse has eaten 60 g spirulina a day for years and still has both allergies and EMS. You may wonder why I still give him spirulina if he still has both allergies and EMS. For one thing, I’m afraid his itchiness would be worse without it. For another, it’s a good healthy food. But I never dreamed it would cure his EMS, and it didn’t.
To increase protein, this group often recommends whey isolate or dried peas. But first you need to have your hay analyzed to know whether it’s adequate in protein.
Cindy _._,_._,_ -- Cindy, Oden, and Eeyore, North Texas On ECIR protocol since 2/19 https://www.facebook.com/LifeWithOden/ History: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cindy%20and%20Oden Photos: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91125 |
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jlmccarroll
I feed spirulina (trifecta for allergies) and get mine from My Best Horse. Great people to work with and comes super fast. I really appreciate that their prices have remained steady.
-- Jeannette Mc, NoCA 2021 |
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Hi all, Back to the archives for info on how much protein my guys need based on the 7.6% crude protein result in their hay analysis. Always learning, -- Northern CA |
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Linda
DId you look into cost of dried (uncooked/unsoaked) peas or pea protein? Adding extra hay or beet pulp would also add protein. -- Nancy C in NH ECIR Moderator 2003 ECIR Group Inc. President 2021-2022 HOW TO SEARCH THE ARCHIVES: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/1993 |
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Lynda,
You're right. There is no evidence that EMS or PPID are linked to intestinal inflammation in any way. If they are getting 2 kg of hay pet 100 kg of body weight then your hay is meeting the minimum maintenance protein requirements but I wouldn't recommending settling for the minimum. At the very least, start Tri-Amino https://www.uckele.com/tri-amino-2lb.html and I would consider adding 4 oz of split dried peas and feeding at least 4 to 6 oz of flax (both by weight). -- Eleanor in PA www.drkellon.com |
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Claire Belo
Dear all,
I'm a litte bit confuse with Spirulina. Is it really safe to feed spirulina however it contains a lot of iron? Or is that iron not available for the horse? Could someone explain me? Thank you very much! Best regards Claire Envoyé de mon iPhone -- Claire and Flora Switzerland April 2019 Case history: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Claire%20and%20Flora Photos: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=90883 |
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Hi Claire
Here are two threads on the iron content in spirulina. https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/topic/32272063#238846 and https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/message/233751 Bottom line is that one is not feeding enough to contribute over all a significant amount -- Nancy C in NH ECIR Moderator 2003 ECIR Group Inc. President 2021-2022 HOW TO SEARCH THE ARCHIVES: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/1993 |
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Claire Belo
Thank you Nancy!
Envoyé de mon iPhone -- Claire and Flora Switzerland April 2019 Case history: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Claire%20and%20Flora Photos: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=90883 |
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