Too good to be true?

[zara]

The physio who saw Tordi last week was telling me about a supplement that is excellent at aiding the reduction of cresty necks and guarding against lami attacks. I'm quite sceptical however there is quite a bit of research and testimonials to back up the claims. G, the physio, said that she'd actually seen the results in an over weight horse and was surprised how effective it was. I've asked a pharmacist friend to check it out and also a friend with a biomedical science degree for their thoughts. It is expensive but long term a 500kg tub would last 16 weeks so after the initial expense it isn't any worse than Superflex for example. Check out their products here; I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. There is another company selling the same products under a different name and there is a stockist not far from me so I am very interested (Parklands).

The original company is: www.phytorigins.com/

and the Sister company is: freestepsuperfix.co.uk/

[brigadier]

That is interesting having two cresty necked chaps. Mind you the one that got it properly was the TB! I honestly just think it is management Zara.
This is pure personal opinion and only based on my anecdotal experience but we seem to have supplements and drugs for all sorts when the actual cause is over eating/indulgence. If we keep it at basics and dont take it to excess then most issues do not arise. I think this is the case for humans too. (I know your regime is simple Zara so not aimed at you)
There is a school of thought that the effect of imposing strict limitations on 'poisons' such as alcohol and sugar would have a catastrophic effect on the economy, affecting not only big companies that supply but also drug companies and taxation. It actually pays the country to be unhealthy and most of it is caused by diet.
But back to horses I actually fertilized my fields two years ago- I wont do it again, just weed, mow, harrow and roll now, they simply dont need it.

[pboy]

I absolutely agree with Brig - in theory create necks and weight are manageable by diet and exercise alone. Sadly though the norm in the UK is for grazing to be fertilised ryegrass, which is the equivalent of feeding non-stop junk food in my opinion. Yards with unfertilised, diverse grasses and herbs are like hen's teeth (if you don't have your own land) so a little help may be useful. Same with hay - many big producers use rye grass as it's reliable and easy to grow.

If your scientist friends think it adds up Zara, I'd love you to try it out so we can all hear how it goes!

[zara]

I agree with both of you about weight being a horse management problem and diet and exercise are really the only way of tackling the problem. The thing that interested me was the point about adipose fat and that even with a strict diet it can be difficult to shift hence my engaging some scientific brains to read the research. My paddock hasn't been fertilised for at least 9 years and hasn't had much rest from horses in all that time and they certainly don't have access to lush grass ever. I will keep you posted.

[solomon]

If I had k own about it when I slimmed Pete last year I might have tried it. Think I would check with vets first although they often have disappointing knowledge of supplements! To be honest much as I hated it Pete slimmed down fairly quickly on his reduced quantity of soaked hay and muzzled grazing. One carrot at breakfast and small tea of fast fibre did the trick. He lost 30 or 40 kilos last summer. Crest went and been ok since. Lami scares are not funny!!

[haffyfan]

Quite a few highland pony people rave about the freestep stuff but isn't one of the main ingredients just magnesium, which i think you already feed?

Would also be very interested in hearing what your friends come up with.

Ps if you do trial it ring Parklands to check they have it in as it goes very fast (I went to read the tub, ages back now, but they had sold out within 24 hrs of delivery)

[zara]

Haffy thank for the tip re: Parklands; I've e-mailed them but will ring before making the trip. Freestep list the ingredients and it does contain Mg but also a lot of plant extracts. I'll let you know how we get on when I get hold of some x

[zara]

I've just had a really interesting conversation about the diet and weight management of the Tordmeister with Carol Michael at Phytorigins. As he is still lame she has advised using the Phytolean Plus for month and then change to Phytolean as a maintenance. I'm going to monitor his neck measurements over the next month, Carol says she would expect to see an improvement within 2-4 weeks. So watch this space!

[pboy]

Keep us posted - it sounds interesting and I could see myself needing something for Pocholo one day ;-)

[zara]

The Phytolean Plus arrived yesterday and he's had his first dose today after being measured; so I'll monitor him closely and let you know how we get on. If it works it will have been worth the £90 price tag for a months supply

[zara]

Tordi appears to be losing weight! He's been on the stuff for 12 days now and I'm cautiously impressed. The blog and pdf articles on the website make interesting reading.
www.e-vetmed.org/natural-health.html

[solomon]

I so hope he is sorted. Once you can get him moving again he will be well on the way. He was at his best when you got him fit for that endurance ride. He loved it too didn't he?