Equipride: Horse Health Matters

Announcing our Colorado Contest!

2011-07-27T13:36:00.004-06:00

Click now to take a quick survey and you'll be entered to win lots of Agape's goodies including EquiPride! Open to Colorado horse and farm owners. Get clicking now>>

Farm Days at Lirabeckan Farm! Day Camp for Youth!

2011-05-26T11:35:00.002-06:00

Join us to learn all about goats, sheep, alpacas, herding dogs, horses, donkeys and geese!

Each day will be spent with a morning session learning about a specific animals with hands on experience. Our afternoons will be spent exploring various horse related topics (history, breeds/colors, vet science to name a few) with afternoon riding. We will take a field trip to a real goat dairy and sample fresh goat milk, and make cheeses.

When: June 13th-June 17th or July 18th-22nd—pick one day or all five, your choice. Camp hours are 8-4 daily to include travel to and from Lirabeckan Farm.

Where: Lirabeckan Farm in Parker, CO. Carpool from the Jeffco Fairgrounds in Golden, CO daily at 8:00.

There will be two adults and one teenager each day for instruction and supervision. Please bring a packed lunch daily. Let us know if you would like to join us for a week learning to be a farm girl or boy!

Call Lisa at 303-905-3926 or Sandy at 720-257-5519.

Testimonial about Agape Products: Working with Goats

2011-05-23T17:20:00.001-06:00

Michael Amen is the owner and manager of
Ugly Goat Dairy in Elizabeth, Colorado. He is
currently milking 12 head of Alpine and Nubian does. This is the first year that Michael has used SweetPro’s Fresh Start and Goat Block in his feeding program and he is beyond pleased with the results. Prior to this year, he was using the standard mineral and protein block available at his local feed store. While his production was good, he now feels that, by using the Fresh Start and Goat Block, it is outstanding. The does have freshened within the last two months and his production is up 2 pounds per doe (rolling herd average) already.

In Michael's own words, “Every doe seems to step off the milking stand and go directly to the water. My babies were born fat and shiny. They got up immediately and wanted to nurse. My somatic cell count is very low, and my does are in beautiful condition.”

Michael produces a variety of goat cheeses, as well as a wonderful goat milk fudge which he supplies to high-end restaurants in Denver and also to individuals. He also supplies raw milk to individual herd share-holders.
Additionally Michael produces all natural eggs from
his flock of chickens that he feeds Fresh Start to as well.

All of this year's doelings will be saved and Michael
is hoping to double the size of his herd in the future. Fresh Start and Goat Block will certainly be a
part of that bright future.

Start Your Own Success Story!
Contact NOW to find out how Agape can help you: 303-905-3926 • Lisa@AgapeDistributors.net

Will EquiPride help my IR or Cushings Horse?

2010-11-07T07:21:00.002-07:00

Question:

I have an insulin resistant horse and need to know, if you know or can have measured, what the NSC (I think it means the natural sugar content) or ESC of Equipride is. I know you don't add any sugars to the product, but everything has a natural sugar content and I need to know what Equipride's is.

Thanks,

Pam

Answer:

Pam,

NSC on EquiPride is between 4.75% and 5.75%. The technical definition of NSC is Non-Sructurual-Carbohydrate which would include both starch and sugar,

Of the NSC in EquiPride, it’s technically starch, but “resistant starch” which is a category just below structural and is digested the same as a dietary fiber.

We make a point of being the best supplement available for the IR horse. We don’t contribute to insulin related problems, indeed, we help improve (modulate) the insulin response. We are having very good results is IR, laminitic horses and those with variations of IR problems such as Cushings.

It was interesting to hear the term Natural Sugar Content used with the initials NSC. It’s actually a good way to remember the essence of the term because it seeks to identify rapidly digested carbohydrates and of course sugars are the biggest part of that.

Bob Thornberg
Founder, Formulator of EquiPride/EquiLix

Hooves, coat & skin improve using EquiPride

2010-10-02T07:50:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to tell you how incredible Equipride is! I have two Arabians; a 23 year old mare who is my trail horse, and a 3 year old show filly. 6 months ago I started them on Equipride at the advice of my feed store guy; they were already in great shape but I wanted to maintain their coat and feet through the winter.

Within a few weeks of starting them on Equipride I noticed a big difference in skin and coat condition, within 4 weeks I could see a change in their hooves. They were already great in both areas, but I still saw a BIG improvement!

About two months after starting on Equipride my husband left us and we found ourselves homeless. We ended up moving in with family 2000 miles away. When we arrived at our new home it was some of the hottest temps on record, the flies were horrible, and within two weeks my 23 year old mare had a major leg wound that the vet said would result in permanent lameness and my filly started dropping weight like crazy. During the move they had been off their Equipride for a total of about 4 weeks, so once my mare was injured I immediately started them back on it. Within THIRTY DAYS my mare's leg wound was completely healed and she was completely sound. I have photos of this wound and every single person who has seen it is absolutely amazed that she recovered at all, much less that quickly. in addition, my filly has put weight back on and once again has an amazing feel to her coat.

I will never go without your product again, even though I now have to order it online at a much greater cost, and after reading your testimonials page, I am going to start my dog who has hip problems on it as well.

Thank you for your incredible product!

Beth S.

Another Beautiful EquiPride Baby!

2010-08-26T13:06:00.001-06:00

Whizard, 3 months old (8/25/10)

Sea Salt is Vital to Animal Health

2010-06-08T11:05:00.001-06:00

For years, health care professionals, knowing of the importance of salt and minerals to human health, have used them in hospital IVs. Now research coming out of major universities is showing that animals and even plants benefit from the proper use of salts and minerals.

Texas A&M released a report showing that sodium chloride, which is the macro mineral known as salt, is a critical electrolyte in the body of almost all living organisms. It functions in the transport of amino acids and glucose and helps with muscle contractions.

Salt and minerals are necessary for proper metabolism, balancing pH level in the digestive system, improving immunity, and absorbing toxins and transporting them out of the body, as well as keeping the hormonal, nervous, and immune systems functioning properly.

According to research by North Dakota State University, too little salt in the diet of livestock will “lead to reduced milk production, body condition, intake and growth.”

Furthermore, the report said that since more forages in the north-central region of the United States are low in sodium and chloride, producers should use a salt supplement.

Texas A&M research showed that, in plants, “mineral content declines due to the natural dilution processes” as the plants mature. This reduces the amount of macro and micro minerals animals can ingest through grazing.

According to Scott Anderson, director of operations with Agri-Best Feeds, not all salt supplements are created equal.

Most producers provide salt for their cattle yet much of the salt available for livestock has been refined in some way.

That may mean it has been treated with chemicals, evaporated under high compression and heat which disrupts the molecular structure of salt, or even bleached in order to obtain the white color.

Even many so called unprocessed salts have had many of their minerals naturally leeched out of them over time. These salts, Anderson explained, are void of the natural balance of life-giving minerals.

“Unrefined salt is very healthy,” he said and unrefined sea salt is the most optimum of all. One reason for that is that the quantitative analysis of ocean water and blood are very similar. The main difference is that blood has hemoglobin. This special connection allows unrefined minerals and salts from the sea to pass through animal or vegetable cell membranes easily, giving both plants and animals the “tools” they need for growth, immune function and performance.

“In the right balance the synergy of these minerals in the system is huge,” said Anderson. He also said that farmers are learning the importance of adding salt and even volcanic conditioner to their soils. It increases productivity, opens the soil and allows the plants to absorb more of the nutrients. In fact, Anderson laughed, "our first truckload order was for soil application on hay ground."

“Even though we began marketing this for livestock, we're not going to turn away any farmer who wants to use this on his plants. It's good for crops, too,” he said. “In fact, in the right amounts, unrefined sea salt has been shown to have positive effects on most every living system.”

Anderson said Redmond Trace Minerals is a unique, mineral-dense salt which has not been stripped of its health value by man or nature. It is mined from an ancient ocean bed located in Redmond, Utah.

“When you walk into most salt mines it’s like walking into a giant snowball. Everything is white because all the minerals have leeched out over time and only the sodium and chloride remains. For whatever reason, there are only two salt mines in the world that I am aware of that have all the minerals still intact in the salt. One of those mines is in the Himalayas and the other is in Redman, Utah.”

One reason the minerals at the Redmond mine may have been so well-preserved is that the mine was covered by a layer of ancient volcanic ash which may have protected the salt from the leeching action of water over millennia.

Another reason is that the mine is located underground, away from the damage of pollution and acid rain.

Even the layer of volcanic ash offers a remarkable product for cattle health. It contains more than 60 minerals while helping to improve digestion and animal health.

Anderson said that is because these natural minerals “connect really well with animal and human health.” These salts and minerals are in their crystalloid form, which dissolves readily in liquids and penetrates the membranes easily.

By TERRI ADAMS, The Prairie Star
Friday, June 4, 2010 6:02 PM MDT

Try Redmond Conditioner as a Poultice

2010-05-10T09:31:00.011-06:00

Our dealer, Libi Susag, in Scobey, MT had a colt that was attacked by a mountain lion about a month ago. She has been using the Redmond Conditioner as a poultice and seeing great results. Check out the pictures.

Thank you EquiPride!

2010-05-05T10:08:00.002-06:00

"I need another bag of EquiPride. My shoer said yesterday that Shaker's feet are the best he has ever seen in the 4 years he has been shoeing him! All thanks to EquiPride!".

Sharon Kammerzell
Lakewood, CO

Equilite 4H Fun Show/ Photo Day Registration

2010-04-30T10:52:00.000-06:00

Tana Poppino, Champion Barrel Racer & NFR contestant uses EquiPride to keep her Horses Healthy

2010-04-23T10:44:00.002-06:00

Another Happy Customer!

2010-04-07T09:56:00.003-06:00

Lisa,

Some time ago you asked me to write a testimonial regarding EquiPride and I'm more than happy to do so!

I have used EquiPride going on two years now and the benefits of this product for my horses are wonderful! My aging Arabian gelding is in great shape, his coat glistens, his mane and tail are luxurious and thick. My farrier always comments on how much the gelding's feet have improved and recently said that he believed the old horse would not be in such good condition without this product. The same goes for my Hackney pony. I will continue to use this product as long as I have horses. Thank you EquiPride!

Karen Bainter
Lakewood, Co
April 5, 2010

Dusty the wonder horse buys EquiPride

2010-02-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is Dusty The Wonder Horse starring in EquiPride's first commercial. It is a fun first commercial for the best horse supplement out there.

Cloverleaf Horse Farm Uses Equipride

2010-02-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

Vicki Borrelli has been using EquiPride to help horses train and compete with more willingness and calmness. To help their digestion, hair coats, body condition and hoof growth, as well as hoof wall thickness.
She helps keep her horses in top condition for competition, even on the road in a strange environment using EquiPride, all while saving money on the feed bill.

The 2010 National Western Stock Show

2010-01-08T08:46:00.002-07:00

Stop by and see me at booth #14, in the Event Center, at the National Western Stock Show. The show runs from 1/9/10-1/24/10 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Check out their web-site for all the events and shows. It's a great time!

Nancy Mahoney has success using EquiLix!

2010-01-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Notes from Lisa: Colorado Tennessee Walkers thrive on EquiPride!

2009-10-30T11:47:00.004-06:00

Maxine Donor, breeder of Champagne Tennessee Walkers discusses the benefits in using EquiPride and EquiLix on youtube.

Silverstone Stables EquiPride Testimonial—NEW from Colorado!

2009-10-13T11:20:00.001-06:00

Join me for a Horse Nutrition Webinar on October 20

2009-10-12T12:26:00.000-06:00

Agri-Best Feeds invites you to a horse informational webinar on Thursday October 20th from 7:00-8:30pm MDT with experts and representitives from SweetPro Feeds (EquiPride & EquiLix) and Redmond Natural Trace Minerals presenting general product information with a special focus on Horse nutrition, digestion, and over all health.

We recommend you follow the link that will be provided after you register to make sure everyting is set up on your computer. If you have any problems with the webinar there is a support team at 888 259-8414. You will then be able to follow the link again shortly before the scheduled meeting time and will be all set for the webinar.

Title:

HORSE Informational Webinar - October 20TH

Date:

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Time:

7:00 PM - 8:15 PM MDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

I hope you'll join me on the free webinar this Thursday!

2009-10-05T15:01:00.001-06:00

Please look at the last post and take a moment to reserve your spot in the upcoming webinar. I'll be on the meeting to talk about horse nutrition. This is a great chance to try out a webinar and learn some great information about horse health!

Lisa

Free Equine Nutrition Webinar October 8!

2009-10-02T16:25:00.001-06:00

Join us for a Webinar on October 5
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/463427866

Agape Distributors, in conjunction with Agri-Best Feeds invites you to a horse informational webinar on Thursday October 8th from 7:00-8:30pm MDT with experts and representitives from SweetPro Feeds (EquiPride & EquiLix) and Redmond Natural Trace Minerals presenting general product information with a special focus on Horse nutrition, digestion, and over all health.

We recommend you follow the link that will be provided after you register to make sure everyting is set up on your computer. If you have any problems with the webinar there is a support team at 888 259-8414. You will then be able to follow the link again shortly before the scheduled meeting time and will be all set for the webinar.

Title: HORSE Informational Webinar - October 8th
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM MDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

FW: Notes from Lisa: Are you confused about lameness? Check out the new "Understanding Lameness" Book!

2009-09-22T09:13:00.000-06:00

Western Horseman Book: Understanding Lameness
News Release
Colorado Springs, Colo. (2009)—Western Horseman has released Understanding Lameness, Examining Equine Lameness from Diagnosis to Prognosis. Past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Terry Swanson, DVM, of Littleton (Colo.) Equine Medical Center and professional equine journalist Heidi Nyland, masterfully consider common lameness issues in user-friendly language presented in an easy-to-follow format.

In the first chapter, Swanson sets the stage, describing an equine lameness examination, the degrees of lameness and the latest diagnostic tools. His final chapter considers owner participation in treating and managing equine lameness.The remaining 16 chapters address everything from hoof abscesses, white-line disease and navicular syndrome to laminitis, ringbone and soft-tissue injuries. Swanson presents a typical scenario for how each problem might become obvious and tells what the owner might do to help alleviate or evaluate the situation. Veterinary diagnostic procedure and treatment options follow, and lameness severity is considered in the final prognosis.

Swanson draws on his clinic archives so you know what to expect when viewing radiographs, ultrasounds, MRIs and more, and son Roy Dean Swanson has created outstanding illustrations. Nyland’s photos relate what’s seen via diagnostics and show how your horse will be treated. Her action photos start the beginning of most chapters and show the extreme moves and sports that horses and humans love and need to be in top shape to compete in.

Swanson’s common-sense approach in Understanding Lameness is a great asset in keeping your horse sound, as well as for coping with a lameness diagnosis.

If you would like a signed copy by the co-author, Heidi Nyland, go to: http://wholepicture.org/lameness.html .

Notes from Lisa: Redmond Rock Now Available

2009-09-01T09:15:00.000-06:00

I just got my first load of Redmond Rock. These sea rocks are hand mined from the sea beds of Utah, with nothing added. They are all NATURAL! They are a great all natural treat to take with you to shows (they will increase water consumption) or put in your feed pan at home. They provide a healthy treat, boredom fighter and also slow down your horse’s rapid intake of grain (when placed in the feed pan with grain).

They range in size from 8 lbs to 12 lbs and cost $13 each plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to order one (or an entire pallet of 40). They are going like hot cakes!

Notes from Lisa: Now offering Redmond Naturals!

2009-07-22T08:17:00.001-06:00

I’ve recently added Redmond Naturals to my product offerings (www.redmondnatural.com). I was looking for a high quality salt & mineral, one that is not processed or containing chemical additives. Redmond natural minerals are mined from an ancient crystallized sea bed in south-central Utah. This sea bed contains over 50 trace sea minerals in a form that animals love and can easily assimilate. A consistent supply of Redmond’s natural, broad spectrum sea minerals in trace amounts builds animal health, and prevents disease.

Although, it does not provide the full spectrum of supplementation that the EquiPride & EquiLix does, it provides the high quality salt/mineral component. Their newest product, the Redmond Rock, is a chunk of salt/minerals, in a rock format, that you simply put in your feed pan or leave out in the pasture. It makes a great healthy “treat” and prevents boredom in the stall. No more molasses/sugar treats!

I’m excited to start using this product and offering it to my customers! Let me know if you’ve tried it before.

Notes From Lisa: How to Save Money in a Down Economy

2009-05-27T15:26:00.001-06:00

Test

Equine Connection Hay Coop

2009-03-26T10:58:00.002-06:00

The Equine Connection, a group of equine enthusiasts and businesses in Jefferson County Colorado, partnered with Anderson Alfalfa (www.andersonalfalfa.com) to offer hay at a 25% price reduction. We were able to sell over 100 pallets of hay through this effort! We are hoping to offer this opportunity every quarter. The next effort will be mid-June, 2009. Mark your calendars and telll your friends!

Science of EquiPride

2009-03-06T13:37:00.003-07:00

What is it and what makes EquiPride and EquiLix work?
There is often skepticism about one product doing the job of many others, but EquiPride and EquiLix are designed to minimize the need for a wide variety of supplements. Our goal has been to supplement forage so well that only minimal grain, if any, is needed for additional energy (depending on activity load). Consequently EquiPride and EquiLix work effectively for improved hooves, hair coat, joint lubricity, feed utilization, circulation and reduction of gastric problems which otherwise contribute to colic. We know it's a powerful supplement which will replace several malady-specific supplements, but that's what happens when the digestive system operates at optimum efficiency.

EquiPride includes:

Macro Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and the Electrolytes, Potassium & Salt.

Chelated Trace Minerals: Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Cobalt, Iodine, Selenium in forms (complexed with an organic carrier) designed for maximum bioavailability

Mixed VFA's (Volatile Fatty Acid - Fats) The Omega 3s are added from flax to assure at least 10% of the total fat is Omega 3. It will be higher than that since Canola oil, which is also added, has Omega 3 fatty acid with the predominate Omega 6 and lesser amounts of 9.

Vitamins: A,D, E and Biotin to complement others, such as the B=complex vitamins, a component of the yeast we grow as part of the ProBiotein yeast culture blend.
Protein: A blend that includes isolates (thus no starch) from Wheat, Oats, Barley, Flax and Corn. This provides a broad amino acid profile with special value in the hoof-helping sulfur amino acids such as methionine and cystine.

Prebiotic: This is the term for the short-chains (oligosaccharides) of fructose, manose and xylose which are beneficial in feeding the probiotic organisms in the gut which, through competitive exclusion (healthy populations of beneficial -- probiotic -- micro flora) help keep the pathogenic (disease causing) organisms in check. They can't get a foothold despite always being around, thus they are "competitively excluded" from massing sufficient numbers to cause the animal to break with sickness.

Enzymes: These are the catalysts of digestion. We identify three forms of enzymes in our supplements - amylolytic (for starch and sugar), fibrinolytic (for fibers) and proteolytic (for protein). These are specifically added to our blend, but there are also other enzymes coming into the blend from yeast propagation and barley malt, including lipase (fat utilization) and phytase (phosphorus utilization).

If we isolated all of the protein, prebiotics and enzymes into separate products instead of leaving them in the EquiPride blend, the cost of the individual supplements would far exceed the blend and not be as effective because there are synergy's in a blend that cannot be matched by individual components.

The ProBiotein™ blend in EquiPride consists of yeast grown on a media of oats, wheat, barley malt and flax. Yeast excrete a beneficial enzyme which is used to break down the sugars created from starches in the grain media as an energy source they can metabolize and grow on. During the enzyme excretion process, the waste given off by the yeast is a beneficial nutrilite. Yeast when growing are also an excellent source of B vitamins.

In addition to the enzyme created by yeast, barley malt in the grain media has a tremendous amount of other enzymes in it. When you germinate the barley seed, it sends out these enzymes to start utilizing the seed’s storage pod of starch and protein, converting it into plant stem for growth. With barley malt you arrest this growth by knocking off the emerging sprout and drying the grain. Now you have a barley kernel with liberated enzymes that have no place to go. Some of these enzymes are designed to bring carbohydrate energy from the starch to the plant stalk, some are designed to carry protein and others are designed to convey minerals to the stalk. As an example, phytase for instance is designed to liberate and mobilize phosphorus.

What does this mean for the horse? A much greater bioavailability of all the ingredients in ProBiotein. Many raw plants have a phytic acid that ties up other minerals, not allowing them to be utilized. However, when you germinate the seed and ferment the plant you eliminate phytic acid and make the trace minerals much more available to the animal. Further, the barley malt enzyme, alpha amylase, helps break down the rest of the starch in the other media grains used. These grains need to be broken down so that their sugars are liberated and the yeast can eat them, making more yeast, giving off nutrilites and in an anaerobic condition, making alcohol – a dense non-starch energy.

We cook at low temperatures keeping everything alive and do not distill the alcohol out of ProBiotein. If we were to distill, it would require high temperatures that kill a lot of good things. The enzymes would still be valuable, but no longer viable. They would still be a protein and digestible but no longer a catalyst that keeps on working for you. An example would be the difference between paint dried on the wall serving its purpose and paint still in the bucket ready for use.

The ProBiotein blend is soaked on EquiPride’S carrier made up of distiller’s (pre-digested) grains, which is a beneficial feed in its own right. (SweetPro manufactures this in two forms; EquiPride top dress and EquiLix lick block) EquiPride is stabilized by the anti-oxidant / preservative Vitamin E (much of which comes from wheat) and salt. Salt changes the osmotic pressure and stops bad organisms from getting a foothold. It does not affect the nutritional qualities of EquiPride or EquiLix.

Germination and fermentation make for a huge enzymatic cocktail geared to metabolize sugars, proteins and minerals. If we can help the animal’s body do this better then we’ll see health and the utilization of their daily ration improve dramatically. It’s what the body needs for growth!

Everything about EquiPride’S processing is geared toward improving nutrient utilization, which in turn reflects itself in improved animal health, performance and feed utilization. All without “breaking the bank.”

There are lots of fermented feeds in the marketplace, but nothing quite like EQUIPRIDE, where the emphasis is on fermentation as the primary objective, not a byproduct. Also a blend of complementary nutrients is embraced over reliance on a single “silver bullet.” EquiPride and EquiLix are especially rewarding products for us because they do so much for animals that people care so much about.

What have you noticed?
If your horses have been on EquiPride, what have you noticed? Please share your experiences! I'd love to hear.

And if you'd like to try EquiPride, please contact me. I'll be glad to quote you a price for small or large quantities.
--Lisa Rasmussen

Glucosamine for Joint Health

2009-03-06T12:20:00.004-07:00

What is Glucosamine? According to The Horse, "Glucosamine is a common ingredient in oral joint health supplements that are widely administered to horses with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is available in a number of different forms including hydrochloride, sulphate, and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. To date, there is conflicting evidence surrounding the use of glucosamine for the management of osteoarthritis, regardless of species.

"'It has been proposed that the type of glucosamine used may impact efficacy,' explained Sheila Laverty, MVB, Dipl. ACVS, professor and specialist in equine surgery in the University of Montreal's Veterinary School.

"A recent review article suggests that the most favorable clinical trial results of osteoarthritis in humans were associated with the use of glucosamine sulphate, which is currently available for human use by prescription only in European countries.

"In the study by Laverty and colleagues, horses were administered clinically relevant doses of glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulphate (20 mg/kg) via nasogastric intubation. They administered the preparation of glucosamine sulphate reported to be beneficial in Europe. Both types of glucosamine were absorbed and were measurable in synovial fluid at one, six, and 12 hours after administration.

Research and Testimonials:
A Colorado horse owner tells about her horse's success with the glucosamine within EquiPride, "Since I doubled up on Shaker's EquiPride top dressing (1 cup AM and 1 cup PM), his pain in his right rear hip has disappeared!!!! I am SO relieved. He no longer holds his right rear leg in the air and no pain even after riding him for 2+ hours! (I used to give him 2cc's of bute an hour before riding. No longer needed.) I am sure it is due to the glucosamine, etc., in the EquiPride that has helped him tremendously. His winter coat is so shiny and his feet are extremely healthy! I am SO glad I found EquiPride products!" --Sharon J, Lakewood, CO

Question for You:
Have you taken glucosamine for your personal joint health? What have you noticed with your own movement? Has your own experience with joint supplements prompted you to research joint health for your horses?

Help for Colic

2009-03-06T12:13:00.004-07:00

What is colic?
Colic in horses, (as described in the online encyclopedia) is defined as abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis. The term colic can encompass all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of colic are gastrointestinal in nature and are most often related to colonic disturbance. There are a variety of different causes of colic, some of which can prove fatal without surgical intervention. Colic surgery is usually an expensive procedure as it is major abdominal surgery, often with intensive aftercare. Among domesticated horses, colic is a major cause of premature death. The incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 11 percent on an annual basis. It is important that any person who owns or works with horses be able to recognize the signs of colic and determine whether or not a veterinarian should be called.

Research and Testimonials:
One Colorado horse owner describes her horse's problems with constant colic bouts, "I considered a certain number of gas colics the norm since I lived in Colorado with its volatile barometer changes. It wasn’t uncommon to have our vet over to the farm several times a month to deal with a colic episode. But one particular mare, Tiffany, had a colic episode many times after eating her dinner. She would lie down and get up until the gas passed on through. This became so common that we would not call the vet as she seemed to resolve on her own.

"Because of Tiffany, I was instantly drawn to the Equi-Pride exhibit at the 2005 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo and decided to give it a try. But many of our horses let the Equi-Pride drop down to the bottom, not finishing it so we started feeding a minimum of 2 cups of soaked beet pulp along with the Equi-Pride. We have been using Equi-Pride and beet pulp for over 2 years on our herd of 60 Morgan horses and our gas colics have dropped 95%. And Tiffany’s gas colics happen only occasionally now. I love the product and besides the drastic reduction in colics, we have beautiful, shiny coats -- slick in the summer and short and dense in the winter." --Marilyn Esteb, Stone Pine Farm, Larkspur, CO

Question for You:
What have you done to help your horse's colic episodes? How often has your horse had bouts of colic? What's the scariest colic episode you recall?

Healing After Laminitis

2009-03-06T11:32:00.011-07:00

What is Laminitis?
As reported in Understanding Lameness (Western Horseman, 2009), Laminitis, or founder, means the laminae in your horse’s hooves have started to detach. The laminae bind the coffin bone to the inside of your horse’s hoof wall, andtheir detachment impacts many structures within the foot. The layer of cells called the basement membrane lines the coffin-bone side of the attachment and provides the physiological basis for this attachment. The coffin bone, basement membrane, and hoof wall must all work together to provide support for each of your horse’s legs. Here’s a more advanced look at what’s going on inside your horse’s hooves.

The hoof wall rim and the frog are the major weight-bearing structures in the foot—not the sole. The leg’s bony column is supported by the coffin bone, which attaches to the hoof wall’s inner surface. That connection makes the hoof wall the major support structure. So, keeping the hoof wall—the support structure—attached to the coffin bone is a crucial connection. The laminae’s role is to sustain that connection.

Laminae extending from the face or surface of the coffin bone intertwine, orinte- digitate, with laminae originating from the hoof wall’s inner surface to create the important attachment between the coffin bone and the hoof wall. When disease damages the laminae, the connection between the hoof wall and coffin bone weakens. When the disease progresses, the laminae sometimes completely separate. When the laminae can’t maintain the attachment, the coffin bone rotates or begins to sink under the horse’s weight. Instead of the hoof wall acting as the support structure, the small coffin bone now bears all the body’s weight and presses onto the horse’s sole. The new support arrangement interferes with blood circulation to hoof structures and causes great pain. The horse’s weight is no longer supported in a way to protect the structures inside the hoof capsule.

It’s also important to remember that the basement membrane is a thin layer of cells associated with the coffin-bone laminae. These cells are crucial to keeping the two layers of laminae connected. However, the basement membrane is weakened and damaged by laminitis’ triggering factors, several yet-to-be-identified factors that can cause your horse’s foot structures to change. Laminitis researchers soon will know exactly what happens after your horse eats too many carbohydrates and before his feet pathologically change. Researchers do know that laminar structures weaken if the area doesn’t receive enough glucose or oxygen. If the basement membrane weakens or disintegrates, the hoof wall and coffin bone can permanently separate, whichresults in rotation or sinking of the coffin bone.

If the disease process is discovered in time, your veterinarian can minimize or stop your horse’s coffin-bone rotation, and can potentially reverse the rotation with the help of your farrier in some cases. The ability to recover most likely is related to the amount of damage to the basement membrane cell layer. However, by the time most horse owners see clinical laminitis signs, the disease process, including the early separation of the laminae. already is under way. For that reason, laminitis always should be treated as a medial emergency to achieve the best outcome.

Your horse’s systemic or whole-body blood circulation also impacts the pathology of his hoof structures. Blood seems to deliver the triggering factors that eventually alter the hoof’s laminae. Scientists continue to study circulation and the connection to laminitis.

Research and Testimonials:
When my 24-year-old, slightly overweight, Arabian broodmare developed a bad case of laminitis several years ago I was devastated. At the time, I thought I was feeding her a balanced diet: alfalfa hay and sweet feed. Boy, was I wrong! After reading an article called “A Study of Laminitis,” by Kathryn Watts, on thehorse.com, I realized that my horse’s diet might have triggered the case of laminitis. The article explains that there is and important link in sugar and starches as a cause for laminitis.

A week or so later, I discovered EquiPride and EquiLix at my local horse expo. I asked about how this product might help with laminitis. The EquiPride and EquiLix, it was explained, is loaded with flax and omega 3s which reduce inflammation in the laminae. Additionally, the product is starch- and sugar-free and is predigested. The predigested nature helps to body to absorb the vitamin and mineral package more readily. It is important for a foundered or laminitic horse not to have starch or sugar. I also loved the fact that the product had the digestive oligosaccharides (prebiotics) that would aid digestion as well.

I picked up two pails to try. After the first pail, my mare was walking again in the pasture without Bute or any other medication. We did shoe her to take some pressure off her feet. By the time we finished the second pail she was walking, trotting, back to her old self again! I strongly believe that we gave Mustique the nutritional tool to help her body to regulate and heal itself. I immediately placed all of my horses on EquiPride.

My horses have been on EquiPride for almost six years now. They all maintain beautiful shiny coats (they even dapple now), strong healthy hooves (they go barefoot), strong digestive health (no colics, I lost two horses to colic prior to using this product), and calm, even dispositions (I have all Arabians!). The product worked so well for my horses, I decided to form a new business and distribute the product to other horse owners.

I trust the product for my horses and am excited to share research and feedback with you here. Feel free to comment after each blog entry. Please use this blog as a place to talk about your horses health and let me know if EquiPride is helping you, too. I love to hear your stories.

Here's what Dr. Ashleigh Olds, DVM, of Aspen Creek Large Animal Clinic, in Conifer, CO had to say about EquiPride and laminitis--and cushings, too. " I just wanted to let you know that I have used EquiPride on several hospitalized horses with excellent results. One in particular, a badly laminitic mare with Equine Cushing's disease, really started to turn the corner when I put her on EquiPride."

Also, watch the video about EquiPride and laminitis:

--Lisa Rasmussen

Question for You:
Is your horse prone to bouts of laminitis? Is he an easy or hard keeper? Has your horse shown signs of fatigue or stress?

Keeping Weight On

2009-02-25T09:52:00.004-07:00

Why do horses lose weight?
Have you noticed that your horse is eating lots of hay but he’s still not gaining weight? Horses can drop weight for many reasons ranging from medical conditions to environment and feeding concerns. To help you understand why your horse is losing weight, talk to your veterinarian and schedule a physical exam to rule out disease, parasites or uncommon reasons such as cancer. Your horse may be losing weight because of malnutrition (parasites or poor dental care), malabsorption (problems in the small intestine), ulcers, diarrhea, pain (causing them not to travel to eat), infection, organ failure, or metabolic problems such as Cushing's Disease. It's also possible that the horse's care and human interaction is causing a problem. Check out and research your horse's food, living environment, age & breed/genetics, and use. When it comes to food--is your horse getting enough? Is your horse eating 1.5 – 2.0 percent of his weight each day (for a 1200-pound horse that's 24 pounds of hay and grain)? When it's time for your horse to eat, does he have access to the food? If he's out with other horses, are they dominate and keeping him from his dinner? Or, does your horse endure stress on the road? Is his environment or are his surroundings causing him stress and making food less than desireable? If your horse is in his teens or twenties, his body may be functioning differently than it once did. Older horses need not be thin, but their needed care and nutrition changes with age.

Make sure to check your horse's teeth so that he can chew what you present him. Make sure that your horse has the nutritional tools he needs to absorb the food he gets. Make sure your feed and supplements have essential fatty acids including Omega 3s. Amino acids will help build muscle. Plus, many other supplements can help your horse absorb and use the feed you're providing.

Research and Testimonials:
One Equipride user in Colorado had an older horse who wouldn’t gain weight. "Our horse, Ben, will be 23 this month! I had increased his hay to 2 flakes alfalfa and 1 flake grass morning and night and he was receiving Purina Strategy. This did bring his weight up. Then, I started him on EquiPride... and he started getting FAT! I took away the extra flake of alfalfa and he maintained his weigh beautifully with the EquiPride. I ran out of EquiPride about a month ago and I have noticed a subtle weigh loss and his coat is not as shiny.
I am looking forward to getting him back on track with his EquiPride! Thanks Lisa. --Heide Golden, CO

Question for You:
Is your horse an easy or hard keeper? What do you do to help maintain weight?