Just wanted to repost this message as there was never a response to it. Possibly no one knows the answer, but I was thinking it may just have been lost in the shuffle.


I am feeding U-Gard powder to my Perch/X mare to help calm the digestive system. I don't know that she has ulcers (and she has a very stress free life) but I feel as though she may occasionally be having gas pains, possibly from something she is finding in her pasture. Are there any negative effects from feeding this long term? I am feeding about 1 ounce a day with her oil and supplements. Also, is there anything natural (herbal) that you know of to calm the digestive system that she could safely take long term?

U-Gard 2X Powder
Corta-Flx, Inc

Description:
A calcium feed supplement for foals, ponies and horses in training and competition.

Ingredients:
Calcium Carbonate, Kaolin, Diatomaceous Earth, dried Apple Pectin Pulp, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Methylcellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Mineral Oil, natural and artificial flavors.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Calcium (min): 2.5%
Calcium (max): 3.5%

Thanks.

Hi Lori - sorry if I missed this before. You would do best to talk to your veterinarian here, as he or she knows your area, your pasture, and your horse. That said, I don't see anything in here that should be a problem long term. I'm not sure that this would help if she did have ulcers, though - omeprazole (GastroGard) is the only drug I know of proven to help heal and also to help prevent ulcers.

Lori ;
I talked to a nutritionist once and he told me to not supplement any thing that has iron oxide in it because iron oxide blocks the body from absorbing other nutrients , I don't know if this is true but I do avoid them . I use a probiotic ,(Fastrack) ,and a prebiotic ,(Forco), to help our horses digestive system , they have no problems , but they have not shown signs of any gas pains that we're aware of .We use these as a daily supplement along with a joint supplement for our horses in their feed .