Comments on: Dealing With PSSM http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/ The Complete Source for All Things Horse Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:32:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kyah LaPorta http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-8448 Kyah LaPorta Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:09:59 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-8448 Hi There... I have a 15 year-old APHA Paint Gelding who tested negative for Type 1 hair DNA testing at Univ of Minnesota... but exhibited all symtoms of PSSM.. One vet suggested that I change his diet and see if he improves. There was a drastic improvement with the change in diet.. After over a year of a specific diet with expensive supplements, I finally decided to afford to put my gelding through the muscle biopsy test and sure enough.. he tested positive for type 2 PSSM.. I am relieved for the positive test result because I know for certain this is what ailes my gelding.. and it explaines all the little subtle crazy symptoms of this disease... So the question that has been asked is what is the diet that has worked?? I have my Type 2 PSSM Paint gelding on a strict regime.. Bermuda Grass Hay (Warm season grass hay.. very important!!) Timothy and orchard grass hays may be low in NSC's but they are loaded with sugars... I had my guy on timothy and then orchard grass and this is when his PSSM became so horribly noticeable... So I feed primarily Bermuda Grass and suprisingly enough... a little alfalfa hay has really made all the difference... Bermuda Grass and warm season grasses may not be available in all parts of the country.. I found it is available in California and Arizona.. but not in places like Idaho.... So this could be difficult for those who don't have access to warm season grasses.. You may want to avoid the timothy and orchard grasses and feed alfalfa... For supplements... I swear by having a PSSM horse on DMG (I get mine from Smart Pak's Smart Muscle Stamina)... I ran-out of this product and thought.. well lets see how he does without it.. and in one month, he was so stiff and soar that after riding him, the next day he could narely walk he was so soar... It was then that I knew he had PSSM and needed the supplements.. and for the fat... I combine 3 different supplements... 1) CoolStance (from Stance Equine.. a coconut product from Australia.. Yes it is available in the US.. I have to special order mine from my local feed store that is able to order from a VSI distributer) Cool Stance has been critical as the multi-chain fatty acids derived from coconuts is a very healthy fat, and it has no bi-products or fillers.. no mollassas... no crazy sugars and starches.. This is a pelleted product that provides a healthy fat and makes it easy to mix the oil and powder from the Smart Muscle Stamina... Twice per day, I feed 3 cups CoolStance mixed with 1 scoop Smart Muscle Stamina and then add into the mix 2) CocoSoya Oil -- very healthy oil compared to a straight veggie oil... I feed 3 to 4 squirts oil mixed into the coolstance pellets twice per day 3) CoolCalories 100 Dehydrated veg fat is a clean source of fat with no fillers or by-products... I mix 2 to 4 scoops twice per day I also provide a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement such as Select II for adding vitamin E and Selenium... This is my recipe... The other critical factor is to keep a PSSM horse in a pasture or turn-out situation.. It is critical a PSSM horse is not to be stalled.. They need to keep moving and have constant excercise.. I hope this helps.. Hi There…
I have a 15 year-old APHA Paint Gelding who tested negative for Type 1 hair DNA testing at Univ of Minnesota… but exhibited all symtoms of PSSM.. One vet suggested that I change his diet and see if he improves. There was a drastic improvement with the change in diet.. After over a year of a specific diet with expensive supplements, I finally decided to afford to put my gelding through the muscle biopsy test and sure enough.. he tested positive for type 2 PSSM.. I am relieved for the positive test result because I know for certain this is what ailes my gelding.. and it explaines all the little subtle crazy symptoms of this disease…

So the question that has been asked is what is the diet that has worked?? I have my Type 2 PSSM Paint gelding on a strict regime..
Bermuda Grass Hay (Warm season grass hay.. very important!!)
Timothy and orchard grass hays may be low in NSC’s but they are loaded with sugars… I had my guy on timothy and then orchard grass and this is when his PSSM became so horribly noticeable…

So I feed primarily Bermuda Grass and suprisingly enough… a little alfalfa hay has really made all the difference…
Bermuda Grass and warm season grasses may not be available in all parts of the country.. I found it is available in California and Arizona.. but not in places like Idaho…. So this could be difficult for those who don’t have access to warm season grasses..
You may want to avoid the timothy and orchard grasses and feed alfalfa…

For supplements… I swear by having a PSSM horse on DMG (I get mine from Smart Pak’s Smart Muscle Stamina)…
I ran-out of this product and thought.. well lets see how he does without it.. and in one month, he was so stiff and soar that after riding him, the next day he could narely walk he was so soar… It was then that I knew he had PSSM and needed the supplements..

and for the fat… I combine 3 different supplements…
1) CoolStance (from Stance Equine.. a coconut product from Australia.. Yes it is available in the US.. I have to special order mine from my local feed store that is able to order from a VSI distributer) Cool Stance has been critical as the multi-chain fatty acids derived from coconuts is a very healthy fat, and it has no bi-products or fillers.. no mollassas… no crazy sugars and starches.. This is a pelleted product that provides a healthy fat and makes it easy to mix the oil and powder from the Smart Muscle Stamina…

Twice per day, I feed 3 cups CoolStance mixed with 1 scoop Smart Muscle Stamina and then add into the mix
2) CocoSoya Oil — very healthy oil compared to a straight veggie oil…
I feed 3 to 4 squirts oil mixed into the coolstance pellets twice per day
3) CoolCalories 100
Dehydrated veg fat is a clean source of fat with no fillers or by-products…
I mix 2 to 4 scoops twice per day

I also provide a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement such as Select II for adding vitamin E and Selenium…

This is my recipe… The other critical factor is to keep a PSSM horse in a pasture or turn-out situation.. It is critical a PSSM horse is not to be stalled.. They need to keep moving and have constant excercise..

I hope this helps..

]]> By: Brenda Lee http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-8346 Brenda Lee Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:47:43 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-8346 Hi Jeaniene, I feed my mare Omegatin by Kent feeds. It is 20% fat and then I add 2 cups of Canola Oil per day to it. She is really fussy and I had a hard time to find something that she would eat but this seems to work. Does your QH have any issuses with allergies (diarrhea)or Uveitis? Thanks, Brenda Hi Jeaniene,

I feed my mare Omegatin by Kent feeds. It is 20% fat and then I add 2 cups of Canola Oil per day to it. She is really fussy and I had a hard time to find something that she would eat but this seems to work. Does your QH have any issuses with allergies (diarrhea)or Uveitis? Thanks,

Brenda

]]> By: Jeaniene http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-8010 Jeaniene Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:06:04 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-8010 My 7 yr old QH was just diagnosed with PSSM also. He had severe all over body cramping and was in horrible pain - I thought I was going to lose him. But the diet and exercise has done wonders and I hope we can keep him from ever having another bad episode. I'm still playing with different feeds trying to get the fat down him. Just when I think I have it dialed it he decides he no longer likes it. Cocoasoya oil over wet alfalfa cubes seems to work best for him. Would love to hear what works for others. My 7 yr old QH was just diagnosed with PSSM also. He had severe all over body cramping and was in horrible pain – I thought I was going to lose him. But the diet and exercise has done wonders and I hope we can keep him from ever having another bad episode. I’m still playing with different feeds trying to get the fat down him. Just when I think I have it dialed it he decides he no longer likes it. Cocoasoya oil over wet alfalfa cubes seems to work best for him. Would love to hear what works for others.

]]> By: Brenda Lee http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-7860 Brenda Lee Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:34:52 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-7860 HELP....Hello again, it has not been a good summer. Just wondering if anyone who has a Horse with PSSM has had any problems with Uveitis and allergies. I noticed yesterday that her Uveitis was flared up and today the eye is completely yellow and I am just waiting on the vet to arrive. I also have had 2 mild flare ups with her PSSM in the last month. In her allergy testing she is allergic to hay, grass and everything else in a horses world. If you have anything similar please let me know as I am wondering if this stuff is not all related with the immune system. Thanks, Brenda HELP….Hello again, it has not been a good summer. Just wondering if anyone who has a Horse with PSSM has had any problems with Uveitis and allergies. I noticed yesterday that her Uveitis was flared up and today the eye is completely yellow and I am just waiting on the vet to arrive. I also have had 2 mild flare ups with her PSSM in the last month. In her allergy testing she is allergic to hay, grass and everything else in a horses world. If you have anything similar please let me know as I am wondering if this stuff is not all related with the immune system.

Thanks, Brenda

]]> By: Brenda Lee http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-7317 Brenda Lee Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:49:07 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-7317 Hi, I have a 10 year old quarter horse mare that was diagnosed 2 years ago with Type 1 PSSM which they say is easier to manage. She is out of TNT Fluid Fred and a granddaughter of the Investor and I wondered if anyone else has had problems with these bloodlines? I bought her for my daughter and I thought at times that this mare was CRAZY! I would lounge her and ask her to lope off and she would go around a few times and them just blow up and run and run and start whinnying like a crazy horse now I realize that she was having major cramping. Here we are 2 years later and I know beyond any doubt that she has the biggest heart of any horse I have ever been around. She will pack my daighter(at age 8) around the showpen and I have to say is one of the safest and best kids Horse around. If I keep her off grass and follow the High fat diet and daily exercise with turnout as much as possible then she is great. I fear that there are alot of horses out there that get put down or abused because of diseases like this and just hope that people read these articles and get educated. You can test for PSSM now with a simple blood test. Hi,

I have a 10 year old quarter horse mare that was diagnosed 2 years ago with Type 1 PSSM which they say is easier to manage. She is out of TNT Fluid Fred and a granddaughter of the Investor and I wondered if anyone else has had problems with these bloodlines? I bought her for my daughter and I thought at times that this mare was CRAZY! I would lounge her and ask her to lope off and she would go around a few times and them just blow up and run and run and start whinnying like a crazy horse now I realize that she was having major cramping. Here we are 2 years later and I know beyond any doubt that she has the biggest heart of any horse I have ever been around. She will pack my daighter(at age 8) around the showpen and I have to say is one of the safest and best kids Horse around. If I keep her off grass and follow the High fat diet and daily exercise with turnout as much as possible then she is great. I fear that there are alot of horses out there that get put down or abused because of diseases like this and just hope that people read these articles and get educated. You can test for PSSM now with a simple blood test.

]]> By: Betsy Nash http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-7308 Betsy Nash Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:20:24 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-7308 My 4 yr old mare was just diagnosed with PSSM through the genetic testing available at Univ. of Minn. I am curious if AQHA has any kind of data on the bloodlines that have a genetic link to PSSM, or, if anybody doing research has any data. I've read a copious amount of material on PSSM and do have it under control with my mare. I understand that line breeding is an issue but am curious as to which bloodlines are dominant for the gene. My plan when I purchased her was to train her for barrels, compete, then breed her. Guess the breeding part of the plan has to be nixed. My 4 yr old mare was just diagnosed with PSSM through the genetic testing available at Univ. of Minn. I am curious if AQHA has any kind of data on the bloodlines that have a genetic link to PSSM, or, if anybody doing research has any data. I’ve read a copious amount of material on PSSM and do have it under control with my mare. I understand that line breeding is an issue but am curious as to which bloodlines are dominant for the gene. My plan when I purchased her was to train her for barrels, compete, then breed her. Guess the breeding part of the plan has to be nixed.

]]> By: pat griffin http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-7078 pat griffin Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:32:39 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-7078 I read your article and it gives me hope, my horse has been diagnosed with pssm and i feel overwhelmed I read your article and it gives me hope, my horse has been diagnosed with pssm and i feel overwhelmed

]]> By: Ann Mathis http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-7048 Ann Mathis Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:32:18 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-7048 I have a beautiful gray quarter horse mare that was diagnosed with pssm when she was 2 and she is now 7. I have kept her very healthy and have shown her for the last 3 years by keeping her on a diet of Releve feed and hay with some alfalfa in it, plus constant turnout and exercising her at least 5 to 6 days a week. When I give her winter months off I start working her back into shape in small time increments and work her up a little bit at a time. She has the best personality and really gives me all shes got. I adore her with all my heart. I have a beautiful gray quarter horse mare that was diagnosed with pssm when she was 2 and she is now 7. I have kept her very healthy and have shown her for the last 3 years by keeping her on a diet of Releve feed and hay with some alfalfa in it, plus constant turnout and exercising her at least 5 to 6 days a week. When I give her winter months off I start working her back into shape in small time increments and work her up a little bit at a time. She has the best personality and really gives me all shes got. I adore her with all my heart.

]]> By: Jenny Lance http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-5938 Jenny Lance Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:39:21 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-5938 My Appendix, Moon Head, also has been diagnosed by different vets with PSSM. He now lives 100% outdoors with a run in shed. I work him regulary which REALLY seems to help him stay strong, and I feed ADMs Senior Glo (very low starch for my VERY hard keeper!) "Taz" occasionally still lifts his leg. We did have one really bad bout last summer when trail camping...the terrain was probably too rugged for him. I also provide him with equine massages every few months. By being more careful about where I ride him now at age 16 along with all of the other practices, I seem to have been able to keep him as comfortable as possible during the past 12 years. My Appendix, Moon Head, also has been diagnosed by different vets with PSSM. He now lives 100% outdoors with a run in shed. I work him regulary which REALLY seems to help him stay strong, and I feed ADMs Senior Glo (very low starch for my VERY hard keeper!) “Taz” occasionally still lifts his leg. We did have one really bad bout last summer when trail camping…the terrain was probably too rugged for him. I also provide him with equine massages every few months. By being more careful about where I ride him now at age 16 along with all of the other practices, I seem to have been able to keep him as comfortable as possible during the past 12 years.

]]> By: Julie Preble http://americashorsedaily.com/dealing-with-pssm/comment-page-1/#comment-5768 Julie Preble Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:11:18 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=13237#comment-5768 Thanks for using my article on here! It was a very pleasant surprise when I checked my e-mail first thing this morning! =) Thanks for using my article on here! It was a very pleasant surprise when I checked my e-mail first thing this morning! =)

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