This message is from: "Ruth Bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Now another of our driving school horses has come up with anemia. -- BDF Quasar, a 5 yr. old gelding, ...> > I read up on anemia in horses and it's considered fairly rare, and is not due to a lack of iron; therefore, blood building supplements like Red Cell are not recommended anymore -- at least according to what I read on the > Internet. They mentioned Folic Acid depletion, and lack of enough > elenium. -- Carol ----------------------------------------------
SORRY to hear about Quasar's difficulties (can't believe he's 5 yrs already, seems like "we" just picked out his name) Usually when people hear the word "anemia" they are inclined to think of what's nutritionally lacking, this could be misleading.. anemia is more of a clinical sign than a diagnosis and one of the two most common causes of anemia is diet... and perhaps not necessarily a lack! Could it possibly be an ingredient in his past diet..? Nutrient imbalances can lead to anemia, not shortages, but surpluses. For example, I read this item about leaves.. "Actually, *fresh* red maple leaves are harmless. The wilted leaves however... cause a hemolytic anemia" http://www.horse-country.com/vet/newell3.html I also read something about large quantities of Broccoli causing anemia... of course you haven't done that, but I mention it as an example of a nutritional imbalance. I know you've mentioned before that you feed the residual product of the sugar beet and while I KNOW it is highly acclaimed (see link below) I also can't help but wonder if perhaps there might be the odd horse that doesn't assimilate it well, perhaps because of its fibrous quality? (I have seen a few disparaging references in pet food sites) Point being, I would try changing the existing diet and opt for simple good quality natural grass (an old remedy is sometimes the best remedy =)) Best of luck to Quasar, Ruthie, nw mt all you ever wanted to know about beet pulp http://www.horsequest.com/journal/health/beetp.htm
