MSM for growthy young stock

[Mozart]

This is a spin off from an MSM discussion in Horse Care. A poster there was advised to put her big 10 month old on MSM is assist with inflammation that goes with a big fast growing young horse. I have used MSM for an older horse but have never considered it in this context.

What do you think of this? Do you routinely give it? Give it to some young horses but not all? Never use it?

I would be interested in your thoughts on this. Seeing as I have a couple of big fast growing young horses....

[Lesley Feakins]

I don't usully use it on our youngsters but have a coming 2 yr old that is going thru a huge growth spurt and looks uncomfortable. So have just started on her of MSM in the hope it will help.

[Fantastic]

I have all of my horses on MSM. That includes weanlings through pregnant broodmares, competition horses and everything in between. Thats all 16 of them. I purchase it from a feed compounding company, so it is really inexpensive. Promotes healthy tissues, etc.

[pintopiaffe]

Purely anectdotal:

Back 15 years ago or so, before there was much fuss or press on joint junk, I worked for a TB breeder. She had a very big colt, who was destined for the track... she swore by daily MSM for him.


Sometimes the oldtimers did know what they were doing ;)

[Clarion]

I use it on all my warmblood weanlings routinely. MHO is that it helps to prevent growth related inflammation. The little ones I give the MSM pellets because I sometimes have trouble getting them to eat the powder; by the time they are yearlings, I have them on the powder. I usually give it to them until I think they are done the major part of their growing--usually through their two year old year.

[happy mouth]

Clarion, how much do you give them?

[Blacktree]

I have all of my horses on MSM. That includes weanlings through pregnant broodmares, competition horses and everything in between. Thats all 16 of them. I purchase it from a feed compounding company, so it is really inexpensive. Promotes healthy tissues, etc.

Fantastic - what is a feed compounding company? If I can find MSM at decent prices, I'd love to start our 'kids' on it. :)

[Clarion]

Clarion, how much do you give them?

I give weanlings half the adult dosage(half of one of those little scoops). Anything hovering in the 1000lb range and above gets a full scoop.(So a yearling gets about 3/4 of a scoop and a two year old and up gets the full adult dose).

[DancingPretense]

I keep my babies on it as well.

[BelladonnaLily]

I was advised by my vet to put my weanling on it last year as she was growing quickly and had some swelling in her hocks. Swelling went away, filly is sound and healthy as a coming 2yo. She is still on it and I keep most of mine on it.

[LivviesMom]

Liv has been on since I got her as a weanling. *touch wood* she has never been lame or off.. I think it helps her during the spurts and if it keeps her a little more comfortable I'm all for it.
I buy a tub for $16 and it lasts about 3 months..

[class]

at: http://www.buygpdirect.com/gpefeed.htm you can get 12 pounds for $30 and shipping is free.

[ljshorses]

I put my babies on it as well. I didn't adjust the amount and have the weanlings on adult dosage, just never thought to cut it back, hmmm. None have swelling or are lame. I have heard it can interfere with selenium uptake but I don't think that is proven. I may consider dropping to half dose though if a full dose is not needed for the young ones.

[hackinaround]

Wondering if it is safe to use in pregnant mares. Also have heard that it can make studs and stud colts more ..well studish. Any truth to that?