Back in March we reached out to a trial group of existing customers to receive feedback on a product that had been long in the works. We have been excited to offer a new all natural product that could provide additional benefits to our customers and we feel confident it will deliver! Our focus? Gastric wellness.
In our trial we received weekly feedback over four weeks of starting their horses on our new product. Here's what they had to say...
Day Zero
Day 28
Trial horse Jessie was struggling with ulcers and a ‘burp tic’, which we also know as cribbing.
By end of the trial Pamela reported a major reduction in all of Jessie's symptoms including his burp tic and found that she no longer required his collar to control this vice. She did report that the horse seems a little more nervous, however she also notes that he has gone from being kept in a herd to being alone on her farm during the trial period- horses are social herd animals and will become stressed and sleep deprived when kept alone. Pamela has been very happy with her horse's weight gain and reduction in symptoms and would like to keep Jessie on the product now that the trial is done.
Notes from our Smart Earth equine nutritionist: The ‘burp tic’ and reduction of cribbing is interesting to me. Cribbing is a behavior that some horses will learn/exhibit usually in reaction to stress or boredom. Cribbing is an incredibly destructive vice for both facilities and the horse- long term damage to their teeth and destruction of surfaces is costly. Many facilities will no longer allow horses that crib onto their farms and many people will not purchase horses that do crib. There is a scientific based correlation between nervous system dysfunction, gastric ulcers, distention colics and cribbing so while I find this report from Pamela surprising its not totally out of the realm of possibilities.
Day Zero
Day 28
During the trial Lindsay reported her filly had improved digestion (stool quality/appetite/ulcers), improved overall mood and was more pleasant to be around.
She has also reported that since being on the trial she has not had to use omeprazole and the mare has gained significant weight
At the end of the trial and the cessation of the trial product Lindsay’s filly reverted back to their previous issues. She lost a significant amount of weight (Body score of 3 currently) and has required vet treatment. She has been back on a round of omeprazole and is not improving.
Lindsay reached out on September 25th requiring more trial product if it wasn’t available on the market yet and stated her filly is “...clearly walking proof of its effectiveness”
Day Zero
Day 28
Reported improved weight, muscle and topline.
At the end of the trial period Ben’s appetite decreased and he began losing weight and muscle. Nichole contacted Jenna to request more product if it wasn’t yet on the market- Ben has continued on the trial product and immediately picked up the little weight he lost and regained his appetite
Nichole is a vet tech who has worked for both University of Guelph OVC as well as MIlton Equine Hospital. She has spoken to many people about our trial product and has individuals that are interested in purchasing/trying when the product does go to market.
Day Zero
Day 28
Oakley has historically dealt with fecal water syndrome and expels liquid when he passes gas.
We have not been able to have him on Camelina oil at any stage as it aggravates the issue and liquid expulsion increases
Oakley did the initial 30 day trial and showed a good improvement, while liquid was not completely eliminated (other factors- stress/horse shows, week long away shows, hay changes), there was a dramatic improvement.
When Oakley came off of the trial liquid expulsion increased dramatically- back to covering his bum cheeks and upper hind legs with liquid. When put back on the trial product liquid expulsion decreased. There is a correlation between the product and the amount of liquid being expelled at least in the case of this pony.
Day Zero
Day 28
Did not show a dramatic improvement in the first few weeks however I had selected him as my long term trial horse (still on the product currently)
Historically has been extremely sensitive to touch, tyes up when stressed, has been treated for ulcers 3 times (Treated with Omeprazole and AcidFX), frequently displays behaviors indicative of gastric distress.
Since the trial began with Artax we have noticed an increased tolerance for grooming and touch and less ‘angry’ reactions when touching his belly. He has only displayed symptoms of gastric distress once (correlation between seasonal change- grass pasture to hay as winter approaches) and has not required Omeprazole again or AcidFX
I do not believe the product healed his ulcers- that would be the omeprazole, however I do believe the product is the only reason he has not required more rounds of Omeprazole. The only change in our management of his ulcers has been the addition of the product.
Day Zero
Day 28
Reported that all ulcer symptoms had completely cleared up by Day 14. By end of the trial the mare, Porter, had appeared to have resolved her ulcers and overall body condition was dramatically improved. Reina & Erica requested another trial sample as the mares appetite decreased and symptoms began to return on cessation of the trial product.
Porter has continued to make improvements while on the trial product and they would like to continue on with it.
