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Ask the Vet – HYPP, supplements for all horses, magnesium for horses & more! – May 2018

Posted on: May 04, 2018 by SmartPak

 

 

You asked, we answered! In this episode of our monthly series, Ask the Vet, Dr. Lydia Gray and SmartPaker Sarah answer your questions about beet pulp and alfalfa pellets for a hard keeper, HYPP, magnesium for horses, fly control defense, supplements for all horses, and way more!

If your question was answered in this video, reach out to us at CustomerCare@SmartPak.com and let us know! We’ll get your gift card out to you as soon as we can!

Additional reading/watching material mentioned in the video:
Ask the Vet individual topics playlist
Ask the Vet blogs
Horse Health Library Videos
Ask the Vet form
UC-Davis video and information on HYPP in horses
AQHA HYPP and genetic testing information
HYPP in SmartPak’s Horse Health Library
Ask the Vet articles mentioning HYPP
SmartPak’s No-Fly-Zone
Read Dr. Gray’s research on Vitamin E
Take the Supplement Wizard
Yes, you can text us now! Learn how!

Have some of your own questions? Ask away using #AsktheVetVideo! If your question gets selected to be in one of our Ask the Vet videos, you win a SmartPak gift card! How awesome is that!? Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so that you know when the next episode comes out – your question may be featured!

Questions answered in this episode:
1. You guys have mentioned in the past that it’s not healthy to feed more than 5 lbs of grain per feeding. Is it safe to feed around 5 lbs of say beet pulp or alfalfa pellets since they are technically not a grain? I’m looking to put weight on my OTTB and have been soaking both alfalfa pellets and beet pulp (comes out to around 5-6lbs in weight). Is there an alternative where I can feed less but maintain his weight? Thanks!
2. What is HYPP?
3. Now that summer’s coming up my horse is completely irritated by the flies. I have a fly sheet, boots, and a mask as well as loads of fly spray. It just doesn’t seem to work. My horse either gets too sweaty with all the sheets, boots and masks, or they just don’t keep the bugs away. Are there any alternative options to keep my horse healthy and happy or recommended products that keep the flies away without getting her sweaty and uncomfortable (It’s extremely difficult because she needs to be covered from head to toe because of her melanomas, the sun could cause more)?
4. What supplements should every horse have?
5. What would be the reasons to give a magnesium supplement to your horse? Will it really help a horse be less spooky, and how much magnesium should a horse be getting on a daily basis?