Milk Thistle Powder and other supplements

[rummi]

As some of you may know, I have an ebay shop selling natural horse supplements and other products. I have only been 'open' since late July 2007. At first, I played fairly safe with products I knew would sell well, and were not overly expensive. This way, I wasn't buying large amounts of a product that wouldn't sell!

I'm now in the position to expand my range to include the more expensive supplements. I am always open to 'requests' and I've had 2 ebayers ask if I sell Milk Thistle. I have now found a supplier and am considering stocking it.

Before i part with my money, I'm doing some research and as part of that would value any experiences/information you may have.

Has anyone used it/is using it? How did you get on with it? Do you think it worked? What did you feed it for?

.......and any other supplements people find hard to get hold of?

I've also had requests for selenium supplements. My supplier does a copper and selenium supplement. I just have concerns on the 'selenium debate' and the possibility of overdosing on it......

[horsey123]

do you sell magnesiun

[kerpug]

When i found ragwort in hay and the fields were covered in it, i read that milk thistle was excellent for a detox of the liver. I looked on other herbal websites and found that in liquid form ( which i wanted) was very expensive!! I have found that a supplier does do it in liquid form of pure 100% milk thistle at a very very good price.

I had become worried as even though i checked the hay before my horse ate any and i know he didn't eat any in the field, it still alarmed me as what if in the past he could of ate some.So i will be looking to buy that just before spring for a detox.

[pinkpony]

Dontknow bout horses, but do know it is excellent for human liver as detox.x.x

[rummi]

yes I do sell magnesium (Calmag/magnesium oxide light/magnesium oxide heavy)

Please feel free to browse!

stores.ebay.co.uk/Natural-Horse-Supplies

The milk Thistle i'm looking at is in powder form, but I'll see if i can source a liquid form as well.

At the moment, I'm looking at about £5.99 for 450g or £11.99 for 900g for the Milk Thistle powder.

[sarahfox]

Hi Rummi,

We have a pone here that has liver damage as diagnosed by blood testing,no idea what caused it,it flared up last year and he had improved a lot by the time he came to us about 2 months ago.
My vet actually suggested using the milk thistle,which we started about 2 weeks ago,so dont know if it has worked yet,will probably blood test again in a few months now.
however,if vets are actually starting to suggest using it I would think that is a good thing to stock.

[rummi]

Thanks for that, I'm particularly interested in the herbs that are gaining in reputation among the more traditional veterinary groups! For instance, Vitex agnus castus which has undergone very interesting tests with the Laminitic trust for laminitis and cushings sufferers.

Please do keep me updated on your views on it.

[sarahfox]

Will do!
3 other things that my vet uses are : selenium, gastri-x, and boswellia serrata,oh and devils claw also.oh,and nearly forgot,aloe vera.

[rummi]

well, I sell NatureBute (boswellia), which i've had some really good feedback about. I also sell devils claw in dried and liquid form. I sell a lovely pure aloe vera gel (i've been converted to the stuff!) but may stock liquid form to be fed to horses in the future.

I'm looking into selenium.......and i'll look up gastri-x!!!

Glad to know I'm fairly on the ball! ;D

[eileen]

Sarahfox, what sort of symptoms did your pony display with the liver damage please? Rummi how pure is your MagOx? i dont understand about heavy and light. I have some that i got from Jackie and it is a soft white powder and 100% pure, is yours the same? I think the Vitus Agnus Castus is supposed to be good for moody mares as well? eileen x

[sarahfox]

Those prices look very good rummi,have bookmarked it,thanks!
we shall need some more gastri-x and milk thistle in a few weeks...!

[rummi]

Hi Eileen, technically speaking, the light form is 99% pure and the heavy is 99.2%! The heavy has been heated for longer in the manufacturing process so is about twice the density of the light form. This mean that although you feed the same MASS for noth forms, there is less volume of powder to feed with the heavy form. This can be better for fussier eaters who don't get much food to mix it in with. i also find the heavy form easier to handle as its not as fluffy! Both are a white powder.

The vitex agnus castus helps to balance hormones so can be good for moody mares and 'riggy' geldings as well!

[suewhitmore]

I give milk thistle to Uranio every day, have done since he had severe liver damage as a 2 yo. I have absolutely no idea if it does any good, but it makes me feel as if I am doing something. This was agreed as part of his diet by his liver specialist vet, altho' it was in fact suggested by a friend. I also give it to Jet to offset the potential liver damage his daily bute may do. I bought an enormous sack of it, it was about £60, but I think it will last me forever.....

[eileen]

thanks rummi will take a look eileen x

[sarahfox]

Hello Eileen,

The one we have on milk thistle had it before he came so i only have 2nd hand info:His was pretty acute I believe,actually LizP was working with him so she may have a better idea.
We have another pone here that was diagnosed with mild liver damage last year,his symptoms were; lethargy,listlessness,and dark urine,he was also stiff behind and reluctant to move.
Its most odd,neither vets seem to know what caused it,could be previous ragwort poisoning,but its odd as neither pone had access to ragwort at the time and both have improved greatly since???