Msm

[Rudi]

Hi - I am starting my 2 y.o. horse on MSM in order to build her up. The dose on the container says to give 5mg twice per day, and I am going to give her 10 mg once per day. I have these questions;

- is giving 10 mg all at once a whole lot worse for the horse than spacing it out and giving 5 mg twice per day?

- should I start off by giving 20mg per day for awhile until the MSM gets in her system? (I know with glucosamine you're supposed to do this). If so, for how many weeks?

- is the potency of MSM lessened by freezing it? I would like to leave the container in my barn, but it's -30 degrees here.

- does MSM help a growing horse's bones, making them stronger? Ultimately I would like to build her up, strengthen her bones and joints as she was run-down last summer.

Thank you for reading my post and for any opinions.

[galadriel]

What do you mean by "build her up"?

[artemis]

I thought MSM is for arthritis. That's what a friend of mine takes it for. A side effect in humans can be raised blood pressure!

Another friend of mine gave it to her horse fora form of arthritis (was prescribed by the vet)

[myEllie]

A two year old should not need MSM. It does not help to make the bones stronger, and is mainly used for arthritis. Some people do use it as a preventative, but certainly not for a two year old. Secondly, if it says to give 5 mg twice a day, then that is what you should do. Why would you only give it to her once a day? What makes you think your horse needs MSM? If I were you I would talk to your vet about it.

[Rudi]

Thank you for replying.

I have since found out much about MSM and this is what I now know;

- giving 10 mg once per day is fine
- you start by giving it at 20 mg for the first 6 days
- it's not a good idea to freeze it
- MSM is good for bone strength, protects joints (good for growing horses), great for hoof growth, mane growth, the immune system. It aids recovery from any sprains or strains.

I am going to give it to my 2 y.o. at least until she stops growing at age 6 mainly to help her bone strength and protect her joints as she grows.

[star]

MSM is certainly not just for arthritis. my horse has been on it recently for a ligament problem and is now on it for breathign problems. MSM is a bioavailable source of sulphur and as sulphur is a main constituent of a great many things in the body, it has many uses, both preventative and curative. i wouldn't have thought a 2yr old should need it, but it certainly wont do her any harm.

[Rudi]

Yes Star - MSM is not just for arthritis. Any horse can benefit from taking it (as well as humans).

It's especially good for my young horse in order to protect her joints while she's just starting to be ridden and while she's still growing.

[theresamac]

Many people choose not to ride horses so young, while they are still growing. Would she need MSM if you weren't working her??

[happyhorse]

Alot of people wait till there horses are older than two before they start riding so that the bones have a chance to grow before the added pressure of work is brought in, is there a particular reason your riding her so early in her life? generall only race horses are started so young.