Senior Mash is one of the craftable items in the game. Users in the Nutritionist stream can produce it using psyllium, magnesium and flax.

Course Article

Supplementing for Metabolic Disease Prevention

While the mainstays of treating metabolic disease lie in management changes, there are a few supplements that may be able to help, particularly for Equine Metabolic Syndrome horses. First, make sure horses are on an appropriate low-carbohydrate diet and are receiving any management medications that are indicated by their particular condition. Controlled exercise programs are also a good idea, particularly for the EMS horses, as long as they are not in the middle of a laminitic episode.

Magnesium has been used in humans to help treat Type II diabetes, which is a similar disease process to Equine Metabolic Syndrome. In both conditions, the cells become resistant to the effect of insulin moving sugar into the cells. Magnesium has been shown in humans to help reduce this insulin resistance, however there is not good evidence for it in horses. However, many veterinarians will still recommend it as a potential add-on treatment alongside management changes.

Psyllium is not only used for gastrointestinal benefits, it also can help metabolic patients. Horses that were given psyllium once a day show a lower blood sugar level after eating, compared to horses that were not fed psyllium. They also shown lower insulin levels, likely because there is less need for insulin due to the low blood sugar. This may be a good option for EMS patients in particular.

Flax is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which can help moderate blood sugar levels after eating, similar to psyllium. There is no evidence to show that it changes insulin levels, however having a lower blood sugar can only serve to benefit these patients.

The above ingredients are combined in Senior Mash, which is a product that helps reduce the risk of developing metabolic disease in older horses. Horses are most susceptible to getting metabolic conditions over the age of 15, so if you have a horse that might be prone to it, you should start them on Senior Mash after their 15th birthday.

1. Tan, J.Y. Equine Endocrine Disease: Disorders of Insulin and Obesity. University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine lecture, 2019.