Molasses..are they a big no-no?

[chickflick1066]

My share horse (Casper, a big strapping friesian) won't eat his turmeric in his dinner. He could really do with having it so he has a handful of chaff and 25g of turmeric but he hates the yellow stuff. I tried adding apple cider vinegar but he didn't touch it so I added a glug of molasses and he wolfed it down.

Will I be doing him harm by feeding him molasses or will the benefits of the turmeric outweigh the downsides of feeding molasses.

Also, if they aren't going to cause harm - how much should I use? I am literally giving him a handful or 1/2 handful of chaff to add turmeric and garlic to.

[valerie n scout]

I've never fed Molasses but am sure some kind person can help...x

[Deleted]

don't know if this helps but the horses at work get it added to their dinner if they are ill and won't eat.

[harveydales]

I tend to steer clear of molasses. I know the amount of sugar is realtively small compared to what they are getting in grass at the moment but ever since a cob I had started with laminitis many years ago after getting through those molassed mineral licks I avoid additional molasses for all my horses. Not worth the risk of it tipping them over into lami.

I tried tumeric for Harvey this winter but he didn't like it either. Tiny amounts were OK but I gave up. I tried it myself and it had a strange numbing effect on my tongue - perhaps that's what they don't like?

Anyway, the short answer imo is molasses risks outweigh tumeric benefits.

[Debbie]

Why does he have to have tumuric and is there an alternative herb you can use for it?

Typically if a horse balks at a particular herb, I'll question the herb being presented. Sometimes they are saying no because the herb won't work well for their body and/or the problem they are having.

Molasses is something I try to avoid, but sometimes I'm stuck with it in the shredded beetpulp. Its not great, and with a pony that has lami or Cushings, I'd point blank refuse to use it.

I'd say use it with caution, and keep an eye on him. Any signs of lami and yank the molasses straightaway.

An alternative to molasses is agave nectar. A little goes a long way and it will not impact the blood sugars like molasses can.

[zeldalithgow]

I steer clear of molasses too, I also feed turmeric I give a tablespoon of it mixed with fast fibre and various other herbs and chaff, you could try adding powdered mint to the feed as well it may mask the turmeric. try just giving a tiny amount then upping it each day maybe over two or three weeks

[harleydales]

Molasses is calorific, so it will alter the sugar levels in his diet - so it really depends if he can cope with that, and if he needs the turmeric to an extent that you can add in the extra calories safely. Depends how much a glug is too!

[chickflick1066]

Yeah the measurement thing was something that concerned me. I am going to try apple juice (but that's quite high in sugar too) and dried mint to see if that helps.

The turmeric is his joint supplement.

[Debbie]

You might try myrrh instead of the turmeric for a joint supplement. I use it for Galahad and it works very well.

Fenugreek is another flavoring you might try

[chickflick1066]

Thanks Debbie

[Debbie]

You're welcome Galahad gets 1/2 Tablespoon of myrrh morning and night in his bucket feeds. I do soak his food and its mixed in with applesauce as well, so I don't know if that masks the flavor or not. I don't think so, though. I'm pretty sure I've seen Galahad licking the myrrh powder before.