Using diatomaceous earth on horses

texas sassy · 04-02-2007, 08:18 AM

My new barn uses diatomaceous earth on their horses--anybody else do this? Has anyone heard any pros-cons? My vet said no--didn't like all that sharp stuff in their intestines.

ToveroMom · 04-02-2007, 09:17 AM

Depends-are they using it for worming? Really ineffectual for that.
I use it on pee spots though-dries them right up

Danni L · 04-02-2007, 09:19 AM

In theory its a great idea.Aparently its composed of tiny diotomes(made of silica) which can damage the delicate outer surfaces of internal parasites with out harming the host.

calicocalgirl · 04-02-2007, 09:50 AM

we have Amish customers that use it.

Slim Pikkens · 04-03-2007, 09:01 PM

I sprinkle a handful on manure. I was told the fly larva are cut by the sharp edges of the silica. I certainly wouldn't feed it to them. It's great for drying up the manure. And p spots as well.

annag307 · 04-03-2007, 09:07 PM

I have used diatomaceous earth, but not directly on or in a horse. I have used it in the house, cupboards or anywhere that you want to dry up & kill insects. It works great to keep ants, etc. from getting in feed, or crawling around in your cupboards. From what I have learned about it, ti drys the host up and then kills it. Dont know if that helps. But what I can tell you that the vets I worked for told me that if ingested it wouldnt hurt the animal. But I am not standing firm on that. I would think if you are using it on the outside of the animal or in the environment, go for it. But I dont know that I would feed it to my horse. Actually I wouldnt feed it to my horse. But look forward to hearing everyone elses experience with diatomaceous earth.

dandeeqh · 04-03-2007, 11:09 PM

I haven't used it myself, but I know people who have and swear by it. It is not suppose to be harmful to feed it to horses. Here are some articles...

http://www.todayshorse.com/Experts/C...Cheyanne10.htm
http://www.manesandtailsorganization...lternative.htm
http://www.horse-canada.com/articles...isdom05.02.htm
http://www.oe1.com/index3.htm

texas sassy · 04-04-2007, 08:30 PM

Thanks everyone for your input!I appreciate it.

Perrys_mama · 04-05-2007, 08:55 AM

It is made of extremely sharp silica fragments...but sharp on the microscopic scale. I wear gloves when I use it around the yard, so I don't think I'd be comfortable using it around my horses because they seem to lick everything...but I am a bit of a safety nut. I let my dog and cats in the yard after I've used it and never had a problem...but they tend to stay away from it.

The way it works is that insects (we mostly use it for ants and beetles) walk all around in it and track it all the way home. Meanwhile, the grains acts like razor blades, inside and outside their bodies. When other pests contact it around the nest, they pick it up and it slowly kills off the whole nest.

cboling · 04-05-2007, 09:07 AM

I have been looking into it, I talked with my rep and he says 100% safe for animals to eat. I will get another link for you.

04-02-2007, 08:18 AM
texas sassy Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 707	My new barn uses diatomaceous earth on their horses--anybody else do this? Has anyone heard any pros-cons? My vet said no--didn't like all that sharp stuff in their intestines.

04-02-2007, 09:17 AM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 17,059	Depends-are they using it for worming? Really ineffectual for that. I use it on pee spots though-dries them right up

04-02-2007, 09:19 AM
Danni L Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Red Deer,Alberta Posts: 715	In theory its a great idea.Aparently its composed of tiny diotomes(made of silica) which can damage the delicate outer surfaces of internal parasites with out harming the host. __________________ Guido-two year old Appaloosa Sport Horse Willow-5 year old arab X paint mare ???- 4 year old ottb Filly

04-02-2007, 09:50 AM
calicocalgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: inbetweenhere&there, Pa Posts: 3,494	we have Amish customers that use it.

04-03-2007, 09:01 PM
Slim Pikkens Kid Safe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,106	I sprinkle a handful on manure. I was told the fly larva are cut by the sharp edges of the silica. I certainly wouldn't feed it to them. It's great for drying up the manure. And p spots as well.

04-03-2007, 09:07 PM
annag307 Coming two Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,960	I have used diatomaceous earth, but not directly on or in a horse. I have used it in the house, cupboards or anywhere that you want to dry up & kill insects. It works great to keep ants, etc. from getting in feed, or crawling around in your cupboards. From what I have learned about it, ti drys the host up and then kills it. Dont know if that helps. But what I can tell you that the vets I worked for told me that if ingested it wouldnt hurt the animal. But I am not standing firm on that. I would think if you are using it on the outside of the animal or in the environment, go for it. But I dont know that I would feed it to my horse. Actually I wouldnt feed it to my horse. But look forward to hearing everyone elses experience with diatomaceous earth. __________________ "When all else fails & your feeling blue. Put on your shoes & go shovel some pooo!" http://groups.msn.com/AgsWebpage/shoebox.msnw http://www.putfile.com/annag307

04-03-2007, 11:09 PM
dandeeqh Greenbroke Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,683	I haven't used it myself, but I know people who have and swear by it. It is not suppose to be harmful to feed it to horses. Here are some articles... http://www.todayshorse.com/Experts/C...Cheyanne10.htm http://www.manesandtailsorganization...lternative.htm http://www.horse-canada.com/articles...isdom05.02.htm http://www.oe1.com/index3.htm __________________ Brazil's National Horse is now in Canada! http://www.sunsetmarchadors.com The more I know people...The more I love my horses

04-04-2007, 08:30 PM
texas sassy Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 707	Thanks everyone for your input!I appreciate it.

04-05-2007, 08:55 AM
Perrys_mama Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 887	It is made of extremely sharp silica fragments...but sharp on the microscopic scale. I wear gloves when I use it around the yard, so I don't think I'd be comfortable using it around my horses because they seem to lick everything...but I am a bit of a safety nut. I let my dog and cats in the yard after I've used it and never had a problem...but they tend to stay away from it. The way it works is that insects (we mostly use it for ants and beetles) walk all around in it and track it all the way home. Meanwhile, the grains acts like razor blades, inside and outside their bodies. When other pests contact it around the nest, they pick it up and it slowly kills off the whole nest.

04-05-2007, 09:07 AM
cboling Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: canada Posts: 407	I have been looking into it, I talked with my rep and he says 100% safe for animals to eat. I will get another link for you. __________________ "If you like a horse at 4 months you'll like him at 4 years. Don't look at him in-between." ~ Hank Wiescamp