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Post by jaynedge on Sept 1, 2008 22:10:10 GMT 1
How on earth do I persuade Magic to eat the calmer I'm trying to give him?! I bought a tub of NAF Magic calmer and he will not under any circumstances entertain it! I'm not even trying to give him the full dose of 25g, just 10g and it's becoming a bit of a nightmare!! I've grated up apples and mixed the powder into it and he wouldn't even look at it (and he loves apples!), I've mixed dried mint into to disguse the smell or taste and still nothing. I made up some speedibeet and put it into that and still a negative. He has been offered it in some chaff and he looked at me as though I was mad!! The only option now I think is to mix it up into a paste and squirt it down his throat. I can't even add molasses or anything to his megre rations as I suspect he is sugar and cereal intolerent and we are still coming down from our last trip!!!
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Post by bobby on Sept 1, 2008 22:39:12 GMT 1
Give him a couple of days where you don't try to give it to him, then add it a pinch at a time, add it like that for a couple of days then build it up, he will either get used to the taste or it will get to a point where he can detect it and won't eat it.
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 2, 2008 8:44:41 GMT 1
Thanks Bobby, will try taking the quantity back a bit and see if he can detect it!! It's just my luck that he is a fussy bugger! My youngster will eat anything.....................even bute straight off your hand!!!!
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jose
Member
Posts: 279
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Post by jose on Sept 2, 2008 9:58:24 GMT 1
I use peppermint essence to disguise the taste of supplements / bute etc. Dilute it though 'cos its quite strong - I just put a few drops into a 2 litre bottle of water. Works brilliantly.
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 2, 2008 10:35:45 GMT 1
I tried putting mint (in herb form) into it and he still wouldn't touch it. All I could smell was mint and yet he still turned his nose up! I do have aromatherapy peppermint oil though so will try that. Thanks, good suggestion..............don't know why I didn't think of that! Especially as I am qualified in aromatherapy!!!
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Post by bingbong on Sept 2, 2008 11:18:51 GMT 1
i think the best way is to start off with a pinch and work your way up from there untill he becomes acostomed to the taste its much easier in winter too as i would just leave the bucket in the stable and they eventually eat it if they dont they get nothing else coisty used to be so bad for this too i had to lace bananas with bute (when he was ill) and also but it in a treakle piece - he would eat it like mmmmmm this is yum, and look at you like -i know you have done something to this but i just cant resist - its soooooo yummy
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Post by bobby on Sept 2, 2008 15:43:45 GMT 1
I tried putting mint (in herb form) into it and he still wouldn't touch it. All I could smell was mint and yet he still turned his nose up! I do have aromatherapy peppermint oil though so will try that. Thanks, good suggestion..............don't know why I didn't think of that! Especially as I am qualified in aromatherapy!!! Can that actually be taken orally??? I thought the majority of aromatherapy oils where for external application only.
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 2, 2008 16:33:53 GMT 1
Few are suitable to be taken internally, but peppermint is one that can be, so long as it is well diluted. Bergamot is another that can be taken internally (that's what is used to flavour Earl Grey tea!! Useless info there!!!
The only oils that are safe to use neat are Lavender and Tea Tree, everything else must be diluted down.
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Post by lisah on Sept 2, 2008 19:35:10 GMT 1
hi Jayne
Bananas are good for hiding taste and smell :-) My lads love the old soft ones that have gone all brown and gooey LOL
LisaH xxxxxx
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 2, 2008 21:01:59 GMT 1
I did offer him mashed banana and he looked at me as though I was insane!!! Lisa have emailed you. I had an incident tonight and my confidence has sunk below rock bottom if at all possible.
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Post by lisah on Sept 3, 2008 13:31:42 GMT 1
Hi Jayne
I will go check my emails now.
Another way to give the powder would be to put it in some jam and rub it onto his gums !! I know it sounds wierd but that is an old tried and tested way to give bute to a horse that won't take it. The jam sticks all in their mouth and they just lick away at it and get all the bute (or in your case calmer) at the same time.
LisaH xxxx
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Post by michellec on Sept 4, 2008 11:55:05 GMT 1
Apple cider vinegar seems to works with my fussy old bugger.
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 4, 2008 15:46:50 GMT 1
It's sadly all a non starter!! He seems to be able to detect even a tiny pinch!!! Bugger that he is. SO.................Does anyone need a tub of NAF Magic Calmer, newly opened with a total of 2 scoops out of it?!
On the plus side I bought him Top Spec Calmer and he has eaten it without question!!! Strange horsey!!!
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Post by pipsmum on Sept 5, 2008 20:53:42 GMT 1
Have you tried making jam butties? I used to do this with wormers and it worked! If he's sugar intolerant, you could use the diabetic/sugar-free versions.
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Post by jaynedge on Sept 15, 2008 15:54:34 GMT 1
I've just given in with the NAF Calmer, sold it on and Magic is happily eating Top Spec Calmer instead!!
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