The Gravelproof Hoof

Has Mastiha been used for horses?

Reports from around the world indicate the therapeutic benefits seen in humans are also replicated in horses.   It has been used successfully for horses with gastric ulcers where conventional drug treatments have not been effective or longlasting. As only a small proportion of the bacterial population of the horse’s gut has been isolated and identified, it is possible the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of Chios Mastiha are acting in ways that have yet to be discovered and understood. Informal trials have recently commenced in Australia, with early results being far beyond expectations, even in horses where no obvious health problems were evident.

    

Numerous horse owners state they have difficulty getting their horses to eat sufficient calories to maintain weight or energy.   The problem is compounded when attempting to feed anything that is likely to irritate inflamed or ulcerated tissues, such as salt or magnesium chloride, even though the horse may be displaying signs of deficiency.   This is a common problem with racehorses and other performance horses.

 

The observations, summarized below, from owners who have given their horses Chios Mastiha indicate a consistent pattern is starting to emerge between three and twenty-one days after commencement of the remedy:

 

• Increased appetite and enthusiasm for eating any feed presented, in horses who had previously wasted feed or taken hours to consume a small hard-feed regardless of salt content.

 

• No longer reluctant to consume feeds containing salt and/or magnesium chloride.

 

• Several horses with longterm, diagnosed gastric ulcers have improved rapidly with no other alteration to feed or manangement, including one racehorse with a grade 3 ulcer that had not responded to conventional treatment.  

 

• Drastically reduced need for magnesium.  One horse that had for years consistently needed 9.7g of elemental magnesium per day from supplements, dropped to 3.4g per day after only 3 weeks of being given Chios Mastiha (with no other changes to diet or living conditions).  This reduced need has been maintained for several months after completing the initial 4-week course despite increasing NSC levels in pasture grasses.   There were no previous indications of gastric ulcers in this horse.

 

• Visible increase in coat quality and shine, even in horses still shedding their winter coats.

 

• Relaxed temperament and the emergence of gentle ‘playfulness’ in horses not usually known for being playful.

 

• Change in body shape to a completely relaxed posture; horses not in work look as though they have suddenly acquired full, soft, developed muscles.

 

 

How is Chios Mastiha given to horses?
Using the protocol for people as a model, it is recommended that one level teaspoon (3g) of Mastiha (either powder or crystals) be mixed with a tiny amount of something that is tasty to a horse, and then fed separately 10 to 15 minutes before a meal, thus allowing time for the active elements in the resin to work on the horse’s stomach before the arrival of a meal.   A tablespoon of dry copra and a teaspoon of black sunflower seeds works well; start with a pinch of Mastiha and work up to the teaspoonful over a few days to allow time for the horse to adjust to the new flavor.   Most horses come to accept the flavor quickly, some even happily taking it alone after a few days.   If all else fails, the Mastiha powder can be mixed into apple puree or yogurt and then syringed over the tongue.

 

At this stage it is suggested that one level teaspoon (3g) of Chios Mastiha be fed once per day as above, for four weeks only. It is not yet known if this once-only remedy will be sufficient for all horses, especially those with diagnosed gastric ulcers.   As more reports are received from horse-owners, this article will be updated with further information.