Results of the Cresty Neck Study

In 2003-2004 we conducted a study where the owners of horses with cresty necks tried Quiessence® for 6-8 weeks and reported their results and observations. We suggested that they start with an initial loading dose of 4 oz. per day and then drop to a maintenance dose of 2 oz. after 30 days, adjusting the dosage accordingly for different body weights.

• 63 people enrolled in the study.
  
  
• The ages of the animals ranged from 2½ years to 30 years.
  
  
• A wide range of breeds were represented - Warmbloods, Morgans, Paso Finos, Quarter Horses, Arabians, National Show Horses, Thoroughbreds, Ponies, Miniature Horses and Donkeys.
  
  
• 48 responded by sending back the results.
  
  
• Of the 48 case results, in 36 of the cases (75%), the animal showed a reduction in neck thickness, with an average reduction of 1.33 points on a scale of 1-5.
  
  
• The neck thickness reduced on average 1-2 inches. Several owners also reported an increase in neck flexibility. Many also noted a reduction in fat pads on the shoulders and tail head.
  
  
• 12 cases showed no change in neck thickness - of these, 8 were using the product for calming the horse and reported an increase in calmness.
  
  
• In 4 cases, the horse was already on a magnesium supplemented diet and was not cresty and they found no difference in either neck thickness or calmness.
  
  
• In 1 case the owner reported an absence of the foot abscesses that had been a problem before the trial.

The conclusion we came to was that increasing the level of magnesium in the diet of cresty-necked horses and ponies helped to reduce the neck thickness and helped to reduce the fat pads on shoulders and around the tail head.

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Melyni Worth, Ph. D. P.A.S.
Foxden Equine Nutrition & Therapy
P.O. Box 480
Stuarts Draft, VA 24477

540-337-5450 Phone   •   540-337-5453 Fax