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Discussion on Sodium bicarbinate-101 uses? ok for horse?
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 - 12:40 pm:
When my goats are a bit off, aren't ruminating properly, look a bit bloated, etc. i always feed straight baking soda. Free choice.
Now that i have a mini in there with them, i stopped all free choice stuff. But was wondering how it would affect a horse, if they got into some baking soda. Is there any benefit to feeding a horse sodium bicarb. I know that feeding it to pigs can be toxic. but i think that is their bodies have no ability to sweat, and the sodium toxifies their systems, and can get sodium poisoning.
Also, there are like a million and one uses for this stuff. I had no idea it was a good itch reliever. and people can drink it to assuage an upset stomach.
So curious as to what others use it for and with animals.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 - 9:49 pm:
Unlike a goat, horses do not eructate. With no place for that gas to go you may cause colic.
DrO
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 - 11:48 pm:
gentle scouring powder for stainless steel.
I've adjusted the ph in my pool.
and I've mixed it in my cat box litter.
AND I use to WOW my son when he was little by making a "volcano" out of it by adding vinegar.......that combination sometimes cleans sink drains...
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 1:52 am:
Thanks, Dr. O i had feeling you'd say that... why is it that horses can't as you say "eructate" nor throw up? They can have gas though...
and just as an aside. Have you ever been in the path of a goats belch? OH MY!!! maybe we all should be grateful a horse of that size, can't.
Lee, on one side of the box, it discusses the cleaning and ph of pools. and on the other it talks about ingestion, i found it really funny. Until i had goats, i never had used it before. Considered it a "granma" thing...
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 3:58 pm:
Lee, I love the volcano. My kids were never as impressed with that one as they were just putting the stuff in a tupperware and giving it a good shake--blows the top off and messes up the kitchen pretty well, too.
Jojo, I'll wager my dog's burps against a goat's anytime...
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 4:33 pm:
I'll take that wager... do you have goats? Oh my word what a smell. and its funny because when they do you KNOW they are ruminating healthy. and when they don't, you just pray for that belch...but then it comes, and after you wake up from passing out, you're smiling cause they did...LOL
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 7:07 pm:
Sodium bicarbonate does not cause colic, DrO, I suppose because the powder does not release gas under 50 degrees Celsius or so.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 9:33 pm:
so thats a 122degrees farenheit. for us old americans...
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 9:36 pm:
So what does this mean? can't a stomach get that hot? and where did this info come from christos? it works wonders on goats, but their sitting body temp is 102... and i'm sure the 3 stomachs have something to do with it. but can't a horses stomach or cecum create that much heat in processing the hay?
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 10:00 pm:
ERIKA!! WAY COOL...Does it have to be tupperware??? I GOTTA try that....I think I have some plastic stuff from Chinese takeout!!!! See ya
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 10:30 pm:
No Lee, brand name doesn't matter,as long as the lid is airtight, some yogurt containers, or old-style soft margarine containers(does anyone buy that stuff anymore?). Anything that the lid snaps on.
But do it quick, put in the baking soda, pour the vinegar in and snap it on quick! Then give a good shake and stand back for the "POW"!
My mom taught us that in kindergarten in 1962. I don't think it was over 50 celsius in Tacoma back then, though....must be global warming.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 10:45 pm:
I am just guessing here, but i bet the fermentation in one's gut gets pretty darn hot.. not sure how hot tho..
this will be interesting..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 16, 2006 - 5:18 am:
Sorry there, incomplete information alert!
Sodium bicarbonate will decompose to produce gas over 50-60 degrees Celsius, but it will also produce gas when in contact with acid.
But we have used Sodium bicarbonate extensively in "experimental" exercise, in large quantities, and never had a colic or other problem.
Just lucky ? 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 16, 2006 - 8:06 am:
Bicarb has been long used as a exercise aid with the idea that it may counteract or postpone the acidemia that occurs with exercise. On the tracks it is put in combination with other things and often called a "milkshake". So you are right Christos, that horses do tolerate a certain amount of bicarb, but how much?
Bicarb definitely releases copious amounts of CO2 at body temperatures and well below when it hits the stomach so when jojo suggested it as a digestive aid, something for which there is no support, I discouraged it as I have long wondered where does all that gas goes in the small equine stomach especially considering how I feel after a good dose of carbonation. I concede however I have never seen it colic a horse, I just don't want jojo's to be the first.
DrO
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 - 2:28 pm:
I've repeatedly used a heaped handful, as often as on three consecutive days if I remember well, with no ill effects. No significant benefit either, if any at all. May be I wasn't pushing the horse hard enough to see a difference.
Have been told it is totally harmless (if such a thing exists). Anyway, your concern is enough for me, won't do it again.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 - 2:59 pm:
When I was a kid and my horse used to tie up, my vet would administer Sodium bicarbonate in a tube drench. I guess they dont do that any more?
Katrina
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 18, 2006 - 7:57 am:
Rather than the off hand comment about the lack of eruction in horses that really should have been my point to jojo, Christos, nothing is perfectly harmless so without a clear indication for its use it should be avoided. Thanks for keeping me straight.
Kt, the idea that acidemia and lactate as a common cause of tying up is pretty much gone though it is still recommended for short term intensive exercise to increase performance like TB and Stb racing, and it is thought just for this reason.
DrO
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