Hair Mineral Analysis

This is an invaluable diagnostic tool that can provide insight into your horse's mineral balance.A hair analysis is done by submitting a hair sample taken from your horse's mane.  The analysis will reveal the mineral levels as well as heavy metals. You will receive a thorough explanation of each mineral and metal. 

Why is this important?  Minerals are critical for the biological processes of the body.   For example; too much magnesium can produce symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, and muscle weakness; too much calcium can cause body stiffness, tendency toward colic, defensive attitude, joint pain and metabolic disorders. 

Heavy metals revealed in the toxic level can cause many health and attitude problems for your horse.  These toxic metals are found in contaminated water and soil which results in feed absorbing these toxins.  Pesticides and vaccinations are another source of heavy metals.  These metals interfere with the chemical processes in the body and are deadly to the cells if allowed to accumulate.

Commonly detected heavy metals are lead, arsenic, aluminum, nickel, cadmium and mercury.  If any of these are found to be in the toxic range, it is most likely your horse will be exhibiting symptoms related to the toxicity.  

For example:  a horse with toxic cadmium levels will show signs of respiratory conditions, allergies, and sinus irritation.  Toxic aluminum levels can have symptoms such as colic, excess gas, ulcers, diarrhea, anemia, and difficulty concentrating. A nickel toxicity level can exhibit symptoms such as infections, electrolyte imbalances, back pain, skin problems, cancer and respiratory problems.

A hair mineral analysis is the most accurate way to detect the presence of heavy metals and mineral imbalances.  The lab that is used to do the test plays an important role as to the accuracy.  For best results I recommend going through DePaolo Equine Concepts to order the test.

You will receive a thorough explanation of the test along with a consultation with Dr. DePaolo.   He will customize a supplement for your horse that will balance the minerals and help to remove the metal toxicity.   This is a highly effective way to keep your horse healthy and assure you are providing the proper minerals in the diet. 

Does Your Horse Squirt Brown Fecal Liquid?

I am finding this to be more common than you think.   This happens when your horse either passes gas or has a bowel movement and out squirts brown liquid that runs down the legs.  The manure can be formed and appear normal.   Your horse can have no other symptoms but squirting the fecal liquid.

The cause can be difficult and frustrating to identify.  It can be caused from worming or a worm overload, antibiotics, electrolyte imbalance, intestinal flora imbalance, stress, dehydration, heavy metals toxicity, leaky gut, ulcers, digestive disorders, sand in the gut and more.

In order to find something that may clear it you will need to go through a process of elimination to find what works and what does not work for your horse. Before starting, be sure that your horse is only getting grass hay or alfalfa/grass mix.  No grains.

This is a list of natural supplements I have tried, some helped and some did not.

Three different Veterinarian's Protocol consisting of probiotics
and other supplements:  did not help
Probiotics:  helps slow it down
BioSponge by Platinum Performance:  did not help
Diagel: worked to clear it but only for 3 to 4 days.  Too expensive to maintain
Apple Pectin: did not help
Kaolin Pectin: did not help
Succeed:  helps slow it down
Psyllium, granular or pellet form: Did not work
Lecithin granules: Helps slow it down
Oat Bran: Helps slow it down
Quercetin: Did not work
Vitamin C: Did not work
Electrolytes:  Worked on and off
DePaolo Excel:  Worked on and off
Uckele custom blend minerals based on hair analysis:  helps slow it down
DePaolo custom blend minerals based on hair analysis:  This works the best. 

Depending on what the cause is, some of these items may or may not work for your horse.  If none of these supplements help then the cause could very well be an electrolyte deficiency/imbalance  and/or a heavy metal toxicity.

It is important that your horses minerals are in the right balance.  The best way to find this out is through a hair analysis test.  If you have tried all of the above and your horse still has the squirts then I would recommend having a hair analysis done.  This will pinpoint the imbalance and can quickly be corrected with a custom mineral blend.   I would highly recommend ordering the hair analysis through DePaolo Equine Concepts.  


It is one of the most informative test you can do for your horse.  Based on the findings of the test, Dr. DePaolo will customize a mineral blend for your horse.  Once starting your horse on the custom blend the problem should clear within a week in most cases.

Not only are you clearing the squirts, you are correcting a mineral imbalance and/or heavy metal toxicity which is the most likely cause of the symptom. This is important.