feeding DE

I figure by now, as many times as it has been discusses, if a person still used DE they deserve what they will get.

The reason DE is *supposed* to work on parasites is because it has sharp edges and cuts the worms and kills them as it passes through the horse's digestive system. (Keep in mind that there are very few studies that show any positive results, if any). Personally, I would be afraid that a product that can cut parasitic worms in my horse's intestines would also do damage to my horse -- in their mouth, esophagus, intestines, etc. Certainly a cup a day seems like a frighteningly large quantity of sharp little stony bits to feed my horse every day.

If you live in a dry environment, and have ample turnout (as Rogo has), your horses are the least likely to ever have parasite problems (and horses with 24/7 turnout usually have fewer colic problems), and annual fecal exams might show that you never have to deworm them. If your horses lived in a smaller, more dense environment, they might have parasite issues. And, for many horses, you might never know they have an excessive parasite load unless you do a fecal test. It's not always possible to see obvious live worms in their manure when you pick stalls.

As far as mineral benefits, I'm sure DE does provide them, and it seems to be known to work as an insecticide (e.g. to kill lice). But as a dewormer...I would be skeptical enough to at least check with fecal tests to make sure it is working.

Not that my opinion matters worth a snort - I will say that my itchie, impatient, rootntootin fartin' gelding became a more worthwhile companion and more comfortable in his skin kinda guy after about six months on DE.

I had fed and injected the RX drugs, sprayed, slathered, and I can't remember whatall else that poor guy suffered through. But today, three years later, he has a beautiful coat, moves well without pain, fecals are clear, and he has a calm eye and demeanor.

All because I listened to a "snake oil purveyor" and didn't give in to the naysayers. I now use it for myself and all my other animals as well. I will always be grateful to Papaw Davis for his wisdom and patient insistence.

Steppin' down from DE soapbox

In His Love
Mich

I agree with ya.

Yep, DE is great for DRY applications. When it becomes wet (it's actually used as a desiccant in commercial uses) it is inert as far as pest control goes.
And I'm sure it does provide minerals when fed to a mammal.
But it doesn't prevent illness (in people OR animals), cure illness or kill pests when taken internally.
It is just ONE of many products available for treatment today. And like all treatments out there, it's going to have it's pluses and minuses. It is NOT, however, a cure-all.

__________________
" It's better to ride even if you get thrown, than to wind up just wishin' ya had."

Chris Ledoux

EXACTLY!!!

The epithelial cells of the intestine are much more fragile than the exoskeleton of internal parasites. If the DE cuts the worms, it must be cutting the brush border membrane cells also. The cutting would result in blood loss, reduced feed efficiency, and bloody feces.

The thing about scholarly studies is that they show if one person's experience is repeatable. For example, Rogo, you'd have to keep quite a few horses on your property without giving them DE to know if it's the DE that makes the difference. You'd have to check worm loads.

DE is used in toothpaste because the exoskeletons are gritty and able to scrub stuff off your teeth. That's also why it's usable as a polish and a pool filter. Yes, I realize that there's a difference between food grade and the regular DE but it's just not something I'm comfortable giving my boys.

The fact of the matter is that neither side knows if taking DE internally is actually advantageous. Remember all those lawsuits concerning silicone breast implants? Women who had developed autoimmune diseases after getting implants filed all sorts of lawsuits. Dow Corning was in bankruptcy court for a long time. After all was said and done, it was medically proven that rates of autoimmune diseases were the same in women who had received implants and the general public. Scholarly studies are vital in proving if something is effective or not.

__________________
Moms don't look at things like normal people.
-----DD

When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it gets caught between their little exoskeleton joints. As they move, the diatomaceous earth acts like razor blades and cuts them up. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain!

__________________
My faith keeps me here until my purpose is fulfilled. Good choices & bad I learn from everything! I am still beautiful and messy and a work in progress!

I don't think worms have exoskeletons? Insects have exoskeletons - wasps, flies, etc, but worms are soft and slimy.

DE slits the outer skin of the parasites, insects, etc., and the powder dehydrates them. Death by dehydration.

DE won't work on earthworms.

Since I've had folks tell me they no longer have ulcers, none of us humans have bled to death!! LOL

Oh brother, now with the hyperbole. It doesn't damage your horse's intestines. And a cup is very little in a horse. People eat the stuff every day in grains. It IS a good good supplement. I'm just not on board that it will heal all your woes. But assuming one extreme is no better than assuming the other IMO.

I've started feeding it to my goats again after this thread lol. Had kind of forgot about it. It does contain a lot of *organic* silica (not the same as inorganic) which is the most prevalent mineral in the body- and it can be converted to calcium in the body (or used in place of it, I forget which one). It then contains a whole host of micro minerals, right down to gold. Some say they are in small amounts, but I've seen first hand what small amounts of minerals that are designed to be consumed in small amounts can do. Like copper bolusing a goat. A super small amount to last over a 5-6 month period can make a shocking difference.

__________________
The 7th Day is still God's Sabbath
ICOG7.ORG
Layton Hollow ADGA Nubians
Taking Reservation for 2015!

DE magnified 7000 times:




Contents of Perma-Guard 100% food grade DE:

TRACE
MINERALS - - - - - PPM - - - - - - - % Composition

========================================

calcium - - - - - 1300 - - - - - - - 0.1300
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vanadium - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - 0.0004
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magnesium - - - 750.67 - - - - - 0.075067
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sodium - - - - - - - 680 - - - - - - - 0.0680
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potassium - - - - - 478 - - - - - - - 0.0478
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germanium - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - 0.0002
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mercury - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - 0.0002
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cadmium - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 0.0001
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copper - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - 0.0004
__________________________________________________ _____

zinc - - - - - - - - 5.3 - - - - - 0.000533
__________________________________________________ _____

lead - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - 0.0005
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aluminum - - - - 1100 - - - - - - - 0.1100
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iron - - - - - - - - 950 - - - - - - - 0.0950
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phosphorous - - - - 76 - - - - - - - 0.0076
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lithium - - - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - 0.0003
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selenium - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - 0.0002
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silicon - - - - - - - 21.67 - - - - - 0.002167
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strontium - - - - - - 20 - - - - - - 0.0020
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barium - - - - - - - 11.33 - - - - - 0.001133
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boron - - - - - - - - 7 - - - - - - - 0.0007
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manganese - - - - 32.33 - - - - 0.003233
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gold - - - - - - - - - 0.067 - - - - 0.0000067
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beryllium - - - - - 0.05 - - - - - 0.000005
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chromium - - - - - 2.33 - - - - 0.000233
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cobalt - - - - - - - - 5.67 - - - - - 0.000567
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tin - - - - - - - - - - 3.67 - - - - 0.000367
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nickel - - - - - - - - 2.33 - - - - 0.000233
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molybdenum - - - 0.67 - - - - 0.000067
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arsenic - - 0

thallium - - 0

bismuth - - 0

tellurium - - 0

=== It doesn't damage your horse's intestines. And a cup is very little in a horse. ===


It doesn't damage the human innards either. The amount of DE I take daily depends on what's going on with my body. I've taken up to 2 cups/day when the pollen count is high due to my allergies. I no longer have the horrible allergy reactions I used to have.

How much do you take on a normal day?

We've used it for years and no it is not a cure all but we sure get good results. Try an experiment in your own home. Take one horse (goat, dog, calf, whatever) and start feeding it daily and in two months come back and compare their coat to the others. At that point you won't care what others say, you will simply use what works for you. I started using it myself but unfortunatley I became fat and happy like my animals. I don't need any help getting fat so stopped using it! Now if I could just find a product to melt my fat away.

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Living Large Down on the Farm.

I haven't gained any weight all these years on DE. Even before DE I've always just watched my starch (carbs) intake.

=== How much do you take on a normal day? ===


I don't really have 'normal' days with allergies. I seem to be allergic to so many things, but at least I don't have to suffer like I did before DE.

I think the least I've taken in recent times has been 4 heaping tablespoons twice a day.

When I was younger I was told that if I stay in Arizona long enough, I'll have allergies. Been here most of my life and it happened.

Years ago, doctors would send patients here from all over the country if they had any respiratory problems. Not any more! Problem is that folks from other places have brought all kinds of plants, grasses, etc. that are not indigenous to this state. Some have been banned but they still are seen once in a while.

At least what I need for my allergies is enough DE to keep away all the conditions I got rid of.

I don't doubt that it can provide trace minerals, which can be very beneficial, especially if you (or an animal) is deficient.

Whether it can actually slice up and kill intestinal parasites....well, that's another story. If a human can consume up to 2 cups a day with no adverse effects to their mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines, it seems rather unlikely that the product is so severe that it will rid an animal of intestinal parasites. Certainly without a pre- and post-treatment fecal egg count showing any actual effect, I wouldn't assume it does anything for parasites.

Then if you can't tell us how the dosage you take on a "daily" basis, what is recommended for an average person with no allergies?

Just because you can't SEE any worms in fecal matter, doesn't mean there is none.
Microscope is the ONLY way to tell for sure, and then the animals especially horses will still have worms in different stages of the worms life.

I've been taking 1 tablespoon mixed in a glass of water every night for about a month. I've seen a big difference in my energy level; I just feel better. I used to always feel bloated and sluggish, especially in the mid afternoon my energy levels were gone. Not anymore though. I've actually lost weight too. Not a lot, but enough to notice. I don't know if it's because I'm more active throughout the day, or becasue I just don't feel hungry at dinner like I used to. Regardless of the reason, I'm not complaining.

I've used it for my horses and dogs, sprinkled it in the garden and around the house, and dusted the chickens with it for years. Now I'm a believer of the benefits it has to us humans too.

__________________
My faith keeps me here until my purpose is fulfilled. Good choices & bad I learn from everything! I am still beautiful and messy and a work in progress!