[pikilily]

Has anyone heard of or used this as animal feed supplement?
What is the recomended rate of feeding...for horses?
Emma T

[pikilily]

Anyone ?  the cave is echoing with the silence!

Emma T

[Sylvia]

I've heard of Neem oil but not Neem powder. I'm a bit sceptical of supplements and "super-foods" Surely if you and your animals are having a balanced diet and are healthy you wouldn't need them?

[pikilily]

Hey Sylvia! - yeh thats always the principle.
Aparently the Neem powder is good for horses with 'stomach issues' ie tendancy to stress ulcers or perhaps a viral inflamation which can lead to belly grumbles and colic. 

Neem has anti viral properties anti bacterial properties....i am just curious about the feeding rate!
Emma T

[Hopewell]

I spent a month in India earlier this year with a retired Indian vet who had a wealth of information about the medicinal uses of lots of different Indian plants. His absolute favourite was the Neem tree. It is reputed to be extremely good for all sorts of ailments and is higher in protein than a lot of the vegetation that the local animals would normally eat. I tried some of the leaves and it is extremely bitter so I'm quite sure that most animals wouldn't eat much of it and then only when it is mixed with more palatable food. The Indian vet also was quite adamant that the oil was only for external use as it would be toxic if consumed, but the leaves were alright to eat in small quantities.

[pikilily]

Thanks Hopewell, thats interesting. The oil does smell repulsive - sort of 'off garliccy' keeps the flies away from wounds... the stuff which is for adding to feeds is the neem bark powder
Emma T