Question

I am seeking your expertise in feeding a horse with myofibrillar myopathy (MFM). My upper-level eventer was recently diagnosed with MFM by muscle biopsy. I have ordered MFM Pellet, the supplement that Dr. Stephanie Valberg recommended. My horse has extremely high levels of vitamin E, so that is not needed now. Are there any other products that may help him?

Answer

Aside from MFM Pellet and Nano-E, we routinely recommend supplementation with Nano-Q10 for horses diagnosed with MFM, especially those that remain in work. Coenzyme Q10 is the primary ingredient in Nano-Q10 and is an important antioxidant associated with mitochondrial function and energy generation as well as improved fat metabolism. Horses supplemented with Nano-Q10 showed improved muscle oxidative metabolism and recovery from exercise.

The combination of MFM Pellet, Nano-E, and Nano-Q10 has shown great success in horses with MFM.

Altering diet and exercise regimes to compensate for underlying defects is often the best available strategy to assist horses with exertional myopathies.

Check out this paper written by Drs. Joe Pagan and Stephanie Valberg and presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention: Feeding Performance Horses with Myopathies.