Purina Horse Feed Recall
This came to us via our friend Lisa Ross-Williams of Natural Horse Talk
This post was received on my Natural Horse & Pet Care Yahoo Group. Hopefully, most people aren’t feeding Purina feed anyway, but here it is. Although it seems focused on the East Coast, remember what happened with the pet food recall and how that spread.
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To all:
I rec’d an email from a friend with another Yahoo Group’s announcement that Purina has recalled several horse products including Senior. She contacted her feed store and they confirmed. I haven’t as yet but will. According to the email, the recall was not made available to the general public!! Notices went to the dealers directly. On 4/9 they recalled 27 equine products inc. Senior and Platformline. On 4/21 they recalled another 18 products. The problem is Aflatoxins which can cause liver dysfunction, immune suppression and neurological difficulties.
I went to the Purina site and found a SMALL alert:
Eastern U.S. Feed Product Retrieval
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC has implemented a voluntary product retrieval of certain feeds manufactured between November 3, 2007 and February 8, 2008 at our Statesville, N.C., feed plant; between January 1, 2008 and February 8, 2008 at our Harrisburg, Penn., feed plant; and between January 1, 2008 and March 10, 2008 at our Guilderland, N.Y. plant.
This voluntary retrieval was initiated due to the possible presence of aflatoxin contamination above acceptable levels.
To date, we have received no confirmed aflatoxin-related animal health complaints involving any of the retrieved products. Nevertheless, we have taken such precautionary action as our utmost priority continues to be our customers and the well-being of their animals.
All dealers who purchased any of the retrieved products directly from Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC have been notified. These dealers are located in the following states:
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and
West Virginia.
Our investigation and product testing identified one ingredient of concern, which originated from a single supplier. We have discontinued purchasing from this supplier. Other feed companies that purchased from this supplier are facing a similar situation.
For more information about specific products included in the retrieval, contact the Statesville, N.C., Feed Plant at 704-924-5100 or the Harrisburg, Penn., Feed Plant at 717-737-4581.
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Naturally,
Lisa Ross-Williams
Host of the If Your Horse Could Talk show
Associate Editor-Natural Horse Magazine
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Brought to you by Animal Talk Naturally!
Does anyone know if this bad feed was sold into the Tampa Bay area of Florida? Two farms fed this feed to my horse, an equine disability service horse, who was severely foundered (a sinker). I notified purina, and they have not bothered to send me the notice of this recall. One of the farms gave me a tag off the Equine Senior they fed my horse, a type of feed I told them not to feed my horse, and it is one of the lot #s posted.
Please, anyone who has any additional information, saw the bad feed, had horses get sick, especially founder, has seen lots of the feed present in Florida, esxpecially Tampa area, please e-mail or call me at 727-686-7034 or ponyhunterjumper@yahoo.com. I am in a fight to save my horse’s life. I need all the information about this bad feed and the recall anyione can give me.
Ok, time for me to weigh n on this Purina horse feed recall.
I originally heard about this recall from a post on the Natural Horse & Pet Care Yahoo group. I then went to the Purina Mills site and found a tiny announcement saying
EASTERN U.S. VOLUNTARY PRODUCT RETRIEVAL UPDATE (May 8, 2008) which I clicked on and found more details which are listed above.
1. Supposedly, Purina contacted all their retailers about this, but I’ve heard of numerous dealers who had not heard anything about this.
2. The fact that Purina did NOT make this recall public is totally unacceptable. Of course, they were more concerned with their bottom line than the rights of people to decide whether or not to discontinue use. This action of not informing the public goes to show that profits are more important than respect and courtesy to the customers.
3. Doesn’t everyone remember the recent Pet Food Recall? What started out very small and initially not even an issue grew to many brands of animal food and many dead pets. If that recall was made properly, how many animals would have been saved?
4. A member of the Yahoo group posted saying one of her horses had died and two were sick. They had been fed Purina feed. From what I understand, she contacted Purina who wanted to come and take the whole bag to test. Thank god this woman was smart enough to tell them they could take a sample, but not the whole bag.
5. For those who choose to support Purina in their choice NOT to notify the public or those who believe this company’s main focus is the best for animals, think again. Large feed company’s bottom line is maximizing their profit which means finding the cheapest ingredients they can get away with to make the feed. That usually means going over-seas
Unfortunately, most horse and pet owners don’t know how to even read the label and therefore are uninformed about the ingredients their pets/horses are getting. Just for a case in point, let’s look at the ingredients list for Purina Strategy horse feed:
INGREDIENTS:
PROCESSED GRAIN BY-PRODUCTS, GRAIN PRODUCTS, FORAGE PRODUCTS, MOLASSES
PRODUCTS, SOYBEAN OIL, PLANT PROTEIN PRODUCTS, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT,
CALCIUM LIGNIN SULFONATE, L-LYSINE, VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, DL-METHIONINE,
ANISE/FENUGREEK FLAVOR, VITAMIN B-12 SUPPLEMENT, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE,
RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT, MANGANOUS OXIDE, ZINC OXIDE, NIACIN SUPPLEMENT, CHOLINE
CHLORIDE, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT, COPPER SULFATE, CALCIUM IODATE, MAGNESIUM
OXIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, MINERAL OIL, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, SODIUM SELENITE.
Keeping in mind that the first ingredients listed are usually the most prominent in the mix. So, Grain By-Products….something that’s leftover when the good part of the grain is processed and used for something else. Yummy!
Now, another interesting fact is they don’t even have the ingredients or a full guaranteed analysis on their site. You must email them, often numerous times to get this info. Why is that? So it’s harder for someone to analyze their products!
Finally, I want to know what I’m feeding my horses which is why I don’t use commercial complete feeds. I want wholesome, properly balanced ingredients. Rather than looking for convenience and placing your trust in a company whose bottom line is profit, I suggest taking time to get educated instead.
So, when a company tries to keep a recall from the public, that’s a red flag as far as I’m concerned. No amount of toxins are acceptable to my animals.
Naturally,
Lisa Ross-Williams
http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com
Thank you for posting this Lisa. Out of sheer frustration yesterday, I deleted all the comments that Purina dealers, reps, employees were leaving here touting how wonderful this food is. I also deleted any comments of my own to be fair.
But I should’ve left them all so that everyone could see how money motivates people to say things like “If they made Purina Chow for People I would eat that”.
Wow.
Take back your power people and decide to care for your animals according to nature the way it was always intended before mankind’s greed got in the way.
Dr. Kim Bloomer
Host of Animal Talk Naturally
A new link posted on another Yahoo group we belong to:
Horse Feed Recall Affects East Coast
http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?id=11810
I still wouldn’t feed this way. I’d feed the way Lisa states above…and her horses are not only thriving but she doesn’t have to worry about any kind of feed recalls for any of her animals and neither do I since we don’t feed any of them to our animals.
I I have used Purina for years and will continue to. This is wonderful feed and a great company. My horses all 28 of them have done better on Purina then any other brand I’ve used by far. The Senior is by far better then any other and that is just one of the many. It really burns me to see you delete all the messages from people, yes dealers included that support Purina to leave only the ones that have bad things to say. Yes may be Purina didn’t get the word out as well as they should have but the number count was with in the goverments standards so they didn’t have to recall at all. Lets not forget other grain companys have also been using grains from these plants. they have not even tested their grain yet, much less recalled it. Purina is the number one grain company in this country with quility control. GIVE THEM A BREAK FOR A JOB WELL DONE IN FINDING THIS PROBLEM AND RECALLING IT. Can’t say that for the others!!! Are you all just trying to ruin the rep of a great company. Lets move on to bigger problems and give them credit to recall when they probably knew people like yourselves would run them in to the ground. Not every one believes that natures way gives our horses all they need. Our soil does not have every thing our horses need there for our grass and hay does not either. One last thing I’m affended by the commit you make in the begginning “hopefully most people aren’t feeding Purina any way” what the heck does that mean????
Marie,
Glad you’re happy with feeding Purina horse feed; all the by-products and left-over substances. Of course, that is your choice to do so. But, I will not give them a break for not informing the public. Why should I? I do what I do out of love of horses and absolutely hold companies responsible for their actions.
Yep, you’re right about our hay and grass being so depleted that we must supplement. The problem is that if you were to analyze the key rations in the complete feeds, you would realize they are not correct. Just the fact that your horses have done better on Purina feed than other feed company products really doesn’t mean much. Just think how well they’d do if you were feeding diets that REALLY met their needs and did not include by-products. Why do you think they have to add molasses to these mixes; because without it horses wouldn’t eat it. There is a much better way to feed that does include looking at the individual needs of the horse, depending on his age, region he’s in and current health issues and formulating an appropriate diet.
Sorry you were offended about my comment that “hopefully most people aren’t feeding Purina”. You want to know what that means?? Well, that most people aren’t truly informed enough about ingredients, processing and key ratios that they would know better.
Naturally,
Lisa Ross-Williams
http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com
Purina is a great food, and as far as being informed- do you know what you eat. as far as im concerned- my vet uses purina feeds and they are one of the top hospitals in the state if not the country. i am glad you have all the time in the world and are an expert at analyzing feedstuffs and are perfect in mixing them. congratulations! however some of us have to work to be able to keep our horses and dont have a complete laboratory as i am sure you do.
We have a mare that barrel races. She is 18, and has been winning everything around including a World Championship in 06. I started her on Nutrina Sr. feed in February of 07, but started seeing her decline from about fall of ‘08 until about 3 weeks ago, I finally just changed feeds. She was having liver function issues, and immune system issues. We (vets and myself) decided it was possibly EPM, and started her on Marqui
She almost immediately started getting better when we changed feeds. Picked up weight, started running hard again, no listlessness, no feeling off, and her coat started looking bright again.
I know no one can say, but in some of the articles they said that “other feed companies” might have the same issues. I can’t help but feel that her problems were coming from something like this.
I was actually thinking there was something wrong with the feed in February, but kept telling myself, it can’t be that simple. I will be waiting to see if any other companies who bought from this vendor will issue any recalls. Of course I don’t have any of the bags, or lables, I go through 10 bags a week, and throw them away.
If people had read the recall message completely they would know that no feed was supplied to Florida dealers, so unless you live in an area where the feed WAS sold you shouldn’t be worried.
I couldn’t agreed more with April and Tammy. A great thing about America is that we can all choose what feed we use. Yes, we need to be informed - but that means COMPLETELY informed. People who bash other products rather than simply presenting the facts typically have an agenda of their own. Purina was a sponsor of the Healthy Horse seminar yesterday at the University of Florida. I seriously doubt that one of the top vet schools in America would allow a disreputable company to speak at an event presented at the school.
Keep in mind, this was a VOLUNTARY recall. Purina was not legally obligated to disclose anything, but they did so for what they believed to be the benefit of horses and their owners in the areas where the feed was sold.
Feed manufacturing, as with most aspects of life, entails a human element and therefore is open to mistakes. Purina is trying to retify a mistake that was made. Put your feed supplier to the same tests and see if they never have a mishap. Of course, if you grow your own oats, corn, hay, etc., then you don’t have to worry about it. Otherwise…your feed could next.
there are reports that purina feed from the south carolina plant did make it to florida …..So people check your tags on your feed bags….
At my barn yesterday we found white chunks in our Equine Senior, after doing so research I found out about the recall. Purina did not do a good job alerting the public about this problem. We researched ingredients and percentages and decided to switch to Triple Crown, but Ive heard a few poor things about this company as well (maybe they’re using the same supplier as purina?) Didnt know if anyone had problems with TC… I just think this entire thing could have been avoided if purina had been forthcoming about the problem, they have lost a long time customer for good.
Actually, I did read the articles and what little information given very carefully. I do know that several people in Florida have found bags with the numbers listed, so some of the bad feed clearly did make it to Florida. So I also wonder what other feed companies have this problem, and are keeping their mouths shut.
I would also like to know what prompted the find. They had to be looking for it, or for something. I also know the “recall” was voluntary, but that is still a hugh financial decision (and I applaud Purina for that) that was not made lightly. This was a serious problem, or they would not have initiated the recall, voluntary or not.
I also am not slamming Purina. I think they are at least doing something. But I think we can still look into it, and be more careful. I have not read anywhere that people hate Purina, they are just upset. I was NOT feeding Purina, but I am still very upset. I don’t think I have an agenda, and I am not out to get anything. I just want a healthy horse. And knowing ALL the information would help.
I would love to know which ingredient was the problem.. Why can’t they say it was the oats, or the corn, or some other item. I would like to know that, not just the generic “an ingredient”.
Also regarding Florida, he is hotter here, and much more humid even in the winter. So if some bags did reach Florida as they did, it may have been magnified.
Thank you, finally some people supporting and sounding reasonable!!!! Tammy, Purina is number one in testing, they test everything on a regular basis for no other reason then quility control. They were not looking for a said problem just found it in a check. I’d like to know what other companies are keeping there mounts shut. At this point they are the ones to come down one not Purina. I won’t stop using Purina as I know if they have a problem they will find it and also have guts enough to come forward with it reglardless of people smashing them, who don’t keep in open mind. Purina is #1
Thanks Marie, I wondered if they tested regularly, or if someone found something. I really don’t understand the anger specifically at Purina. I don’t plan to use Purina Sr. feed for a while, but I am not using Nutrina either. I switched to an all organic feed called “Finally”. I can not remember right now the web site, but there is a dealer here in Florida. It is expensive, so I don’t have everyone on it, some are on a feed made locally. The particular mare needed the extra fat, and hence the senior feed.
In life, “stuff” happens. I don’t think Purina did this on purpose, nor would have wanted it to happen. They love horses, and the horse industry, or they would not be doing what they do. People will always disagree on feeding programs, and types, but most people want what is best for their special animal. There have been incidents in people food, dog food, all kinds of food products. I am just glad it did come out, and people can make the necessary changes. I am sure it will hurt their sales for the short term. If I were using it, I would not for a long while, but I might switch to another purina product, just not the ones effected.
Tammy, I dont think you or any one has to wait to use Purina. The matter has been cleared up and all affected bags off the shelves. they stopped using from that plant right away. I would check dates on new bags I buy just to make sure that some dealer has not not removed these bags. I feel Purina is the safest grain, I’m sure they are double checking if not triple checking everything right now. At least Purina came clean with a problem, we have no idea of what other grain companys used from this mill or if they still are. Purina is not, we know that. Purina’s senior is the best by far at keeping weight on older horses, for those of us who can’t make our own grain.
Our concern here is not for the companies. Our concern is to share the news. For those posting here who are obviously unaware - we are media and we have an obligation to share the news on ALL recalls no matter what company it is. We also share drug recalls.
Marie you obviously have a vested interest in the company which doesn’t matter to us one way or the other. The important thing to note, and I think you missed it entirely is that we here at Animal Talk Naturally and Natural Horse Talk do not feed ANY commercial foods to our animals. I repeat, we do not feed ANY of these feeds from ANY of these companies to ANY of our animals.
That said we post the information for people like Tammy, Alyssa and others who do feed these foods to their animals. If the companies do not allow the public to know then we will. We ARE media and we will share the news. Not for us, not for you, not for the companies but for the animals because THAT is what we care about.
We don’t care who is the so-called “leader” in pet food or drugs or whatever, we care only about the animals in these cases.
And a word to the wise, just because a company is the top income producer does not a leader make. Watch horses in a herd and they’ll show you what a true leader is and what that leader does for the herd not for their own interests.
One last time so it sinks in, we are media and we will share the news on recalls. We also do not feed ANY commercial foods to our animals. NONE. So who does better than who is is not of interest to us. Again this is for the welfare of the animals.
Dr. Kim,
I’m fully aware you are the media. I think sharing the news and bashing a company are two serate things. I do not have any vested intrest in this company other than I see what they have done for not only my horses but others. I’m not saying number one in income, not saying that at all. If they are the largest company it has nothing to do with what I’m talking about. I think I know what a leader is. Purina does more testing and more reshearch into makeing a grain for each of our horses needs then any other company. Their quility control is way above all the others.
Tell me why as Media you are not looking into and writing about what other companys were or are buying from these plants? At least we as Purina users can know they recalled it and our horses are no longer eatting it.
We don’t all have the time to make our own grains or the money. I feel Purina does a good job at doing that for me.
If you are in any way saying I don’t care about the well fair of my horses you are 150% wrong, could not be further from the truth. So for those of you who make your own feed I think that is great you have that option but for those of us who can’t do that, Purina does a pretty good job with it.
I’m done, I think I’ve made my point.
Can you please tell me if any ultium products by purina were recalled
Marie,
Reporting as we did above has nothing to do with bashing and I wonder why you’re so defensive. We did not bash Purina although I’d never use any of their products for our animals. And if you read into my statements about “caring” then possibly I hit a nerve. If you’re truly done with what you have to say here then be done because I for one would be happy to see you go promote your animal feed ideals elsewhere.
The recall will stand. No bashing is being done here, it is just what we each have the right to share.
You know, I could ban you from the site but instead I allowed you your say here so please enlighten me- if you are able - as to why you keep coming back here to try and sway people to see Purina and their products the way you see them UNLESS you have a vested interest in the company or to justify feeding their food to your horses.
Why is it okay for you to bash everyone who is opposed to feeding these type of products or those who don’t agree with you?
I’ve not heard of any other company doing a recall so that is why it is not here. But why are you so concerned with what we think? This isn’t company bashing it is our right to share our natural health point of view just as it is your right to not adhere to natural health. Obviously you feel a need to try and make us see your point of view. Why?
We educate here on NATURAL animal health. We don’t actively seek out pet food recalls or anything else. Instead we seek to share all the ways alternative or the original health care works for animals. I would think if you wanted to progress in your animal health care you’d listen to the shows and read instead of arguing for a pet food company here.
And if you hear of other pet food company recalls please send them to us because we have no problem sharing pet food industry recalls at all.
ONE MORE TIME: we do not feed ANY of these commercial foods to our animals. We do not MAKE our own foods. We feed what each of our animals were designed to eat in nature and we supplement. How hard is that? And how many times will I need to say that for it to sink in with you? Why are you so adamant to defend Purina? As if they don’t have billions of dollars and nothing we say here is going to affect their bottom line.
We each must accept the responsibility for what we do or don’t do for ourselves and our animals. I know plenty of people, including MANY veterinarians who are very opposed to feeding these commercial and what we consider other junk food to our animals. However, many people eat junk food and they have no problem feeding it to their children and their animals. Their choice, their consequences.
Any food that is processed is junk food whether it is for humans or animals. But you have the right to feed what you desire of course and to eat what you desire. I have the right to do likewise and to do likewise for my animals. And we have the right to disagree.
Yes, we are the new media but we have chosen to focus on natural, alternative animal health care here and the true nature of animals.
ALL media is subjective depending on who is paying them although in our case we aren’t bought by anyone. We aren’t paid by any large pet food conglomerates like mainstream media though so we don’t have to sugarcoat the truth.
I do hope you’ll actually read what I write and stop making all of this about you. Because bottom this isn’t about you at all, or your feelings, or your perspective, or your convictions. This is about the animals period and the way we see it, if they aren’t cared for according to how they were created and designed to thrive then it can’t be good for them.
No matter how you see it you will not change our perspective on this. You’re just wasting your breath here.
And you know what? People are going to do what they want no matter what you or I think or feel or want or desire. So get over it and move on or don’t. Choice, it’s all about choice.
You feel this is “bashing” simply because it doesn’t fit into your ideal about things. So my advice is to go hang out on a site that DOES make you feel better about your choices OR you can decide to learn. Choice.
well, all this is great, WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS: WHAT do I feed my 25 yr and 35 yr old ??????
Carolyn,
You can listen to the natural horse shows we have here to find out that answer. And you can also visit Lisa Ross-Williams site to find out more:
http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com
She also offers horse nutrition consultations
Lisa is a leading expert in natural horse nutrition. She is also the former senior editor of Equine Wellness Magazine and now the assistant editor of Natural Horse Magazine. She also has the “If Your Horse Could Talk” radio show. You can find all this information on her website above.
Here are some shows you can listen to you:
http://www.animaltalknaturally.com/2006/03/14/a-horse-is-a-horse-of-course/
http://www.animaltalknaturally.com/2007/04/17/the-whole-horse-and-nuthin-but-show-89/
http://www.animaltalknaturally.com/2007/01/29/key-nutrients-ground-level-feeding-commentary-4/
Dr. Kim, I have a question, but this may not be the place to discuss it. I recently switched to an all organic feed called “Finally”. But it is a processed feed I guess. I have several preformance horses, so their nutrition needs are high. It is produced by a company called KAM Animal Services, the web site is http://www.kamanimalservices.com/Feed/finally-horse-feed.php
Just wondering if you are familiar with the feed, or have an opinion. It is very expensive, too expensive for me to feed to all my horses, but the mare’s that are on it, look fabulous. Better than they have ever looked since I owned them. They are also preforming very well. There is no sugar in the feed, which I like, but just curious.
I posted a question, but I got a message it was an error? It was going to be filtered, just wondering what happend. I didn’t think it said anything wrong.
Have you ever heard of a feed called Finally. It is produced by someone called KAM animal services.
It is all organic, and I buy it from a friend locally. Just wondered if you were familiar with it, or if it was any good.
Purina’s recall is actually a great thing for the horse industry. It gets owners to pay attention to what is in their feed, not just the price tag. Purina does use a lot of least-cost formulations for their feeds, which allows them to keep their prices down. When using a least cost formulation, quality of ingredients tends to be over-looked.
Aflatoxins can come from grains that have suffered conditions such as a drought (last year’s growing season) and are also found in higher amount in peanuts. There are rumors that the peanuts hulls (indigestible for horses and often considered filler in the feed) were the source for the aflatoxins.
It is important to remember that the price of the feed doesn’t equal the value. There are companies that charge a little more in price, but are better quality with higher standards. I feed Blue Seal’s Vintage Racer because it is a fixed formula and I know what I am feeding every time.
Also, there are a few cases of veterinarian confirmed aflatoxin poisoning but it has not been confirmed by Purina.
To answer your question about if a feed is good or not should probably be answered before you start feeding it, like anything research it first.
Purina makes crap dog & cat foods, what makes people think their horse feed is any different?
BY-PRODUCTS…..Does anyone feed rice bran, beet pulp, soybean meal, cracked or steam flaked grains…These are ALL by-products. By-products do not necassarily = bad. Often times the heart of the grain is more nutritious and contains less starch then feeding the whole grain itself. Get the facts before you assume that all by-products are bad.
As far as fixed formulas, fixed formulas don’t take into account variances in nutrition in the individual ingredients. They base the tags nutrient analysis on a book value of the grains included. We all know hay can vary greatly in nutrition even in the same field. Every grain is the same way. I only know of one company that actually tests the ingredients for nutrient composition and then formulates based on the nutritional value of the specific ingredient used to make that feed.
Nestle Purina - dog food manufacturer and Land O Lakes Purina Feed (horse and animal feed) are entirely separate companies so you can’t compare the “crap dog & cat foods” with the animal feeds. They have nothing to do with one another and haven’t for decades.
Hi there,
I was wondering what are the signs of a sick horse that is being fed Purina grain? my mare was on Purina strategy (spelling?) for a few years, she is now showing bad signs of EPM and is not responding to the meds. her whole back end is giving out on her, when she tries to walk, she almost falls over with every stride. any ideas if this is related? I still have an open bag of grain with the bag.
I came across your site by accident, while looking for information on the Purina Mill “feed product retreival.” Having been a vegetarian for 25 years, I understand and empathize with most of you concerns for commercial animal feed. However, as I own a pet care business (that does NOT sell pet foods), I am also aware that most compassionate and concerned pet owners do not have the time to prepare the food contained in your suggestions/standards. However, this is NOT the subject of my comment.
I wanted to inform you that I have NEVER come across a website where educated individuals, who claim to provide a service to the public, have been so rude, insulting and dismissive of the comments and concerns of their participants.
I will not be back to visit your site.
For those of you interested in the extent of the product recall, call Purina Mills at 800-227-8941. They are very helpful. Good luck, and I apologize for your treatment here, since the hosts will not.
Kathleen
Interesting how when we share the truth people perceive that as rude. But since you’ll never be back it won’t matter what I say.
Truth was never meant to be whitewashed. And Kathleen, since you have NEVER listened to one show or read anything here but this post on the recall, and don’t know how the Purina reps, dealers, and employees have hounded us, then you have no right to stand on your self-righteous stool and tell us how wrong we are.
We have allowed all the comments both pro and con to stand (with the exception stated above). We don’t know any of these people except for Lisa but we’ve allowed them all to stand. And yet you believe you have the right to apologize for US? On what grounds? Why don’t you also apologize for the people who are for Purina also in all fairness?
You are rude not us, because we have allowed ALL comments to stand, including yours. Good or bad. But you put it ALL on us. THAT is rude and if you don’t come back that is also your prerogative - I’m sure we won’t cry over it.
We are focused here on sharing with those who desire a natural way of caring for their animals, otherwise it falls on deaf ears with those opposed to what we share.
bran - another commonly used product this is actually a by-product…
Robbie, “If people had read the recall message completely they would know that no feed was supplied to Florida dealers, so unless you live in an area where the feed WAS sold you shouldn’t be worried.” —>
This is a FALSE and MISLEADING statement. Purina was informed BEFORE putting out the notices that my horse in the Tampa area foundered after he was fed Purina Equine Senior.
Your response, as well as Purina’s FALSE notices, are a Florida Deceptive and Unfair Business Practices Act (”FDUPTA”) violation, a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and likely numerous other Florida and federal laws. Further, the FDA regulation are superceded by the Americans With Disabilities Act’s preemption statute, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12201(b) statute, to the extent FDA regulations conflict with Purina’s obligations under the ADA.
It is irrrelevant that Purina traced the contaminated feed only to first-line dealers; Purina is under a legal obligation to trace each and every contaminate feed bag and grain scoop to the ultimate end user — of which I am willing to testify under OATH my horse was fed Purina Equine Senior in Florida and foundered.
Moreover, Purina has FAILED to notify affected horse owners that any of their horses who have been fed contaiminated Purina feed aflatoxins MUST BE REVACCINATED AGAIN with boosters (two sets of innoculations) — because the aflatoxins nullify the effectiveness of the vaccinations. THIS FAILURE TO NOTIFY on the part of Purina could result in a horse epidemic!!!
Further, Purina has FAILED TO NOTIFY all people who have inhaled dust from open feed bags or feed tubs containing the contaminated feed HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CARCINOGENS — this includes (as I am willing to testify under Oath) children retrieving the horsre from a stall for a lesson.
Purina is contacting affected horse owners and telling them WRONG LEGAL ADVICE that Purina has no liability unelss the owner of the horse injured by the contaminated Purina feed has the feed tags and the feed in the bags that the horse already ate. All I have to do to invoke res ipsa loquitur to compel Purina to prove their contaiminated feed did NOT cause my horse to founder, is testify under Oath I saw Purina Equine Senior fed to my horse and then he foundered.
A feed tag or the actual feed is not a requirement to sue Purina. Additionally, any of these Purina reps who are interfering with the liability claims against Purina by posting false and misleading blog posts can also be sued.
I am still interested in having anyone whose horse got sick or died after being fed the contaminated Purina feed, particularly in Florida, to contact me at ponyhunterjumper@yahoo.com or 727-686-7034. My husband is a licensed Florida lawyer, and I am preparing to sue Purina for the founder “sinker” caused to my equine disability service horse.
Purina has done nothing to open a vet-pay under their insurance policy to pay for the vet case my horse needs to recover.
corr: “vet case” = vet care
Here is one more thing the Purina reps don’t seem to get who are posting here:
Purina’s reliance on FDA allowable amounts of aflatoxin in horse feed can violate the requirements of Americans With Disabilities Act. Thus, it is NOT a defense to follow anything more than 0-aflatoxin ppb in horse feeds just because cattle can take up to 40 ppb or FDA regulations that are contrary to the ADA purport to allow it.
Just had to come by and see what the “buzz” was all about.
I am rather surprised by some of the people’s comments praising Purina if for nothing else, doing the right thing by calling for a voluntary recall. They sure don’t appear to be very concerned about this at all.
When the Dog and Cat food recalls have taken place, (as recently as last year) and especially the biggest one ever recently, Pet People were LIVID and very frightened for the well-being of their pets. They wanted to make sure they were feeding SAFE and not containing the ingredients that were recalled! Many of them began to home cook /prepare food for their dogs, many more switched to a true Species Appropriate, carnivore diet such as raw meats and bones.
I am actually surprised to see so many horse people not worried in the least about the future health and well being of their horses over this. Maybe when they start to see MORE processed foods recalled or different brands?
Wonder what it will take to wake the horse people up to feeding a more species appropriate diet to their herbivores?
I find this all very interesting….
Wow!!!! i just stumbled on to this site my self. I’m not believing what I’m reading. I just had to respond. I totally agree with Kathleen. Wow, that is not a good wow either!!! Rude only begins to explain how you treat people who disagree with you. As the ‘media” running this site, I would think you could be a bit user friendly and even be able to take someone disagreeing with you without being rude. Boy keep up the good work, real good reading, NOT!!!!
Everyone loves their veterinarian and we often turn to them for advice, but they are not nutritionists and typically have had only one course on nutrition for all species in their schooling. As far as Florida as a top vet school, there are only a handful of them.
For the comment on by-products, it is true that some of them are more digestible than the raw sources. However the terms “grain by-products” or “fiber/plant by-products” in the ingredients do not allow the customer to know what is in their feed. You can not identify the ingredient source. Grain by-products could include: oats, barley, soybeans, wheat, corn, etc. Plant or fiber by-products could be beet pulp, soy hulls, peanut hulls, etc. Some of these products are not even utilized by the horse. With the addition of artificial flavorings and preservatives, the ingredients (and molds) are often masked from the horse.
Also, if you do grow your own grains, you are just as likely to see aflatoxins. Most of the country suffered a drought last year and thus opened the door for toxins to enter through grains that were stressed. Remember the term “corn” doesn’t tell you about the variety, processing or the quality.
For the veterinarian confirmed aflatoxin cases that I am aware of one is in Carlisle, PA (Equine Senior) and the other is in Woodstock, VA (Platform Mare & Foal). I am sure that there are more in the area.
Hi Sue & everyone,
I seriously doubt you stumbled upon this site. No one has because it is at the top of the Google searches for the Purina Horse Feed Recall.
I find it sad that because we posted a recall here, that those in favor of this food would think that our opinions are invalid just because we don’t agree and because we don’t feed this kind of food to our animals that you would think our responses are rude.
This post was for those who are concerned with this recall and what it means for their horses. Everyone else, please let’s stay on topic and work to refrain from all the mudslinging on both sides and that includes us tool
In fact, I’ve found those in favor of Purina to have had some of the rudest responses. Some I had to remove they were so rude.
However, I do apologize to everyone here - pro or con Purina . This is a not only a serious situation but we’ve all forgotten the most important thing in this recall: the horses.
They have no voice, we are their voice no matter what we feed, no matter what we believe.
I will stand for the natural wild horse model in my beliefs for horse care. Those of you who aren’t in agreement for whatever reason that is certainly your right.
But to keep coming here and slamming those of us who aren’t in agreement with you as Sue, Marie, and Kathleen have done is really unfair.
How dismaying that things have degraded to this point. And how dismaying that people come here just to put Jeannie and I down, who do not know us, who say what we do here is worthless just because they don’t agree with the comments on this one post.
Kathleen and Sue, do you have a blog? Do you have a radio show? If not, then please refrain from making judgments against us based upon this passionate dialog here. It is easy to comment on a blog, a whole other ballgame to run one, moderate one and put on two weekly shows as we do. We’d hope you would if nothing else respect that our focus is natural animal health and we are VERY passionate about that. We are new media which means we do not have to whitewash or color over the truth as mainstream media does to not step on the toes of their sponsors which is why we have taken this route rather than the traditional terrestrial route. Not to mention it is far less expensive to do so but also we do this for the love of animals. We can truthfully say it is for no other reason. We’d hope you could respect that rather than coming here and putting us down at every opportunity. Until you’ve walked in our shoes we’d ask you to refrain from your observations about two women you don’t know.
The next person who comments here who is rude on either side will have their comments deleted and they will be banned.
This is for one thing: to alert the public to a recall on horse feed. What you all decide to do with that is your business. Those who have lost horses or have had horses become sick as a result of this food have the most right to voice your comments here.
I am apologizing for my own less than professional comments here. I would ask that everyone please keep your comments on topic regardless of your personal feelings for the food or for Dr. Jeannie and myself and how we choose to run our show and site.
Again this post and forum is for those whose horses may be affected or want to know about the recall. Let’s just allow them their voice.
Kathleen did provide a phone number for you all to call Purina. If you want to do that or if you want to continue to feed this to your horses again that is your choice.
We here at Animal Talk Naturally do not feed processed foods to our animals so we are obviously not in favor of any of them. But it is certainly your right to be and to do so.
We would hope to encourage everyone to incorporate the wild horse model into their horse care…some of you will, some are learning, some never will. It is all about choice.
But let’s all of us not forget why were are all so passionate here - it’s about the horses we all love.
Thank you and we hope that all of you are able to resolve this situation for the best possible outcome for your own horses.
For the record, we are NOT veterinarians. We are veterinary naturopaths. Our primary training IS in nutrition, using natural modalities such as herbs, aromatherapy, etc. as needed in our work. We practice only what can be provided from and in nature for animal care. Hence our passion for this approach to animal care.
Thank you,
Dr. Kim & Dr. Jeannie
Animal Talk Naturally
April,
I’m happy to answer your questions and comments.
April writes- As far as being informed- do you know what you eat?
Lisa-Well, actually I do read the labels of the foods I eat. That doesn’t mean I always eat the best foods, but it is my decision after reading the labels whether I want to eat something with ingredients that might not be the best for me. However, I have that choice where our animals don’t. Our horses and pets must eat what we give them and so being a responsible guardian, I will NOT feed substandard ingredients from a processed complete feed.
April- i am glad you have all the time in the world and are an expert at analyzing feedstuffs and are perfect in mixing them. congratulations! however some of us have to work to be able to keep our horses and dont have a complete laboratory as i am sure you do.
Lisa-Well, this statement goes to show that you are just a very uninformed horse owner who chooses to take the easy way out. Actually, I do work very hard—educating horse people to a more natural approach to horse care so they can make informed decisions. I am a voice for the horse and darn proud of the impact I make with horses all over the world. In fact, I educate horse guardians to be able to read a feed label; it’s not rocket science and you don’t need to be a vet to be able to do so. People who come to me do it so they are not at the mercy of some billion dollar feed company. Of course, I don’t have a lab in my home…..that’s what guaranteed analysis and ingredient lists off the bag are for. I’m sorry you’re falling into the notion that everyday horse people can’t possibly learn about nutrition. Perhaps some day you’ll get empowered yourself.
Naturally,
Lisa Ross-Williams
http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com
april ward // May 10, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Purina is a great food, and as far as being informed- do you know what you eat. as far as im concerned- my vet uses purina feeds and they are one of the top hospitals in the state if not the country. i am glad you have all the time in the world and are an expert at analyzing feedstuffs and are perfect in mixing
We use Natures Essentials in a mix that our mill makes up for us ! I also have an old gelding that is on Equine Sr. I love Purina products, they work awesome for all of our performance horses. I will continue to use Purina products !!!
Do you think, because of the stress of the drought, we might begin experiencing a aflatoxin situation in unprocessed foods??
We do not grain all our horses. The ones that are “working” are feed whole oats.
I am eager to learn more regarding animal nutrition - I can’t make heads nor tails from the information on a feed tag.. so, we feed as whole, raw, simple as possible.
We also raise and sell grass fed beef…
our 12 year old raises free range (even in my beloved flowers!grrr) chickens.. they live the gentle life of a treasured pet. ..and provide us with wondeful eggs!
I am a student of herbs and aromatherapy. Very interesting website!.. I will be back. Thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge.
What disturbs me the most, and there are a few things that do, is that I run a 25 horse boarding facility in VT, and feed Equine Senior and/or Ultium to 3/4 of the horses in my care. When I went to place my latest feed order, I was told that they had recalled Ultium and Senior, among others, and wouldn’t know when they would have new bags in stock. So, I have not had enough time to gradually change horses’ feeds, which is COMPLETELY unacceptable. My dealer also had no knowledge of why they were recalled and what to look for, illness wise. Purina prides itself on the high quality feeds they produce but they seem to have forgotten to think about their customers and the fact that our horses may colic due to having to switch grains so quickly. I love Purina feeds and have seen great results. I am not saying that I will never feed Purina again. I am just frustrated at the situation and it needed to be made VERY PUBLIC so that barn owners could prepare for this. I hope that the powers to be can resolve this issue, and hopefully they will learn from it.
Flash,
I am not an expert on grains and or molds at all but from what I understand from some past research, aflatoxin and fumonisin occur mainly in corn, cotton, peanuts and tree nuts.
Aflaxtoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by various fungi that is produced by two types of mold: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. A. flavus can be found in corn during drought and other stressful conditions that can promote the mold. Fumonisin, which is also known as fusarium ear rot and is produced by the mold Fusarium monoliforme, can be found in severe dry years.
Hope that helps?
I have had a run with Purina Feeds–Lost 6 animals, have had 2 bad batches of their feed. Dumped the majority of the first and was told that there wasn’t anything wrong with the second. It sure looks moldy and yecky. The FDA took pictures of it because Purina doesn’t want to do anything about it. When you get this feed and it doesn’t look good freeze a large amount of it. Save your bags with the numbers on it. I only saved a small amount. I started getting this in November of 2005.
Hi,
I recelently started on Purina. This includes dogs, who started to vomit everyday. I switched her to Natures Balance, They stopped. I just looking at the facts.
They changed owners of these factorys with out letting us know about four years ago.
They knew about this problem for a year with out letting us know.
This really concerns me because if they didm’t report this now what will happen later on.
Marie I understand you saying you like purina, it is a good feed. But aren’t you a bit concern about all the lies?
On the statement on Triple Crown. It is a great feed, I use it because of the Quality. I Look At The Facts. It is tried and true. That feed saved my Mare and Foal. I don’t expect anyone here to switch to it I just want you all to start looking at nutrition. If I had the time I would make my own feed. I don’t so this is the best I could do. But let me point out one thing. I look at the nutrition, two years of animal science, and books. I learned more by that then just looking at what the dealers promise. Needless to say I back on TC. I a lot of money, but I’ve never had to call a vet. This is because I feed a lot less. More Grass, and hay. I am glad you put this out. and good luck to everyone. Dumor is another Purina just to warn you.
I just want to put one thing in, everyone is entitled to there opinion, that is why this site is here. It is not to bash anything. One more thing The reason why I said so much about TC is because that is the feed I know and I trust. My feed dealer stopped feeding Purina, and continues to sell TC
Looking to switch my Cushing’s suspected horse off Blue Seal’s Vintage Senior and onto possibly Triple Crown low-starch. Now, I read that TC is made at (some of) same plants as involved in Purina recall. Any advice/updates on possible TC contamination? I’m not finding anything, but it’s Saturday, so can’t reach companies.
By the way, anyone else tried the TC low-starch for Cushing’s, and, if so, how has that gone?
Thanks,
Susan