Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Barbara
New Member
Username: breeves1
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 - 6:19 pm: |   |
Hello all! I'm a new member. I've been a fan of the site for while, but just paid for a posting membership.
Background: I have two horses, 9 and 10 years old. They are only worked occasionally. My 10 yr old mare is a halter bred Appy/QH who is a VERY easy keeper (I suspect IR, but I haven't had her tested). The 9yr old gelding is a TBxArab who used to be a hard keeper, but since being taken OFF grains and supplements, has turned into a fatty as well, lol. They are dewormed regularly, using Ivermetin, Moxidectin, and Pyrantel paste. They are vaccinated yearly and teeth floated as needed (checked yearly).
To maintain a healthy coat, hoof growth, and condition, they both need "something" besides hay and a mineral block.
They live in a 0.75 acre pasture, no real grazing, 25-30 lbs of quality locally grown (chicken litter fertilized) Bermuda grass hay a day each. Their current diet is 1 lb of chopped pre-bloom Alfalfa hay (bagged), 1.5 lbs of plain whole oats, and Uckele's Equi-Base grass. My gelding has started to sift the supplement out and the "dust" from the alfalfa. I'd like to switch them to pelleted alfalfa and a pellet or crumble supplement.
I have not been real impressed with the Uckele product. It doesn't really seem to be helping all that much. Their coats and overall condition is not as good as when I had them on SmartPak's Smart Vite Maintenance Grass (also a powder).
I found the following supplements that look promising, all pelleted. Which would be best for my situation?
http://www.prognutrition.com/ProAddUltimate.htm
http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=5902
http://www.omegafields.com/productDetail.asp_Q_catID_E_19_A_subCatID_E_19_A_prod uctID_E_4
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productClassId=1854
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productClassId=2419
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productClassId=58
http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=3733 |
PattyB
Member
Username: pattyb
Post Number: 76
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 - 8:30 pm: | |
Hi Barbara.
I am a new member as well but right off the top, I would suggest talking in depth with one of the SmartPak specialist. I've had several conversations with them and they have been a big help in knowing what's best for a given situation, especially with possible IR easy keepers. If you have further questions about a specific product, they are real good about providing the info needed to contact the manufacturer of that product. There's so much out there, I would be lost without them. Also, your vet may have a suggestion knowing your specific circumstances.
Good luck, I'd be interested to know which one you pick. |
Barbara
New Member
Username: breeves1
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 - 11:48 pm: | |
Well, I don't trust most vets when it comes to nutrition. Most only know what they learned one semester in vet school umpteen years ago, lol. I posted here because I really appreciate the "you don't NEED grain" advice. It's refreshing to say the least  . |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3415
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 7:22 am: | |
Hi Barbara, welcome to HA! United Vet equine has some good pelleted vit/min supps.
http://unitedvetequine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=73160 400a&Category_Code=svitsupp&Product_Count=3
I use manna pro sho-glo it's in crumble form and the horses seem to like it, they look good (except a little fat)
http://www.mannapro.com/sho-glo.htm
I but the 25# bag for my 3 and it goes a long way.
Dr.O.'s article suggest a human vit. supplement if needed and I think you give one vit per #200's
It sounds as if your horses diet is pretty good and you don't need a vit. If you haven't read this article it may help you determine what your horses "lack" and should be supplemented with.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/5196.html
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/5216.html |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3416
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 7:25 am: | |
Sorry I just realized you had mega-cell on your list |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 22022
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 9:52 am: | |
Hello Barbara,
Concerning vitamin supplementation we strongly recommend you follow our advice in Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Vitamins for Horses, an Overview.
DrO |
Barbara
New Member
Username: breeves1
Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 8:11 pm: | |
Yes, I read the articles. I was hoping you could tell me what commercial supplement I could feed my horses. Human grade supplements are out of my budget for ME to take in separate doses (I do take a multi-vitamin), so definitely out of the question for my horses at 1 per 200 lbs a day. |
Dawn Anderson
Member
Username: dr3ssag3
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 9:33 pm: | |
Hi Barbara.
I personally have tried quite a few different supplements, but after beginning work at a tack store I got turned onto Adeptus brand supplements, specifically the Nimble Mega Nutrient formula. It combines 7 supplements in one: multivitamin, joint, hoof, etc etc. It seems pricey, but when you factor in all of the various items you're no longer going to have to buy, you'll find you're saving a bunch of money. Plus, the designer of the equine products is a veterinarian specializing in equine nutrition, and the supplements are guaranteed to be pharmaceutical grade.
Hope this helps. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 22025
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 - 9:26 am: | |
Barbara, the article does not recommend you feed "separate human grade" nutrients and the recommendation much cheaper than many of the equine vitamin supplements available on the market.
DrO |
