Let’s talk supplements!
Oct 16 2008
I love these posts because I always learn something…
Right now there are an amazing variety of supplements on the market for our horses. I know there are folks here in the anti-supplement camp, who say that good feed is all you need. Let’s face it though, most of us do not know EXACTLY what we are feeding. Most of us do not have a nutritional analysis done on our hay. So some extra vitamins can’t hurt, nor can some herbal solutions for arthritis, poor feet or other problems our horses may have!
Here are some of the supplements I love.
BL Solution – OMG, this stuff ROCKS. I have seen such a difference in my two old arthritic mares. And they feel great on it – they are running and bucking again! I will be ordering another big jug soon and I don’t care if it’s $50. It’s worth it. Also, it is yummy and they will eat it.
Clovite – I have been using it since the 80s and have no intention of messing with what works. It’s just a good all-purpose vitamin supplement.
Grand Complete – Not using it right now, but I do think it’s really good stuff. It’s an all purpose supplement with biotin for the feet.
Strongid C – Argue with me all day about worms developing resistance, but this stuff has really helped my debilitated rescues come back from the damn-near-dead. What I like is that it’s milder than slamming them right away with a paste wormer and I think that reduces the risk of a worm impaction colic. It helps start cleaning out their system and making it possible for them to pack the weight back on. I love it.
Grow Colt – Another supplement that has been around forever, and it is good stuff. My orphan had it added to his feed from early on and now I have a 15.3, nineteen month old orphan. Yeah. I’m sold.
Farnam Weight Builder – I’ve tried them all and this is the one I find works the best.
Sand Clear – if you live in a sandy climate, this stuff will save you a $5000 colic surgery or a lost horse. Use it religiously, one week a month. Very small price to pay for avoiding sand colic!
Finally, you cannot beat plain old corn oil for putting a shine on their coat and packing on a few extra pounds.
My favorite place to get supplements is Country Supply. The prices rock and I have never had a problem with them.
And I have to say – I never used SmartPak before, but have recently been introduced to the joy of it…you know what? It is a great idea. It’s perfect for people who board and cannot count on the people feeding their horses to have two IQ points to rub together. It’s idiot proof for your non-horsey husband, farm sitter, or disinterested teenage child, and it’s just plain convenient. They don’t have everything available, but they have a lot of it.
So what do you love? What do you think is the best thing since sliced bread? Rave about your favorite supplements and help your fellow horsepeople choose!
One comment to “Let’s talk supplements!”
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Sand clear is amazing. I use it after my horse has been on a dry lot in the Spring for weight control. I use SmartPak religiously and the main thing I get is Omega Horse Shine which also has the biotin for the feet. I have literally watched it grow my horse new hooves that are strong. And it tastes good! It also has “yuka” in it which is great for their body. The only other thing I feed all year round is Diatemasous Earth. My spelling is off but it is a white powder that is scentless and tasteless so it just blends in with their food. Not only does it give them a lustrous coat (I had someone ask me at a show if I had used too much showsheen when I had never touched the stuff!) but it means that you do not have to use paste wormer every month. You worm for a certain kind (i forget which one) twice a year (every 6 months) and the powder worms for everything else.
Basically I only use those 2 things for my horses. I am a big fan of natural things (I feed all natural grain. No processed junk). During the summer, I feed garlic which I know stinks but with a small amount only the horse does not stink when it sweats but it really helps with bug problems.
These are also all natural things which, if you have a horse like mine, is very sensitive to products, both fed and applied to coat, and is allergic to some things so I have to really watch what kind of things I feed her.