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Another blog hop is making its rounds. I first saw it on the $900 Facebook Pony, but I think it started with Spotted Dressage. I don't usually do blog hops, and not because there's anything wrong with them, I just have plenty to say on my own with two horses. Especially since one of them thinks the universe revolves around him, and the other thinks he's large and in charge. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which. In any case, the recent topic of discussion is feed; specifically, what is fed and why? This is a timely topic as I always re-evaluate my feeding strategy as the seasons change. Bakersfield has eight months of summer, three months of winter, and a few weeks each of spring and fall. I don't usually need to make too many adjustments outside of winter and summer.  Half of Izzy's shady but unroofed turnout. This winter was a bit different though as I moved my boys to the new ranch at the end of summer. Speedy has a covered paddock along with nightly turnout, but Izzy has only trees for cover. This is great for our lengthy summers, but I did worry about him in this year's rainy weather. He was fine in the weather though; the ranch owner made sure that both boys had hay in front of them 24 hours a day. So what do my boys eat and why? Hay The bulk of their diet is of course made up of hay. I used to weigh the hay at my last barn, but since moving to the ranch, no one cares how much hay is fed unless it's clearly being wasted. Both horses get a good quality alfalfa (relatively cheap and abundant here in California) as well as orchard grass (brought in from Oregon).  This year's alfalfa. Speedy can live on straight alfalfa, but I've found that Izzy does better with less alfalfa and more grass hay. Alfalfa gives him too much energy. The ratio that the ranch owner feeds suits both boys fine. Izzy gets more grass than alfalfa, and Speedy gets more alfalfa than grass.  This year's orchard grass. I find it interesting that Speedy never leaves a blade of the grass hay, while Izzy polishes off the alfalfa first. This is Izzy's feeder about an hour before dinner. He's never without hay.  Izzy's feeder This is Speedy's feeder at the same time of day. There is no grass hay left, but there are some alfalfa stems that he chose to leave behind.  Speedy's feeder. Non-Grains Along with what is essentially free choice hay, both boys get a daily bucket of beet pulp and rice bran. Through the winter, both boys needed some denser calories to keep the weight on. They filled up on hay, but it wasn't quite meeting their nutritional requirements. Throughout the colder, wetter months, Izzy ate 3 pounds of soaked beet pulp and about 1/2 pound of rice bran. The beet pulp is simply more calorie dense than hay while the rice bran gave him just a bit more fat calories to keep him looking rounder. Speedy started to look a bit lean over the winter so he got 1 1/2 pounds of beet pulp with a full pound of rice bran. He's looking rounder now. As it begins to warm up, I'll probably reduce the beet pulp both boys are eating by as much as 50%, and I might be able to cut out the rice bran completely.  Soaked beet pulp, rice bran, and Platinum Performance. Supplements I am not a big fan of supplements as none of them actually seem to do what they're supposed to do. I've had horses on SmartCalm and Quiessence, and I never noticed a change. After conferring with my vet though, he convinced me that horses in my area do a need a little help, especially with selenium and vitamin E. So even even though there were less expensive options, including the product that my vet formulated, I decided to go with a more comprehensive product, Platinum Performance. Both horses get the recommended dosage of two scoops daily.  Both boys like the combination and happily consume every last drop.  Salt Along with their Platinum, both boys always have a salt source as well. Speedy has a Himalayan salt wheel as well as a small salt block in his feeder. As I was writing this, I realized that Izzy's salt block is currently missing. I don't think he ate the whole thing, so it's probably buried in the mud somewhere. It looks like I'll be rounding him up a new one. The Final Picture
With regular dental work, vaccinations, trims, and chiropractic work as needed, both boys look pretty good. It doesn't look like anything needs to be adjusted today.
So what do you feed and why? I've been writing about Platinum Performance since May. You can read about my research, trial period, and subsequent decision to put both boys on it here. Even though Izzy has been on Platinum since late June, my trainer, Chemaine Hurtado, wondered if some of his excess tension/energy was coming from the Platinum. She suggested I take him off of it for a week or so and see if anything changed. I did as she suggested, but his energy level wasn't affected. Instead, he started to get pretty loose poops.  It has also been suggested that Izzy might be suffering from ulcers. While my vet hasn't scoped him for such, he doesn't necessarily feel that Izzy is a strong candidate for ulcers. Izzy doesn't fast, ever. He has hay in front of him at all times. He also gets alfalfa for about half of his ration. Alfalfa is high in calcium, a macromineral often used to help horses with ulcers. And finally, he's on 24 hour a day turnout, so he's not stall bound. When I next see my vet, I'm going to talk to him about ulcers again. Izzy did go through a stressful period when we moved barns a few months ago, so it's possible that he has a bit of a tummy ache. Back to the Platinum ... It took me about a week to connect the dots, but within a few days of being off the Platinum Performance, Izzy was getting pretty loose poops while I was tacking up. This is definitely NOT normal. In fact, over the weekend, his poop was more than just loose; it was absolutely ploppy. I started to rethink the ulcer thing and did some quick research with Dr. Google. While not prescription strength, calcium and magnesium are quite commonly used in over the counter ulcer supplements that are designed to neutralize excess gastric acid.  I pulled out my current bucket of Platinum Performance and saw that both calcium and magnesium are just two of the ingredients that Platinum uses to provide digestive support. I put Izzy back on the Platinum Performance yesterday. Since he's been off of it for nearly two weeks, I only gave him half a serving. I'll take the better part of week transitioning him back to a full serving.
Since it was wet and dreary yesterday, I decided to just hand graze the boys. I don't want Izzy to feel that a halter always means a ride. Neither horse seemed to mind that no tack was involved in their day. Hopefully Izzy's poop returns to normal as he gets back on his Platinum Performance. Either way, I'll still run it by my vet. After a lot of thought and number crunching, I jumped on the Platinum Performance bandwagon this summer. You can follow the start of the journey by reading through these posts.  At the beginning of June, Izzy was eating 30 pounds of alfafa/oat cubes (included in my board bill) with free choice timothy hay ($27 a bale) along with two pounds of beet pulp and an equal amount of rice bran (around $18.00 a bag each). That's almost 40 pounds of feed a day. While he looked good, it was costing me an arm and a leg. He was also getting Quiessence in a Smartpak at around $25 a month. When I made the switch to Platinum at the end of June, Heather, my Platinum advisor, assured me that Izzy's nutritional needs would change. She was right. As I transitioned him to the Platinum, I slowly cut back on the beet pulp and eliminated the rice bran. I then gradually reduced the amount of free choice hay. His weight remained the same!  Bottom of the bucket It was clear that his body was metabolizing his feed in a much more efficient manner. In addition to that, his energy level also got more focused. He's still energetic, but it's a quieter energy. He literally seems happier, calmer, and more content in his own skin. I think I gave Platinum a solid test these past seven weeks. Izzy went to three schooling shows (all almost three hours away), one of which was an overnighter that included a lesson on the first day. He also did an away from home lesson that included five hours of round-trip driving. On top of all of that, I changed barns. Through it all, his weight remained fairly constant, and he dealt with the activity as well as any veteran. Izzy now gets two medium flakes of alfalfa each morning along with some grass hay. In the evenings, he gets several flakes of just grass hay. I haven't weighed it, but it's less than 30 pounds a day. He's also getting about a pound of beet pulp with his daily scoops of Platinum. He never finishes his hay. On some days, my barn owner reduces his evening ration because he has left so much from the morning (he likes it, it's just too much!).  Izzy hasn't been on Quiessence since early May. The money that I spent on that supplement is now going toward Platinum as is what I used to spend on beet pulp and rice bran. Platinum is actually costing me less per month than all of that feed did. In fact, eliminating the Quiessence and cutting back on all that feed is almost covering the cost of putting both horses on the Platinum!
A 17.5 pound of Platinum Performance costs $101 dollars plus an additional $7.58 in California state taxes. It has 60 servings, the perfect amount for two horses to consume in a month. Since I elected to do auto-ship, my shipping charge is only $5.00. The grand total for my first paid bucket of Platinum Performance was $113.58, or $56.79 per horse for one month. I think that I am getting more for my money than I was. I haven't yet seen any changes in Speedy, but I didn't really expect to either. Just knowing that I am better meeting his vitamin and mineral requirements makes the cost worth it. Has anyone else considered Platinum this summer? I know one of my friends has both of her boys on it (Baltimore!) - anyone else? Last month, I wrote about needing to address the vitamin and mineral deficiencies in my horses' feed. My vet offered several suggestions, including his own formula that was created to balance what was missing in our local hay. After trying my vet's formula for the past month, I decided to go ahead and give Platinum Performance a try. I wrote about that decision here. A few days after speaking with the good folks over at Platinum Performance, I received this note.  They certainly get an A+ for customer service! Before we went on vacation, Heather Elliot, my Platinum Advisor, scheduled delivery of a free sample of their product. A few days after being home, I was surprised by not just one box from Platinum Performance, but two.  When I unpacked the boxes, I was shocked to find not just a "sample" of Platinum, but a 60-day supply. Along with the supplement, Heather also included a full tub of Platinum Bar EQ, the same formula as in the daily supplement but made in a portable bar.  Photo bombed! (she's incorrigible) This company must be incredibly confident in their product. The 17.5 lb. bucket of Platinum Performance sells for $101, and the 22-count tub of bars retails for $64. That's a lot of "samples" considering that I am under no obligation to reorder. As of right now, as long as my horses don't have a negative reaction, I am willing to give the supplement a six-month trial period. I've already started Izzy on the supplement. In a few weeks, when BVH's mineral supplement is gone, I'll switch Speedy over to Platinum Performance too. After researching the bars, I discovered that they would be excellent to feed after lessons and while at shows. At nearly $3 a bar, they're not really something I can afford to feed every day.  My "cheat sheet" I tried to give Izzy a bar after our lesson yesterday, but after a nibble, he gave me the "ew, weird and different" face. He's a picky eater though, so I am not surprised. He generally needs to be presented with new things several times before he digs in. I saved the part of the bar that Speedy didn't scarf down. If I offer it to Izzy over a few days, he'll probably get on board. Speedy's already sold!
I'll keep you posted. I am such a sucker for good customer service. I am always willing to pay more for a product if I know with complete certainty that the company is going to treat me as though they really want me to come back. And if they listen to my feedback and try to make whatever "it" is right, I am hooked for life. The Riding Warehouse and Smartpak are two companies that check off those boxes. And coincidently, both are having really good sales this Memorial Day weekend. At the Riding Warehouse, you can save 15% site-wide today with no code, and SmartPack is offering up to 20% off for USEF members with the code MEM16 at checkout. But those two companies already have my regular business. I am talking about the folks over at Platinum Performance.  A week or two ago I wrote a blog post about mineral supplements. A few days later, I got a very polite email from Amy at Platinum Performance. She had seen my blog post and wondered if I would like to talk to one of their advisors about equine nutrition. She also offered to send me a free bucket of Platinum Performance if I wanted to give their product a try. How could I say no? I was clearly interested in the product, and I did have a few questions. I sent a reply back saying I would love to speak with someone and that I would call back the next morning. To my surprise, when I called, Heather E., the advisor to whom I had been referred, was actually available. And not only was she able to chat, she already knew a little bit about me. Man, these guys know how to reel you in! I love that kind of customer service. Heather and I talked for a good 40 minutes. I think she would have happily stayed on the phone with me longer, but my recess bell rang ending the phone call. My life revolves around school bells. My three concerns, all of which she addressed thoughtfully and intelligently, were 1) price, 2) extra energy, and 3) ingredients that my horses don't need. Price: Okay. There isn't a lot she can do about this one. Platinum is expensive, but ... she did point out some things that make the product slightly more affordable. For one, if you already give a bunch of supplements (I don't), Platinum Performance can replace most of them making your supplement regimen cheaper.  This issue warrants its own blog post, but I had already taken Izzy off the Quiessence for a trial period to test the product's efficacy. One week into the trial, Izzy actually seems more relaxed now that he's off the magnesium. This is most likely coincidental though. We had an awesome lesson with Dr. Christian Schacht a week ago where I had a giant "break through" moment, so it could actually be more related to that. I had also started the horses on BVH's mineral supplement which provides selenium and Vitamin E, among other things. That could also be making him feel better. In truth, I never noticed any changes while he was on the magnesium anyway. I was too afraid to take him off of it though for fear that he would be more tense than he already was. That's a really long way of saying that if I switch to the Platinum Performance and stop the Quiessence, I won't be spending quite as much as I would have. There's more to the price thing though. Heather explained that through the magic (my word, not hers) of Platinum's formula, Izzy's whole metabolic system would begin working more efficiently. This would have the benefit of reducing the amount of feed that he would need which is ultimately a cost saving measure. You would be shocked at the quantity of roughage that dude consumes on a daily basis. On top of that, she suggested that the added rice bran he gets every day should also be eliminated as Platinum Performance provides rice bran as an ingredient which would mean he wouldn't need extra. Reducing his rice bran would also save me money.  Extra Energy: An increase in the horse's energy level is was one of the unintended effects of feeding Platinum Performance that I have been warned about. We all know that Izzy doesn't need any more energy. He's already the destroyer of all things. I raised this issue with Heather. Rather than downplay my concern, she tackled the question head on. Since Platinum Performance works on the whole body, it reduces inflammation and supports all of the horse's systems. The result is that it makes the horse feel really good. Initially, she explained, this can come across as too much energy. She said that once the horse is used to feeling good, the over-energized feeling will fade. To help deal with excess energy, Heather outlined a plan for phasing in the Platinum Performance slowly while simultaneously decreasing energy sources such as rice bran. I really appreciated this approach as so many products actually use loading doses which add to the initial price of the product.  Ingredients That My Horses Don't Need: I wholeheartedly subscribe to the KISS method of horse care - Keep It Simple, Stupid. Most of the supplements out there aren't tested by independent labs and they certainly don't have independent research that supports their claims of efficacy. Platinum Performance does. So while its ingredient list is bigger and more encompassing than what Dr. Tolley views as the minimum requirement, he doesn"t dislike the product. His own formula targets the specific vitamins and minerals that our hay is deficient in. Platinum Performance goes beyond that providing support for the whole horse through the use of amino acids (which help build proteins), Glucosamine (for joint health), macro and trace minerals (which help the body's systems to function), and vitamins (which along with minerals serve as anti-oxidants). It's hard to say that my horses don't need any of those. Will they die tomorrow without added folic acid? No, but the added amino acids and minerals found in Platinum Performance are all things that my horses do need. I don't think there is one ingredient that is simply a filler or junk.  Coming soon. You can probably see where this is all going. I decided to give Platinum Performance a try, but I am doing it on the company's dollar. That's right - Platinum Performance is sending me a bucket for free, no obligation. They simply asked me to try it. And since I am going on vacation for several weeks, they've agreed to ship me a fresh bucket so that it arrives just as I come home in late June.
Izzy will get to try it first while Speedy remains on Dr. Tolley's vitamin and mineral supplement. Izzy's needs are a bit more complicated than Speedy's are. Speedy is such an easy keeper that I am going to see how it effects Izzy before I decide whether to put both horses on it. And if it does indeed reduce Izzy's feed requirements, the decision will be much easier to bear financially. If you're reading this, Platinum Performance, your willingness to reach out to potential customers and chat about our horses' needs without being pushy is very much appreciated. Letting us try your product for free says you truly believe we'll like it. I am looking forward to having you on my team! |
About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2022 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic (Q) Qualifier 2022 Show Schedule
(*) Tehachapi 8/28/22 2022 Completed … (*) Tehachapi 5/22/22 (*) Tehachapi 7/24/22 2022 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying 2 Scores/1 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Archives
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