Platinum Performance Update #2

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.