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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Speedy's Supplements

10/5/2017

 
I am not really a fan or a believer in the efficacy of supplements. For the most part, I subscribe to the notion that they simply create very expensive poop. With that said, my monthly supplement bill has gotten pretty high. 

I do have an explanation though. According to my vet, the west coast's hay is usually lacking in a few key vitamins and minerals, namely Vitamin E and Selenium. He thinks most of California's horses should be on at least a vitamin and mineral supplement.  

​Exhibit #A
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After a lot of research and examination of my budget, both boys are on Platinum Performance. The main reason that I chose this particular vitamin and mineral supplement is that it covers every base. Any time someone says, "Maybe your horse is deficient in X," I can rule it out as a cause. Platinum Performance has every possible amino acid, trace and macro mineral, vitamin, or "chondroprotective" substance you can feed a horse.  

​Exhibit B
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Last winter, despite being fed copious amounts of good quality alfalfa, beet pulp, and rice bran, Speedy got pretty ribby by late winter. In fact, it took all summer for him to finally add some weight back to his frame, and even then he was still less than a 5 on the body condition scale.

After even more research and examination of my budget, I recently opted to put him on Platinum Performance's Healthy Weight. There were two main reasons I chose Healthy Weight over other brands like Cool Calories or Fat Cat. The first reason is that Healthy Weight is made from flax oil which has a better Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio than most of the other fat supplements out there. The fatty acids are the "good fats" that cells need to function, but Omega-6s are thought to be pro-inflammatory.

The second reason that I chose Healthy Weight was its price. Believe it or not, it's fairly comparable to the cost of most other fat supplements. In fact, at $0.66 a day, it's a lot less expensive than feeding rice bran, at least at the quantities that I was feeding rice bran.

​Exhibit C
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Enter Speedy's third supplement, Platinum Hoof Support. This is a short term addition to his supplements list. Once his hoof has regrown, he'll have no need for additional "hoof support." I chose Platinum Hoof Support for the simple reason that it might help and certainly won't hurt.

Just like all of Platinum's other formulas, Hoof Support goes above and beyond the typical hoof formula. This version contains several amino acids responsible for hoof growth, which Speedy desperately needs right now. It also has Zinc Gluconate which is involved in the hardening of the hooves.

Additionally, Hoof Support contains Copper Gluconate which is shown to help connect hoof cells. For good measure, Hoof Support also has Manganese and Biotin which help strengthen the hoof wall and other structures. 

​In Summary
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With these three supplements given daily, Speedy's poop is now costing in excess of $3.42 a day. Of course, that dollar amount doesn't include the extra feed he gets. He also eats LMF Senior twice a day (3 pounds in the morning and a pound and a half at night) and Beet Pulp (a pound and a half at night).

My board bill includes all of the alfalfa that he'll eat. While I haven't weighed his hay in a long time, we feed based on how much hay he has left from the meal before. On the rare afternoon that I show up and he has actually eaten all of his hay, I toss him a bit of grass hay to tide him over until dinner.

As I was scooping and mixing last night, I had to laugh at myself. For someone who doesn't think supplements really do anything, my feed routine sure has gotten complicated!
Tracy
10/5/2017 06:34:44 am

That's interesting about the Selenium. I've read other things that say that California hay is high in Selenium! All that said, most of my hay is from Oregon or Idaho and I don't want to know! Poor Speedy, hope he is better by the spring/summer and we see you back in Tehachapi in 2018!

Bakersfield Dressage link
10/7/2017 06:53:13 am

Actually, the ranch owner buys all of her hay from Oregon! She buys in bulk. ;0)

The load she just got in this week actually came with an analysis so we're both eager to check it out!

Aarene Storms link
10/5/2017 03:16:10 pm

Dr. Susan Garlinghouse DVM is an endurance equine nutritionist, and she supports a lot of what you say: yes, horses in your area (and mine) need selenium. Vitamin E is never a bad idea. Biotin is great stuff, but most supplements (including hoof supplements that supposedly contain it) don't contain MUCH biotin because that stuff is expensive--so they include a little biotin and round out the rest with cheaper stuff.

What Susan *really* recommends is flax. Not the oil (too unstable). Flax seed itself.

Her recommended routine is to buy whole flax seed by the bag (50 pounds lasts me about 6 months, at about $30/bag) and grind up a week's worth at a time using a cheap coffee grinder. Longer than a week, the flax can go rancid, especially in warm temps. Un-ground, the flax is stable for storage. Whole flax can pass through undigested, which is why you need to grind it a little. You don't have to pulverize the flax seeds, just give them a 5-second "zip" in the grinder to crack the hull. Then dump in up to 2 cups/day with regular feed. (Start with small amounts and build up). Flax is good for hoof and hair, plus general digestion and weight gain. I have definitely noticed an improvement in hoof quality since starting flax 10 months ago.

Cheap and easy: my favorite ingredients!

Bakersfield Dressage link
10/7/2017 06:56:21 am

Small world, Aarene, but I met Susan and rode with her YEARS ago. Back before she was done with school, I participated in a study for her. We were always at the same rides, and later, she was a vet in my region that I saw frequently.

Grinding my own flax would be cheaper for sure, but part of Speedy's problem is added volume. He simply won't consume any more, but I think I'll still look into it. Thanks for the suggestion!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy 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.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home