[Hoofprints in the Sand]

I started this thread over in the general health section and then realized it should be over here! So here is a link to the detailed one...

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/supplements-49102/page2/#post566450

And here's a recap...
MY ORIGINAL POST:
What's a good "all purpose" supplement to feed a horse who is active but is an easy keeper, and besides her hay, only gets about a handful of grain twice a day? She doesn't need more grain than that, but I want to make sure she's still getting all the vitamins and minerals she needs. She has a free choice red mineral block in her stall that she loves, and she's on a hoof supplement, but what's a good "all purpose" or general supplement I could feed her to make up the rest of what she needs?

Talked to SmartPak and then posted this...
Well first of all, I just want to say that the SmartPak people are SO nice!! :smile: This girl talked to me for a long time about Sandie, what she eats, how much pasture time she has, what we do, etc. and came up with the following...

Right now, she is already on this hoof supplement...

It has 140mg of Biotin, so she's already getting a lot of biotin there...so for now, she recommended I start her on this along with it...

"Smart Omega 3"
SmartOmega 3 from SmartPak Equine
The perfect addition to ANY supplement program! SmartOmega 3 is carefully formulated to promote good health and general wellbeing by providing three areas of support that all horses can benefit from:

1) Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Flax Seed and Fish Oil
2) Probiotics, Prebiotics and Enzymes for digestive health
3) Beta Carotene and 500 IU of Vitamin E – two vital nutrients found in fresh pasture, which many horses lack

Feed SmartOmega 3 alone for general wellness or combine with your horse’s existing supplement regimen for an extra level of support. Adding SmartOmega 3 to your horse's current supplement program will take it from good to GREAT.

Feed 28.35 g daily (1 scoop = 28.35 g)
Declared Ingredients
IngredientPer ServingPer PoundGuaranteed Analysis per 28.35 g: Crude Protein (Min), supplying:16% Leucine1,450 mg Valine224 mg Isoleucine200 mg Crude Fat (Min), supplying:34% Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Linolenic Acid)5,600 mg EPA21 mg DHA14 g Omega 9 Fatty Acids (Oleic Acid)1,750 mg Omega 6 Fatty Acid (Linoleic Acid)1,400 mg Crude Fiber (Max)25% Vitamin A10,000 IU Vitamin E500 IU Lecithin550 mg Fructooligosaccharides250 mg Mannanoligosaccharides250 mg Pancrelipase, supplying:100 mg Amylase9,970 USP Protease9,970 USP Lipase2,390 USP Direct Fed Microbials, supplying: Enterococcus Faecium70 million CFU Lactobacillus Acidophilus70 million CFU Lactobacillus Casei70 million CFU Bifidobacterium Longum5 million CFU

Other Ingredients
Ingredient Statement: Beta Carotene, dl-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Extract, Fenugreek Seed, Fish Oil, Fructooligosaccharides, Lecithin, Pancrelipase, Stabilized Flax Seed Meal, Yeast Extract (Mannanoligosaccharides).

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

Then, once I'm out of the Hoof supplement, she recommended this as her only supplement, which supports everything altogether in one...



Daily Omegas Plus™

Daily Omegas Plus™ supports coat, hooves, joints and general health by providing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and 850 mg of Glucosamine, in a base of Flax Seed.
Compare the Daily Omegas Plus™ formula to Platinum Performance™ Equine*
*Platinum Performance™ is a trademark of Platinum Performance, Inc.

Instructions
Feeding Instructions: Feed 132 g daily, 1 scoop = 66 g (2 scoops daily)
Please note the following serving sizes when buying this product in SmartPaks:
Daily Omegas Plus™Maintenance Dose:2 scoops (132 grams) dailyLoading Dose:Not Applicable

Declared Ingredients
IngredientPer ServingPer PoundEnergy620 Cal / 0.62 MCal2,130 Cal / 2.13 MCalCarbohydrate (min)28.81% / 38.0g Crude Protein (min)19.03% / 25.1g Crude Fat (min)30.90% / 40.8g Linolenic Acid (Omega-3)14.34% / 18.9g Linoleic Acid (Omega-6)6.47% / 8.5g Crude Fiber (max)18.0% / 24g Ash (min)11.31% / 14.9gAmino Acids Arginine (min)1.53% / 2,020mg Glycine (min)0.98% / 1,294mg Methionine (min)0.33% / 436mg Isoleucine (min)0.64% / 845mg Leucine (min)1.06% / 1,399mgValine (min)0.95% / 1,254mg Lysine (min)0.85% / 1,122mg Tyrosine (min)0.44% / 581mg Cystine (min)0.32% / 422mg Glutamine (min)3.43% / 4,528mg Phenylalanine (min)0.77% / 1,016mg Threonine (min)0.65% / 858mg Aspartic Acid (min)1.74% / 2,297mg Alanine (min)0.83% / 1,096mg Histidine (min)0.82% / 1,082mg Tryptophan (min)0.29% / 383mg L-Carnitine (min)0.02% / 26mg Proline (min)0.53% / 700mg Chondroprotective Glucosamine Sulfate850mg2,920mgMacrominerals Calcium (min)0.30% / 396mg Calcium (max)0.40% / 528mg Phosphorous (min)0.80% / 1,060mg Sodium (min)0.10% / 130mg Sodium (max)0.20% / 265mg Magnesium (min)0.41% / 540mg Potassium (min)1.00% / 1,320mgChloride (min)0.19% / 250mg Sulfur0.36% / 475.2mg Trace Minerals Copper (min)100ppm / 13.2mg Iron (min)2,000ppm / 264mg Manganese (min)1,000ppm / 132mg Silicon (min)20.000ppm / 2,640mgZinc (min)1,000ppm / 132mg Cobalt (min)6ppm / 792mcg (0.792mg) Chromium (min)2ppm / 264mcg (0.264mg) Selenium (min)6ppm / 0.79mg Iodine (min)5ppm / 660mcg (0.66mg) Vitamins Vitamin A (min)7,500 IU25,772 IUVitamin D (min)1,500 IU5,154 IUVitamin E (min)740 IU2,543 IUVitamin C (min)250mg859mgFolic Acid (min)10mg34mgThiamin (min)19.8mg68mgRiboflavin (min)15.4mg53mgNiacin (min)19.8mg68mgCholine (min)6mg21mgPyridoxine B6 (min)31.8mg109mgPantothenic Acid (min)48.6mg167mgBiotin (min)2.5mg9mgCyanocobalamin B12 (min)44mcg (0.044mg)151mcg (0.1551mg)

Other Ingredients
Ingredient Statement: Flax Seed, Flax Oil, Rice Bran, Lactose Free Whey Protein Concentrate, Sunflower Seed, Soy Protein Concentrate, Cane Molasses, Equi-TM (trace mineral concentrate), Zeolite, Calcium Carbonate, PrefloratinKF™, dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, d-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Glucosamine Sulfate, Chromium Yeast, Selenium Yeast, L-Arginine, L-Tyrosine, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Citrate, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Iron Proteinate (chelated), Soybean Oil (cold pressed), Cobalt Proteinate (chelated), L-Lysine, L-Glutamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Dried Kelp (source of Iodine), dl-Methionine, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Aloe Vera Gel Powder, Vitamin B12, Thiamin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid. No artificial preservatives and no fillers added.

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

Or this one...




SmartVite EZ Keeper Grass Pellets

NEW - PELLETS! A comprehensive vitamin and mineral formula designed to meet the nutritional needs of the easy keeper being fed little or no fortified grain, and hay or pasture that is grass or a grass/alfalfa mix. These tasty pellets can easily be fed alone, without grain!

In addition to a comprehensive and balanced selection of vitamins and minerals, SmartVite EZ Keeper Grass Pellets provide amino acids and essential fatty acids, along with pre and probiotics for digestive health.

Feeding Instructions: Feed 50 g daily, 1 scoop = 50 g

Declared Ingredients
IngredientPer ServingPer PoundCrude Protein (Min)10.5% L-Lysine2.5% DL-Methionine1.2% L-Threonine0.7% Crude Fat (Min)5.7% Crude Fiber (Max)9% Vitamin A17,000 IU Vitamin D33,250 IU Vitamin E750 IU Vitamin B12425 mcg Menadione (Vitamin K)15 mg Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)750 mg Thiamine (Vitamin B1)85 mg Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)85 mg Niacin (Vitamin B3)425 mg d-Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)85 mg Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)85 mg Folic Acid30 mg Biotin3.5 mg Inositol125 mg Choline70 mg Calcium (Min)4.2% Calcium (Max)4.4% Phosphorus1.7% Salt (Min)5% Salt (Max)5.2% Magnesium2% Potassium2.1% Chromium350 mcg Cobalt12.5 mg Copper100 mg Iodine1.5 mg Iron137.5 mg Manganese150 mg Selenium1.5 mg Silica0.43% Zinc400 mg Direct Fed Microbials350 Million CFU Yeast Cultures625 Million CFU

Other Ingredients
Active Dry Yeast, Alfalfa Meal, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Ascorbate, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Pantothenate, Choline Chloride, Chromium Yeast, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, D-Activated Animal Sterol (Source of Vitamin D3), Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Aspergillus Niger Meal, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Extract, Dried Kelp, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Extract, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Fenugreek Seed, Folic Acid, Grape Pomace (Ground Grape Seed and Skin), Inositol, Fructooligosaccharides, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Sulfate, Lignin Sulfonate, L-Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Proteinate, Magnesium Silicate, Maltodextrin, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Source of Vitamin K3), DL-Methionine, Monosodium Phosphate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Propionic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Salt, Selenium Yeast, Sodium Selenite, Stabilized Flax Seed Meal, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Threonine, Vegetable Oil (cold pressed), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E

 

[Alwaysbehind]

I use the Smartvite easy keeper grass for my easy keeper and I think it works wonderfully.

 

[kchfuller]

I used the Smartvite and liked it ... another "multi" supplement it Select II.

Does your horse need the extra vitamins or is it just something you want to do? Is there something specific you are looking to add to her diet?

Oh and the Smartpak people are really nice!

 

[CecilliaB]

Thats fantastic, so glad they were able to help you!

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

Does your horse need the extra vitamins or is it just something you want to do? Is there something specific you are looking to add to her diet?

She's a VERY easy keeper, which means she needs only a handful of grain at feeding time just to feel like she got something, but I want to be sure that since she's not getting a full serving of grain that she can get her vitamins and minerals elsewhere

 

[Peggysue]

of those you posted the Smartvite is the best... what feeds do you have available to you??

 

[Peggysue]

Hoofprints you best bet IF you can get one is to go with a ration balancer then you won't have to give her any grain just a coffee cup of it

 

[MIEventer]

YAY!!!! I told you Smartpak are wonderful!!!! I am so happy that you were able to get great advice and pointed into the right direction!

I am so proud of you Steph!! *HUGS*!!! You're a great Mamma! I would feel very confident if Nelson were in your hands

I would go with the Daily Omega +

 

[Alwaysbehind]

of those you posted the Smartvite is the best... what feeds do you have available to you??

My horse is at home so any grain I choose to purchase is available.

Doing the ration balancer route or the multi-vitamin route really gets you to the same place at the end of the day so I do not think one is better or worse than the other.

My easy keeper gets 1 cup of hay stretcher pellets so he thinks he gets grain and then his SVEKG.

 

[MIEventer]

At the barn I used to be a Working Student at, their Easy Keepers were fed Buckeye's product called Safe N Easy. They get fed their vits and mins, while yet feeling like they are being grained, without getting hot or fat.

Buckeye is a fabulous line of feed in my opinion.

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

YAY!!!! I told you Smartpak are wonderful!!!! I am so happy that you were able to get great advice and pointed into the right direction!

I am so proud of you Steph!! *HUGS*!!! You're a great Mamma! I would feel very confident if Nelson were in your hands

I would go with the Daily Omega +

Thanks Kim!! Well I have many of the people on here to thank for that! What a GREAT place to gain TONS of knowledge and learn from others' experiences!!

1 question...the Daily Omega+ is listed as a "Senior" supplement on their website, but Sandie is only 8 yrs old...do you think that matters at all?

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

Got some answers from my vet She recommended Tribute Essential K...has anyone ever tried Tribute feed? Apparently it's very concentrated and you use it in place of the grain AND a supplement, so it would give her both without making her gain more weight since she's slightly over now and a very easy keeper!

 

[luvs2ride1979]

She's a VERY easy keeper, which means she needs only a handful of grain at feeding time just to feel like she got something, but I want to be sure that since she's not getting a full serving of grain that she can get her vitamins and minerals elsewhere

If she's that easy of a keeper, I would recommend ADM's Metabolic Mineral pellets. You feed 1 lb a day, and that's it! I mix a little alfalfa pellets with mine, just to give my mare "something" to eat. It's high in magnesium and chromium, which has shown to help "fluffy" horses keep their weight down. Plus it has all of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids they need.
StaySTRONG low starch mineral feed supplement
If you email them they will send you the complete breakdown on the pellets.

I don't have any grazing for my horses (too many in our pasture), so I do feed an Omega 3 supplement. I use Uckele's Cocsoya oil.

Flax meal also has Omega 3s and has shown to help out horses with metabolic issues. You might try HorseTech.com's BioFlax, which is a hoof and flax supplement in one. I used to use it and had good results. I have seven horses now though, so I needed a more economical feed & supplement package, lol.

 

[Peggysue]

Got some answers from my vet She recommended Tribute Essential K...has anyone ever tried Tribute feed? Apparently it's very concentrated and you use it in place of the grain AND a supplement, so it would give her both without making her gain more weight since she's slightly over now and a very easy keeper!

WOW a vet that actually KNOWS what a ration balancer is used for!! Tribute Essential K is suppose to be really good I know one person around here using it and LOVES it and her mare looks amazing on just 1lb a day.

I use Horsego32 which is same type of product and can't say enough good about the results I see with theses products not only on overweight horses but horses that seem to be hard keepers as well. It seems to make the fatties more effience in losing the weight and the skinnies seem to gain better on them with fewer added calories.

Don't be surprised if she eats less hay while on it

 

[Hoofprints in the Sand]

Awesome, thanks everyone! I got the Tribute Essential K today and we're starting to wean her onto it and off the sweet feed tomorrow, hoping to have her on 1lb/day of the Essential K alone within a week to 10 days And of course the same amount of hay as she's been getting still.

Then I guess I'll just keep an eye on her weight and make sure that if it gets too low, she gets something more to supplement. Essential K is expensive but since it's so concentrated the serving for a horse Sandie's size/type is only 1lb so it ends up lasting a good amount of time...and from what I've heard, it's worth it because it's a high quality feed!

The rep for Tribute and the vet told me I shouldn't need to feed her a supplement on it because it provides 100% of the vites and minerals she needs, and I don't even need to feed her a separate hoof supplement anymore because the biotin amount (and other things) in Essential K is just as good!

So YAY for feeding 1 thing and getting all 3 combined! ;-) I just hope she likes it! haha

 

[Peggysue]

I like to add my calories in teh form of alfalfa pellets for those that need it..

yeah you are actually saving money even with the cost per bag of the Essential k isn't it great save money and have a healthier horse LOL

 

[kchfuller]

others beat me to it but i was going to say a ration balancer

 

[kchfuller]

I will have to look into the Tribute Essential K- sounds like a great product!