Supplements

[jeezitsjacki]

Since being at my new barn Ben has gained a lot of weight so im wondering if he needs to be on as many supplements. right now he is on

cool calories
smart flex
smart hoof
pro biotics

I am thinking of dropping the cool calories... he has been on them for a couple years and I dont think it is affecting his weight. He was thin at the old barn, now at the new barn he has put on a lot of weight, so I think its just improving the quality and quanity of hay, not the cool calories affecting his weight.

Also im not sure about the pro bios. He has always had runny poo, especially after the weekend when he gets to eat grass in his turnout. It is not all liquid, but there is some. Does anyone know any better pro biotic products that I could try??

Any sugguestions are welcome

[jeezitsjacki]

anyone?

[JackieB]

I don't give Buster any supplements and he does just fine. His stool is often soft as well, by the way. I'd ask your vet for the best advice, but I'll bet that he doesn't actually need any of them. If you feel like dropping one or more, I'd do it and see how it goes for six months or so. They aren't prescription products, so I really don't see how you could goof anything up experimenting around on your own.

[Vegashorselady]

I'd drop them one at a time and see if it makes any difference. If his weight is up then I would think you could definitely drop the cool calories. Drop it and see how he does for a month or two and the try dropping another one.

[miatapony]

i agree i would drop them one by one .. and see how it goes for 6 months.

[natisha]

If he needs the hoof & flex stuff keep those. Those don't add weight.

[zoel_222]

I'd drop them one at a time and see if it makes any difference. If his weight is up then I would think you could definitely drop the cool calories. Drop it and see how he does for a month or two and the try dropping another one.

I agree.

[Remali]

Maybe he doesn't need the cool calories? The rest sounds good though. Probiotics are good, as is the flex stuff and hoof supplement.

[jeezitsjacki]

I did end up dropping the cool calories.. so well see what happens. I dont think its going to make a difference honestly. He has been on them since our old barn and was then, then when we moved barns he has put on a lot of weight. So I think the weight gain is just because of the new better quality and higher quantity of hay.. I dont think the cool calories had any impact honestly

[ParkedOut]

I think I would start fresh with just hay and feed and then see how it goes. Of all of those I would add the hoof supp back first.

[Remali]

What kind of hay is he getting at the new barn? Yeah, hay can make a huge difference. If he is getting alfalfa that can be quite fattening. I always liked to feed grass hay because it was just a more safe hay in general, and the horses were able to eat more of it without getting too fat.... horses are grazing animals so it made sense to me that given grass hay they could eat more frequent meals without adding the pounds (when compared to alfalfa). Maybe check and see what the new barn is feeding for hay. The probiotics and hoof supplement are not going make him gain that kind of weight, and are actually good for him.

[jeezitsjacki]

it depends on the meal... for breakfast he gets grass hay.. then for lunch I believe he gets grass only, but for dinner he gets mostly grass hay with some alfalfa too

[offgridgirl]

I agree with the others. Drop the supplements one at a time( cool calories first) and then wait to see how he does. If the poo is still runny, I add dry bran to his grain for a few days and see if that controls it. It may be, he is just that way.

I have an old Stb and every so often he gets runny poo. It seems to come and go and there is never any change in his hay/pellet. The only thing that changes is where he grazes during the day. He sometimes gets into a patch of really rich grass or a lot of thistles....soooo I add some dry bran on top of his night feed and it firms up.:)