Supplement Brands that Work

[Houdini1220]

Although I appreciate the VAST array of supplements available to horse owners, I can't help but feel VERY overwhelmed by how many companies are now producing so many different types of supplements. I know there are a lot of "If my horse has bad feet, which supplement..." threads....and I will spare you from that.

What I would like to know is which brands do you find to be the best in terms of quality of ingredients and why?? I do not know a lot about what to look for in terms of quality. I know that a product can say it has certain amounts of XYZ, but I also know that those of you who are up on your equine nutrition know what forms of XYZ horses will use best and which brands use the best forms of XYZ.

So what companies seem to produce the best LINE of supplements? Best ingeredients in ALL their products and why do you think that/know that?

Hope that wasn't too confusing.

[JoyCat]

I used to feed suppliments for everything you can think of. Vit/min, something for feet, joints, muscles etc. What I discovered was that I was doing very little other than contributing to all the head honchos of these companies driving around in their expensive cars!

What I do now is keep it simple...very simple. I feed a good quality vit/min suppliment, glucosamine and MSM for joints and vitamin E for muscles. Thats it.

I spent a lot of time doing research on ingredients and found that most joint suppliments for example, contain little more than glucosamine and MSM, muscle (& tying up) suppliments were not much more than vitamin E. The difference between buying the key ingredients yourself and buying the 'labelled' manufactured ones is virtually on the pretty packaging and the company convincing you that your horse needs it.

I have saved lots of $$$ on keeping it simple with no change in my horses on the expensive ones and the standard key ingredients.

Where there is a difference is if there is a specific problem. One that needs constant treatment as opposed to prevention. In which case, its probably better to ask your vet what he/she recommends.

As far as topical treatments, many of them are packed with chemicals and artificial ingredients, so as far as those treatments are concerned, I use anything natural wherever I can. The only instance in which I don't use natural products is if i'm treating something agressive such as proud flesh.

Hope that helps :)

[JB]

Dynamite uses GMO-free products, and organic when feasible, all-but-organic when not, and very close otherwise. They don't use chemicals in their supply warehouses or their production warehouses. So, that works for me.

There are products that are NASC (North American Supplement Council) labeled, which is a 6 year old company aimed at making sure ingredients are what they say they are. HorseTech is one company I use who is NASC-compliant (not sure about ALL their products, but it's at least a majority of them)

So, those are the things I look for, though I won't necessarily not use one that isn't one of the above. Cosequin is neither, but they have been scientifically proven to do what it claims.

Does meeting one of the above criteria mean something will work? Nope, no guarantee, since you may be addressing a symptom and not the original problem, or the condition may be beyond the help of a OTC nutraceutical.

[pintopiaffe]

Dynamite, Uckele, Platinum Performance, Foxden Equine, ABCs... SmartPak's house brand (which may be made by Uckele, I'm thinking... ) Very high quality control, as much science as any to stand behind their claims. Great customer service.

[kerlin]

I like HorseTech supplements a lot. Here's more information about the quality-control organization they're part of: http://www.nasc.cc/. I've found them pleasant to work with, and they seem to place a high premium on quality. Their products work well for my horse (which I tend to think is a more individual fit than anything else).

[klr]

By feeding
grow N Win I avoid supplements, My outside youngsters are group-fed so I feed Ferriers
Formula, cannola oil, salt to their when lunch when Im there. Their feet have improved so dramatically despite being on "baby food' previously , so its very much worth it.
I will soon move them to just purchased property and they'll all eat GnW, pasture, hay,salt, cannola oil, h2o. ( hot,soupy BP when winter hits--think of it as an anti-colic supp!)
Most supps are a waste--check w/vet before unless you like the HAPPYFEELGOOD OF BUYING THEM. (Oops sorry caps) IMHO klr

[Rayman421]

Horse Journal has done many reports on supplements they feel work and are full of "fillers"

you might see if you can find someone with either back issues or order the articles yourself

I find that if you spend over $25/month for "supplements" unless ordered by a vet - something is wrong with your feeding program.

[amastrike]

I find that if you spend over $25/month for "supplements" unless ordered by a vet - something is wrong with your feeding program.

What kind of feeding program do you have that horses get a lot of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and HA, without the need for supplements???

[Simkie]

I'm a fan of the Uckele products: www.uckele.com.

I've used cocosoya oil, GUT and TriAmino and have been pleased with all three. Their customer service is excellent and the products are high-quality.

[murphyluv]

Hmm, definitely look at publications that review supplements, like someone mentioned. Nasc helps as well.
However, what may work for one horse, may not work for another. Different joint supplements work for one horse, but not for another. In some ways, it requires a little bit of trial and error- but give the supplement long enough to see results.

[joyful]

Platinum Performance. Unless you feed according to the bag directions, the ration is no tbalanced. If I fed my horses that much they would be crazy, fat and foundered. I feed Ultium and Strategy, and suppelment w/Platinum Performance to make sure they're getting everything they need.

[tpup]

I started Plat. Performance 2 months ago and I am very happy with it. We're doing the CJ which has the glucosamine and joint supps. in it too. Great customer service. I liked it because it included everything - the joint stuff, hoof/coat stuff, probiotics.

[Houdini1220]

Dynamite, Uckele, Platinum Performance, Foxden Equine, ABCs... SmartPak's house brand (which may be made by Uckele, I'm thinking... ) Very high quality control, as much science as any to stand behind their claims. Great customer service.

My horse has been on a variety of "Smart" supplements for two months now and I haven't seen much difference. I know that you have to wait a bit for any improvement, but I want to make sure I'm feeding something good. I would hate to waste months and money on stuff that I then realize is doing nothing. I don't expect an instant miracle, and he will be getting a different feeding program starting next month that should help, as I suspect that is part of the problem. He is also making the transition into being a senior equine and I am definitely starting to see that what worked for him in the past, is not quite doing it anymore.

[Houdini1220]

How does something like Reitsport HA-100 compare to feeding a variety of "Smart" supplements in terms of quality??

I've been looking at comparison charts all afternoon and my head is spinning.

[Nikki^]

Platinum Performance hands down. I've been using them for over 5 years and I just love their products. Their customer service is excellent and they know their product inside and out.

www.platinumperformance.com (http://www.platinumperformance.com) check out what they have.

Their Sangre de Grado is amazing! I have never seen cuts heal so fast with any other product.

[pattnic]

I like HorseTech and Grand Meadows products.

[asbjockey]

Horse Journal has done many reports on supplements they feel work and are full of "fillers"

you might see if you can find someone with either back issues or order the articles yourself

I find that if you spend over $25/month for "supplements" unless ordered by a vet - something is wrong with your feeding program.

They just published a book that contains a lot of this info.

http://www.amazon.com/Horse-Journal-Equine-Supplements-Nutraceuticals/dp/1599211785/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223389476&sr=8-1

[Nilla Wafer]

I am a new horse owner. I was also confused by all the different supplements, which one, for what, etc. I read the descriptions under each supplement in the Smartpak catalog and felt like I needed everything....and maybe nothing....since my horse was so healthy already!
:)

During the PPE, I asked my vet about supplements and what, if anything, he'd recommend. He said platinum performance, that's it. He's a very well-respected vet who is prominent nationally, so I'm going with it!!!

I think my first shipment arrived today.

[Long Shadow Farm]

I can say that I am a Uckele lover also. Their customer service is great and the products seem to be very high quality. And I am pretty sure they are on board with the NASC ratings.

Bobbi

[hollyhorse2000]

I use Glanzen 3 for my horse's hoofs and it definitely improved growth. She loves the taste, too, and the customer service is excellent.

Platinum Performance as a joint sup was recommended by my vet but my horse wouldn't eat any of it, even with flavoring.

I've stopped oral joint sups in favor of Adequan and Legend.

Just my experiences . . .