Can I just rant about platinum performance products for a sec?

[Equkelly]

Ugh. So my mare coliced a few weeks ago and required a brief stay at the local vet hospital. No surgery thank god, but my vet recommended platinum GI and mentioned their colic reimbursement program. I go to signup and oh wait! No she’s not eligible for a year after a colic episode. I’m sorry but if you truly do stand by your product a year is ridiculous. Also if your horse isn’t having issues the average horse owner is not going to spend 1400 dollars a year on digestive supplements. Secondly, if my horse isn’t eligible for the reimbursement, WHY would it cost the same? If you’re going to exclude my horse from the program why would you charge the same amount for a horse that is eligible for 10k in colic coverage?

Im sorry I’m just frustrated with the GI supplement market. “Buy our product if your horse has digestive issues oh but you’re only entitled to the reimbursement part if your horse doesn’t have digestive issues (in which case why would you buy the product to begin with?!)

[Halternatively]

OP, I hear your frustration, and I’m so sorry to hear that your horse colicked. I almost lost one of mine to colic several years ago, and immediately put him on a supplement afterwards. After trying many of the supplements available, I do love the Platinum GI the best. My horse is picky, and eats it all, and it has kept him healthy through changes in his barn, long-term stall rest and the stress of an injury (with a course of bute). He also dappled out for the first time, and is so shiny.

While on a different supplement, my horse developed hind gut ulcers and low-level colic symptoms, something the supplement was advertised to help prevent.

I’ve never taken advantage of a colic reimbursement program, I figured in the end they likely would find a loophole and not pay. I think the Platinum supplements are worth it, regardless. Good luck!

[EverElite]

I also have my complaints about PP products, but to be fair, Smartpak has the same policy with their colic coverage program. The horse is not eligible if it’s had a colic episode any time in the preceding 12 months.

[brody]

I like platinum too. And madbarn ( who I am affiliated with now for a sanctuary that keeps horses here.). I can see why you are frustrated but can see why they’d like a healthy year after colic too.

[Equkelly]

@Halternatively

OP, I hear your frustration, and I’m so sorry to hear that your horse colicked. I almost lost one of mine to colic several years ago, and immediately put him on a supplement afterwards. After trying many of the supplements available, I do love the Platinum GI the best. My horse is picky, and eats it all, and it has kept him healthy through changes in his barn, long-term stall rest and the stress of an injury (with a course of bute). He also dappled out for the first time, and is so shiny.

While on a different supplement, my horse developed hind gut ulcers and low-level colic symptoms, something the supplement was advertised to help prevent.

I’ve never taken advantage of a colic reimbursement program, I figured in the end they likely would find a loophole and not pay. I think the Platinum supplements are worth it, regardless. Good luck!

Yea that’s where my frustration comes from, I definitely don’t deny that it’s a quality product. But also if you’re spending what 1400 a year on one supplement alone, that price should reflect the 10k reimbursement because they don’t have the cost associated for taking on the risk with my horse. And if they aren’t willing to take the risk they should offer the product at a discount to horses that aren’t eligible. But yea, I’m conflicted because it still does sound like a quality supplement… I just hate feeling ripped off. I may just need to swallow my pride for my horses sake. Sigh.

[Equkelly]

@brody

I like platinum too. And madbarn ( who I am affiliated with now for a sanctuary that keeps horses here.). I can see why you are frustrated but can see why they’d like a healthy year after colic too.

But if your product works so well you’re going to charge $1400 dollars a year then why should it matter if the horse has a history of colic? That’s the whole freaking reason I’m willing to spend that much money on a high end supplement. I mean a couple of months I totally understand so that your horse can be established on the supplement but a year? That’s ridiculous.

[Halternatively]

@Equkelly

Yea that’s where my frustration comes from, I definitely don’t deny that it’s a quality product. But also if you’re spending what 1400 a year on one supplement alone, that price should reflect the 10k reimbursement because they don’t have the cost associated for taking on the risk with my horse. And if they aren’t willing to take the risk they should offer the product at a discount to horses that aren’t eligible. But yea, I’m conflicted because it still does sound like a quality supplement… I just hate feeling ripped off. I may just need to swallow my pride for my horses sake. Sigh.

I don’t think of it as being ripped off at all. There are several supplements that offer this same reimbursement program, but not all of us enroll. You would be hoping for overall health and colic prevention, not follow-up treatment. And, in several months, if you would like to enroll in one of these programs, you could switch from PP to Succeed or Smartpak and be eligible.

[Equkelly]

@Halternatively

I don’t think of it as being ripped off at all. There are several supplements that offer this same reimbursement program, but not all of us enroll. You would be hoping for overall health and colic prevention, not follow-up treatment. And, in several months, if you would like to enroll in one of these programs, you could switch from PP to Succeed or Smartpak and be eligible.

Right but even though they say that the colic program is “complimentary” it’s not like they’re doing it out of the kindness of their hearts as a nice bonus. That price you pay includes the risk of them reimbursing you should your horse colic. It’s insane that I should have to pay the same price as a horse the company is taking a risk on. And same thing with smartpak too FWIW.

[Jarrn]

You don’t have to feed PP for a year. You just can’t have had a colic episode for a year. Your horse only needs to have been on PP for a month preceding the colic and they’ll pay out. So wait a year and then start her on the supplement.

[Equkelly]

@Jarrn

You don’t have to feed PP for a year. You just can’t have had a colic episode for a year. Your horse only needs to have been on PP for a month preceding the colic and they’ll pay out. So wait a year and then start her on the supplement.

Never said you have to be on it for a year. But if the products works they shouldn’t make you wait a year after a colic episode.

[freshman]

@Equkelly

Never said you have to be on it for a year. But if the products works they shouldn’t make you wait a year after a colic episode.

Thats nuts. What do you expect? To buy one bucket of supplements for your already colicky horse and have them fork over 10K immediately if it needs surgery? And would you actually expect that supplement to actually fix or prevent a surgical colic lesion? No one does. Because that is also nuts. Some horses probably benefit from some supplements some of the time, but horses colic for all sorts of reasons that are beyond the scope of any supplement or anything else. That strangulating lipoma don’t care, lol.

Those supplement companies may believe in their products, but they also know that a surgical colic is basically beyond their control. They offer colic care coverage as an incentive for people to start and keep buying their products. They pony up the random 10K when one of the horses enrolled in their program happens to have a surgical colic. They win on the law of averages. But they certainly don’t have to immediately accept your horse with a recent colic history. Twelve months is pretty reasonable.

Also it is important to realize that colic care coverage pays out only on SURGICAL colics. They do not pay out on any medical colics. None of them. No matter how expensive it gets. I can’t tell you how many people get forget, get confused, or maybe don’t realize this detail with those colic care programs.

[Jarrn]

@Equkelly

Never said you have to be on it for a year. But if the products works they shouldn’t make you wait a year after a colic episode.

Yeah but a horse that has colicked has an increased risk of colicking again. And if the product works, it is still likely to work better on a horse that hasn’t colicked than one that did a month prior.
That’s a risk they aren’t willing to take. Same with most (all?) insurances.

If you’re looking for a colic program that doesn’t require you to wait a year, Assure has one. No idea how well the supplement works, but none of them are magically going to prevent a colic so that’s up to you to decide what you want to do.

Also, you mention wanting a discount since you’re horse isn’t eligible for a year. So does that mean you want to only pay 50% (or whatever) the cost for a year and then still get that 10k payout if your horse colics1 year and 1 day after her last colic? You also realize it wouldn’t have covered the colic your mare just went through, right? You’re probably better off just getting insurance. Or put the money you would spend on a supplement into a savings account for a future colic.

[Equkelly]

@freshman

Thats nuts. What do you expect? To buy one bucket of supplements for your already colicky horse and have them fork over 10K immediately if it needs surgery? And would you actually expect that supplement to actually fix or prevent a surgical colic lesion? No one does. Because that is also nuts. Some horses probably benefit from some supplements some of the time, but horses colic for all sorts of reasons that are beyond the scope of any supplement or anything else. That strangulating lipoma don’t care, lol.

Those supplement companies may believe in their products, but they also know that a surgical colic is basically beyond their control. They offer colic care coverage as an incentive for people to start and keep buying their products. They pony up the random 10K when one of the horses enrolled in their program happens to have a surgical colic. They win on the law of averages. But they certainly don’t have to immediately accept your horse with a recent colic history. Twelve months is pretty reasonable.

Also it is important to realize that colic care coverage pays out only on SURGICAL colics. They do not pay out on any medical colics. None of them. No matter how expensive it gets. I can’t tell you how many people get forget, get confused, or maybe don’t realize this detail with those colic care programs.

That doesn’t make any sense, why would you spend 1400 a year on GI supplements if your horse doesn’t have GI issues? My horse has issues that’s the whole freaking reason I’m interested. That’s why I feel that this kind of a scam to say you offer surgical colic reimbursement but only if your horse isn’t actually at risk. If you really don’t want to take on the “risky” horses fine, but why should I have to pay the same amount as someone else entitled to 10k in insurance?

[GraceLikeRain]

@Equkelly

That doesn’t make any sense, why would you spend 1400 a year on GI supplements if your horse doesn’t have GI issues? My horse has issues that’s the whole freaking reason I’m interested. That’s why I feel that this kind of a scam to say you offer surgical colic reimbursement but only if your horse isn’t actually at risk. If you really don’t want to take on the “risky” horses fine, but why should I have to pay the same amount as someone else entitled to 10k in insurance?

You’re welcome to feel that it is a scam but pretty much every insurance/coverage for animals (and people) has exclusions.

[JB]

@Equkelly

Never said you have to be on it for a year. But if the products works they shouldn’t make you wait a year after a colic episode.

You can’t buy regular insurance and have colic covered in a case like this either. Or coverage for a leg that just had an injury. Or anything else that just happened.

This isn’t a PP thing. This is a “this is how it works” thing.

Why would they charge less if you’re not getting colic coverage? Because the product is still the product (and most PP products are way over-priced for what they are, IMHO. How do you think they can afford to cover some of these colic issues Why do you pay the same rate of your own health insurance to include things you haven’t needed and won’t ever need, as someone else? To cover those who do and will need them.

They COULD have chosen to double the cost of the supplements for the at-risk horses, to help recoup a much more likely payout. If you’ve already had an accident, do you think you’re going to get insurance for the same cost as someone who never has? No, you’re going to pay more.

I don’t know why anyone would spend $1400 a year on these supplements just to get the colic insurance. But people do.

The definition of “scam” is not what you seem to think it is. They have clearly laid out the rules and requirements. There’s nothing hidden, and they will deliver on their promise. That’s the exact opposite of a scam.

[JB]

@Equkelly

Never said you have to be on it for a year. But if the products works they shouldn’t make you wait a year after a colic episode.

Why?? Are you aware of all the reasons horses colic, most of which will have nothing to do with whether you’re feeding their (or any GI) supplement or not? If he’s an older gelding he may be more likely to colic because of a strangulating lipoma, than anything you did or didn’t feed.

[trubandloki]

@Equkelly

That doesn’t make any sense, why would you spend 1400 a year on GI supplements if your horse doesn’t have GI issues? My horse has issues that’s the whole freaking reason I’m interested. That’s why I feel that this kind of a scam to say you offer surgical colic reimbursement but only if your horse isn’t actually at risk. If you really don’t want to take on the “risky” horses fine, but why should I have to pay the same amount as someone else entitled to 10k in insurance?

You can look at it this way, those people are getting a discount on the supplement while paying for insurance since their animal is not risky. Does that make you feel better?

I think the system makes sense for them (supplement company) and the owners. And this is said by someone who paid for supplements but did not qualify for the colic insurance portion. Just like your major medical policy for your horse does not get less expensive when that body part(s) is excluded because your horse has a problem during the last coverage year.

Glad your horse is doing better!

[spencerlucy]

I get your frustration, OP, but I can tell you from experience that having that coverage is a game changer. I have my now 24 yr old gelding on SmartDigest Ultra and it came with the ColiCare coverage. I am following their recommended/required vaccine, deworming and dentistry protocol anyway so why not enroll? He’s been on their product since before Platinum offered their coverage so I have just stuck with it. In February my horse colicked and needed surgery to survive and having that coverage removed the financial issue from the decision process. He had a fecalith as it turned out. SmartPak reimbursed me for the entire invoice from his surgery and week long stay at the clinic and the total came to just under $10,000. The process was simple, I called them when he arrived at the clinic and went over how to proceed and essentially it was “do what is best for your horse and send us the bill”. There were two one-page documents my vet had to complete, one was an affidavit stating that I had performed all the required routine health maintenance and the other was a detail of the colic and the surgery. I had a check 10 days after I brought my guy home.

[beowulf]

It matters if a horse colicked recently, because no supplement on earth can magically reverse the management. They’re selling you a product, but that management is still important and certain management practices (that are not “bad”) make horses more at risk for colic. I understand their reasoning in light of that, though I feel for you since colic is very scary, and navigating post-colic care even more-so. It is natural for most insurances to have exclusions, particularly if there is a per-existing condition. Ugly truth, unfortunately.

If I were an owner dealing with a recent colic episode, I would do everything in my power to read all of the various articles on PubMed about reducing the risk of colic and seeing how I could change my horse’s management for the better. It’s been a long time since I read the mass-quantitative study that detailed risk factors for colic, but IIRC, these were the factors I remember:

• change in stabling
• increase in stalling
• more than 8 hours in a stall daily
• lack of access to pasture / intermittent feeding
• more than four hours between meals

Interestingly, these were also the factors for increased risk of enteroliths ^ which can cause colic as well.

So sorry for your horse OP, glad she is feeling better.

[Equkelly]

@spencerlucy

I get your frustration, OP, but I can tell you from experience that having that coverage is a game changer. I have my now 24 yr old gelding on SmartDigest Ultra and it came with the ColiCare coverage. I am following their recommended/required vaccine, deworming and dentistry protocol anyway so why not enroll? He’s been on their product since before Platinum offered their coverage so I have just stuck with it. In February my horse colicked and needed surgery to survive and having that coverage removed the financial issue from the decision process. He had a fecalith as it turned out. SmartPak reimbursed me for the entire invoice from his surgery and week long stay at the clinic and the total came to just under $10,000. The process was simple, I called them when he arrived at the clinic and went over how to proceed and essentially it was “do what is best for your horse and send us the bill”. There were two one-page documents my vet had to complete, one was an affidavit stating that I had performed all the required routine health maintenance and the other was a detail of the colic and the surgery. I had a check 10 days after I brought my guy home.

That’s awesome that you had that coverage . I definitely see how important that coverage can be which is why I’m not sure why everyone just treats it like a nice little bonus… it’s a way bigger deal than that. Ten k in coverage IS an insurance policy whether or not you want to call it that.