Persuading my gelding to eat Platinum Metabolic Support

[ThreeFigs]

He’s a 19-year-old with Cushings, IR, had a laminitic episode several years ago. He’s recovered now and in full work.Per my vet’s suggestion (orders), he’s on Praescend, Equioxx (1 pill each per day), Thyro-L, Vitamin E and the Platinum Metabolic Support. This mixed with some Purina Ultium and Supersport. He’s become picky and I suspect it’s the Platinum M.S. I’ve removed it from his feed (I mix his meals in plastic bags for the barn help) to see if he’ll eat the rest of his supplements without the Platinum product in there.

But I’d still like him to get the Platinum M.S. I’ve tried to dose him with a 60 cc syringe, mixing the Platinum with water – but it turns into concrete! Hot water, cold water, doesn’t matter. I’ve done the Vitamin E this way in the past. It remains suspended in the water and Mr. Gelding likes it anyway. He’ll slurp it from the syringe. Not so the Platinum. Would an oil work, and which one would be safe for him?

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[NaturallyHappy]

I have no positive suggestions. I couldn’t get my pony to eat it, either. And yes, it sets up like concrete almost instantly. I called Platinum and they did acknowledge it sets up like concrete but also said most horses will eat it. Not mine. I’m sorry I can’t help you.

[findthedistance]

The good news is Platinum MS is just a magnesium/chromium supplement. If you can confirm that’s what he objects to, you have multiple options for other brands you can try. From a quick search, it looks like SmartPak has a comparable product in a pelleted version – not sure if the powder texture is the issue or the product itself.

[ThreeFigs]

Sadly, I’ve tried the SmartPak version and he hated that, too. My vet says it tastes metallic. I tried a tiny dab and didn’t find it objectionable. He may just have to go without…

[farmergirl]

My mare won’t eat powdered supplements either. Ultracruz make pelleted supplements that seem to be very palatable. I am not sure if they offer a metabolic supplement or not. If you call, they will send samples

[ThreeFigs]

Thanks, farmergirl! It’s worth a try!

[NaturallyHappy]

@ThreeFigs

Sadly, I’ve tried the SmartPak version and he hated that, too. My vet says it tastes metallic. I tried a tiny dab and didn’t find it objectionable. He may just have to go without…

I thought I’d let you know I ordered magnesium and chromium separately from Uckele. I was able to syringe that into my pony’s mouth. The chromium smells good and the magnesium did not set up.

[BUSY]

My mare rejected it * tried the syringing = concrete and a complete mess with applesauce ! :eek:

Gave up ! Gave it away … only taker was the young vet who said she knew her horse would eat it :rolleyes:

Update… her horse DID NOT :uhoh: EAT IT … she pitched it lol:

[buck22]

If its a powder, try mixing it with rice bran powder/top dress? Most horses really like the taste, and I wouldn’t think it would be as sugary as say powdered jello or maple flavored oatmeal packets.

[mjhco]

Milty readily ate pelleted Quiessence https://www.smartpakequine.com/ps/quiessence-17

[NaturallyHappy]

@mjhco

Milty readily ate pelleted Quiessence https://www.smartpakequine.com/ps/quiessence-17

We’ve not had luck w Quiessence. I can get some down, but not the required amount.

[bugsynskeeter]

@ThreeFigs

Thanks, farmergirl! It’s worth a try!

UltraCruz makes a Metabolic Support in a pelleted formula. We might have samples available - I’m out of the office for the week or else I would check for you.

[walkinthewalk]

Well, I’m not sure the PlaTinum Metabolic Support product is all that helpful to have to struggle to shove 40cc down a horse’s throat.

However, if you want to continue to try, are you in a position to break it into three feedings and mix into chopped watermelon AND the rind? Both of my horses (one if IR/Cushings) love water melon & rind chopped and added to their supplements. It is full of L-Citrulline and is good for IR & Cushings horses.

you could try mixing 1/3rd doses into one or 1-1/2 cups of chopped watermelon and rind:)

[ThreeFigs]

Good suggestion, Walkinthewalk – but Mr. Figs is the only horse on the planet that hates watermelon!:mad: I did get some of the UltraCruz product to try on him tomorrow. Also spoke to the Platinum folks and they offered me a sample of flax seed oil (I think that’s what it is) to try mixing in the syringe.

We’ll see – and thanks for all the suggestions and ideas!

[ThreeFigs]

Update. He eats the Ultra Cruz product and actually LIKES it! Eats it as readily as he eats his Outlast. Thanks, bugsyandskeeter!

[ladipus]

@ThreeFigs

He’s a 19-year-old with Cushings, IR, had a laminitic episode several years ago. He’s recovered now and in full work.Per my vet’s suggestion (orders), he’s on Praescend, Equioxx (1 pill each per day), Thyro-L, Vitamin E and the Platinum Metabolic Support. This mixed with some Purina Ultium and Supersport. He’s become picky and I suspect it’s the Platinum M.S. I’ve removed it from his feed (I mix his meals in plastic bags for the barn help) to see if he’ll eat the rest of his supplements without the Platinum product in there.

But I’d still like him to get the Platinum M.S. I’ve tried to dose him with a 60 cc syringe, mixing the Platinum with water – but it turns into concrete! Hot water, cold water, doesn’t matter. I’ve done the Vitamin E this way in the past. It remains suspended in the water and Mr. Gelding likes it anyway. He’ll slurp it from the syringe. Not so the Platinum. Would an oil work, and which one would be safe for him?

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Ive had a couple that won’t eat the Platinum Metabolic support too …,I have much better luck with Insulin Wise or Metaboleeze …also might be worth changing the diet a bit …Ultium is on the higher side of NSC (starch/sugar)at almost in the 20% range …you’d be safer feeding something 10% or less…My 32 yr old with Cushings safely has been eating Triple Crown Senior for years

[walktrot]

Have you looked at HorseTech.com? Almost all of their products are in ground food-grade flax. Rod, the owner, is available to discuss their options; he is very knowledgeable. I’ve been using their vitamin E and biotin products for years. Horse laps up every bit of it. When I needed to add a joint supplement I sent a detailed email with info about the horse and the vet’s assessment. He recommended their Hylasport joint supplement with soft tissue support and sent a sample for palatability. Silica is part of the formula, but he recommends the liquid form because the bioavailability in a dry supplement is not very good. He also will do custom mixes.

I prefer to get supplements from one source. Mixing various brands can create nutritional imbalances because of the variability in the amounts of particular nutrients. This is a family-owned company in business for 20 years. Having an owner with his level of knowledge available to consult directly with me is something the big name brands don’t provide.

Their customer service is fantastic. Free shipping. They send a bag of cookies with every order. Except, there has been a problem with supply during the pandemic so they emailed customers that we would have to do without them for the time being. It was very weird opening my last order without them. He also sent out individual hand-signed holiday cards in December. I called with a question in November and he was in the midst of signing 1600 of them.

[Jonskin]

Have you tried Metabarol? It actually has a scientific study behind it and it’s pelleted. We’ve had great luck feeding it to our picky eaters.