Platinum Performance Alternative

[ncsuequine]

I have a 14 yo Connemara/QH gelding that is currently on Platinum Performance Wellness (PPW). This was suggested by my vet because my horse was having some problems retaining condition and overall just seemed very lethargic. He’s had on/off anemia issues throughout the years (I’ve owned him since birth), but this time he wasn’t anemic. He was just loosing topline and seems a little too quiet (he is naturally quiet, but this was too quiet).

This gelding is one of my star lesson horses, so he’s hardly ever ridden well (i try to make the kids ride him properly, but they are just learning. You know how that goes). Anyway, as a lesson horse, its hard for him to put on proper topline, however I wasn’t happy that he was loosing topline.

I have notice a difference since he’s been on the PPW, however we also changed a few other things in his routine (like being locked in a stall overnight so he felt comfortable to lay down and sleep. He has been covered in shavings every morning since). I have also been riding him more myself (prepping for a dressage show, so rode him 4-5 x/week for the last 1.5 months), so his overall condition is more fit looking.

So, having said all of this, I am almost out of the PPW, so I am trying to figure out what I want to do. Reorder? Find someone somewhat comparable, but cheaper (like straight ground flax or some other condition supplement)? Or take him off of it all together and see what happens.

I will not be riding him quite as much from this point forward and he will be used in the lesson program more. I don’t think its fair to him to maintain all of his lessons and for me to ride him 4-5 times per week,so i will probably cut back to 2-3x/week.

Any suggestions out there? Anyone have any experience with horses coming off PPW? or experience with any other supplement that might be a little less expensive? PPW is really pricey.

Thanks!

[IPEsq]

What is the rest of his diet?

[ncsuequine]

2 lbs Progressive Grass Formula Diet Balancer Pellet
2 lbs Alfalfa Pellets

15 lbs of hay or grass per day

[Palm_Beach]

The PPW and balancer pellet seem a bit redundant to me, although if suggested by your vet, then it was probably a good suggestion. I’d consider trying him on 5-6 lbs of a premium brand senior feed to see if that helps, and ditching the pellets and PPW.

[Jetster]

have his vitamin E levels been checked? your diet looks well rounded as is, if he needs to keep weight on , the best ive used is the Tribute Kfinish, and it has the flax and rice bran in it, hes getting more than enough protein, with the progressive balancer and the alfalfa pellets. I also love the ProAdd by progressive, at a cup twice a day, you can replace your progressive grass balancer and the PPW, but I would add the vit E, for a cheaper version of the PPW, SCAhealth has one very close to it… ive had great luck with my old guys( one is in his forties, rest are mid twenties to thirties) using the Proadd and Kfinish. https://tributeequinenutrition.com/sites/default/files/specs/Tribute%209KF2.pdf and the ProAdd http://www.prognutrition.com/pn/products/supplements/proadd-ultimate/index.htm last but not least, the SCA health is comparable to plat performance https://www.scahealth.com/scah/product/ultracruz-equine-wellness-horse-supplement

[Jetster]

https://www.scahealth.com/scah/product/ultracruz-equine-vitamin-e-horse-supplement sorry, I meant to add in the link for the Vitamin E, and it is the Natural Vitamin E that works best… none of the ration balancers have enough E in them , and if this horse is not on pasture , might just be something to think about. I use it during winter months.

[IPEsq]

He should be getting all the v/m needs from the Progressive. The diet is low fat, though. So, you could try switching to plain flax. If he has a specific nutrient deficiency that’s being helped by the Platinum Performance, you could probably supplement with a single ingredient supplement for less money. I feed PPW right now but that’s because I am feeding less than the recommended daily amount of grain.

[bugsynskeeter]

UltraCruz Wellness and UltraCruz Wellness/Joint. PM me if interested in a sample of either.