A feed rep recommended using ProElite Topline Advantage as a “post workout protein “shake,”” which makes a lot of sense to me (my husband is a gym rat). I saw Purina has SuperSport and Buckeye has Ultimate Recovery, but none recommend feeding them post exercise (at least not on the bag). Are there any nutritionists that can chime in on which product is best for aiding in muscle development and recovery for horses in hard work?
that feels like super marketing baloney. If the race industry, 100 mile endurance riders, etc haven’t developed/needed some type of intensive recovery drink, I don’t think the average horse doing 45 minutes of flatting or a jump lesson needs anything. Very happy to be proven wrong but horses should be eating forage essentially constantly so a special recovery meal feels unnecessary. I also think the vast majority of humans don’t need anything special post working out but supplements are a multi billion dollar industry where thinking you need things is the only way they drive sales.
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I heard on the Scoop and Scale podcast with a PhD equine nutritionist something similar, I think she recommended SuperSport. Probably their protein episode?
I have show horses and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in their conditioning since I started giving them ProElite’s product post exercise several months ago, but I’m curious about the other two since they seem to be developed for this purpose more so than ProElite’s which is essentially just a concentrated ration balancer. If nothing else, they enjoy the treat and I’m happy to give it to them.
There are several studies (none I have available right in front of me at the moment) showing that protein synthesis in the horse’s muscle tissue is unregulated when protein (amino acids) and starch are fed together post-exercise. This effect is not as pronounced when either is fed alone.
For this reason, I always recommend that my clients who want to get the most bang for their buck out of SuperSport feed it post-exercise.
What hasn’t been quantified is whether/how much that increase in protein synthesis impacts performance.
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Lactanase powder top dressed on the feed used to be our go-to after a hard show.
