Thanks. A lot of things are improving for this guy (muscles no longer sore, moving better), and he’s as bright and cheery as always. But he just gets pooped out so fast compared to what he should be able to handle physically, that I wonder if he’s got something more systemic going on. We are also going to check iron and basic CBC. I did order some Nutramino, and one of the vets wants him started on E anyway, and I have a call today with a local TC rep about sampling some of the Gold feeds thanks to a post on Facebook. The Nutramino may not do much but probably won’t hurt.
Fed to two horses tonight, both ate the unflavored people product without complaint. Doesn’t really smell or taste like anything to me. Used the scoop in the bag–maybe 2oz?
@IPEsq, this product isn’t a whey powder/protein supplement, but it might be something worth trying:
https://www.equinutrixnutrition.com/…muscle-refresh
I went to graduate school with the Ph.D. equine nutritionist who formulated and tested this product, and I’ve seen the research results. It looks promising.
Just a thought!
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Thanks! I can’t get the ingredient label to zoom on my phone but I’ll take a closer look and keep this in mind.
To start he’s on liquid vitamin E, and we will run bloodwork. I went ahead and ordered some Nutramino that I will start with as I try to take away a half pound or so of Complete again because his belly is getting a bit too round.
TC offered to send me a coupon for a free bag of Gold Balancer and they said my local store could add on one bag to their next order. The consultant suggested I try that as a top dress first to see how he does and then if it goes well transition to feeding that with just as much Complete and/or flax as he needs for any additional calories and fat. It will take some time to do all this so first step is E and Nutramino and vet check. She thought he might like the Perform Gold better but I’d be in the same boat or not being able to feed 6 lbs of it.
I swear “easy keeper” is a misnomer!
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According to saddle fit today, his back is about back to normal. Vet checked him out and thought he was much improved. He had a lot more energy too but they did get him a bit amped longeing. Even so, I was able to ask for some things ridden that he has been struggling with for weeks, and he felt like he was back to where training had left off before things started going off the rails.
We pulled blood anyway and they said to keep up the E and amino acids. They listened to his heart and lungs. Noted he was breathing really hard but it sounded normal, and that for how hard he worked he should have been more sweaty. So they said to keep on with the nutrition piece and to try to get him more fit again with working in some gallop sets and give him some 1AC or beer.
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I wanted to circle back to Simkie to see if you had positive results from feeding a whey protein supplement? And if so, how much were you feeding to see results? Thank you!!
Depends on the horse! It worked much better than a triamino/nutriamino product for one horse. It doesn’t seem to do much for my old lady mare.
I fed the scoop that came in the bag, which I think is 60 cc. I’ve not had one turn their nose up at it, it does seem palatable. MyProtein was apparently purchased by VC and they haven’t had those stellar sales in awhile…and, wow the price sure has gone up. I was getting 11 pounds for about 60 bucks? Nothing even close now.
Maybe this? https://a.co/d/axj4Zoq. I’m not sure what the horse specific options are pricing out at anymore?
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Thanks so much for that link! I probably should have started a new thread about whey protein isolate, and then saw this thread. I have a 4 year old who lost a bit of weight during a weeks long transport. His previous trainer likes to use Equine Elixers Hulk for his youngsters which is mainly pea/whey protein and some amino acids, etc., but it’s $50+ per month. I’m doing a mainly forage diet and MadBarn Omneity, so was looking for a protein supplement for maybe the next 6 months-year. I may order 5lbs and see how things go…
Even as someone that has used whey protein isolate with good effect and likes it as an option, it would not be my first go to! Is there a reason you’re not trying adding a bit of alfalfa hay, or alfalfa pellets, or triamino/nutramino, or oil? All things I would reach for first. Or even just waiting…weight loss with travel isn’t entirely unexpected and might not need anything additional at all, just some time.
Good question - it’s probably my knee-jerk desire “to make things better” ASAP, and also the previous trainer telling me he feeds a whey protein supplement. I do feed a couple pounds of alfalfa pellets as alfalfa hay not easily available or place to store where I board. I should probably wait a couple weeks and monitor his condition. Thanks for your logical advice!
