PSSM 2 Diet Help: ProElite Grass Advantage vs. McCauley's M30

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An equine nutritionist had recently helped me change my horse’s diet around due to his PSSM 2 suspicions per my vet. No, I did not get him tested - he suggested me to change his diet first and see if it made a difference in him. He is doing fantastic with this new diet so I think that confirms our suspicions. Normally, I wouldn’t be looking to change anything seeing as there is no reason to, but I am moving barns as of Nov. 1st to my trainer’s facility.

Right now, he gets the following:
2 cups AM/PM, ProElite Grass Advantage: https://proelitehorsefeed.com/product/grass-advantage/,
1 cup AM/PM KER Re-leve: https://ker.com/feeds/re-leve/

As of Nov. 1, we are moving to my trainer’s facility where they feed McCauley’s. I do know they have a ration balancer available. I am not sure if they offer the M10 or M30. For the sake of argument, let’s pick the M30 to compare since the protein levels are the same in the ProElite: https://store.mccauleybros.com/M30-p/21475.htm

My issue is this… I have been trying to compare the ProElite and the M30 but noticed with McCauley’s, there is no guaranteed analysis for the minerals and vitamins, making it difficult.

I also don’t see a sugar or starch analysis anywhere? Seeing as the NSC levels are very important, I’m interested in seeing if anyone knows what the percent is for the M30. I do remember finding it on a random website and believe it said it has a NSC of 10% but would love to confirm that. ProElite’s NSC is 13%.

I tried to do my homework on my own, but overall, I am looking for some suggestions to if I should switch him to the McCauley’s or continue doing what I am doing with the ProElite?

As for the Re-leve, I was thinking about getting rid of the Re-leve all together once he is done with his current bag and only have him on a ration balancer.

As a side note, they feed quality hay and have lots of pasture.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!!!

[JB]

At the rate fed, I would not worry about NSC for a PSSM horse. I would call McCauley’s and ask for a much better GA. I would not use the M10 - not enough protein. Even with the M30, or the PE, he might benefit from additional whey protein.

PE is a better product in general.

2c of Re-Leve is insignificant so I agree it could be dropped.

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Thank you @JB for your insight! I did leave McCauley’s a message last night but will give them a call again this morning. Just a quick question - I thought the sugars and starches is what is most important to reduce with a PSSM 2 horse? What would you suggest to add when you say additional whey protein?

At this point with the Re-leve, I think I’m going to feed it until it’s gone. No point in wasting it!

It wouldn’t be a bank breaker at this point to continue to buy out of pocket the ProElite, but it would be much easier (and a little cheaper) if the M30 would be comparable for my new barn.

[JB]

@raisethebar

Thank you @JB for your insight! I did leave McCauley’s a message last night but will give them a call again this morning. Just a quick question - I thought the sugars and starches is what is most important to reduce with a PSSM 2 horse? What would you suggest to add when you say additional whey protein?

Type 2 is a high(er) protein diet, while Type 1 is high(er) fat. Type 1 definitely needs low(er) NSC,and to my knowledge, that’s also beneficial for Type 2 (though maybe not as big a need).

My comment was only about NSC in relation to such a small amount fed - roughly 1lb. Most Balancers are in the 10% NSC range, some a bit lower, some a few points higher. 13% at 1lb might be a bigger deal for a very IR horse, but not likely as big a deal for a PSSM horse, and especially possibly Type 2.

Whey protein - literally pure whey protein like a human would get.

It wouldn’t be a bank breaker at this point to continue to buy out of pocket the ProElite, but it would be much easier (and a little cheaper) if the M30 would be comparable for my new barn.

What I do see of the GA of M30 shows that the PE has higher trace minerals, copper and zinc in particular. Those are easy to supplement separately (and cheap). Adding amino acids is also easy, and cheap to really cheap. But if you do need to raise the overall nutritional status of M30, with a general supplement (let’s say half a serving of California Trace), then that’s possible too.