I’d like a opinions on this feed. Does it help with developing topline? This would be for a 23 year old Arab gelding who is in light to moderate work. Has anyone noticed it making the horse more hyper or spooky? I believe there is molasses in it but the NSC is quite low.
Whether any feed helps with a topline entirely depends on the forage (majority) portion of the diet, conformation, tack fit, and work (quality and quantity), as well as how much of this would be fed.
Last I know, the NSC of the Sr Active is 17%. That’s “low” in the context of “below 20% is low”, but not terribly low in the context of a lot of feeds that are 15% or lower. Whether it’s low enough for the horse depends on how much is fed, and any metabolic issues.
There’s nothing inherent about it to make a horse spooky.
If his weight is good on just his hay/grass, then I’d be adding a ration balancer to his diet. If he’s on another feed, we’d need to know which, and how much, before weighing in on whether this feed might be appropriate.
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There is no known nutrient that affects one part of the body more than others. Good nutrition, appropriate exercise to build muscle and to some degree age and anatomy are what determine “topline”.
I fed it to my two grumpy old geldings (both TB, both in their 20s) for the past 2 years and they look great. It’s very palatable, they loved it.
Personally I have never objectively noticed any feed make any horse consistently spooky. There is, in my experience, ALWAYS another explanation.
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Our 32-year-old Arab stallion receives a ration of it daily with his evening hay. It does not make him jumpy at all. He’s just not jumpy (unless a mare wanders into his line of vision - then he’s really attentive). I believe you can get it without molasses. We don’t feed it to the gelding as he stocks up when we do.
Right now he is just getting 1.5 pounds of Renew Gold and 2 cups of alfalfa pellets daily. Lots of good grass hay. minimal pasture. ridden correctly in dressage about 3-4 days a week.enjoys his work. looks just a bit thin…ribs are a tiny bit discernable…and a tiny bit low on either side of spine.
I like to see slightly discernible ribs. Maybe some of the muscling changes are age-related? Regardless, if they are just too thin for me I go with “more calories” first, rather than change to something new. More alfalfa, maybe add some oil, whatever I have that they are already getting, first I start with more.
I would either add a ration balancer, or replace the alfalfa pellets with a ration balancer. 2c isn’t even 1lb. The fat from the RG may be helping him, but it’s not supplying a lot of much else, especially the protein and amino acids that muscles need.
looks just a bit thin…ribs are a tiny bit discernable…and a tiny bit low on either side of spine.
Then I would add a balancer on top of what you’re feeding, and see what happens after a month.
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Since he is boarded I’m trying to keep it simple. I was thinking if I switched him over to the Purina Senior Active I would not give him the Renew Gold. The Senior Active has the Prebiotic Actvage in it and it also has Amplify, their fatty acid supplement…plus more protein and minerals.
If he can take at least the minimally recommended amount, that’s totally fine.
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I fed it to my old (32) mare for years. It kept her in fine flesh - she was retired, but would not eat the volume of traditional SR feeds necessary. He will get what he needs from the Sr Active - from your description of his diet, he probably isn’t getting what he needs now…
Lorilu, thanks! That’s what I was thinking, too. I’ve always had good luck with Purina, and this feed sounds like the ticket for my boy. I’ve already upped the Renew Gold and his alfalfa pellets, but he still looks like he needs something more…probably more protein.
the Renew Gold is marketed as a supplement, not a nutritionally complete feed… and it is 15% protein, which is right up there with feeds for active horses. You are already feeding the max that they suggest. If you give him more protein than he needs, he will just urinate it out. I love supplements - but I also feel that going with a commercial quality feed that is already nutritionally balanced is best - then supplement up if necessary. Also remember it takes a while for changes to show! Good luck!!
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thanks, lorilu. yes…i would stop the Renew Gold and just feed the Purina sr. Active.
I love this feed its one of the few that my older tb will finish all, and he looks great.
and none of you who have used this feed noticed any adverse behavioral side effects such as hyperactivity or spookiness?
What makes you think it’s going to cause those reactions?
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No
No. WHy would it?
wondered because it has molasses in it…but NSC is pretty low at 16 percent …he would probably do fine on about 4 pounds a day
I used it on a TB mare in full 5-7 days a week work at 1 hour + long rides. I fed it in conjunction with rice bran and lespedeza and grass hay. My horse put on weight wonderfully but was more reactive under saddle. Not spooky or unmanageable just more on edge. She’s currently on Renew Gold, oil, and Gro and Win and looks great without the extra edge.
