Supplements to build topline

[Scribbler]

I’ve emailed the Hi-Pro mill here in Canada for the nutrients and ingredients.

At least here, they are not a “fixed ingredient” formula, but rather say “oats and/or corn and/or wheat and/or barley.” Whatever is cheaper that month, I guess. Since I don’t want to feed corn or wheat, that takes them off my list!

They also have high-grain formulas, and high NSC levels.

Actually I see that they don’t give you the NSC levels.

https://cloud.acrobat.com/file/cf431b07-c581-4f37-8d99-62ef8a471f61

I had to email the Hipro nutritionist directly to get an NSC for the kibble I was using as a treat. The only manufactured product I have used from Hi-Pro is their Step 5 kibble, which they call “Maintenance” (less dietary energy). The Hi-Pro nutritonist tells me it is 3100 kcal/kg, and 44 % NSC. I’ve used it as a hand-fed treat for clicker training. It is a crispy piece, that tastes a bit like cat food and a bit like a cracker for humans.

Anyhow, if 44 % NSC is Maintenance, I’d expect their “energy” feeds to be very high carb!

[JB]

44% NSC? :eek: Wow.

[Scribbler]

[QUOTE=JB;8813653]
44% NSC? :eek: Wow.[/QUOTE]

Yup. Went back to the actual email to double check just now.

Btw, we only have two mills supplying our market here. I’m not impressed with the Hi Pro formulations.

The other option is a local farmer’s co-op store, and they do more “modern” feeds with alfalfa meal, soy oil, etc. http://www.ottercoop.com/index.php?id=40

They don’t give their NSC either, but the NSC on their extruded I was feeding for clicker treats was 22 % which was lower than my hay at the time

Their feeds are also pretty pricey per bag.

[eclipse]

My vet put my guy on Equitop Myoplast when he lost all his top line due to illness as they’d had good success with it for post colic surgery cases. It’s done wonders for his top line, along with a good diet and I’m happy with it although it’s not cheap!

[fordtraktor]

TriAmino from Uckele, and good work/fitness.

[stb]

It’s hard to beat Triple Crown Senior for a horse that needs a bit of weight and topline. Simple and easy too.

[Red_Barn]

If you want to build muscle rather than just concealing a weak topline with fat, I’d first make absolutely sure your mare is working correctly (that is, swinging through the back, free through the neck, etc) and then make absolutely sure she’s getting adequate protein, either from hay or from compound feed(s).

I don’t think it much matters here the protein comes from, but you do need it for muscle.

[Stitch_In_Time]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8814100]
TriAmino from Uckele, and good work/fitness.[/QUOTE]

How palatable is the TriAmino?

My new mare is really picky, I tried starting her on flax that I had left over from my last horse and she won’t touch her food if there is any in there. We even tried just putting a small pinch in thinking we could add more slowly and she still wouldn’t touch it.

[IPEsq]

[QUOTE=Stitch In Time;8814956]
How palatable is the TriAmino?

My new mare is really picky, I tried starting her on flax that I had left over from my last horse and she won’t touch her food if there is any in there. We even tried just putting a small pinch in thinking we could add more slowly and she still wouldn’t touch it.[/QUOTE]

My picky eater likes it but then he also likes flax. TriAmino smells a little funky to me, but he never seemed to mind.

[bugsynskeeter]

Lysine: http://www.scahealth.com/ultracruz-equine-lysine-pure-horse-supplement.html

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=Stitch In Time;8814956]
How palatable is the TriAmino?

My new mare is really picky, I tried starting her on flax that I had left over from my last horse and she won’t touch her food if there is any in there. We even tried just putting a small pinch in thinking we could add more slowly and she still wouldn’t touch it.[/QUOTE]

Others will have to chime in. I have used it for two and they cleaned it up, but neither is particularly picky–they usually clean up supps well. I wouldn’t consider it nasty like bute. One of mine will avoid med-like tastes and will eat the TA with no issue.

One of mine (a different one) didn’t like flax either. But I didn’t try TA on her. I never saw any benefit from flax, mine are already shiny, so I stopped flax. They didn’t get iridescent or anything on it.

[FrittSkritt]

Going through the same thing with my guy. He gets worked correctly and gets plenty of cross-training, but the vet thinks his nutrition needs to be tweaked. Overall body score is probably a 4.5, but his topline is a “D.”

Currently gets 8 lbs/day of 12% Protein, 10% Fat, 16.5% Fiber extruded feed w/ low sugar/starch along with second cut orchard grass hay and daily soaked alfalfa cubes. Vet is having me add 2 lbs/day of ration balancer (28% protein), do a course of Ulcergard, SmartGut supplement to help w/tummy issues, and put him back on Tri-Amino. (He recc’d I do Progressive’s Topline, but IMO Tri-Amino is just as good and a lot cheaper!)

I’ll be intrigued to see how he turns out. He’s a 14 y/o TB gelding, so he’s got genetics, age, and gender working against him… :lol:

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8815241]
My picky eater likes it but then he also likes flax. TriAmino smells a little funky to me, but he never seemed to mind.[/QUOTE]

My boy eats it too. He definitely looks like he has put on muscle.

[WasthatC]

Keep it simple - the work you’re already doing plus as much hay as she’ll eat plus:

Platinum Performance http://http://www.platinumperformance.com/platinum-performance-equine-supplement
And Magnesium https://horsetech.com/equine-supplements/searchcategory/magnesium/premium-mag-ox

[Coreene]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8814100]
TriAmino from Uckele, and good work/fitness.[/QUOTE]

Miracle stuff :yes:

[laurendrew]

Might be worth drawing blood to test for a vitamin E deficiency. My horse dropped muscle tone and wasn’t gaining topline, turned out he was deficient. Put him on a supplement and he’s blossomed!

[Lindsayah]

Re: the TriAmino- my super non-picky eater sort of turns her nose up at it (and she eats bute powder plain!). She does eventually eat it but it has to be moistened and mixed in with her other supps and a handful of grain FWIW

[cswoodlandfairy]

Im actually working with this now, for other reasons (sore back) but we still have to build his topline and back end. My guy is on the following stuff

2lbs of SS CarbCare Performance
1 cup of Purina Amino Acid Supplement
1 scoop fish oil factor
1 cup SS Gastrotech

We started the Purina Amino Acid supplement (more grain like supplement) about 4 weeks ago. It has properties to build topline but also for muscle recovery. I’m still on the fence on the topline build however my horses topline has been filling in VERY nicely over the last couple of weeks but we are also completely focused on doing exercises to promote this as well, but the regiment we have him on is working and I dont plan on changing anything since he’s building. But it might be worth a shot for your girl maybe if you can get Purina where you are?

https://www.purinamills.com/horse-feed/products/supersport-amino-acid-supplement