Thoughts on Tribute feed?

[Renn_aissance]

@SmlHpy1

So Ultimate Finish has omega 3. You’re saying it’s plant sourced and not as readily available?

Yes. Ultimate Finish is flax-based. The omega-3 fatty acids in plant-based sources have to be converted by the body in order to be used, and the conversion is not efficient; whereas the ones in marine sources already in the form the body uses (DHA and EPA.) Here’s an article- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1825498/ (The article says that there were no vegetarian marine sources but it’s been later identified that seaweed and marine plants also have DHA.) The omega-3 vs. omega-6 ratio is also better in marine sources.

Halving the levothyroxine dose will probably help you out, although given the timing, if he picks up weight, you’ll won’t know until next year if it was because he went out and ate grass or because you adjusted his meds! Isn’t it fun managing seniors with conditions? I think you’re right not to change too much else until June so that you can better identify what you’re doing that moves the needle.

[SmlHpy1]

Thanks for the info! Are there any marine based supplements that are dry (not oil)?

Pretty much every week I complain about senior horse life. It’s a learning curve. I love my boy dearly though. You’re right I won’t know what changed, but I’ve long been worried about having him in thyro-l given the fact he’s never carried extra weight his whole life.

[clanter]

@SmlHpy1

Are there any marine based supplements that are dry

kelp

It contains the essential mineral iodine, which is important for thyroid function, growth and metabolism . Horses with digestive health issues, low appetite, poor tolerance to cold weather or a dull, dry coat may benefit from kelp supplementation. Kelp also contains prebiotics that promote a healthy gut microbiome

not cheap but we get it for the goats

[kaya842]

I don’t know of any dry supplements but if it helps, the dose of the fish oil I use is 1-2oz a day which is very small. It’s smells like bubble gum and I haven’t had a horse dislike it yet, in fact I use it to mask meds or yucky supplements.

[GoodTimes]

EO-3™

Yes the KER EO-3 is a concentrated liquid source of Omega 3, very high in DHA and EPA. My gelding wasn’t a fan when it was mixed with a ration balancer, but I switched him to the Mad Barn Amino trace and some soaked beet pulp and now he happily eats it.

[SmlHpy1]

Does that really have enough fat/calories to match the 8 oz (I think?) of ultimate finish I’m feeding? I get that it’s a different source, but for weight gain I need the quantity I’d think?

[SmlHpy1]

Thanks. I’d actually prefer to use a dry supplement for my guy

[GoodTimes]

@SmlHpy1

Does that really have enough fat/calories to match the 8 oz (I think?) of ultimate finish I’m feeding? I get that it’s a different source, but for weight gain I need the quantity I’d think?

No. I think @kaya842 is describing the same supplement that I linked. It’s a great source of Omega 3’s, but it’s not meant for weight gain.

[fivestrideline]

No, not if it’s EO3. However, it can be used to balance the 3/6 omega ratio if you’re using something high in 6s to just pack in calories

[stargzng386]

How much do you feed a horse daily?

[clanter]

We feed our horses none, but it could be fed as a ulcer preventive. We have it here for the goats

Horses are typically fed kelp at a rate of 5 – 20 grams per day , depending on iodine needs and the concentration of the product used.

Research suggests there are benefits for the horse’s natural defense against ulcers as well as for hindgut function. Supporting gut microbial health can also have the following benefits:

• Improved resistance to stressors such as transportation, toxins, and heat
• Enhanced immune function
• Improved muscle development
• Improved lactation performance

https://madbarn.com/kelp-for-horses/#:~:text=Horses%20are%20typically%20fed%20kelp,to%204%20mg%20per%20day.

[IPEsq]

HorseTech’s Profile has some extra DHA. Most of the non-oil marine sources are hard to get a picky eater to eat. I had ordered one…I’m blanking on the brand now. It was kind of granular/powdery. Maybe it was the Algae to Omega product? Can’t recall. So, so fishy. Then I tried Profile and then finally used up the big bag of marine stuff basically making my own version of Profile by adding ground flax, chia, and ground fenugreek. Only way I could get my guy to consider eating it. And it was a LOT of bulk fenugreek that I mixed in. They don’t totally love the Profile but they get used to and tolerate the mild fishy funk it still has.