What would you choose -- BCAA vs Tri-Amino vs Lysine vs ?

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I finally have my rehab horse (ex-Amish) going really well in a program. He is working hard, but holding weight well. My question is since he is on ration balancer (Triple Crown Balancer Gold; soy free) and fat supplements (Renew Gold, canola oil, SmartOmega 3s and Es), I feel like he might need some protein supplement. My trainer agrees, so I put him on Tri-Amino. But I’m wondering if there is a better option long term for muscle building/repair. I have been toying with the idea of adding some human BCAA supplements, but I’m worried about the fake sugars in it… I’ve tried unflavored BCAA and they taste HORRIBLE. But SmartPak also has straight Lysine… and Progressive’s Top-Line Advanced Support. I’m also open to suggestions of things not listed.

Here is his full feed schedule if that helps with decisions:
1 lb Triple Crown Balancer Gold AM &PM
2 lbs Alfalfa cubes (soaked) AM & PM
1 cup Renew Gold AM & PM
1 oz Canola oil AM & PM

Nexium 60 mg AM

SmartOmega 3s and Es - maintenance PM
Apple a Day electrolytes PM
2000 IU natural vitamin E PM
2030 mg Uckele Magnesium oxide PM

Free choice hay (timothy/grass) but very little access to grazing. He lives in a stall with a large dry lot run out, and I hand graze him 30 min 5 days a week. He also gets 2-3 hours of turnout on grass 2 days per week.

He works 5-6 days (dressage training) per week with one hack day in the mix.

[JB]

Unless the hay is poor quality, it’s very likely he’s getting plenty of protein and the 3 AAs of concern - lysine, methionine, threonine.

Unless you’re running into work-related issues - muscle loss, or just not appropriate development - then I wouldn’t bother with BCAAs. It wouldn’t hurt to try Nutramino/Tri-Amino and see if you see changes (take pictures).

[MDKCongo]

I’d either go with the Tri-amino or lysine. I started my horse on lysine a couple weeks ago mainly for the same reason; to build muscle particularly top line. I chose the lysine over tri-amino because of the other affects it has.

https://forageplus.co.uk/the-importance-of-lysine/

The other muscle supplement I considered was Smartpaks smart muscle mass but it is a bit more pricey.

I get the pure lysine from smartpak(super affordable too!) my horse loves it and it smells good!

[JB]

@MDKCongo

I chose the lysine over tri-amino because of the other affects it has.

I’m not sure what this means. Tri-Amino (and Nutramino, same thing), have 10gm lysine, 5gm methionine, and 2gm threonine (iirc).

The other muscle supplement I considered was Smartpaks smart muscle mass but it is a bit more pricey.

At 10/3/6gm respectively, that’s more in line with what a horse might be lacking, and also contains a lot of other muscle-supporting nutrients, some of which might be helpful. And, priced accordingly LOL It’s not one I’d start with, but might be a good option if the basics aren’t doing the job

[MDKCongo]

@JB

I’m not sure what this means. Tri-Amino (and Nutramino, same thing), have 10gm lysine, 5gm methionine, and 2gm threonine (iirc).

At 10/3/6gm respectively, that’s more in line with what a horse might be lacking, and also contains a lot of other muscle-supporting nutrients, some of which might be helpful. And, priced accordingly LOL It’s not one I’d start with, but might be a good option if the basics aren’t doing the job

I’m confused?? I was trying to say that when I was looking for muscle building supplements for my horse, I considered Tri-Amino and Smart muscle mass but I went with pure lysine instead. The other affects it has not only are to aid in muscle development, but tissue repair and helps the immune system along with other benefits. My horse is in rehab w/ stall rest and the hay he gets is good quality but he isn’t a big hay eater. For a previous injury, it was recommended by my vet to put him on lysine for tissue repair but I also noticed it helped his hollows fill out to help with saddle fit. I started him back on it recently to help get his top line back but also help his body with tissue repair for tendon injury.

Id say go with whatever supplement you desire. Do research, read the ingredients and reviews. If you aren’t seeing the results with one after a while, try a different one.

[Fellbutbackup]

@MDKCongo

I’m confused?? I was trying to say that when I was looking for muscle building supplements for my horse, I considered Tri-Amino and Smart muscle mass but I went with pure lysine instead. The other affects it has not only are to aid in muscle development, but tissue repair and helps the immune system along with other benefits. My horse is in rehab w/ stall rest and the hay he gets is good quality but he isn’t a big hay eater. For a previous injury, it was recommended by my vet to put him on lysine for tissue repair but I also noticed it helped his hollows fill out to help with saddle fit. I started him back on it recently to help get his top line back but also help his body with tissue repair for tendon injury.

Id say go with whatever supplement you desire. Do research, read the ingredients and reviews. If you aren’t seeing the results with one after a while, try a different one.

Triamino and the Smartpak both also contain lysine, so you would be getting the benefits of lysine from those also. Though they would be an added benefit only if there were a deficiency to begin with.

The diet above seems rather comprehensive in terms of protein. But out of the options I would start with Tri Amino.

[JB]

@MDKCongo

I’m confused?? I was trying to say that when I was looking for muscle building supplements for my horse, I considered Tri-Amino and Smart muscle mass but I went with pure lysine instead. The other affects it has not only are to aid in muscle development, but tissue repair and helps the immune system along with other benefits.

Right, but my point was those other things also contain lysine, and they contain more things that support muscle development. For example, even though methionine is the 2nd limiting AA (lysing is the first), threonine is the other AA, behind lysine, most likely to be low in a diet. So you could add all the lysine you want, which is great (but more is not necessarily better), but if there’s not enough threonine… That’s all I was saying - you’re picking 1 AA (for good reason), but making a comment that you’re not choosing the others because of the value lysine has.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Thank you all for the thoughts! I have started him on Tri-Amino in the PM, since I had some on hand. The other thing of note is that the balancer has low protein for a balancer – 13.5%, I think due to the lack of soy. He seems to be doing well on the Tri-Amino, so I think I’ll stick with that for now. Thanks again!