Email: Enquiries@equinetraining.co.uk or call 01780-740773
WE are routinely asked what supplements we use to aid with the general health and welfare of the horses in our care. We have to be honest and say that as the horses are on management regimes which promote their general health/welfare and have balanced diets with forage and hard feeds provided by first-class companies using and producing quality products there is no need for us to add anything else to the diet; we do not add in scoop after scoop of a bit of this, that and the other purely because it’s what so many other people do and advertising tells we should. However obviously there are situations which necessitate dietary supplementation such as when a horse needs assistance for example when it has a proven deficiency or an ailment. In these instances we turn to Equine Exceed
Powered by Nitric Oxide production from the active ingredient L-Arginine PLUS the added benefit of Prebiotics Gastro PRO™ is the ultimate support for a healthy gut including the hind gut.
GIVEN OUR line of work obviously we are generally of the opinion that correct musculature is built through an appropriate training programme over a period of time - there is no quick fix. However in some [veterinary] diagnosed conditions the muscles can do with a little extra nutritional support over and above what can be derived from a diet high in quality protein.
SUCH AN instance would be if a horse has suffered a degree of atrophy particularly behind combined with a pelvic tilt and/or rotation so it is important to build some strong muscle quickly in order to help hold the pelvis square. Of course this is achieved by correct work but not everyone has the right skills to be effective quickly enough so an extra "boost" can be helpful to avoid a string of chiropractic treatments.
OLDER horses can struggle to maintain muscle due to the absorption of nutrients not being as efficient so an extra boost can help keep them in great shape. Muscle Balance can also be helpful with developing young horses particularly weaker individuals or those with a big frame to support.
FIND MUSCLE BALANCE ON THE EQUINE EXCEED FROM THIS LINK.
THERE are countless articles written concerning the training of horses that are of a more stressy disposition or are a bit spooky. The horse which is constantly shying or is distracting is a horse that is not paying attention to its rider so this is a matter to be addressed by training ... of the rider! However for the horse that gets itself a bit wound up, is just of more of a "hot" temperament, needs its confidence rebuilding following an unpleasant experience or is to be introduced to a new experience then the administration of a "calming" product can be useful if not for the use, the rider!
THE RANGE on the market is pretty extensive and "yes" what works for one horse does not necessarily work for another due to how individuals metabolise so it can be a costly exercise finding out what works for your horse. Over the years we have been asked to trial numerous products with varying results from "non-existent" to "hmm ok, it did make a snip of a difference" but we have to say that the most consistent results on a greater number of horses has been from Calmer Bites and Cool Bites..
BOTH PRODUCTS are in the form of a treat which is ideal for horses during excitable or stressful situations such as competitions, clipping, box rest, loading, traveling, hacking, farrier and dentist visits. They help to keep a horse calmer and more focused without affecting the ability to perform. Unlike so many calmers on the market today they are not magnesium or calcium based but L-Tyrosine based which is a natural mood stabiliser. The difference between the two products is that the Cool Bites have a higher level of L-Tyrosine and are mint flavoured whereas the Calmer Bites are fenugreek flavour.
THE BITES are so convenient as you don't have to remember to add to the feed for several days to effect a loading or wonder if you have a horse received enough if he has a tendency to push feed out of its feed bowl and onto the floor - just give a bite (or 2) approximately 30-45 minutes before you need "calm" and that's it - simples with the effects lasting 3 - 4 hours (safe to top up with another after 3 hours).
EVERY horse is different so will metabolise at different rates as well as having varying levels of pre-existing levels of serotonin. Thus some horses may benefit from 1 Bite the night before an event, 1 again in the morning and 1 approximately 45 mins before - and some horses may benefit from more than one at a time.
NOTE: As the Bites do contain molasses if your horse has EMS or is laminitis-prone do not feed on a regular basis or in larger quantities - opt to feed Calmer Pro instead which is in powdered form for addition to feeds. .
FIND CALMING PRODUCTS ON THE EQUINE EXCEED WEBSITE FROM THIS LINK.
GENERALLY speaking if a horse has a well-balanced diet comprising of different forages and feeds fed an optimum levels so as to provide the correct levels of nutrients then the additional of supplements to the diet should not be necessary unless a horse is proven to be deficient in something. However whilst foods high in oil such as linseed and also alfalfa, due to it being such a superb quality protein are highly recommended additions to the diet to support joints, tendons and ligaments, if a horse has had an joint or leg injury or is diagnosed with a degenerative joint condition supplementary nutrition can be of great benefit in supporting these compromised structures whether by helping with blood flow, supplying extra nutrients, the repair process and in some instances regeneration, EQUINE EXCEED have produced two excellent products to support the locomotory structures of the horse in Supple Xtra and Nutra Pro;
SUPPLE XTRA is more recognisable as a "traditional" joint supplement as it contains the familiar ingredients of MSM, chondoitin and Glucosamine but obviously with other important ingredients in the mix, whereas Nutra Pro promotes the production [synthesis] of collagen which is an important constituent of cartilage which is the cushioning - shock absorbing mechanism - of joints.
IF LIKE US you are not in agreement with giving horses supplements which contain animal derivatives [chondroitin and glucosamine are derived from shellfish shells - although there are vegan versions of glucosamine for human use derived non-animal sources] them opt for Nutra Pro.
FIND THESE PRODUCTS ON THE EQUINE EXCEED WEBSITE FROM THIS LINK.