Balancer vs Supplement

[cmkeventing]

The more I think about it the more confused I am so asking others peoples thoughts and recommendations!

In a couple months buying a TB that will be for eventing. I want to pop the horse on a joint something as from racing to eventing its all a lot on their joints and I want them to be as comfortable as possible.

My last TB (who was in his early to mid teens when I owned him) I had on Spillers Senior and Supple joint balancer and he did very well on that.

But next TB is going to be a lot younger (dont want over 8) so Im not sure whether to stick to what I know/like and feed the above or to get a simple balancer for vitamins and minerals etc and get a separate balancer for joint care...

Help! Im open to all opinions and recommendations as I just want to do best by the horse so hopefully we can both have a decent eventing career!

 

[Albus15]

I personally use the Equimins advanced complete (I've been using this on my show jumper for the past 6 months and absolutely swear by it now!) and also use pure Boswellia for joints (I used forage plus as it has over 66% boswellic acid, which is the main ingrediant). We also feed Boswellia to our hunters, and notice a huge difference!

 

[cmkeventing]

I personally use the Equimins advanced complete (I've been using this on my show jumper for the past 6 months and absolutely swear by it now!) and also use pure Boswellia for joints (I used forage plus as it has over 66% boswellic acid, which is the main ingrediant). We also feed Boswellia to our hunters, and notice a huge difference!

Thankyou! Im really liking the look of the Forage Plus stuff!

 

[frankieduck]

I find the % of active ingredients included in a lot of balancers marketed as including joint support are too low to be effective, I suppose it's a 'nice to have' if you don't purposefully need a joint supplement but you're generally paying over the odds for extra ingredients that won't do very much. I feed a standard balancer and add in a joint supplement. I like Feedmark Best Flex HA as a high spec all round supplement that includes good levels of Boswellia which is great for joint inflammation.

 

[cmkeventing]

I find the % of active ingredients included in a lot of balancers marketed as including joint support are too low to be effective, I suppose it's a 'nice to have' if you don't purposefully need a joint supplement but you're generally paying over the odds for extra ingredients that won't do very much. I feed a standard balancer and add in a joint supplement. I like Feedmark Best Flex HA as a high spec all round supplement that includes good levels of Boswellia which is great for joint inflammation.

I was thinking that. I just want what is best for future horse. My last horse was more of a pleasure horse whereas this one has competition goals in mind so Im like it needs more joint support

 

[AppyLover1996]

I tend to go for straights when doing supplements as I find general off the shelf stuff has a lot of crap added to it, which by the time you work out the active ingredient level of what you want, it turns out to be a lot less than you intended.

Boswellia is something I swear by - great for joints but also for helping tummy and gastric health, and with having a TB I'd say it's deffo worth a shot as I know they can be prone to tummy issues due to their careers etc.

I also swear by MSM - again the initial outlay can be a bit spendy, but you feed it at such a small rate it lasts forever.

If you're wanting an off the shelf already mixed supplement - Feedmark is where you need to go! They aren't cheap but their supplements have all great levels of active ingredients and there is the option to even create your own bespoke supplement

 

[cmkeventing]

I tend to go for straights when doing supplements as I find general off the shelf stuff has a lot of crap added to it, which by the time you work out the active ingredient level of what you want, it turns out to be a lot less than you intended.

Boswellia is something I swear by - great for joints but also for helping tummy and gastric health, and with having a TB I'd say it's deffo worth a shot as I know they can be prone to tummy issues due to their careers etc.

I also swear by MSM - again the initial outlay can be a bit spendy, but you feed it at such a small rate it lasts forever.

If you're wanting an off the shelf already mixed supplement - Feedmark is where you need to go! They aren't cheap but their supplements have all great levels of active ingredients and there is the option to even create your own bespoke supplement

Thankyou!

 

[AppyLover1996]

Thankyou!

That's alright x My retired lad Baggs has a whole host of issues that I manage successfully, so I'm pretty well versed when it comes to supplements and their active ingredients. I do prefer a more natural herbal style approach, I currently feed the following to Baggs my retiree and Rabbit my rising 2 year old :

Boswellia - For joint and tummy health
Turmeric - For joint health
Rosehips - For joint, hoof and general health
MSM - For joint, hoof and general health
Micronised Linseed - For joint, tummy and general health

I feed the above mainly with Baggs in mind to help prevent an ulcer flare up, help with his arthritic joints and also help with general day to day of getting old, whereas Rabbit has the above more as a preventative measure, as I'm more of the prevention better than cure tribe x

 

[cmkeventing]

That's alright x My retired lad Baggs has a whole host of issues that I manage successfully, so I'm pretty well versed when it comes to supplements and their active ingredients. I do prefer a more natural herbal style approach, I currently feed the following to Baggs my retiree and Rabbit my rising 2 year old :

Boswellia - For joint and tummy health
Turmeric - For joint health
Rosehips - For joint, hoof and general health
MSM - For joint, hoof and general health
Micronised Linseed - For joint, tummy and general health

I feed the above mainly with Baggs in mind to help prevent an ulcer flare up, help with his arthritic joints and also help with general day to day of getting old, whereas Rabbit has the above more as a preventative measure, as I'm more of the prevention better than cure tribe x

I massively agree with prevention over cure hence why I want something for joints as I realise taking an exracehorse eventing, its a lot on them! I want to be able to have a comfortable, happy horse for as long as possible.

 

[Cragrat]

That's alright x My retired lad Baggs has a whole host of issues that I manage successfully, so I'm pretty well versed when it comes to supplements and their active ingredients. I do prefer a more natural herbal style approach, I currently feed the following to Baggs my retiree and Rabbit my rising 2 year old :

Boswellia - For joint and tummy health
Turmeric - For joint health
Rosehips - For joint, hoof and general health
MSM - For joint, hoof and general health
Micronised Linseed - For joint, tummy and general health

I feed the above mainly with Baggs in mind to help prevent an ulcer flare up, help with his arthritic joints and also help with general day to day of getting old, whereas Rabbit has the above more as a preventative measure, as I'm more of the prevention better than cure tribe x

Interesting - my big old TB is 21, and still working, and looking fantastic (according to vet and physio as well as me). He has had linseed for most of his life, plus various supplements, but for the last few years he has has been on:
Bosmerix
Rosehips
MSM
Micronised Linseed
Progressive Earth Pro 3 Trace (Copper, Zinc and Selenium)
Biotin
Natural Vit E
Glucosamine
Salt

All this added to a feed of soaked alfalfa cubes and sugarbeet. The good thing about separates is I can vary the amount of base feed, but he still gets the same amount of supplements.

My younger TB is on the same, without the Bosmerix and Rosehips. I think I might start adding Boswellia. I know separate Boswellia and Turmeric would mostly replace the Bosmerix for the older lad, ( it also has ASU, DHA and EPA ) but he's doing so well on it I daren't stop :/