Can you feed too many supplements?

Derfette

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I took my 22 year old pure arab to a show today. We did 3 in-hand classes all under the same judge. We were placed in all 3 classes but told that we would have been placed a lot higher if he hadn't have been as stiff. He is totally sound, but I think just starting to show his age a little!! He is a good doer so doesn't get the recommended amount of fibre, so to compensate I feed him Globalvite which really seems to suit him and also NAF Pro Feet as his hooves aren't the best. Now I've got this stiffness issue . . . do I feed a 3rd supplement (was thinking about Superflex), or do I rethink this side of his diet and change the supplements I'm feeding him? Any thoughts would be gratefully received!!
 
It is always worth reviewing what you feed. In your situation, rather than feeding him a joint supplement, I would feed him Micronised linseed. half to three quarters of a mug a day will do wonders for his joints and feet and will also give him a wonderfully glossy coat. It is reltively cheap at around about £24 a sack which will last you about 6 to 8 months if you feed at the above rate.

You may also be better swapping from the Naff pro feet to Progressive Earth's (Ebay) Pro Hoof, which is rated highly as a hoof and all round health supplement.

If the micronised linseed doesn't work (give it a good few months) look at either a pure glucosamine or glucosamine and MSM supplement. I really like the gold label one.

Before you worry, the linseed will not cause him to put on loads of weight ;)
 
Be careful if you choose to feed a glucosamine supplement. Be aware that glucosamine comes from ground up fish-shells and is extremely sweet. Better imo to use rosehips or some other herbivore-friendly supplement.
 
I took my old boy off joint supplement and put him on micronised linseed and he feels the best he has in a long time. Certainly worth reviewing what you are feeding. I used to feed loads of supplements and different feeds but now on pure feeds and linseed with good results.
 
UK forage is often deficient in copper and zinc, and it is estimated that around 70% of the UK is also deficient in selenium (which is very important for muscle and immune health).

So apart from grass/hay, I would first and foremost pick a good feed balancer that uses organic selenium (aka selenium yeast) which is known to be more bioavailable than inorganic selenium (sodium selenite).

My choice at the moment is Blue Chip Original, but they also do a Lite one.

Sarah
 
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