Equitop Myoplast palatability?

Fruitcake

Fruitcake

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Horse has recently been in hospital with, after lots of investigation, what turned out to be a skin infection and has been sent home with a tub of Equitop Myoplast, I assume to give him a boost.

The first night, I stupidly just added it to his feed (lots of wet stuff) but, as he got half way through, he started messing about with it and, eventually, threw the entire bucket in disgust. I now realise, the sugar coating must have been dissolving and allowing the disgusting tasting green stuff out.

I had slightly more success last night, keeping a small amount of feed back to give him spearately (he has antibiotics in the rest of his feed so don't want to risk him wasting that) and then adding the beads immediately before I gave him it. He did eat it but didn't seem too impressed and messed about a bit.

Do horses generally find it unpalatable? Any ideas about making it more appealing?
Thanks.
 
Hi, my vet gave me Audevard Myostem Mass for my elderly horse who needed a boost. It certainly did the job! He wolfed it down and he's quite fussy.
Might be worth trying it if you don't have any success with the equitop
 
Its basically sugar coated spirulina.

I just feed straight spirulina, my horses eat it fine in grass nuts, but I know a lot don't like the taste.

Maybe add some apple sauce or the likes to hide the taste.
 
I don't know about its palatability, but I've just read some proper analysis on another thread that says it has nothing in it, muscle building wise, that is not in a handful (68g to be precise) of oats
 
PorkChop said:
Its basically sugar coated spirulina.

I just feed straight spirulina, my horses eat it fine in grass nuts, but I know a lot don't like the taste.

Maybe add some apple sauce or the likes to hide the taste.
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There was a very good post about this on Facebook last week.
I can't remember the guys name.
But basically said it's very expensive for what it is and has no benefit.

The only way to add muscle and condition is a balanced diet and correct exercise.
You can feed oats to help.
 
I thought I might have trouble with mine they eat it happily in feeds of oats linseed dried grass and speedibeet .
I could not get them to entertain it in powder form.
I have to say it works .
 
ycbm said:
I don't know about its palatability, but I've just read some proper analysis on another thread that says it has nothing in it, muscle building wise, that is not in a handful (68g to be precise) of oats
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Yes, I think I saw the same post, the one that also mentioned linseed and spurulina as doing the same job?
 
The FB post was by David Marlin - he investigates lots of horsey stuff in a analytical and scientific manner. Makes for interesting reading, and yes, Equitop Myoplast is an expensive way of feeding Spirulina (which is also still less palatable and no more effective than Linseed). If you follow David Marlin on FB you will see lots of interesting and helpful horsey stuff :)
 
Goldenstar said:
I thought I might have trouble with mine they eat it happily in feeds of oats linseed dried grass and speedibeet .
I could not get them to entertain it in powder form.
I have to say it works .
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When my vet recommended it after a kissing spines op, I contacted Equitop and asked them for their test results that showed it works. Their reply was 'it's a supplement, we don't have to prove it works'. So I didn't use it. My vet was very happy with his progress and never knew I hadn't fed it.

Now I've read the research that shows that 68g of oats contain the same amino acids in spirulina, the only active ingredient in it, then I'd feed 2p worth of oats instead.
 
Your choice ycbm but I have seen the results for myself on several horses .
I also know two vets who compete who although initially sceptics now feed to their own horses .
My Physio who again said save your money at first said you argue with the results you see .
 
Goldenstar said:
Your choice ycbm but I have seen the results for myself on several horses .
I also know two vets who compete who although initially sceptics now feed to their own horses .
My Physio who again said save your money at first said you argue with the results you see .
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Unfortunately, since Equitop won't do any trials, no-one has any idea what would have happened to any of those horses if they hadn't been given it and given oats or linseed instead. My vet thought my horse had been on it, but he put the muscle on without it.

I know a vet who practices homeopathy :)

I am open to the evidence that Equitop works. I think it shameful that they sell a product at an enormous price without being able to provide it. And even more shameful that vets who are supposed to be evidence based are pushing it on people.
 
I'm slightly baffled why a skin infection would mean the vets selling you a pot of equitop myoplast.

It strikes me a little of the joint supps that vets certainly used to sell, I am not sure if many still do. Without any real science or data to support it, just because.
 
ester said:
I'm slightly baffled why a skin infection would mean the vets selling you a pot of equitop myoplast.

It strikes me a little of the joint supps that vets certainly used to sell, I am not sure if many still do. Without any real science or data to support it, just because.
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To be fair, although it was finally diagnosed as a skin infection, he was really quite poorly with a raging temperature and has had respiratory issues too so is, I imagine, a little low. I assumed it was given as a bit of a boost during recovery. To be honest, I didn't actually ask any questions about it when they presented me with it on discharge. I was just so excited to be getting him home and a bit preoccupied with asking questions about the antibiotics and steroids they'd given me so the tub of supplement wasn't really my focus at the time.

I don't imagine I'll be keeping him on it after this tub but as It seems I've paid for this one, I might as well try to get it down him!
 
Fiona36 said:
To be fair, although it was finally diagnosed as a skin infection, he was really quite poorly with a raging temperature and has had respiratory issues too so is, I imagine, a little low. I assumed it was given as a bit of a boost during recovery. To be honest, I didn't actually ask any questions about it when they presented me with it on discharge. I was just so excited to be getting him home and a bit preoccupied with asking questions about the antibiotics and steroids they'd given me so the tub of supplement wasn't really my focus at the time.

I don't imagine I'll be keeping him on it after this tub but as It seems I've paid for this one, I might as well try to get it down him!
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Unless this has gone on your insurance, I would show them the research that it does nothing that a handful of oats doesn't do and refuse to pay for it. It's not the business of a vet to be sending a horse home from hospital with an untested supplement :(
 
Given that I seee improvement in horses who eat oats and linseed all year I will stay using myoplast .
I can only say I wish it had been aviable when Fatty was on his epic diet .
I have enough confidence to know what I see .
 
I used the Audevard Myostem Mass on my elderly TB who was struggling to put on condition as it was recommended by the vet. It certainly gave him a boost and he looks fat and glossy coated after one course which lasted 3 weeks.
I would certainly use it again.
 
ycbm said:
Unless this has gone on your insurance, I would show them the research that it does nothing that a handful of oats doesn't do and refuse to pay for it. It's not the business of a vet to be sending a horse home from hospital with an untested supplement :(
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I assume it'll be going on the insurance. I don't think it'll hurt to give it a go. The vet is an international specialist in his field and I really rate him. I really have no reason to complain about anything. The hospital have been fantastic and I'm really happy to take their suggestions on follow up and supplements. It's just a shame my horse doesn't seem too keen on it! :)
 
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