Micronised Linseed / Equine America Propell plus

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Horsekaren

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The big man is still flat, we are about 3 and a half weeks into this now and there is no improvement.

  • Lives out 24/7
  • adlib hay
  • worked 4 -5 times a week approx 40 mins
  • the last 7 days ive added 1 scoop of fast fiber and Equimims vits and mins supplement (no improvement)
  • Half clipped back in December which hasn't grown out

The last week i have also tried
  • naked days
  • giving him 5 days off
  • varying the work/ schooled once/ new riding area/ schooling on grass/ hack/ jump - still no buzz

I'm all for letting things run their course but its no fun doing anything with him as i feel like ive just got to pester and be on his case constantly when i can feel there is no energy. He seems happy in himself, very content, good apatite ect a bit blowy after work.


I dont want to fill him with feed ect but i want to try something non heating to help him (even if it is just a temp thing for a month or so)

My instructor suggested Propell but having just brought a bottle and read the label im not sure if that is aimed for horse in harder work :/ or if there is any point, has anyone used it?
I also brought a small bag of Linseed, not sure if this is worth a try.

I'm sure its just the time of year and change in life style, just not sure what to try :(
 
IMO Propell Plus is brilliant!! My horse went through abit of a flat stage this time last year. The vet suggested something similar so i gave propell a go. After a week or two being on it, it was like riding a 4 year old on acid. Wasnt sure whether this was a fluke so took her off it. Went back to abit flat and mopey. Straight back on the propell (at a lower dose) and i had my girl back!! Always keep some on the feed room incase it happens again. Although, touch wood, she is absolutely fab without it at the moment!
A Friend on the yard trialled Red Cell too and said if anything, Propell made more difference and is half the price. Best of luck x
 
BOWS28 said:
IMO Propell Plus is brilliant!! My horse went through abit of a flat stage this time last year. The vet suggested something similar so i gave propell a go. After a week or two being on it, it was like riding a 4 year old on acid. Wasnt sure whether this was a fluke so took her off it. Went back to abit flat and mopey. Straight back on the propell (at a lower dose) and i had my girl back!! Always keep some on the feed room incase it happens again. Although, touch wood, she is absolutely fab without it at the moment!
A Friend on the yard trialled Red Cell too and said if anything, Propell made more difference and is half the price. Best of luck x
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Thanks that helpful, what dose did you give at first? the suggested dose? i dont want him to feel like a 4 year old on acid :)
 
Leo Walker said:
If propel plus contains iron like red cell I would put it straight in the bin. I cannot imagine anything worse to give a horse.

What is he eating feed wise at the minute? And how fit is he?
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Yes i think it does contain iron, why would that be bad?
Feed is -
  • Adlib dry hay
  • 1 scoop fast fibre
  • suggested dose of Equimmims vits and mins pellets
He occasionally has a bowl of grass nuts but thats all.
 
I’d want a blood test before feeding red cell.

Not that I’m saying you need a blood test btw! You have just started a good vit supplement, give it time!

Does the horse have a temperature?

Maybe you are just seeing the real him now he is unwinding and relaxing?
 
ihatework said:
I’d want a blood test before feeding red cell.

Not that I’m saying you need a blood test btw! You have just started a good vit supplement, give it time!

Does the horse have a temperature?

Maybe you are just seeing the real him now he is unwinding and relaxing?
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I dont think he needs a blood test either, he is a very happy horse, Temperature is normal, he just has no energy for work. He is a bit snotty after work but this isnt unusual for him. He gets lots of walk breaks ect. He has increased work slowly over the last two months.

I'm thinking of adding the linseed as this is high slow release energy but low sugar (from what i can see) but i dont want it to make him fat.

I'm even wondering if i should give him a full clip but with living out i dont want to make it worse.
 
before you feed anything like red cell etc I'd drop the fast fibre and add a smaller feed of something with some slow release energy. Oats are my go to for energy, but they do need to be working hard enough to burn the energy off or it turns into fat
 
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Horsekaren said:
I dont think he needs a blood test either, he is a very happy horse, Temperature is normal, he just has no energy for work. He is a bit snotty after work but this isnt unusual for him. He gets lots of walk breaks ect. He has increased work slowly over the last two months.

I'm thinking of adding the linseed as this is high slow release energy but low sugar (from what i can see) but i dont want it to make him fat.

I'm even wondering if i should give him a full clip but with living out i dont want to make it worse.
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He can be a happy horse but still harbouring a low grade virus. Blood test is the first port of call for any lethargic animal.
 
I still think it's because his gone from coming in every night to living out, it's a massive change for some horses it really can take it out of them, and it's winter so his probably using a lot of his energy just being in the field, mine live out but they are Arabs so they are hot bloods so a totally different breed and they are used to living out, although they are bloody full of themselves at the moment.
 
Horsekaren said:
The big man is still flat, we are about 3 and a half weeks into this now and there is no improvement.

Lives out 24/7
worked 4 -5 times a week approx 40 mins
Click to expand...
Horsekaren said:
He is a bit snotty after work but this isnt unusual for him..
Click to expand...

KautoStar1 said:
He can be a happy horse but still harbouring a low grade virus. Blood test is the first port of call for any lethargic animal.
Click to expand...

Given that he is only in a low level of work 4-5 times a week and living out 24/7, so no dust allergies, then I would be looking at a blood test.
 
Yes, should have mentioned he is sensitive to dust. He is so much better with living out but when working he does get a bit sneezy and after he will blow his nose, nothing abnormal for him and a lot better than when he was stabled and on wet hay.

He usually becomes very grumpy when he is feeling rough so i really don't think its upsetting him.

I'm thinking the change it catching up with him.


i'm not going to get a vet out at the moment as there are so many things it can be that are natural, including coat, time of year, lack of feed ect ...

I guess i'm just curious to see what others would do? would you just continue with the one hard feed a day, vits and minerals supplement and maybe add linseed and wait for grass?
 
If his wind is sensitive his energy levels won't be great. No different to us really. His exercise tolerance will be affected by his breathing issues. Plus he is a cobby type and many are quieter sensible types who don't expend any more energy than is necessary. I have recently learnt just how long it can take for a horse with a compromised wind to recover fitness and stamina. Mine was ill in July 17, out of work until January 18 struggled with basic fittening. Then the heat arrived and she struggled again with dry/dusty grazing and the heat floored her, she had less than 30 minutes exercise tolerance. She improved through this easy winter and got fit, she is fine now and competed up to the flu outbreak, but she is micro managed as far as air quality and fitness is concerned.

Personally I, as an amatuer owner, would far rather have a horse that needed revving up via feed, fitness etc, than a sharp gassy or unpredictable type. Far easier to rev up than calm down unless you like the shaken not stirred type of ride. Plus I am far too old to be getting dumped.

I don't know your horse so can only give examples of how I have fed mine. I use linseed on all of them but not for energy. Linseed for weight gain on old horses and for coat/feet quality on others. For the bone idle, wind compromised, but very capable mare who can run light if under pressure, I use Alpha Oil, oats and Top Spec Turbo Flakes with sugar beet to dampen it down. If she is super busy I might use a combination of soaked whole oats with soaked Copra. It is vitally important that you feed for the work you doing, not what you think you might do. There are many competition mixes but many horses don't need maize/peas etc and in a mix you can't take them out, plus the KG's you may need to feed can be quite large. Feeding straights you can add or remove at will. If your horse is getting mucus in his nostrils, ask your vet about Secreta Pro. It has been very useful for my horse.

You must look at him as a whole and consider his build, fitness and athletic ability, no food, rocket fuel or not will turn a lovely sensible cobby type into a Valegro. You can help him to do his best though, my cobs are so much happier fully clipped out, even in summer. They are schooled to help them off their forehand, they have very little grass as grass makes them fat and lazy. They hack and walk up hills, they don't trot on roads as both are heavy weights and their feet don't need pounding. The other thing I find that keeps cobs forward thinking is varying work and keeping it fun. They often don't find school work easy or interesting.

Good luck with him.
 
AdorableAlice said:
If his wind is sensitive his energy levels won't be great. No different to us really. His exercise tolerance will be affected by his breathing issues. Plus he is a cobby type and many are quieter sensible types who don't expend any more energy than is necessary. I have recently learnt just how long it can take for a horse with a compromised wind to recover fitness and stamina. Mine was ill in July 17, out of work until January 18 struggled with basic fittening. Then the heat arrived and she struggled again with dry/dusty grazing and the heat floored her, she had less than 30 minutes exercise tolerance. She improved through this easy winter and got fit, she is fine now and competed up to the flu outbreak, but she is micro managed as far as air quality and fitness is concerned.

Personally I, as an amatuer owner, would far rather have a horse that needed revving up via feed, fitness etc, than a sharp gassy or unpredictable type. Far easier to rev up than calm down unless you like the shaken not stirred type of ride. Plus I am far too old to be getting dumped.

I don't know your horse so can only give examples of how I have fed mine. I use linseed on all of them but not for energy. Linseed for weight gain on old horses and for coat/feet quality on others. For the bone idle, wind compromised, but very capable mare who can run light if under pressure, I use Alpha Oil, oats and Top Spec Turbo Flakes with sugar beet to dampen it down. If she is super busy I might use a combination of soaked whole oats with soaked Copra. It is vitally important that you feed for the work you doing, not what you think you might do. There are many competition mixes but many horses don't need maize/peas etc and in a mix you can't take them out, plus the KG's you may need to feed can be quite large. Feeding straights you can add or remove at will. If your horse is getting mucus in his nostrils, ask your vet about Secreta Pro. It has been very useful for my horse.

You must look at him as a whole and consider his build, fitness and athletic ability, no food, rocket fuel or not will turn a lovely sensible cobby type into a Valegro. You can help him to do his best though, my cobs are so much happier fully clipped out, even in summer. They are schooled to help them off their forehand, they have very little grass as grass makes them fat and lazy. They hack and walk up hills, they don't trot on roads as both are heavy weights and their feet don't need pounding. The other thing I find that keeps cobs forward thinking is varying work and keeping it fun. They often don't find school work easy or interesting.

Good luck with him.
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Thank you that is helpful. Luckily his fitness is coming back, I try not to push him too hard usually 30 mins. I too prefer him to be going through this phase rather than the opposite. Touch wood there was a little more fuel in the tank this morning. Maybe it is kicking in. I haven't come across Secreta pro before but will have a look. As spring comes i know a few allergies will kick in which will induce the head shaking on top of the sneezing. Is your horse with breathing issues on anything else or just Secreta? My vet has never suggested breathing supplements, implied it was a waste of money which i doubted for there to me such a market for it. At the moment he is on nothing for his breathing. He was on steroids for 6 months but it all cleared up when summer came and has been managed much better this winter.

I appreciate what type of horse he is and adore him for what he is :) he is Vallegro in my eyes :D all be it Vallegro on a very bad day LOL :P
 
He is a very solid cob and as mentioned it may just be that he's now not stressed so much quieter. Dare I say he may also just not enjoy school work. I have one who detests it. Flat, dull, no spark. Hack out and she's a different horse. Would go forever, loves a gallop and jumping logs. They're all different.
 
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