Muscle and weight gain feeds for PPID/EMS horse?

[Shilasdair]

Hi all
I'd like to pick your brains on suitable feeds to add a little condition, and restore muscle in my PPID and EMS horse.
So far I think I'll add alfalfa pellets and give her a bit more Kwikbeet.
I'd also like to add micronised linseed or linseed oil.

So two questions -
1. What else could I add to her feed to give her a bit of condition (not too much- I want her lean for her arthritis), and to improve muscle mass?
2. What brands/feed companies do micronised linseed?

All suggestions gratefully received.
(Please note I can't give her more forage because she lives with her greedy non-PPID sister, who needs to be on a fairly strict diet as she seems to be the equine equivalent of an air-plant).

 

[blodwyn1]

I feed cushcare condition by Dodson and horrell to mine. Just a mug full soaked made all the difference as she went em!aciated with her muscle loss. I added that to her normal honeychop light and healthy and fast fibre. I also add micronised linseed at coat change time.

 

[Shilasdair]

I feed cushcare condition by Dodson and horrell to mine. Just a mug full soaked made all the difference as she went em!aciated with her muscle loss. I added that to her normal honeychop light and healthy and fast fibre. I also add micronised linseed at coat change time.

Thanks, Blodwyn - I'll look at 'Cushcare' as suggested.
Can I ask what brand of micronised linseed you use - I'm struggling to find any?

 

[blodwyn1]

I use charnwood. I can't use anything with alfalfa in as it triggers her itching!

 

[Shilasdair]

I use charnwood. I can't use anything with alfalfa in as it triggers her itching!

I'll look for Charnwood then. My two are fine with alfalfa - and seem to really like it. But every horse is different.

 

[SO1]

Feedmark do a muscle supplement. No idea if any good.

I am trying the muscle treats for my pony when doing his stretches.

 

[ester]

I was going to say linseed so . I'd start with what you plane (linseed and alfalfa) and see how you get on - I always feed charnwoods. Marriages also make it but I wouldn't use it because of the sugar/starch % https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...cronised-any-difference.753726/#post-13631645

With regards to supply other companies repackage charnwoods- pure feeds one is charnwoods for instance

If that isn't enough for yours I'd use copra

 

[Shilasdair]

Thanks, SO1 and Ester.
I'll look at the muscle treats/supplement (although her dieting sister would expect treats too ).
I've found Charnwood online - might see if it is stocked locally too.
I hope she eats it!

 

[ihatework]

I like omega rice, which is a rice bran and linseed pellet

 

[RHM]

Another vote for charnwoods!
Two feeds that I have used in the past are ease and excel, and GWF no starch Fibregest. Both great, and very palatable.

 

[Connemara24]

Cushcare is great, and they love the taste!

 

[Shilasdair]

I like omega rice, which is a rice bran and linseed pellet

Thanks for the suggestion.
I've googled it - but couldn't find any information on the sugar content (she's got EMS as well as PPID) so daren't risk it.

 

[paddy555]

for mine to get the muscle back
Charnwood micro linseed
Coolstance copra
and the most important of all which is higher dose vit E oil. That really made the difference.

Dr K recommends PPIDs get 5000iu per day.

 

[Shilasdair]

for mine to get the muscle back
Charnwood micro linseed
Coolstance copra
and the most important of all which is higher dose vit E oil. That really made the difference.

Dr K recommends PPIDs get 5000iu per day.

I see a lot of recommendations for the Charnwood's linseed so I'm definitely going to try to source that.
I'll look into the copra.
Where do you get the Vit E?

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd also be feeding linseed, vitamin e and tri aminos or similar from progressive earth or forage plus.

 

[paddy555]

I see a lot of recommendations for the Charnwood's linseed so I'm definitely going to try to source that.
I'll look into the copra.
Where do you get the Vit E?

https://forageplus.co.uk/product/natural-vitamin-e-for-horses/

 

[Tiddlypom]

Charnwoods micronised linseed and latterly also Forageplus pea protein have made a big improvement to my two PPID ladies. Also the FP natural vit E.

Pro Earth also sell both, but FP is currently cheaper in use than PE for those 2. I do buy PE Pro Balance+, though.

 

[Shilasdair]

Thanks - I appreciate the suggestions.

 

[TwyfordM]

Second Cushcare conditioner, madam looked fab on it but I’ve stopped using since the EMS was diagnosed as it was a little higher in starch than the “straights”
Micronised linseed (another vote for Charnwood) is my go to now. Along with speedibeet

 

[shortstuff99]

I fed ease and excel to my PPID mare and also omega rice in winter.

I also like protein flakes from agrobs.

 

[HobleytheTB]

Be careful re cushcare as it is slightly over the 10% combined sugar and starch recommended for ppid!

The only way to improve muscle is by work and exercise, so don't go to overboard with the feeds! Alfalfa pellets and linseed oil have really helped my old ppid mare regain some weight following her diagnosis. She is retired now so not much I can do to rebuild her lost muscle.

 

[Shilasdair]

Be careful re cushcare as it is slightly over the 10% combined sugar and starch recommended for ppid!

The only way to improve muscle is by work and exercise, so don't go to overboard with the feeds! Alfalfa pellets and linseed oil have really helped my old ppid mare regain some weight following her diagnosis. She is retired now so not much I can do to rebuild her lost muscle.

Good point re Cushcare - she has EMS so needs low sugar for that too.
She's retired so no work/exercise.
I'm leaning towards the alfalfa pellets, with micronised linseed.

 

[Boulty]

I used to feed copra alongside charnwoods micronised linseed & alfalfa pellets to mine. The copra helped A LOT would keeping weight on but he still always struggled to gain muscle which I think was at least in part down to his PPID even when on treatment & in work.

 

[Caol Ila]

I have rice bran I’m desperate to get rid of. Gypsum had it (she had PPID and needed to gain weight), then Hermosa inherited it while she was nursing. Now no one needs it.

Does anyone near Glasgow want it?

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

My 27yr old is fed micronised linseed all year and in winter Equijewel on top as he began to drop off. He is still ridden. Anything with rice bran e.g. Omega Rice or the Equijewel has high starch levels but you only need to feed small amounts. I feed about a mug a day.

 

[I'm Dun]

My 27yr old is fed micronised linseed all year and in winter Equijewel on top as he began to drop off. He is still ridden. Anything with rice bran e.g. Omega Rice or the Equijewel has high starch levels but you only need to feed small amounts. I feed about a mug a day.

keyflow is the lowest at around 15%

 

[spookypony]

The Ballerina Mare has both PPID and EMS. She's a bit lean just now coming out of winter (was on standing hay with no extra forage all winter). She gets Alfa-Beet and Coolstance Copra and a bit of oil: copra is very high protein, and very low starch, so a good choice for muscle building. I've used it successfully with the Spooky Pony as well, who also has PPID. She's also in a decent amount of work, so needs a bit more energy.

 

[foxy1]

I'd add in coolstance copra with additional vit e. Introduce the copra slowly though, I've had some that aren't keen at first, but absolutely love it once they are used to it