Supplement dosage splitting question

[airliner]

Trying to settle a friendly debate regarding supplement feeding

Maintenance supplement states that the proper dose for the horse is two scoops per day. Horse is fed twice a day (breakfast and dinner). Is it better to feed the full dose of the supplement in one feed OR split the dose across the two feeds? In other words, two scoops with breakfast versus one scoop with breakfast and one scoop with dinner?

 

[JenJ]

Trying to settle a friendly debate regarding supplement feeding

Maintenance supplement states that the proper dose for the horse is two scoops per day. Horse is fed twice a day (breakfast and dinner). Is it better to feed the full dose of the supplement in one feed OR split the dose across the two feeds? In other words, two scoops with breakfast versus one scoop with breakfast and one scoop with dinner?

Probably in an ideal world, split over two if they are having two feeds anyway.

The yard I work at generally gives all medication in the morning feed, and all supplements in the evening feed. For over 30+ livery horses, trying to split supplements over both feeds would be an even more complicated task than it already is, with some horse having 6 or 7 different supplements!

My own ponies only have one feed a day, so even where it says split over two, they have it in one (unless it's something that I know is important to be split).

 

[PurBee]

It really doesn’t make much difference, as a maintenance dose tends to be the RDA doses of vits/mins. The body will absorb it and there wouldn’t be much excreted from having the 2 scoops at once.
Whereas with higher dosed supplements for specific ailments - it’s best to split the dose at staged feeds throughout 24hrs, so that it is all absorbed. There’s the possibility a one time high dose of something could get a good % excreted.

The only thing to consider is the taste of the supplement and the fussiness of the horse to the taste. IF the horse isnt too keen on the taste, splitting the scoops one per feed will make a tastier feed. If there’s enough chaff/beet to carry 2 scoops and dilute the taste, then it can be given in 1 feed.

 

[Equi]

When I make up two feeds i do it at the same time in a bucket and mix it then split it, so in effect one scoop am one scoop pm - but I have not verified this is how it goes scientifically

 

[Traks]

Split it x

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would split it but for a maintenance dose, it probably doesn't matter. I am surprised at the yard that gives all meds am and all supplements pm, a lot of meds need to be given twice per day.

 

[JenJ]

I would split it but for a maintenance dose, it probably doesn't matter. I am surprised at the yard that gives all meds am and all supplements pm, a lot of meds need to be given twice per day.

For any meds (and supplements) that are twice daily, they are given in both feeds (or additional feeds given if meds are needed 3 or 4 times a day). Most of the time the only meds are routine e.g. Prascend and are once daily. Vet's instructions are ALWAYS followed

 

[Red-1]

I'm awful in that I give stated dose of supplements to start with, then a reduced dose, once a day. In fact, my horses only get tea. No breakfast. I means mornings are that bit easier. They don't look for a bucket feed in the morning.

That said, both of mine run to fat rather than run to be skinny! It'd be different if they weren't thriving.

 

[JenJ]

I'm awful in that I give stated dose of supplements to start with, then a reduced dose, once a day. In fact, my horses only get tea. No breakfast. I means mornings are that bit easier. They don't look for a bucket feed in the morning.

That said, both of mine run to fat rather than run to be skinny! It'd be different if they weren't thriving.

My own two get just the one feed, shortly after they've been brought in. In winter that means it's 'dinner', in summer it's 'breakfast'. Same stuff in either!

I do think 'less is more' with supplements, and if you get the effect you are looking for on a smaller dose, then that's absolutely fine.

eta, they get one feed each, not between them...!

 

[AppyLover1996]

My retired lad and my rising 2 year get fed once a day to correspond with their turnout schedule (fed in the morning if out by night and fed in the evening if out by day). Both of them won't touch anything before turn out as are far too excited to go out and play all day, so I don't split my supplements unless it is veterinary medication - in which case I follow the instructions to the letter x