Supplements - what works/doesn't work?

I'm a firm believer that the vast majority of supplements sold for horses are given to the horses for the humans benefits, rather than the horses. The humans do mean well & give them to the horses with the best of intentions, but the horses don't really get anything out of it, but the humans feel much better - probably because they're doing something!

I place very little value in most supplements. There are those which have been independantly scientifically proven to work - i.e. those including magnesium in a magnesium deficient horse, and preparations like Winergy Ventilate in respiratory problems, and I'm sure a few others. But I think the vast majority on the market do absolutely nothing.

However, that doesn't mean I'm proof against feeding them! I don't on a day to day basis, but if I have a pony sick, I'm as bad as the next person, and off I go to the saddlers, and come back with several supplements to torment my horses with. It may not do much for the horses, but it makes me feel better - like I'm actually doing something, and like things will improve.

Ahh just the thread I need.

For a calmer I'd swear by Steady Up everyone I know thats used it has had good results. However I guess like people every horse is different and whats good for one doesn't work for another.

I'm really interested in peoples exteriences of mobility supplements. Sparky only has a small stable and as a result of not being able to move about much when he comes in a night gets a bit stiff by the end of the winter. What do people find works for them?

As for the face cream when you find one that really does what it says on the tin you'll be a millionaire!!!!!

My old mare gets the recommended amount of D and H Equibites (general vitamins and minerals) just to ensure she gets enough - those unnecessary to her will be excreted. If she was on hard feed she wouldn't get any, but being retired and living out at grass I feel it keeps the old bones happy - but, as you say, this may be entirely for my benefit!

The pony gets the recommended amount of Equilibra and 8g of magnesium oxide - the former for the same reasons as the mare (although the pony is in work) and the latter to help with spookiness...It does seem to be doing the trick so far.

As to any other supplements - I leave well alone, mostly because it's too easy to be sucked in by questionable products.
Saying that, when the old mare was in work, she was on Frisky Mare to regulate her hormonally induced behaviour, and it did work wonders - I would use that again if necessary.
I suppose if I had a horse with poor feet I'd probably use some supplement to encourage better foot growth...

It's a minefield out there..!

I've tried loads!

Gastri-x is fantastic, Cortaflex worked for Roxy but not sure its any better than any other joint supplement I've tried, NAF Biotin is cheap and does the job to just get a little but more hoof growth, Formula 4 Feet is better but not worth the extra cost for most horses. Equilibria balancer helped keep weight on Mia but not as well as the Gastri-x. LoCal was fine but not seeing any difference after having stopped it not sure it was doing much. Selenavite E is good for an EPSM horse.

Now for what didn't work... TopSpec balancer was a disaster, made one fat and hyper and the other ASBO worthy and really not happy. TS powdered supplement worked well for Jay but Roxy was an idiot on it. Magnesium oxide hasn't done anything good for any horse on the yard, one got LGL more while on it, one was just grumpy and horrible and one had the squits, at best it did nothing. Hoofmender hasn't done anything for the three horse we tried it on.

Biotal Equine gold (probiotic) is fantastic, all horses eat it, and look good on it, and have good gut functions

Naf's Vit E, Lysine and Selenium works on an EPSM horse

Magnesium works on some, not all, (trial and error)

Steady-up never worked for me at all when I've used it

Dodson & Horrel's herbal "Placid" works and the horses chill on it

D&H's herbal "Stroppy Mare" works too and is easily eaten

D&H's "breathe easy" works, but is quite strong and seems slightly unpalatable ! Horses will eat this if they have to, but pull a face beforehand looking disgusted ! One horse only eats it if left in stable overnight, he will leave it, then finish it by morning. If fed before turnout, he picks at it and then leaves it.

Limestone flour helps for good bones (esp when feeding bran, as it balances the ca:ph ratio)

I got some electrolytes for my mare, as she can sweat up a lot when ridden and wanted to be sure she had her electrolytes replaced, but she always turned her nose up at this.

Herbal wormers (my mare hated it, but the pony ate it !) I just worm count now, and do worming in spring and autumn for tapeworm and bots and encysted redworm (pramox)

Tried Cortaflex, did nothing for my daughter's pony who was going through some hock stiffness, but the CWG's own joint supplement which was apple flavoured seems to have helped more, and is more palatable, even I wanted to try some

I also provide 2 mineral licks, one is a plain one and one has extra copper added to it. The one who abcessed used the copper lick more, and has good feet now, the others use the plain lick instead. I'd read somewhere that lack of copper can cause crappy feet. Her feet have been improving steadily since using the new lick.

I'm sure things can have the "placebo" effect Kelly !!

The only supplement I feed is Top Spec's 10:10 joint supplement to Lutine. She's noticeably stiffer when she's not on that. After that, they all get Top Spec Comprehensive or Anti Lam, depending what's left on the shelf , but that's food, it's not a supplement.... I feed it to them because I had my forage analysed and it was depleted in several important minerals and the TS was the only thing I could find with the correct amount of these minerals. I'd initially tried to organise bespoke minerals supplements but the cost was prohibitive.

But yes, I believe that we need a diet that is balanced in minerals and trace elements.

I have also fed lots of herbs for my horses' eye problems and some have worked better than others, irrespective of their price.