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Post by fin on Dec 13, 2006 23:49:13 GMT 1
Have any of you had problems feeding TopSpec balancer? JJ has been on it about a week or so and has had digital pulses for the last five days Pulses were down today but he's noticeablely sore and lame even on his forefeet. THree weeks ago he was stamping over rocks in his bare feet for the first time ever.
Can't decide if its the TopSpec or inadequately soaked hay.... (the water leaked out of the soaking barrel so two lots didn't get soaked enough. THis might explain the lamesness today but not the previous pulses).
Anybody else had the same problem?
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Post by arabheaven on Dec 14, 2006 0:21:41 GMT 1
havent tested HR but zac's been on it for a month fine
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Post by Immybrook stud on Dec 14, 2006 1:23:16 GMT 1
all my welshies are on top spec balancer and have never had any problems with it have been feeding them for a year, from our fat L/R to our broodmare and foals and the stallions.
i think they also do a top spec for laminitics, but have never used it called top spec anti lam or top spec light
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Post by Casper on Dec 14, 2006 7:18:57 GMT 1
I've not had any problems with it, having used it for over 2 years. I do use the Anti Lam one though, not because my two are laminitic but because they are both incredibly good doers.
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Post by KoLaTo on Dec 14, 2006 9:17:42 GMT 1
Never had a problem with my 2 natives on it, they go on AntiLam during spring/summer and then one goes on the normal one and one on Leisuretime for winter.
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Post by Amanda (S Yorks) on Dec 14, 2006 9:59:12 GMT 1
I've got my mare on the Anti-Lam. I initially had problems with her spooking badly, not something that's normal for her. Cut it down to half rations and she was better but am trying it on full dose with more Mg to see if that helps. She's not as spooky but is flat and without energy, not a normal state for her. Her manure had also been loose so she's been on pink powder for the last few weeks, again not something I'd normally need to do.
She came in with digital pulses in front hooves on Monday and is now footy over stones, yet her hooves look better than ever (she was stomping over everything a few weeks ago).
I can't decide if it's the TS, huge amounts of grass we've got or waterlogged hooves because of all the rain. I've brought her back in at night to get her off the grass & wet ground - digital pulse has gone but she's still ouchy on stones and lacks energy. It's the energy bit that's bugging me, with all the grass we've got she should be pinging around like a mad thing but she isn't.
I'm going to half the TS again and see if that helps and either way as soon as I've finished this bag she's going back on Lo-Cal as I never had any of these issues whilst she was on that.
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Post by june on Dec 14, 2006 10:29:46 GMT 1
We've never had a problem with Top Spec but the grass is still growing quickly as it is mild and wet so that could account for the pulses.
Amanda, our lot have had loose droppings recently too but they've been on Top Spec for the last few years so I doubt it's the Top Spec that is the issue. It seems to be down to the water in the grass and the rapid growth that we are seeing.
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Post by fin on Dec 14, 2006 10:49:39 GMT 1
Interesting....JJ's not on grass, but kept on a woodchip paddock--so it's definately not grass or having wet feet that's causing his problem! It's def got to be the hay or the TS. I used TopSpec Comprehensive over summer and his pulses definately reduced after I stopped feeding it. I don't really want to feed the AntiLam because the hay we've got is quite low in protein, and the Balancer tops that up whereas the Antilam is just fibre.....
What I think might be happening is that the TS is adding to the load of mineral imbalances in the hay--we've had problems with this affecting his feet before, but I guess I won't know til I get this batch of hay analysed. For the time being I think I'll leave him on the TS for another few days and make sure the hay is very well soaked. If he doesn't improve on that, then little H will have to guzzle her way through the rest of the bag by herself!
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Post by mandal on Dec 14, 2006 12:08:58 GMT 1
I can't help as I don't check their digital pulses (none had lammi). I use the anti lam and have had no obvious problems but have just ordered some Total Eclipse in an effort to be more 'natural' Getting organic linseed and grinding it just before use is not practical for me........I'm lazy Lol
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Post by Amanda (S Yorks) on Dec 14, 2006 12:38:09 GMT 1
Is the Anti-Lam really just fibre?? As the only reason I feed a balancer vs powdered supp is for the protein! I'll have to go off and research that, it may account for the lack of energy despite record levels of grass in the field, she picked up no end when I introduce Lo-Cal originally and the only addition really was the protein.
This was my thought initially but I've never known her be as loose as this, especially when stabled overnight.
If it was just this alone I would just write it off to grass, but the temperament change and lack of energy combined with footyness are too much to ignore.
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Post by Val (Toons&co) on Dec 14, 2006 12:42:36 GMT 1
I know nothing about TopSpec - wanted Anti-Lam but they don't deliver in Belgium. However, did the pulse start before or after the stables blew off? The running about and stress (altho they really didn't look all that stressed) could have triggered this. Just a thought.
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Post by fin on Dec 14, 2006 12:43:47 GMT 1
I think it is mainly fibre--the Balancer is 10% protein though! I can't feed alfalfa nor anything cereal based, so if I can't feed TopSpec, I'm not quite sure where to go! Edited to add: Val, I think you're partly right about the stables. THey're still waiting to be reroofed, but the weather's still so bad it'll be after Christmas now. JJ's certainly very worked up and worried about the weather--he was panicking last night when H went out of sight for a minute, and came tearing over to see what I was going to do about it. Plus of course he's now living out so he's cold and stiff and worried, so I don't think any of that's helping. He might get pulses because of that, but he isn't usually lame--that's always been the next stage on and has always been food related so far. But I guess it's also a combination of stress, food, and general misery at being perpetually soaked and having to put up with a howling wind all the time. I'm sick to death of it too
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Post by june on Dec 14, 2006 12:50:25 GMT 1
Yes, the Anti-Lam is the vitamins and minerals in the Comprehensive on a fibre base whereas the Balancer is vitamins and minerals on a protein base.
Amanda, our lot are never loose either but several of them are at the moment. They are stabled overnight too. We've got 24 at home at the moment and I'd say at least 50% of them are loose, although it is starting to improve now. One we turned away for winter and had to bring her back as it was simply shooting out of her. Doesn't explain the lack of energy but footyness might make them less forward. If you've had a frost recently then that stresses the grass and increases the sugars so could result in footyness.
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js
Grand Prix Poster
'Tilly' - 1981 - 2010. Always In My Heart
Posts: 1,116
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Post by js on Dec 14, 2006 12:52:41 GMT 1
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Post by mandal on Dec 14, 2006 13:01:09 GMT 1
Just checked the protein and oil content of anti lam and total eclipse............total eclipse is much higher in both!!! Can't find sugar content of either.........but total eclipse gives an energy value of 14.5 Kj/KG One will go onto the total eclipse and the others either none or antilam!!!! Why don't you try not giving any suppliment Finn? Or give it intermittently. Mine didn't get any for years and seemed to be OK.....they don't work really though (the horses that is!)......so might not be an option for you..........I only really started giving some to all since coming on here.............trying to do the best
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