tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post5933252459880930395..comments2024-01-27T06:46:56.744-06:00Comments on Paradigm Farms Horse Retirement: SupplementsMelissa-ParadigmFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14274830693649851658noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-15866837192741808612014-05-16T09:10:03.400-05:002014-05-16T09:10:03.400-05:00As you know, I learned first hand just how complic...As you know, I learned first hand just how complicated this can be when trying to figure out Willie's nutritional needs. Not that the best solutions are complicated, often the opposite, but all the info that goes into a thorough analysis sure can be. It is definitely an area I would seek professional advice for. <br /><br />In talking to the rep for my feed brand, I've found them very knowledgeable and I never felt pushed into buying an additional product from their line. Perhaps it's because I already use their products but my ration balancer pellet isn't the same company and she easily could have suggested an alternative. Instead she took the info from our hay samples and the grains I had been using and sent me a spreadsheet with all the info and a simple synopsis including 3-4 different options. I was quite impressed. <br /><br />When I bought Armani, I opted to do a full blood work-up to establish a baseline and identify if anything was out of whack. He was iron-deficient so I put him on an iron supplement recommended by my vet for it's good absorption. I think it was about 3 weeks of supplementing, during which time I also changed his feed, then I stopped for 2-3 weeks and re-did the bloodwork. Iron was back up so I left it and retested a few months later. <br /><br />I know the bloodwork doesn't cover everything you might want to supplement (joint issues come to mind) but for a young healthy horse with no obvious problems, I think (hope) this is a reasonable approach.<br />(sorry for the novel, I'm home with a headache and bored, plus this is an endlessly interesting topic to me!)RuckusButthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760056031442317243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-92211097069132803362014-05-15T21:30:58.908-05:002014-05-15T21:30:58.908-05:00Amen! I thoroughly believe we over supplement, do...Amen! I thoroughly believe we over supplement, do not understand contraindications, are swayed by slick marketing and do not put enough attention towards forage! Thank you!Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13654844759908380330noreply@blogger.com