Gain Weight by Cox Vet Lab

Gain Weight by Cox Vet lab

http://www.bigdweb.com/Gain-Weight-25-Lb/productinfo/13850/

Gain Weight - 25lbs $58, costs $0.15/ oz
2oz of Skin & Coat conditioning; 4oz for Weight Gain

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein...................14%
Crude Fat.........................40%
Crude Fiber........................8%
Calcium(min)..................0.8%
Calcium(max).................1.2%
Phosphorous..................0.5%
Vitamin E...............4,800mg/lb
Zinc................................80ppm
Thiamine................4,000mg/lb
Biotin........................400mg/lb
Gamma Oryzanol...1,600mg/lb

I converted the guaranteed analysis to per oz, versus to lb.
Vitamin E 300mg/ oz
Thiamine 250mg/ oz
Biotin 25mg/ lb
Gamma Oryzanol 100mg/ lb

When I first discovered Gain Weight the first thing I noticed was that biotin level. There have been multiple research studies that produce consistent results in regarding supplementation of 20mg of biotin producing a healthier hoof. SmartHoof, Farrier's Formula, and other popular hoof supplement have a consistent 20mg of biotin in their analysis. The fact that this WEIGHT supplement has 25mg of biotin, impressive. Biotin is good for 'hair' and 'nail', so it's no wonder that it supports skin & coat and hoof.

Second I noticed was the gamma oryzanol content. Gamma oryzanol is the main ingredient in some muscle supplements. In muscle supplements, it usually has 1,000mg-2,000mg depending on the quality of the product. 100mg isn't much, but if you're feeding the full 4oz for 400mg that is still enough that there could be a physical difference. Gain Weight is NOT a muscle supplement, but there is support.

Vitamin E is an immune system boost & also contributes to a healthy skin & coat. Something SIGNIFICANT about this Vitamin E is that it is natural, not synthetic. You can tell by looking at the ingredient list. http://www.bigdweb.com/labelpdfs/13850.pdf On the 2nd line you will see 'D-alpha tocopheryl acetate' that is Vitamin E. Synthetic vitamin E [or any substance for that matter] will have the prefix Dl-. Gain Weight contains the prefix D-, meaning it is a natural form. There have been minor studies that show how natural vitamin E effects the body positively MORE than synthetic does.

While we're in the ingredients, let's take a look at what Gain Weight is composed of. "Heat stabilized flax meal, Distillers, Dried grains with solubles, vegetable fat, -vitamins & minerals-" I will now calculate the ROUGH calorie content of this product.

Flax Meal 2,418 cal/ lb
Distillers 930 cal/ lb
Dried grains with solubles 930 cal/ lb
Vegetable Fat 4,004 cal/ lb

Taking the mean of these fatty ingredients, I come up with 2,070 calories per pound. There are 16oz in a pound, so an estimated 129 calories per oz. This is rough because I'm sure that there's more flax meal than there is vegetable fat. But it's enough for us to work off of. Now any type of 'weight gain' supplement where you give tiny scoops at 1-4oz a day are going to be high-ish in calories & fat, but not SUPER high. It won't be replacing a pound of grain, or even a flake of hay. Though it will aid in the horse's skin & coat. In Gain Weight's case, it will also aid in muscle, hoof, and DIGESTION!

I forgot to mention, Gain Weight contains probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus lactis, lactobacillus plantarum, enterococcus cremoris, enterococcus diacetylactis, bacillus subillis, aspergillus oryzae, and brewers yeast. In the guaranteed analysis there isn't a CFU content, so I assume it does not replace a high potency pre/probiotic. Though it's very nice to see they include that in their supplement considering that biotin has a VERY hard absorption rate.

Overall, Gain Weight is the best supplement of it's kind. I would suggest it to anyone. If your horse needs to gain more than 100lbs then we may need to dissect further into his or her diet. As there may be a root problem that is not addressed. Though if you're just looking for something minor, this is a superior 'weight supplement'.

Purina Strategy Healthy Edge

Purina Strategy Healthy Edge

12.5% Protein - 8.0% Fat - 18% Fiber
19% NSC [7% Sugar, 12% Starch]
1,300 kcal/ lb
Ingredients: Wheat middlings, dehydrated alfalfa meal, ground soybean hulls, cane molasses, dried beet pulp, ground rice hulls, soybean oil, ground corn, stabilized rice bran, vegetable oil, dehulled soybean meal, flaxseed -partial listing-

Non Structural Carbohydrate (NSC); used to describe the sugar and starch content of the feed, the digestible carbohydrates. Horses with lamanitis, founder, metabolic, etc require a low starch low sugar diet. 11% NSC and below is recommended for that population of horses. While full working performance horses should have 22% NSC or below as to not cause any digestive upset or unwanted 'hotness' that is usually associated with some grain. To put this in perspective, corn has a 73% NSC with the glycemic index of 100. Corn is basically straight sugar and starch, very bad on the horse's body.

Ethanol soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is composed of the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Water soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) is glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructans. If you take the WSC minus the ESC then you get the fructan content. Fructan is digested in the hind gut, too releases endotoxins in the bloodstream which is a cause of lamnitis. Simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) are digested in the foregut and raise insulin levels. Too much can be a contributing factor towards laminitis.

Starch is needed to build muscle glycogen stores and provide the explosive energy needed during training and competitions. Though too much starch can be a bad thing, contributing to the pH disturbance in the hindgut that causes released toxins and ulcers. There are different forms of starch, for example there is corn starch and oat starch. Corn is 70% starch and a majority of it passes through the foregut undigested and digests in the hindgut. This is where you run into problems, and can actually GIVE your horse ulcers. Oat is 50% starch and a majority is digested in the foregut, so it is gentler and healthier on the digestive system. Though as a whole, it's important to be conscious of the starch content in a horse's grain, especially if they aren't performance horses.

Ingredient Dissection:

Wheat Middlings || Wheat Middlings offer properties of the wheat grain though with considerably less starch. At a 14% protein, wheat middlings offer more digestible energy than legume hay. Ground Extruded Whole Soybeans || An extremely high quality protein [36%], fat [18%], and decent fiber [6%], soybeans are a superior ingredient. Under high temperatures & pressure, the anti-nutritional factors are destroyed and turned the soy into a high digestible nutrient.

Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal || Approximately 19% protein and 28% fiber, with low sugar [4.5%], starch [3.3%], higher amounts of minerals [mainly calcium, but also magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron, cobalt, manganese, and zinc], and proper amino acids. Though like all legume, protein content varies on the variables of harvest; can vary from 17% to 25%. Alfalfa has a low carbohydrate content though “The energy content of alfalfa…” “…should not be underestimated (Bruce et al., 2008).”

Soybean Hulls || Approximately 13% protein and 38% fiber, with low sugar [1.6%] and starch [5.5%]5 with an amino acid profile. A premium grain will always choose soybean products over cottonseed products, which has considerably less amino acids [building blocks of protein] and a toxin gossypol. Higher in digestible energy compared to other hull products, is similar to alfalfa in energy content.6 Is also on equal grounds with beet pulp; considered a ‘super fiber’.

Molasses || Molasses is a type of sugar that is used as a binding ingredient and to increase the feed’s palatability. Most pelleted feeds do not contain enough molasses to make a significant difference in the NSC. Molasses actually contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.
Beet Pulp || Beet pulp is a ‘super fiber’ and has nearly as much digestible energy and calories as oats, with considerably lower NSC [Non-Structural Carbohydrates; sugar + starch content] at 12% [versus oats 54%]. Due to lack of lignin in the fiber, it is very easy for the horse to digest. 7 Contains approximately 900 to 1,200 calories per pound.

Ground Rice Hulls || contains mostly insoluble dietary fiber, this is a low calories, low protein, high carb, low sugar, low fat, horse feed ingredient. Though containing about 10,000 CFU of microorganisms may effect the yeast in the grain.

Soybean Oil || Contains 248 calories and 28g of fat per ounce with 51.5mcg of Vitamin K and 2.3mg of Vitamin E. Has about a 1:7 Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio14; additional effects for skin and coat in addition to blood pressure regulation. The 2nd best oil, beat only by Flaxseed Oil. Pellets are known for using oil to aid in binding the pellets together.

Ground Corn || Approximately 8% protein, 4% fat, 3% fiber, and 72% starch. “Most of the starch (72%) from whole or cracked corn is not digested in the foregut and proceeds to the hindgut where it is rapidly fermented. That process results in the production of lactic acid, which messes with the hindgut pH and kills many beneficial fiber-digesting bacteria. Dying bacteria release toxins, and the result can be a horse with colic and/or laminitis resulting in founder. For these reasons, corn should be processed for all horses.” Corn and sugar both have has a glycemic index of 100. This is the reason behind ‘hot’ or hyper horses that are fed corn.

Rice Bran || 20% Fat & 1,200 calories per pound [.45kg]; “Raw rice bran has a very short shelf life due to its high fat content and a potent lipase enzyme, which immediately begins to break down the fat once the bran is separated from the rice kernel. To prevent rice bran from becoming rancid, it must undergo a stabilization process. Stabilization subjects the rice bran to heat and pressure which inactivate the lipase enzyme without destroying the nutritional value of the rice bran.” “In addition, fat in rice bran contains gamma oryzanol which has been suggested to have muscle building properties in horses.” “A potential problem with many rice brans is that they contain more phosphorus than calcium. This may create an imbalance in rations that use grass hay as their primary forage source.” Rice bran is not fortified with vitamins and minerals, though adds additional fat and calories.

Vegetable Oil || Added as a binder to the grain and also to influence the omega content. This is considered a 'low quality' ingredient since ANY vegetable oil can be used under this category. Vague ingredients are poor ingredients. Oils are high in fat, high in calories, and produce a cool energy.
Dehulled Soybean Meal || Soybean meal is the most important protein source available for use in farm animal feed. “Representing two-thirds of the total world output of protein feedstuffs.” Protein content ranging from 43% to 53%, contains high amounts of lysine, tryptophane, threonine and isoleucine.

Flaxseed || High in Omega-3 [anti-inflammatory that increases skin and coat condition] and low in Omega-6 [essential in the diet; in large quantities causes inflammation]. Contains vitamins [Vitamin K, Folate, Choline] and minerals [Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium], but no starch or sugar

Tribute Kalm Ultra

Tribute Kalm Ultra

12% Protein - 12% Fat - 12% Fiber
25% NSC; 1520 kcal/lb
454 Million Microorganisms/ lb
Ingredients: Ground Beet Pulp, Wheat Middlings, Ground Extruded Whole Soybeans, Soybean Oil, Cane Molasses, Oat Meal, Flaxseed Meal, Rice Bran, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soybean Hulls

Non Structural Carbohydrate (NSC); used to describe the sugar and starch content of the feed, the digestible carbohydrates. Horses with lamanitis, founder, metabolic, etc require a low starch low sugar diet. 11% NSC and below is recommended for that population of horses. While full working performance horses should have 22% NSC or below as to not cause any digestive upset or unwanted 'hotness' that is usually associated with some grain. To put this in perspective, corn has a 73% NSC with the glycemic index of 100. Corn is basically straight sugar and starch, very bad on the horse's body.

Ethanol soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is composed of the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Water soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) is glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructans. If you take the WSC minus the ESC then you get the fructan content. Fructan is digested in the hind gut, too releases endotoxins in the bloodstream which is a cause of lamnitis. Simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) are digested in the foregut and raise insulin levels. Too much can be a contributing factor towards laminitis.

Starch is needed to build muscle glycogen stores and provide the explosive energy needed during training and competitions. Though too much starch can be a bad thing, contributing to the pH disturbance in the hindgut that causes released toxins and ulcers. There are different forms of starch, for example there is corn starch and oat starch. Corn is 70% starch and a majority of it passes through the foregut undigested and digests in the hindgut. This is where you run into problems, and can actually GIVE your horse ulcers. Oat is 50% starch and a majority is digested in the foregut, so it is gentler and healthier on the digestive system. Though as a whole, it's important to be conscious of the starch content in a horse's grain, especially if they aren't performance horses.

Ingredient Dissection ||

Beet Pulp || Beet pulp is a ‘super fiber’ and has nearly as much digestible energy and calories as oats, with considerably lower NSC [Non-Structural Carbohydrates; sugar + starch content] at 12% [versus oats 54%]. Due to lack of lignin in the fiber, it is very easy for the horse to digest. 7 Contains approximately 900 to 1,200 calories per pound.

Wheat Middlings || Wheat Middlings offer properties of the wheat grain though with considerably less starch. At a 14% protein, wheat middlings offer more digestible energy than legume hay.
Ground Extruded Whole Soybeans || An extremely high quality protein [36%], fat [18%], and decent fiber [6%], soybeans are a superior ingredient. Under high temperatures & pressure, the anti-nutritional factors are destroyed and turned the soy into a high digestible nutrient.

Soybean Oil || Contains 248 calories and 28g of fat per ounce with 51.5mcg of Vitamin K and 2.3mg of Vitamin E. Has about a 1:7 Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio14; additional effects for skin and coat in addition to blood pressure regulation. The 2nd best oil, beat only by Flaxseed Oil. Pellets are known for using oil to aid in binding the pellets together.


Cane Molasses || Molasses is a type of sugar that is used as a binding ingredient and to increase the feed’s palatability. Most pelleted feeds do not contain enough molasses to make a significant difference in the NSC. Molasses actually contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.

Oat Meal || Oats are about 50% starch though this isn't of too much concern since a majority of it is digested in the foregut as to not raise the pH in the hindgut and induce ulcers. Oat starch is healthy starch, though still use in moderation. Oats are high in protein, fiber, and mediocre in fat. They are a fantastic energy source. Just be AWARE of the starch.

Flaxseed || High in Omega-3 [anti-inflammatory that increases skin and coat condition] and low in Omega-6 [essential in the diet; in large quantities causes inflammation]. Contains vitamins [Vitamin K, Folate, Choline] and minerals [Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium], but no starch or sugar.

Rice Bran || 20% Fat & 1,200 calories per pound [.45kg]; “Raw rice bran has a very short shelf life due to its high fat content and a potent lipase enzyme, which immediately begins to break down the fat once the bran is separated from the rice kernel. To prevent rice bran from becoming rancid, it must undergo a stabilization process. Stabilization subjects the rice bran to heat and pressure which inactivate the lipase enzyme without destroying the nutritional value of the rice bran.” “In addition, fat in rice bran contains gamma oryzanol which has been suggested to have muscle building properties in horses.” “A potential problem with many rice brans is that they contain more phosphorus than calcium. This may create an imbalance in rations that use grass hay as their primary forage source.” Rice bran is not fortified with vitamins and minerals, though adds additional fat and calories.

Dehulled Soybean Meal || Soybean meal is the most important protein source available for use in farm animal feed. “Representing two-thirds of the total world output of protein feedstuffs.” Protein content ranging from 43% to 53%, contains high amounts of lysine, tryptophane, threonine and isoleucine.

Soybean Hulls || Approximately 13% protein and 38% fiber, with low sugar [1.6%] and starch [5.5%]5 with an amino acid profile. A premium grain will always choose soybean products over cottonseed products, which has considerably less amino acids [building blocks of protein] and a toxin gossypol. Higher in digestible energy compared to other hull products, is similar to alfalfa in energy content. Is also on equal grounds with beet pulp; considered a ‘super fiber’.

Nutrena SafeChoice Original

Safe Choice Original

14% Protein - 7% Fat - 15% Fiber
???1,300 kcal/ lb???
23% NSC [5.0% Sugar, 17.0% Starch]
Ingredients: Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Corn, Cane Molasses

Non Structural Carbohydrate (NSC); used to describe the sugar and starch content of the feed, the digestible carbohydrates. Horses with lamanitis, founder, metabolic, etc require a low starch low sugar diet. 11% NSC and below is recommended for that population of horses. While full working performance horses should have 22% NSC or below as to not cause any digestive upset or unwanted 'hotness' that is usually associated with some grain. To put this in perspective, corn has a 73% NSC with the glycemic index of 100. Corn is basically straight sugar and starch, very bad on the horse's body.

Ethanol soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is composed of the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Water soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) is glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructans. If you take the WSC minus the ESC then you get the fructan content. Fructan is digested in the hind gut, too releases endotoxins in the bloodstream which is a cause of lamnitis. Simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) are digested in the foregut and raise insulin levels. Too much can be a contributing factor towards laminitis.

Starch is needed to build muscle glycogen stores and provide the explosive energy needed during training and competitions. Though too much starch can be a bad thing, contributing to the pH disturbance in the hindgut that causes released toxins and ulcers. There are different forms of starch, for example there is corn starch and oat starch. Corn is 70% starch and a majority of it passes through the foregut undigested and digests in the hindgut. This is where you run into problems, and can actually GIVE your horse ulcers. Oat is 50% starch and a majority is digested in the foregut, so it is gentler and healthier on the digestive system. Though as a whole, it's important to be conscious of the starch content in a horse's grain, especially if they aren't performance horses.

Ingredient Dissection:

Wheat Middlings || Wheat Middlings offer properties of the wheat grain though with considerably less starch. At a 14% protein, wheat middlings offer more digestible energy than legume hay.
Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal || An extremely high quality source of nutrients; approximately 19% protein and 28% fiber, with low sugar [4.5%], starch [3.3%], higher amounts of minerals [mainly calcium, but also magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron, cobalt, manganese, and zinc], and proper amino acids.3 Though like all legume, protein content varies on the variables of harvest; can vary from 17% to 25%.4 Alfalfa has a low carbohydrate content though “The energy content of alfalfa…” “…should not be underestimated (Bruce et al., 2008).”

Soybean Hulls || Approximately 13% protein and 38% fiber, with low sugar [1.6%] and starch [5.5%]5 with an amino acid profile. A premium grain will always choose soybean products over cottonseed products, which has considerably less amino acids [building blocks of protein] and a toxin gossypol. Higher in digestible energy compared to other hull products, is similar to alfalfa in energy content. Is also on equal grounds with beet pulp; considered a ‘super fiber’.

Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles || During the distillation process of corn, starch is converted to ethanol. The leftover solubles [liquid] and distiller grains [semi-dry] are combined to produce DDGS which is commonly used in livestock feed. High protein [25%], decent fat [8%], low fiber [7%], and decent calories [1,400kcal/ lb]. Containing decent levels of lysine, an amino acid, isn't the best ingredient and should not be used as a filler or to replace other nutrition.

Ground Corn || Approximately 8% protein, 4% fat, 3% fiber, and 72% starch. “Most of the starch (72%) from whole or cracked corn is not digested in the foregut and proceeds to the hindgut where it is rapidly fermented. That process results in the production of lactic acid, which messes with the hindgut pH and kills many beneficial fiber-digesting bacteria. Dying bacteria release toxins, and the result can be a horse with colic and/or laminitis resulting in founder. For these reasons, corn should be processed for all horses.” Corn and sugar both have has a glycemic index of 100. This is the reason behind ‘hot’ or hyper horses that are fed corn.

Molasses || Molasses is a type of sugar that is used as a binding ingredient and to increase the feed’s palatability. Most pelleted feeds do not contain enough molasses to make a significant difference in the NSC. Molasses actually contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.



SafeChoice could certainly be worse, but it isn't great either. Wheat middling base is a less-than-idea way to start it off. Alfalfa is absolutely fantastic, very high quality. Soybean anything is very high quality, a super fiber. DDGS are mediocre and they don't concern me, though it's important that they are lower on the ingredient list and don't support a bulk of the feed. Ground corn is high in starch that is digested in the hindgut, a horrid ingredient contributing to the high 17% starch content. Molasses is absolutely within normal limits, especially since the sugar of this grain is 5.0%

Purina Equilibrium Equilizer Break Down

Purina Equilizer
12% Protein - 6% Fat - 15% Fiber - 10% NSC

Recommended Feeding for Intense Working Mature Horse: 1kg [2.2lbs]

Ingredients: Soybean Hulls, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Soybean Oil, Wheat Shorts, -vitamins & minerals- [Ingredients not in order of their inclusion rate]

Soybean Hulls || Approximately 13% protein and 38% fiber, with low sugar [1.6%] and starch [5.5%]5 with an amino acid profile. A premium grain will always choose soybean products over cottonseed products, which has considerably less amino acids [building blocks of protein] and a toxin gossypol. Higher in digestible energy compared to other hull products, is similar to alfalfa in energy content.6 Is also on equal grounds with beet pulp; considered a ‘super fiber’.

Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal || Approximately 19% protein and 28% fiber, with low sugar [4.5%], starch [3.3%]2,  higher amounts of minerals [mainly calcium, but also magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron, cobalt, manganese, and zinc], and proper amino acids.3 Though like all legume, protein content varies on the variables of harvest; can vary from 17% to 25%.4 Alfalfa has a low carbohydrate content  though “The energy content of alfalfa…” “…should not be underestimated (Bruce et al., 2008).”3

Soybean Oil || Contains 248 calories and 28g of fat per ounce with 51.5mcg of Vitamin K and 2.3mg of Vitamin E. Has about a 1:7 Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio14; additional effects for skin and coat in addition to blood pressure regulation. The 2nd best oil, beat only by Flaxseed Oil. Purina is known for mixing soybean oil with molasses to bind the pellets together.

Flaxseed || High in Omega-3 [anti-inflammatory that increases skin and coat condition] and low in Omega-6 [essential in the diet; in large quantities causes inflammation]. Contains vitamins [Vitamin K, Folate, Choline] and minerals [Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium], but no starch or sugar.13

Wheat Shorts || High in protein [14%], low in fat [3.5%], and decent in fiber [8%] wheat shorts are the "fine bran particles, germ and a small portion of floury endosperm particles" that are separated through flour milling. High in energy, 3.01 Mcal/ kg makes this an excellent protein and energy source.7

2 http://www.feedipedia.org/node/11744
3 http://www.feedipedia.org/node/275
4 http://www.desialis.com/fr/r-d-qualite/processus-de-fabrication/luzerne-deshydratee
5 http://www.feedipedia.org/node/12623
6 http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2079/F-3923web.pdf
7 http://www.mcness.com/sites/default/files/file_attach/WheatshortsCdnF03.pdf
13 http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3163/2
14 http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/507/2

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Equilizer is what we call a ration balancer. It is a lot of vitamins & minerals very condensed into a small amount of grain. Mainly meant for easy keepers who don't require a lot of grain but still need their recommended daily vitamin & mineral values. It could also be used as a top dressing over another feed though I think that's impractical. If you're feeding another grain, then you might as well make sure that said grain is a 'complete feed' and meets all of their nutrient requirements versus adding more products and more volume.

I added Equalizer to my Ration Balancer comparison chart, though I'm pretty confident none of the products listed are available in Canada.

Looking at the chart we noticed that it is one of the best with NSC. "Non Structural Carbohydrate (NSC); are used to describe the sugar and starch content of the feed, the digestible carbohydrates. Horses with lamanitis, founder, metabolic, etc require a low starch low sugar diet. 11% NSC and below is recommended for that population of horses. While full working performance horses should have 22% NSC or below as to not cause any digestive upset or unwanted 'hotness' that is usually associated with some grain. To put this in perspective, corn has a 73% NSC with the glycemic index of 100. Corn is basically straight sugar and starch, very bad on the horse's body.

Ethanol soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is composed of the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Water soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) is glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructans. If you take the WSC minus the ESC then you get the fructan content. Fructan is digested in the hind gut, too releases endotoxins in the bloodstream which is a cause of lamnitis. Simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) are digested in the foregut and raise insulin levels. Too much can be a contributing factor towards laminitis." Purina does not provide us with any details regarding the NSC, only that the overall NSC is 10%, which is still good no matter how you splice and dice it.

Next is the protein which is heavily lacking, a big problem. Most ration balancers you are only feeding 1kg a day, so they are a lot more condensed to make up for the small volume. 12% is very very low, and it does not guarantee the levels of the amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks of protein; Lysine, Methionine, and Threonine are listed on the chart. 6.00% is generous considering that this type of feed is designed for easy keepers whom probably don't need any extra fat in their life. Fibre, on the other hand, exceeds expectations with a 15%. Fiber is the best for a horse's digestive track and helps maintain stasis within' the gut. Most of the time a ration balancer has a low fiber because the company assumes that the horse is already on an all-forage diet, they just need vitamins & minerals.

Onto the vitamins & minerals; the calcium: phosphorus ratio is off. There should always be about twice as much calcium than phosphorus, a 2:1 ratio. Here it is 3.00% Calcium and 2.5% phosphorus, that ratio is not correct. They guarantee a sodium content which is not as common as you may think it is. A sub-par Magnesium content. Guarantees sulfur, crucial for all connective tissues in the body. Guarantees Iodine, a common deficiency amongst horses so big plus there. While Iron is not proven to increase red blood cells in horses like it does in humans, it is a nutrient all the same.

Low in Selenium, which is concerning because Selenium deficiencies are very real. I would like to see this 3-4 times higher than what it is since it's a ration balancer. Low copper & zinc amounts which will be directly related to hoof health. Then it doesn't contain ANY biotin which is directly related to hoof & coat health. In addition to no microorganisms to aid in digestion.

The further we delved into this grain the more I'm convinced it is a flawed product. No way could it support an adult maintenance horse, let alone a performance horse. I would not recommend this product. It is a poor multi-vitamin, a poor ration balancer, and there are better alternatives.

Corta-Flx [Work In Progress]

Corta-Flx is very a very unique equine joint supplement. When you glance at most joint ingredients you more often than not see glucosamine, chondroitin, and maybe hyluronic acid. Corta-Flx is a great example when you DON'T see that. Here is a breakdown of Corta-Flx, made by Corta-Flx Inc.

Pellet Label: http://www.bigdweb.com/labelpdfs/02892.pdf

285mg [1.0%] Glycine
142.5mg [0.5%] Aspartic Acid
142.5mg [0.5%] Lysine
88.35mg [0.31%] Proline
85.5mg [0.30%] Glutamic Acid
59.85mg [0.21%] Arginine
22.8% [0.08%] Threonine
285mg [1.0%] Gelatin
50mg Hyluronic Acid

Glycine || is a non-essential amino acid means that tissues of the tissues can produce this. Glycine "makes up 35% of the protein collagen, is a key component in many metabolic reactions, and has anti-inflammatory as well as immune-modulating properties." 1

Arginine || Stimulates insulin, growth hormone release, and immune system by boosting T-cell production. 2


1 https://www.smartpakequine.com/content/horse-supplement-ingredients#glycine
2 http://equinenutritionhealth.com/our-blog/protein-amino-acids-in-the-equine-diet