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Emura
Lv 6
Emura asked in PetsHorses · 8 years ago

Anyone use this supplement?

Does anyone use SmartFlex Maintenance?

http://www.smartpakequine.com/smartflex-i-maintena...

My mare is currently on Aniflex GL but no where around here sells it and I'd rather not order more buckets than needed so I want to go with SmartPak, but they don't carry Aniflex GL.

If you use it how do you like it? I can't afford to spend a ton on something like cosequine but I still want her on a joint supplement.

2 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I don't use it personally but I have heard good things about it. It isn't really for any type of intense healing or corrective measures. It is more for keeping the horse joints in order if your vet says there might be a chance of arthritis or something or if your horse might have a really light touch of joint issues. The good idea would be to ask your vet if she even needs one. If the vet hasn't told you to give her a joint supplement I wouldn't start/ continue giving her one if she doesn't need it. Now, if she has been knows by the vet to have joint problems, okay, but make sure to ask before switching to make sure it will help her in the right ways.

  • 8 years ago

    Why? What is wrong with her? What do you use her for? Does she have an injury, or previous injury? In 40+ years, I have never had to really feed a supplement. I had competition horses. However, if she is a little stiff, or you are trying to prevent inflammation because you are training hard over fences, or cutting everyday, then I would recommend some MSM in her feed at night, which is relatively inexpensive and does a good job with joint and muscle stiffness. If it is very hot (I live in the second hottest city in the U.S.), may need some electrolytes when working in addition to their free access to salt and fresh water.

    If your horse get plenty of fresh, good quality hay, and access to clean fresh water at all times, along with some salt, that is all most horses need. If your horse is in heavy training, such as racing, three-day eventing, heavy dressage training, show jumping, reining, polo or cutting, these horses can sometimes use some supplementation.

    If this is the case, then http://www.auburnlabs.com/ (made by a equine veterinarian) makes a great supplement (APF Pro) that is also cost effective and horses in heavy training appreciate it (at least their bodies appreciate it). But again, this is for horses in heavy training, horses recovering from injuries, horses that have been sick, horses that have been shipped every weekend to shows, etc.

    Regular horses that ride at home in the evening and maybe on the weekend that are receiving good quality, adequate hay feed, simply don't need extra supplementation. This is a myth that has been created by the companies that sell you all this stuff.

    Best of luck

    Source(s): vet tech and ride: dressage, three-day western and worked at the track
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