Kentucky Performance Products: Introducing a New Supplement

Some horses are picky. Here are four easy steps to introduce your horse to a new supplement.

Horses are naturally suspicious of new flavors and odors, some more so than others. The key to introducing a new supplement to a picky horse is to do it slowly. This gives the horse an opportunity to get used to the new flavor without becoming overwhelming by it.

The following strategy works like a charm.

The idea is to mix the new flavor with something your horse already finds irresistible! It can be unsweetened applesauce, grated carrots, or even soaked beet pulp. Let’s call this our secret sauce. (Note for horses on a low-sugar diet: A few ounces of unsweetened applesauce or grated carrots will not add enough sugar into the diet to raise the overall NSC levels or add significant calories to the diet.)

Step 1:

Make sure your horse will readily eat your choice of “secret sauce.” For the purpose of this example, we’ll use unsweetened applesauce.

Just before feed time, mix a couple of tablespoons of applesauce with a small portion of your horse’s regular feed. Once the horse has finished that, feed the rest of their regular meal. Do this for 2 or 3 days.

Step 2:

When introducing the new supplement, start with about 4 oz. of unsweetened applesauce and mix in a small amount (1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon) of the new supplement. Add a handful of their regular feed, mix well and offer this mixture to them. Once they eat it, follow up with the remaining portion of their regular meal. Do this for 2 or 3 days. Very few horses turn this mixture down and it allows them to get a hint of the new flavor without becoming overwhelmed by it.

Step 3:

Over the next 5 to 7 days, add a little more supplement and a little more of the regular feed to the unsweetened applesauce each day until you are able to add the required amount of supplement to the meal.

Step 4:

Slowly reduce the amount of applesauce you are adding to the feed until you don’t need any at all.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Elevate® Maintenance Powder

Exercise-induced muscle damage that results in sore, stiff muscles and poor performance is a common problem in athletic horses. Vitamin E plays an important role in preserving optimal muscle function by interrupting the production of harmful free radicals that can damage critical tissues. When vitamin E levels in muscle tissue are inadequate, the risk of exercise-induced muscle damage is increased. Elevate® Maintenance Powder supplies the natural vitamin E your horse needs to neutralize damaging free radicals and support peak performance. Keep your horse at the top of his game with Elevate natural vitamin E. 

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com.