Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I agree with the points Lori makes, and I like Empower---among other things, the minerals are balanced so that you can add it as is to an existing ration and not mess up the various mineral ratios, which is otherwise very easy to do.  Adding straight rice bran is a lot more likely to wreak havoc, in my opinion, especially since there are brands on the market that are both calcium-balanced, or not, shelf-stabilized, or not, etc., etc.  I don’t have an objection to rice bran in general, but think it has more value when used as a balanced component in with other ingredients, rather than fed as a commodity.

 

I also like Purina’s Ultium a lot---acceptability seems to be very good, nice nutrient balance, adds some beet pulp which of course gets brownie points in my book <g> and does a nice job of adding extra calories without turning most of them into orangutangs.

 

JMO.

Susan Garlinghouse, DVM

 

 

 

From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lori Bertolucci
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:15 AM
To: Karen Sullivan; ridecamp
Subject: Re: [RC] Fwd: [RC] Empower and XTN

 

Karen,

I agree with you that there are cheaper ways to put on weight, but I found that the Empower was great if you also want to add suppliments along with your feed. I had tried ricebran in the past, but found that the bugs liked it as much as the horses did.

And if you live in hot climes, the corn oil can go rancid very quickly, unless you keep it indoors. For me, convenience is key to feeding suppliments on a regular schedule. If I have to go to the house to fetch the corn oil everytime I think to feed, then it won't always get used.

I am not certain the cost of Empower right now, but it was about $28.00 for 25 pounds. The thing is, you don't feed that much of it to get good results.

I did try the XNT once, but if I remember correctly, it had a molassas mix, that again, turns sour in the heat...and I think it may be redundunt, as it comtains some of the same ingredients as Empower...if I remember correctly...

 

Lori

Karen Sullivan <greymare56@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Karen Sullivan <greymare56@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Feb 7, 2008 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Empower and XTN
To: Mike Lewis <mikelewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Well, one thought....if you have to feed Empower to keep weight on this horse, it would probably

be cheaper in the long run to buy another horse <g> Isn't Empower about $40 a 50 lb bag?  It has high fat content, seems you could buy another source of fat cheaper....I can buy a 50 lb bag of rice bran pellets for $9, and get jugs of corn oil at the cheap outlet store....

 

I am working on getting weight on a young Foxtrotter who needs muscle and fat; he is also getting regular exercise to build muscle...which also burns calories...he gets, of course, free choice hay, and two pretty big mashes morning and night with soaked beet pulp pellets, and a variety of what ever bagged feed I get a good deal on, plus rice bran pellets and corn oil.....he is looking a lot better and gaining weight, muscling up nicely and energy out the door!  What will really help in the next month or so is some nice green pasture.....

Karen

 

On 2/7/08, Mike Lewis <mikelewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have a moderately hard keeper who needs extra nutrition for getting back into 50s.  It has been recommended that I put her on XTN and beet pulp, as well as some rice bran supplementation, to get about 150 pounds added to her weight.

 

I have learned that sunflower seeds and oats alone just don't cut it...

 

A friend recommended I add Empower to the XTN to help achieve the 150-pound weight gain she needs and provide her the energy she needs so as to be happier during and after 50s.  Fringe benefit: coat will be healthier.

 

Does anyone here use these two products?  I like that the Empower has Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which may help her remain comfortable (they are anti-inflammatories which I've used successfully on me.)  How long should it take to start seeing results?

 

Thanks for any thoughts,

Mike