Red Cell for Driving Horse

[Taylor Jo]

My horse is struggling to keep up when I drive him at the show. I was going to round pen work him even more (I have been hitting and missing 3 x's a week 20 min) and I "now" can't drive him till Nationals cause I sold my cart, but what about starting him on some Red Cell? I was going him 2 and 1/4 cups a 200 Purina Omelene a day but about 2 weeks ago I cut it back to about 1.5 cups cause I thought he was getting to fat. Should I reup the grain and like I said round pen work him more and use the Red Cell? IF so how much Red Cell for a 200 lb min. 33.25" Or any other advice. Thanks, TJ

 

[kaykay]

You have to be very careful with red cell as it can make them very jumpy if you give too much. I dont give it to show horses but know some that do. I only give it to horses that have been sick etc.

I really think just working him more and building up his endurance is better then supplementing. Driving at nationals is huge as the classes are so big it goes on for a pretty long time with all the splits etc.

 

[Sanny]

I'd talk to your vet about him and then decide what to do. It is hard to say what might be best for him without actually seeing him working and driving and your vet would be helpful. I do have a few minis about that size that I do give red cell to but not every day. I start a day or so before a show and it is approx a tablespoon mixed in their feed. They get it through the show and the day they get home. Other options for more energy supplements depending on the horse and what works best are Vitamin B-12 crumbles that come in a bucket and have a little scoop and B-12 energy and electrolyte supplements that come in a tube as a paste. I also have a flavored electrolyte powder that goes in their water buckets so they don't get dehydrated which will make them wear down too. I have a couple of horses that love gatorade and they usually get a few bottles of gatorade during shows.

Our horses compete in youth, amateur and open classes driving classes and most of them will do hunter and/or jumper classes also so I am always watching to make sure they are feeling good and keeping their energy up and eating right. They get a high protein vitamin and mineral supplement - about half a cup of that mixed in with 2-3 cups of plain oats a day and grass/alfalfa hay three times a day. Overall I do feed more than I know most people feed their horses but our horses work more than most and the ones that are driving and jumping stay at a good weight and have plenty of energy. I have a couple of horses that seem to get stronger and more energetic as the day wears on.

I have a round pen at home but I only really use that for line driving or working in a bitting rig. On the days I am not driving or jumping the horses I will free lunge them in a large area and a whole group of horses at one time and it isn't boring for them because they are changing directions, trotting at different speeds and galloping and they go for about 15-20 minutes. I feel like that does a lot more for them mentally and physically as far as endurance than working in circles in a round pen. If you can't drive him right now maybe consider other alternatives to the round pen...set up jumps and jump him or free lunge in a bigger area or find a cart to borrow and get out of the arena and go trail driving or drive in larger areas where you can really move him out at different gaits.

You are not feeding him that much and you are exercising him a decent amount so maybe he lacks energy and is gaining weight because he has a low thyroid or a metabolic disorder or is borderline IR? Again something to discuss with your vet.

 

[Taylor Jo]

I've got to go too town tomorrow so I'll go by and talk to my vet and see what he say's. I know the arena is HUGE at Nationals and usually you end up driving at 1 or 2 am. I can jump him I think I can come up with some jumps. Thanks for the great ideas. I didn't know the Red Cell was so touchy, I'll be extra careful w/ it if I use it. I'll look into the B 12 and Vit, I'll talk to the vet about that too. Thanks guy's. TJ

 

[MagicTheMini]

Are you not able to drive him until nationals?

 

[ruffian]

Are you driving at nationals? Just curious how if you sold your cart??

My horses won't eat grain with red cell on it. I have to agree with them, it smells awful.

 

[disneyhorse]

I don't give Lixotinic (or Red Cell, the cheaper version) to my horses unless they've had their blood pulled. The vet will be able to tell you if there is some vitamin lack (such as anemia) that is making your horse sluggish. In that case, you can potentially put your anemic horse on Red Cell for it's career.

Andrea

 

[Taylor Jo]

Yes I sold my cart and I can't drive till Nationals and I'm picking my new cart up on there on the 12th. Thanks Andrea, I didn't know he needed his blood pulled. TJ