Ration Plus?? Anyone tried?

Cntrysass20 · 09-13-2005, 10:09 AM

Has anyone tried this? What were your experiences? Good? Bad? Ugly? Found a similiar product that worked better for you?

Thanks in advance, Jessie

Sue B · 09-13-2005, 10:58 AM

I haven't personally used it, but I know several people that have. In general, their experiences have been excellent. Generally, I have seen it used on horses that had chronci diahrrea or that needed weight gain and even with plenty of calories were not getting it.

From my experience with probiotics (this is probably about the only one I haven't used)...they are beneficial....especially for horses that get limited to no pasture. Grass is the primary source of probiotics in the horse's diet. However, many things can contribute to imbalances and lack of bacteria in the gut. This bacteria is used to help with digestion....some form B vitamins and other nutrients.

When grazing is limited, there is illness, stress or other factors that might upset the system, too much grain is being fed and/or meds/wormer have been administered....the colonies of gut bacteria can become imbalanced or even killed off. When they become unbalanced, then generally colic, other digestive upsets or laminitis can occur.

There are mahy different types of probiotics/prebiotics. Probiotics help to prelensih the actual bacteria and often provide lacto bacillius as the primary bacteria. "Prebiotics" include many things from feedstuff to things like Ration Plus. Which you select depends on the problem/reason you need to replish/support the gut bacteria. Yea Sacc (yeast culture) is also an excellent product for weight gain, digestive help and keeping the gut pH stable to support the bacteria that is already there. Beet pulp and flax seeds are also good prebiotics....but not generally as effective as yeast or specific products like Ration Plus.

Pony Pals · 09-13-2005, 11:02 AM

never heard of it

Cntrysass20 · 09-13-2005, 11:15 AM

SueB, You nailed it without even knowing the details of the situation. My 30 yr old gelding has now reached the point of chonic diahrrea(sp?). He is an appendic (mostly TB) and has always been a hard keeper. Now add the diahrrea to the list and I am running into problems. I have limited grass. I have rolls of hay, but that doesnt replace the goods in fresh grass. I know that Probios is a great product, but I keep hearing how great Ration plus is for just the problem that I am having. This is old boy is the pickiest horse I have ever met (wont even eat apples) and I need a product that he cannot avoid in his feed and Ration Plus comes with a dropper that I can just squirt in his mouth, which will help me alot. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Jessie

Sue B · 09-13-2005, 11:30 AM

No problem....
It definately sounds like the product for your guy. You might also try Yea Sacc...generally they eat it as it smells yummy. That might help him with weight gain. But, do the Ration Plus first and see if that helps him gain....if not, then go maybe try adding the Yea Sacc.

caballus · 09-13-2005, 07:05 PM

I've used Ration Plus on a number of the horses here with outstanding results. It is a PREbiotic ... not a pro biotic. This means that instead of dumping a load of live bacteria into the horse's gut (probiotic) the PREbiotic (Ration Plus) contains lyced cells that will cause your horse's gut to grow its own bacteria as needed. The probiotics are washed out of horse's system - the ones that are not needed. With Ration Plus, again, the gut is spurred into manufacturing just the right amount for the individual horse. Great stuff!

--caballus

Dawn · 09-13-2005, 08:02 PM

I've heard of the most success in that type of situation with a product that contains both pre and pro biotics. Or one of both. At least until the situation is brought under control.

Cntrysass20 · 09-14-2005, 03:43 AM

I was just coming back to ask about that. Wow, either you guys are on the ball or I was slipping yesterday.

I was going to ask if I should give him Probios too. That answered the question before I could even ask it. You long distance mind readers?

Next question........electrolytes?? I was thinking that those couldnt hurt either til this straightens out.

Good Grief, this horses food is turning more into supplements then feed. lol. But as long as I can keep him from suffering and has "spark" I just cannot make the choice to put him down. He is my first horse. A pain in the butt, but the best horse ever. I will never have another like him. He is truley one of a kind.

Jessie

Sue B · 09-14-2005, 04:16 AM

Yes, electolyes can't hurt since they are generally depleted with the loose stools. I would recommend some of the newer products that are out there as most of the common stuff is often primarily salt. Platform and Ascend products from Farnam are excellent and offer about the best nutritional value that I have seen in an electolyte. They are more expensive, but will actually provide what your horse needs.

I also agree with using both pre and pro biotics. When selecting a probiotic, the most beneficial will contain several different types of bacteria...and possibly other things like yeast or enzymes. Those containing just lactobacillus/LAB will generally be adding fuel to the fire because often it is the heavy coloization of lactobacillus that is the cause of the digestive disorder to begin with.

Dawn · 09-14-2005, 08:18 AM

I saw a probiotic (or actually might have been both) that I really liked the looks of the other day. I'll look it back up and let you know what it was.

As far as electrolytes, definatly. But as Sue said, make sure it contains all electrolytes. I've actually had such a problem finding a good electrolyte that contains everything at a price I can afford, I just make my own now. That way I can make it whatever flavour I want as well. If you want my recipe, I'll post it for you.

09-13-2005, 10:09 AM	#1
Cntrysass20 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,135 Images: 20	Ration Plus?? Anyone tried? Has anyone tried this? What were your experiences? Good? Bad? Ugly? Found a similiar product that worked better for you? Thanks in advance, Jessie

09-13-2005, 11:02 AM	#3
Pony Pals Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: upstate new york hicktown USA Posts: 1,410 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 4	never heard of it __________________ *A TRUE LOVER* OF *HORSE FLESH* IS *A 15 YEAR OLD FEMALE*

09-13-2005, 07:05 PM	#6
caballus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 270 Images: 2	I've used Ration Plus on a number of the horses here with outstanding results. It is a PREbiotic ... not a pro biotic. This means that instead of dumping a load of live bacteria into the horse's gut (probiotic) the PREbiotic (Ration Plus) contains lyced cells that will cause your horse's gut to grow its own bacteria as needed. The probiotics are washed out of horse's system - the ones that are not needed. With Ration Plus, again, the gut is spurred into manufacturing just the right amount for the individual horse. Great stuff! --caballus __________________ --caballus PENZANCE www.thepenzancehorse.com www.barefoottrim.com www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/natural_horsemanship

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
RBA??? (Ration Balancer Alf-Alfa)	PaintedPNH	Horse Chat	1	03-11-2005 07:21 PM
Did someone say BEET PULP??	SirCharles	Horse Health	10	11-24-2004 04:08 AM
Beet Pulp "horror" stories??	MiniHorseGrl	Horse Health	37	07-13-2004 01:48 PM
grain intake in relation to energy level........	Tess	Horse Training	47	02-24-2004 06:40 PM

09-13-2005, 10:58 AM	#2
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	I haven't personally used it, but I know several people that have. In general, their experiences have been excellent. Generally, I have seen it used on horses that had chronci diahrrea or that needed weight gain and even with plenty of calories were not getting it. From my experience with probiotics (this is probably about the only one I haven't used)...they are beneficial....especially for horses that get limited to no pasture. Grass is the primary source of probiotics in the horse's diet. However, many things can contribute to imbalances and lack of bacteria in the gut. This bacteria is used to help with digestion....some form B vitamins and other nutrients. When grazing is limited, there is illness, stress or other factors that might upset the system, too much grain is being fed and/or meds/wormer have been administered....the colonies of gut bacteria can become imbalanced or even killed off. When they become unbalanced, then generally colic, other digestive upsets or laminitis can occur. There are mahy different types of probiotics/prebiotics. Probiotics help to prelensih the actual bacteria and often provide lacto bacillius as the primary bacteria. "Prebiotics" include many things from feedstuff to things like Ration Plus. Which you select depends on the problem/reason you need to replish/support the gut bacteria. Yea Sacc (yeast culture) is also an excellent product for weight gain, digestive help and keeping the gut pH stable to support the bacteria that is already there. Beet pulp and flax seeds are also good prebiotics....but not generally as effective as yeast or specific products like Ration Plus.

09-13-2005, 11:15 AM	#4
Cntrysass20 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,135 Images: 20	SueB, You nailed it without even knowing the details of the situation. My 30 yr old gelding has now reached the point of chonic diahrrea(sp?). He is an appendic (mostly TB) and has always been a hard keeper. Now add the diahrrea to the list and I am running into problems. I have limited grass. I have rolls of hay, but that doesnt replace the goods in fresh grass. I know that Probios is a great product, but I keep hearing how great Ration plus is for just the problem that I am having. This is old boy is the pickiest horse I have ever met (wont even eat apples) and I need a product that he cannot avoid in his feed and Ration Plus comes with a dropper that I can just squirt in his mouth, which will help me alot. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Jessie

09-13-2005, 11:30 AM	#5
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	No problem.... It definately sounds like the product for your guy. You might also try Yea Sacc...generally they eat it as it smells yummy. That might help him with weight gain. But, do the Ration Plus first and see if that helps him gain....if not, then go maybe try adding the Yea Sacc.

09-13-2005, 08:02 PM	#7
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,651 Images: 1283	I've heard of the most success in that type of situation with a product that contains both pre and pro biotics. Or one of both. At least until the situation is brought under control.

09-14-2005, 03:43 AM	#8
Cntrysass20 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,135 Images: 20	I was just coming back to ask about that. Wow, either you guys are on the ball or I was slipping yesterday. I was going to ask if I should give him Probios too. That answered the question before I could even ask it. You long distance mind readers? Next question........electrolytes?? I was thinking that those couldnt hurt either til this straightens out. Good Grief, this horses food is turning more into supplements then feed. lol. But as long as I can keep him from suffering and has "spark" I just cannot make the choice to put him down. He is my first horse. A pain in the butt, but the best horse ever. I will never have another like him. He is truley one of a kind. Jessie

09-14-2005, 04:16 AM	#9
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	Yes, electolyes can't hurt since they are generally depleted with the loose stools. I would recommend some of the newer products that are out there as most of the common stuff is often primarily salt. Platform and Ascend products from Farnam are excellent and offer about the best nutritional value that I have seen in an electolyte. They are more expensive, but will actually provide what your horse needs. I also agree with using both pre and pro biotics. When selecting a probiotic, the most beneficial will contain several different types of bacteria...and possibly other things like yeast or enzymes. Those containing just lactobacillus/LAB will generally be adding fuel to the fire because often it is the heavy coloization of lactobacillus that is the cause of the digestive disorder to begin with.

09-14-2005, 08:18 AM	#10
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,651 Images: 1283	I saw a probiotic (or actually might have been both) that I really liked the looks of the other day. I'll look it back up and let you know what it was. As far as electrolytes, definatly. But as Sue said, make sure it contains all electrolytes. I've actually had such a problem finding a good electrolyte that contains everything at a price I can afford, I just make my own now. That way I can make it whatever flavour I want as well. If you want my recipe, I'll post it for you.