Question

I have two young horses, a three-year-old Warmblood that will be started soon under saddle and a six-month-old filly with an estimated mature height of 17 hands. Is Triacton an appropriate product for them? Both horses are turned out 24/7 on good-quality forage, supplemented with baleage, dry hay, or short pasture in the winter.

Answer

Triacton is a research-proven supplement designed to support bone health. Through its combination of bone-building ingredients, including a novel source of calcium, Triacton improves bone density. Studies have shown a threefold increase in bone density. Aside from its benefits to the skeleton, Triacton buffers acid in the stomach and hindgut. For the young horses you describe in your query, Triacton is therefore an appropriate supplement.

Triacton and other supplements work best when they are fed to horses receiving balanced diets. Managing horses in a way that allows free-choice access to forage is one way to ward off the problems associated with feeding meals. Offering different types of forage also encourages picky eaters that may grow bored with one forage. For those that may not know, baleage is unchopped fermented hay that is stored in thick plastic wrap to prevent exposure to oxygen. Baleage is typically put up when it is about 45-60% moisture. Though often used interchangeably, baleage and haylage are not identical forage products. Haylage is typically processed at a higher moisture content, and the forage is chopped prior to bagging or ensiling. Haylage can be packed tighter for storage, and this allows for accelerated fermentation.

Are you currently feeding a concentrate or a ration balancer? Among many other physiological processes, vitamins and minerals are necessary for growth and muscle repair. If you’re not feeding a concentrate at a rate recommended by the manufacturer, both horses would benefit from a balancer pellet, which will provide the protein, vitamin, and minerals required by young horses.

As the three-year-old begins to work more under saddle, you may find that she requires more calories to maintain body condition. Should this occur, revisit her diet and add more calories in the form of concentrate or through the provision of a fat supplement such as stabilized rice bran.