Peek in our Paks: Annina M. & Titan

Posted on: September 20, 2020 by Annina McMillan

Ever wish you could take a sneak peek inside our horses’ SmartPaks? Now you can! Check out the supplements we love, for the horses we adore.

A bay pinto stands with his head over a fenceline. He has a bay face, a white stripe, and ears are pricked forward.

This Month’s Pick:

SmartPaker: Annina M.
Department: SmartBarn Services
Horse: Titan, 3yo Oldenburg
Discipline: TBD

I purchased Titan at 5 months old. I love being on this journey with Titan while he’s so young. I have loved watching him grow, seeing his personality develop, and I’m so excited as we start lightly under saddle together. Since he is a growing young horse that is staying with me forever (sorry, bud, you’re stuck with me!), I have him on a few supplements to support his health.

SmartDigest® Ultra Pellets

Supporting Titan’s hindgut was a no brainer for me. His hindgut is a bit more sensitive than most and he can be prone to loose stool. I love the Diamond V Yeast and combination of pre- and probiotics in SmartDigest Ultra Pellets. Besides combating loose stool, supporting his hindgut is also helpful for many areas of support. A healthy hind gut helps ensure he's absorbing nutrients as effectively as possible, the beneficial bacteria also produce necessary nutrients, such as various B vitamins and vitamin K. The hindgut is also a critical part of the immune system! Plus, since I have Titan enrolled in ColiCare, he is covered with $10,000 worth of colic surgery reimbursement. I hope I never have to use it, but if I do, I love the peace of mind it gives me to make the best decision for Titan, regardless of finances.

SmartOmega 3 & E™ Ultra

This is my favorite skin and coat supplement! The omega 3 fatty acids are important in cellular health while keeping his coat nice and shiny. I’m a sucker for a shiny horse, and I love how it makes his white spots gleam next to his shiny dark bay spot. Plus, SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra has 1,500 IUs of natural Vitamin E, which is highly bioavailable. Since Titan does not have access to 24/7 fresh pasture and dry hay, unfortunately, is not a good source of vitamin E, it’s very important Titan gets vitamin E supplemented. Vitamin E is important for immune system support and muscle health, supporting his muscle health as he learns to carry a rider.

SmartStride™ Ultra Pellets

Even though Titan is only 3, I still wanted to put him on a joint support supplement, especially since they support best before an issue has developed. SmartStride Ultra Pellets has a combination of joint and tendon and ligament support, which gives me peace of mind as he plays with his pasture mate. The turmeric and resveratrol help support a healthy inflammation response, which is important as Titan’s body adapts to carrying the additional weight of a rider. Plus, I love that it has boron for maintaining bone health. With 3 areas of support – joint, tendon and ligament, and bone, this was the perfect supplement for my young growing horse.

Leg Up® Electrolyte

I keep Titan on an electrolyte year-round to help encourage natural hydration. Even in the winter, since Titan sometimes does not always want to drink cold water, providing Leg Up Electrolyte is a great, cost-effective daily supplement I can provide Titan to encourage him to drink. Even though it’s a powder, Titan loves the cherry flavoring, and eats it up happily!

A rider in a black top and navy breeches sits on a pinto horse with a bay face and a nice stripe.

Why Annina Uses SmartPaks:

Using SmartPaks has always been a no-brainer for me. They are made from recycled plastic, can be recycled again, and contain much less plastic than a typical supplement bucket, making them an environmentally friendly option. In addition, since I never have more than a month at a time, I can easily make changes in case Titan need any adjustments as he gets older. My barn also loves that they come pre-measured, the SmartPaks are easy to feed, and I have the peace of mind Titan is always getting what he needs!