Peek In Our Paks: Linda C. & Lucky
- Staff member: Linda C.
- Department: Customer Care Team
- Horse: Lucky, 13yo Paint x Quarter Horse
- Discipline: Ranch Riding
About Lucky
I purchased Lucky about seven years ago from a trainer, and at that time Lucky was already a 4-year-old seasoned reining horse. He had competed extensively, including competing in the NHRA Futurity in Oklahoma City. I was a bit nervous about trying a 4-year-old, but I soon learned, this 4-year-old Reiner was just like a 12-year-old Hunter. He was so trained and already an “old pro”. I was so pleased that this fantastic horse passed his vet check with flying colors and my main goal was to keep him that way.
I immediately started Lucky on SmartPaks, putting him on SmartCombo™ Ultimate Pellets, I wanted the best I could do for my new heart horse. I also wanted Lucky enrolled in the ColiCare™ program to give me peace of mind in the case of a colic episode. He thrived on this for the past several years, but with the introduction of SmartPerform® Ultra Pellets, I thought I would give that product a try as my main concerns have always been joints, tendons, ligaments, stomach, and hindgut health. I'm grateful he's never had any issues, but he was a hard-working reiner in his life before me and I know it's worth giving him a little extra support to keep him comfortable and happy to do his job now.
I have continued to do some reining shows with Lucky, but the level that I ride at is not nearly as competitive as when he was in full reining training mode. Then, in the past 3 years, I started doing Breed and Ranch Shows, too, taking a step back from the intensity of reining. It was the right choice for both of us, as Lucky had a clean sweep in 2023 for yearend awards in the NEPtHA Ranch Division in Trail, Pleasure, Discipline, Halter, Pattern, and overall High Point Ranch Horse!
About Lucky's Supplements
SmartPerform® Ultra Pellets
I show about twice a month in the Summertime. I would worry about his health whether or not, I was showing but show season adds a bit more stress on him! I was looking for a complete supplement that would aid in maintaining Lucky's healthy bones, tendons, and ligaments as well as help his stomach and hindgut. As soon as the new SmartPerform Ultra Pellets became available, I added it into his SmartPaks. I was very excited when I learned all the research that went into the ingredients in this product! The SmartPerform Ultra gives me peace of mind that I am doing everything I can to maintain a happy and healthy horse. It is important to me and convenient to have those researched-supported ingredients available in one supplement. A significant bonus is that the SmartPerform Ultra qualifies for the ColiCare program!
BioEZ®
Lucky has struggled with bouts of intermittent stress-related loose stool. We do show several times a month in the spring, summer, and fall. The travel and overnight stays seem to bring on loose stools. Since adding BioEz to Lucky’s SmartPaks, he has less loose smelly stools and his coat has improved, as well as energy levels. The ease of adding the BioEz right into his SmartPak strip makes it convenient for the barn staff and gives me peace of mind. I love this product. It's easy to top dress and my horse eats it with no problems. Although I am mostly concerned with Lucky’s hindgut support, this all-natural supplement promotes healthy digestion and hindgut function! I have noticed better coat quality, attitude, and nicer overall appearance on my horse using BioEz and will keep him on it no doubt!
Smart & Simple® Vitamin E Pellets
I recently had some blood work done on Lucky. He had previously had Lymes disease, and my veterinarian wanted to check his titer and run some routine blood work. While doing these tests, it was found that his vitamin E level was low at 186 where normal is greater than 400. I did a lot of investigating, and Smart & Simple® Vitamin E Pellets was the best price per serving. I really like that each serving is 2500 IUs of all-natural vitamin E. I also liked that it was pelleted. Lucky was retested on his vitamin E levels a month after being on this supplement. His vitamin E level has increased significantly. Where Lucky is a big boned Quarter Horse, I will continue him on the vitamin E. There is no easier way to be sure that Lucky is getting the correct dose of vitamin E then by adding it to his daily SmartPak!
SmartMuscle® Mass Pellets
My barn has used this product on several of our Ranch Horses that needed to put on some weight and muscle. They all work and show hard. All the Ranch Horses also show in trail, reining, patterns, and halter. We have also used it while they were in training, and it really helped to bring out the weight they needed and muscle tone. SmartMuscle® Mass Pellets encourage optimum definition and muscle mass with providing 10 essential amino acids. I am very impressed with this product. I saw an increase in my horse in the first couple of months, and now after using it for 6 months, he is right where I need him to be. I recommend this product to anyone needing help to build muscle on their horse!