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Q. Where can I get a TopSpec Feed Balancer measure from?
A. TopSpec measures are supplied to all our retailers as putting them in the sacks could be dangerous. If your retailer has run out just call our helpline and we will pop one in the post for you.
Q. Which of your products contain a supplement to improve hoof quality?
A. TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer, TopSpec AntiLam, TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer, TopSpec Stud Feed Balancer, TopSpec Comprehensive Supplement and TopSpec No:1 Healthy Hoof supplement.
Q. I want condition without fizz for my horse, what do you recommend?
A. We would recommend ad-lib hay, with a bucket feed based on either TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer or TopSpec LeisureTime Feed Balancer. Whichever balancer is appropriate for your horse we would recommend you top it up with a scoop of TopChop Lite and TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes fed according to condition.
Q. What is the difference between TopSpec LeisureTime Feed Balancer and TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer?
A. The difference between TopSpec LeisureTime Feed Balancer and TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is summarised below but a full specification comparison is freely available from TopSpec.
The main difference is that TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer contains several supplements (i.e. it contains a broad-spectrum supplement plus a hoof improvement supplement, a high level of vit E plus selenium for muscle-function and other anti-oxidant properties, a blood tonic, a bone supplement, a digestive supplement etc).
TopSpec LeisureTime Feed Balancer contains a broad-spectrum supplement plus a digestive supplement (pure, protected yeast) only. In most other respects they are similar but not identical i.e. they are based on cereal-grain-free, low starch, high-protein, ‘non-heating’ formulae.
For horses that have nutritionally-related problems e.g. poor hoof quality, poor skin, are recovering from laminitis but need weight gain, are recovering from ‘tying up,’ have a physically or mentally stressful life, are shown etc, then TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is the answer.
For owners who wish their horses to have all the benefits of feeding the TopSpec way, using a TopSpec feed balancer as the daily basis of a feed, but whose horses have no nutritionally-related problems then TopSpec LeisureTime offers approximately £7 a sack saving.
Q. How do I use TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes?
A. TopSpec Cool Condition Cubes are a blended product designed to be fed with a TopSpec balancer or supplement as they do not contain added vitamins or trace-elements.
We think it is the only product of this type in the UK market as it has a good conditioning index of 12.5 MJ/kg as fed but is completely cereal-grain free and non-heating. The low sugar/low starch cubes do contain added calcium, salt and magnesium.
A 500 kg horse fed 250 grams TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer twice a day could be fed between 0.25 and 1.75kg TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes per feed depending on his condition. You can safely increase or decrease the level of TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes fed without affecting a horse’s vitamin and trace-element intake because these are provided by the TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer.
Q. My horse is a really good-doer, he lives on fresh air and is borderline overweight, help!
A. Your horse’s diet could well be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, a situation which is quite common in good-doers. TopSpec Lite should be ideal for your horse. A 500kg horse would need 500 grams/day (approx 2 coffee mugs) and it is so tasty it can be fed on its own. It will provide vital micronutrients without promoting weight gain if fed as part of a calorie-controlled diet. If you decide he needs to lose weight you could soak his hay in fresh water for 12-24 hours to leach out many of the soluble sugars. This maintains his fibre intake but reduces his calorie intake. It is safe to do this for 3 months. An optional handful of TopChop Lite can be used to bulk up his feed if you wish.
Q. My horse is quiet at home but he just will not concentrate when away at competitions, he thinks monsters lurk everywhere. Would TopSpec Calmer help?
A. TopSpec Calmer has proved to be very successful at reducing or eliminating problems arising out of anxiety, which may well be the root of your horse’s problems. However, not all horses respond to calmers so the only way to find out is to try it, if you wish. He does appear to be a suitable candidate for reduction in dandelion terror!
TopSpec Calmer contains a serotonin precursor, a naturally-occurring amino-acid called tryptophan, this helps to boost a feeling of contentment and calm in responsive horses. It also contains yeast products to soothe the hindgut of horses that get ‘worry guts,’ and amongst other ingredients is magnesium to help those horses whose diet may be deficient in it. The effects of some of the ingredients in TopSpec Calmer can be seen within hours but allow a maximum of three weeks for all the ingredients to take effect.
Q. I like to feed my horse as naturally as possible, are your products suitable?
A. Our feed balancers do appeal to people who feed as naturally as possible, for example they are often mixed with low-starch straights like chopped Alfalfalfa e.g. TopChop Alfalfa, Lucerne Nuts or unmollassed shredded beet pulp. In my opinion TopSpec feed balancers do provide essential micronutrients in sufficient quantities to balance such straights and I do not think horses in a modern environment can grow/perform/maintain themselves optimally throughout the year without such supplementation.
TopSpec feed balancers are not only highly nutritious in term of micronutrients but they are also cereal-grain-free and low in starch and sugars so can be fairly described as non-heating.
Feeding TopSpec feed balancers normally eliminates the need to add linseed or other protein sources to the balanced ration.
For horses fed TopSpec feed balancers that require extra condition we also produce a cereal-free blend (a mixture of straights but balanced for calcium, sodium and magnesium) called TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes, which may be of use to supply ‘non-heating’ calories.
Q. What is the difference between TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer and TopSpec Comprehensive Supplement?
A. Every sack of TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer contains 4kg of TopSpec Comprehensive Supplement. Thus 20% of the balancer is supplement but the other 80% consists mainly of good-quality protein that will boost muscle development and topline and aid good bone development and strength. Protein is also the major constituent of the thousands of enzymes that control all of the metabolic reactions that take place in horses’ bodies.
Q. Is TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer suitable for a pony that has recovered from laminitis?
A. TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is suitable for a pony that has had an incidence of laminitis in the past providing the pony is not overweight as it will encourage muscle development and topline and therefore safe weight gain. If your pony is overweight TopSpec AntiLam would be more suitable.
Q. What is the difference between TopSpec AntiLam and TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer?
A. TopSpec AntiLam contains a very similar micronutrient spec to TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer. The main difference is that with TopSpec AntiLam the multi-supplement is blended onto a high-fibre carrier with little nutritional content (partly to avoid weight gain) whereas TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer has the multi-supplement blended with a high-protein feed to promote muscle development and function.
Both products are ‘non-heating’ as they are cereal-grain free and low in starch.
Q. Are TopSpec FibrePlus cubes suitable to put in a snack ball for my Good-Doer?
A. Yes, TopSpec FibrePlus cubes are ideal for good-doers and native ponies. If you think of them like good quality hay with a little extra protein added you will have a good idea about them. They are ideal fed in small quantities for good-doers, helping muscle to function but not promoting weight gain.
Q. I cannot get your products anywhere near me but would really like to use them, what can you suggest?
A. I am surprised and disappointed that you are having difficulty finding TopSpec products as they are stocked in over two thousand outlets but there are still ‘blanks’ in our coverage. If you would like to send us your postcode we can check for local stockists, and if there are none we can supply you direct via Parcelforce until a stockist can be established by one of our Regional Business Development Managers.
Copies of published articles on a wide variety of subjects, written by Nicola Tyler, Nutrition Director of TopSpec Equine, are freely available from TopSpec.
