Frequently Asked Questions

Wellness

Will my horse eat Platinum Performance® Equine without grain?

Yes, most horses enjoy the flavor of Platinum Performance® Equine, and eat it readily. Many horses will eat Platinum Performance® Equine by itself, or you can easily top-dress it on your feed.

What if my horse won't eat Platinum Performance® Equine?

While the majority of horses love the flavor of Platinum Performance®, some horses are hesitant at first to try it. Many times, this is because it is an unfamiliar texture or smell. Contact the Platinum Advisor Team at (800) 553-2400 or client@platinumperformance.com for helpful tips to introduce the supplement to your horse.

If I am feeding a commercial feed do I still need to supplement with Platinum Performance® Equine?

Many commercial feeds may appear to offer similar benefits to Platinum Performance® Equine when looking at feed tags and reading marketing materials. However, Platinum Performance® has significant differences from commercial feeds.

  • Platinum Performance® Equine is made from the highest quality, most bio-available ingredients, as opposed to ingredients such as corn, distiller grains and grain by-products commonly found in commercial feeds.
  • Platinum Performance® Equine is meticulously made in small batches in our own private facility. Many feed mills where most pelleted commercial feeds are produced use high heat processes that can damage the integrity and nutrient content of raw ingredients.
  • Platinum Performance® Equine provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and trace minerals. Each scoop of Platinum Performance® Equine contains more beneficial ingredients than found in many pounds of commercials feeds. Horses supplemented with Platinum Performance® Equine can consume less, avoiding "filler" calories often found in commercial feeds.
  • Even the highest quality grain-based commercial feeds provide an abundance of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Platinum Performance® Equine was designed to provide an abundant supply of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, supporting overall health and wellness.
  • Platinum Performance® Equine has been shown to improve feed efficiency by supporting a horse's ability to properly utilize calories from their diet. Horse owners may be able to decrease the amount of calories they feed from grain, helping to reduce your feed bill while positively impacting equine health.

What are Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and why are they important?

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are considered “essential,” meaning they cannot be manufactured by the body and must be consumed in the diet. Horses are natural grazers and, in the wild, they consume 2-5 times the amount of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids compared to pro-inflammatory omega-6s. A typical modern grain-based diet provides up to 17 times more pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than Omega-3s. This dietary imbalance causes excess inflammation and can predispose horses to a host of health conditions. By feeding a forage-based diet and supplementing with omega-3s and antioxidants, you can provide support for normal, healthy levels of inflammation within your horse's body.

Why do feeds go rancid, and why is this bad for my horse?

Feeds become rancid for many reasons such as containing ingredients like corn and distiller grains, being manufactured with high heat/high moisture processes and storage methods. Commercial feeds commonly have elevated levels of rancidity. Exposure to oxygen quickly damages fat content in feeds. This causes excess oxidation that is harmful to a horse's body and cell structure.

Elevated levels of antioxidants inherently provided in Platinum Performance® Equine can help to maintain normal levels of oxidation and positively impact a horse's overall health, wellness and performance.

Why is the calcium to phosphorus ratio of Platinum Performance® Equine not 2:1?

It is commonly known that the overall calcium to phosphorus ratio in the equine diet is important for proper general bone and soft tissue health and development. Because calcium and phosphorous are macrominerals required in large quantities from the equine diet, most horses do not have deficiencies in calcium or phosphorous. Platinum Performance® Equine is a trace mineral supplement, providing the minerals that horses are commonly deficient in such as selenium, copper, zinc and a multitude of other naturally occurring trace minerals. The level of calcium and phosphorus in Platinum Performance® Equine has a relatively insignificant effect on the total levels in the common equine diet. If your horse has a known imbalance of calcium and phosphorus, work with your veterinarian to address dietary changes that may include specific calcium and phosphorus supplementation.

Can Platinum Performance® Equine be given with other supplements?

Platinum Performance® Equine was developed to be administered safely with other supplements. Platinum Performance® Equine is a comprehensive supplement and can often replace other supplements such as vitamins and trace minerals, hoof, skin and allergy, antioxidant and joint supplements. If your horse has additional needs, talk to your veterinarian or contact a Platinum Advisor about which Platinum Performance® products may be right for your horse.

Can I give my horse just hay and Platinum Performance® Equine?

Yes, many horses thrive on a simple diet of hay and Platinum Performance® Equine. In numerous feeding trials, horses on just quality hay and Platinum showed improved health over those being fed typical grain-based commercial diets.

Can I feed the full daily dose of my horse's Platinum supplements once per day rather than twice?

Yes, you can safely and effectively feed the full daily serving of any Platinum supplement once per day if that is more convenient for your feeding program.

What do I feed a horse with colic?

A lack of interest in food is usually a sign of intestinal disturbance or colic. Horses that are actively colicking will often have a suppressed appetite. It is generally recommended to take away all hay and feeds and to provide clean, fresh water only. If you suspect colic, contact your veterinarian.

  • Follow your veterinarian’s instructions of when to reintroduce the horse’s normal feeds, which will depend on the severity of the colic episode.
  • Pasture turnout or hay will be introduced prior to your horse returning to any grains or concentrate feeds.
  • Providing an easily digestible supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids and a wide spectrum of micronutrients may provide recovery support for horses that have colicked. Providing a daily wellness supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy levels of intestinal inflammation in combination with a pre- and probiotic supplement like Platinum Balance™ can support healthy hindgut bacteria and aid in normal digestion. Pre- and probiotic formulas are helpful to repopulate the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut that may have been compromised during a colic episode.

Athletic Performance

How do Omega-3 Fatty Acids provide support for equine athletes?

  • Keeping Cool - The body runs cooler when it uses fats for fuel.
  • Less Lactic Acid – Fatty acids minimize the production of exercise-induced lactic acid.
  • Muscle Support - Intramuscular fat stores are front-line support during intense exercise.
  • Recovery - Dietary fat helps delay the onset of fatigue and supports healthy muscle recovery.

Since my horse isn't a performance horse is Platinum Performance® Equine right for him?

Yes, Platinum Performance® was developed to provide support for the overall health of every horse. Platinum Performance® Equine is used successfully to support health and wellness in all horses from the family pony to Kentucky Derby Winners.

Bone Health

What role does silicon play in bone health?

Silicon is a mineral that stimulates bone formation and is a key element in the structure of substances such as hyaluronic acid, which cushions and lubricates joints to protect them from compressive forces. In a study of Standardbred race horses supplemented with zeolite (a form of silicon), it was demonstrated that the supplemented horses had faster middle-distance run times and had fewer injuries than the non-supplemented horses. The authors of the study concluded that silicon supplements may allow horses to train at faster speeds for longer periods of time without incurring injury.

Is the amount of silicon in Platinum Performance® Equine sufficient for general bone health?

Platinum Performance® Equine Wellness formula contains an adequate amount of silicon for most horses at maintenance. If your horse is in a high impact sport or recovering from surgery, you may want to consider adding Osteon® to his supplement program to provide advanced support for his bones and connective tissues.

Are all types of silicon the same?

Silicon is the second most abundant mineral on earth. Because of that, it may seem that horses are inclined to receive an adequate amount of it in the typical forage diet. However, the form of silicon that is readily available (silicon dioxide or silica) is not bio-available or absorbable in the horse's body. It is important to supplement with a natural form of silicon such as Zeolite, which is the form used in Platinum Performance® Equine and Osteon® to obtain the benefits.

What is OCD (Osteochondritis Dessicans)?

Equine OCD is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage and underlying subchondral bone, causing several painful symptoms. Although there is a hereditary component for OCD, it is often a result of rapid growth in young horses. The ingredients in Platinum Performance® Equine and Osteon® can help to support normal, healthy bone, joint and soft tissue development in young, growing horses and maintain health in mature horses.

Hoof Support

Which supplement do you recommend for hoof health issues?

Platinum Performance® Equine is very effective at helping to improve and maintain healthy hooves. Most horses respond very well when supplemented with Platinum Performance® Equine. Supplementation will only affect new growth starting at the coronary band. Growing new hooves takes time, usually from 9-12 months to grow a full hoof. When choosing a supplement for hooves, be sure to supplement daily for several months to assess effectiveness.

Is biotin the only thing I need for healthy hooves?

Biotin is a B-vitamin important for growing hard hooves, but there are other necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids necessary to support growth and strength in health hooves. When it comes to supplementation for hooves, it is important not to choose a supplement based solely on high levels of biotin. Hoof supplements should be comprehensive and provide a comprehensive blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids such as those found in Platinum Performance® Equine.

Reproduction & Fertility

Is Platinum Performance® Equine safe for pregnant and lactating mares?

Absolutely! The positive impacts of Platinum Performance® Equine begin even before the foal is born. Just as human mothers take prenatal vitamins, it is as important for broodmares to be on a comprehensive supplement like Platinum Performance® Equine to provide necessary nutrients for the proper growth and development of the foal.

Foal Care

Can I administer Platinum Performance® Equine to horses under one year of age?

Platinum Performance® Equine can be provided to young horses as soon as they start nibbling on solid feed. The essential nutrients provided by Platinum Performance® Equine are critical to young, growing foals as they are the building blocks needed for proper bone growth and general development. With the vitamins, trace minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and amino acids for proper growth and bone formation, there is less chance the young horse will experience growth-related problems and will be more likely to meet their genetic potential.

Intestinal Health

Is it safe to give my horse Bio-Sponge® every day?

Bio-Sponge® is a formula that can be administered daily for horses that have had chronic intestinal disturbances or loose, watery stools. If you give Bio-Sponge® to your horse for seven days and do not notice improvement, then it is likely not going to help that particular case. However, if it does help, you may continue to provide Bio-Sponge® to your horse as part of his daily supplement program.

Soft Tissue Health

What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?

Tendons are the link between muscle and bone. They are designated as either flexor or extensor and assist in the bending and extending of equine joints.

Ligaments link bone to bone. They act as stabilizing structures that hold bones together and aid in the prevention of overextending.

What role does silicon play in soft tissue health?

Silicon supports the formation of bone and its calcification, as well as the proper growth and development of cartilage in the joints and soft tissue. A deficiency of silicon may slow collagen formation, resulting in a negative impact on bone and soft tissue.

Joint Support

Why doesn’t Platinum Performance® use chondroitin?

Platinum Performance® delivers formulas with the most effective, highest quality ingredients available. Due to concerns regarding the quality of chondroitin sources, we provide chondroitin-free joint-supporting products that can continue our tradition of impeccable quality while providing excellent results in your horse.

Can oral hyaluronic acid benefit my horse?

Platinum Joint Care Competition + HA contains hyaluronic acid (HA) to help support the lubrication and cushioning of your horse's joints. Although it is commonly administered intra-articularly via injections, orally administered HA has been shown in several studies to be bio-available and effective in supporting equine joints.

Supplementing your horse with a source of daily HA allows the nutrient to be consistently available to the body. For existing joint conditions, or if your horse is subjected to activities that can lead to joint degeneration, consider an oral HA supplement to help support his joints.

Can I get Platinum Performance® CJ in Canada?

While Platinum Performance® CJ is not currently available in Canada, the combination of Platinum Performance® Equine and Platinum Joint Care Competition + HA provide the same benefits with overall wellness in the form of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids with potent joint-supporting nutrients including hyaluronic acid. Supplementing these two formulas together is an excellent way to offer the same support in place of Platinum Performance® CJ.

Metabolic Support

Can I use Platinum Performance® Equine for horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

Yes, it is actually recommended to supplement metabolic horses with Platinum Performance® Equine as it has been shown to help support normal, healthy levels of glucose in horses. In laboratory studies at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, supplementation with Platinum Performance® Equine has been shown to improve blood glucose levels.

Can I give glucosamine to my horse with EMS?

There has been recent concern about potential side effects when supplementing glucosamine to a metabolic horse, with the thought being that it may spike blood sugar levels. Researchers at the Alamo Pintado Center for Biological Medicine tested this claim by monitoring blood glucose levels in horses consuming an oral joint supplement that provides a daily dose of 7,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate. After 3 weeks of supplementation, there was no significant rise in blood glucose seen in the supplemented group over that seen in the non-supplemented group. Oral joint formulas that contain glucosamine like Platinum Performance® Equine and Platinum Joint Care Competition + HA can be safely incorporated into an equine joint program without risk of significantly increasing blood glucose levels.

Platinum Performance® Equine contains molasses. Can I give this formula to my metabolic horse?

The amount of molasses in a daily serving of Platinum Performance® Equine is incredibly small in comparison to the entire equine diet, and has been shown to not have a negative effect on glucose and insulin levels. Studies have shown this formula can help support metabolic health, and has been safely given to horses with metabolic concerns for over nearly 20 years.

How does chromium support normal metabolic health?

Benefits of Chromium:

  • Helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels
  • Used by the body to help metabolize carbohydrates
  • Important co-factor for normal insulin function
  • Exerts insulin-like effects and supports insulin sensitivity
  • May also help promote healthy fat loss and lean muscle tissue development
  • Chromium yeast, found in Platinum Metabolic Support, is a highly bioavailable form of chromium

What are the signs that your horse may have metabolic health issues?

If you have concerns about your horse’s metabolic health, the first step is to contact your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis. Being aware of a few important signs, can help catch your horse’s metabolic issues early, making improvement easier.

Watch for these changes:

  • Excess weight gain or fatty deposits
  • Drinking excessive amounts of water and/or excessive urination
  • Long, coarse, wavy coat that does not properly shed in season
  • Pot-bellied appearance with a lack of muscle on the topline

Skin & Allergy

Is there a supplement that can help a horse with allergies to insect bites?

Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help with insect bite hypersensitivity, as well as many other allergies that many horses experience, causing itching, hives and hair loss. Supplementing with a comprehensive omage-3 fatty acid formula can help to support a horse's immune system and help your horse be better equipped to handle allergic insults.

Weight Management

How can I add weight to my horse without using corn oil?

Corn oil has been commonly used in the horse community to add weight on a hard keeper or improve coat quality. However, corn oil has a very high level of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Platinum Healthy Weight is a cold-pressed flaxseed oil infused with vitamin E that is a healthier choice to not only help your horse gain weight but will also provide a healthy level of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to regulate systemic inflammation.

Should I feed my hard keeper additional grain to help him put on weight?

The first step to put on weight in a healthy way is to feed as close to the natural grazing diet as possible. The horse may need more digestible energy or calories or help to properly utilize the feed that is already being provided. Studies have shown supplementing with Platinum Performance® Equine increases feed efficiency, helping horses to better utilize their feed. Providing a flax oil supplement like Platinum Healthy Weight can provide concentrated calories instead of adding grain to the diet.

How can Platinum Performance® Equine enhance your feeding and supplement program?

  1. Platinum Performance® Equine helps to balance a quality, forage-based diet by providing the omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, trace minerals and amino acids that horses need.
  2. Horses thrive on a natural diet consisting of high quality hay, pasture (if available) and Platinum Performance® Equine. Results show that most horses fed proper amounts of forage and Platinum Performance® Equine are better conditioned, maintain or establish proper weight and perform optimally.

Antioxidant Support

What is a free radical and what do antioxidants have to do with them?

Free radicals are chemicals produced as a result of normal metabolism as well as in response to exercise, inhalation air pollutants or dust, exposure to ultraviolet light and ingestion of rancid feeds. Free radicals cause chain reactions that result in oxidation that are capable of damaging proteins, lipids and DNA. Antioxidants are “free radical scavengers” and are able to terminate these negative chain reactions by removing or neutralizing free radicals and preventing the oxidation of molecules.

How is free radical production increased by feeding rancid fats?

Rancidity is a byproduct of dietary fats becoming oxidized. The peroxide level of a feed is the measure of rancid fat in the food item. Feeds with peroxide levels below 10mEQ/kg fat are considered safe and acceptable for human consumption. A similar guideline has not yet been established for horse feeds, but many commercials equine feeds exceed this value. Research shows that feeding rancid fats increases the production of free radicals that are capable of damaging many body tissues.

Digestive Health

Is there a downside to feeding complete feeds?

Complete feeds have become increasingly popular as they have simplified nutrition for horse owners. However, this convenience unfortunately does not always match up with sound horse health practices as many complete feeds utilize a high-grain base. Many horse owners are unaware that feeding cereal grains or high starch concentrates can quickly overload the ability of a horse’s small intestine to digest and absorb the carbohydrates. As a result, excess starch makes its way to the hindgut, where acidosis can occur, which can potentially lead to colic. Grains and grain-based feeds also have high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which when not fed with the proper ratio to omega-3 fatty acids, may interfere with feed efficiency and actually decrease the intestine’s ability to absorb the ingested nutrients.

What are the benefits of feeding a more natural diet?

At Platinum Performance®, we have seen first-hand the benefits of feeding a more natural diet for nearly 20 years. In their natural state, horses are grazing animals intended to consume a forage-based diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, trace minerals and fiber. Today’s modern equine diet often includes cereal grains and grain-based feeds that do not provide what nature intended, and can predispose horses to many health conditions.

Will my horse be okay on just hay and Platinum?

Yes, many horses thrive on quality hay and Platinum Performance® Equine. In numerous feeding trials, horses on a simple diet of hay and Platinum Performance® Equine showed improved health over those being fed typical grain-based commercial diets.

Can I order Platinum Performance® GI in Canada?

While Platinum Performance® GI is not currently available in Canada, your horse can receive the same benefits by supplementing with Platinum Performance® Equine combined with Platinum Balance™. These formulas together provide wellness nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, trace minerals and amino acids with advanced digestive support including prebiotics, probiotics and glutamine.

Electrolyte Support

How can I tell if my horse is dehydrated?

Use these quick methods to evaluate hydration:

  • Pinch Test: If the skin on your horse’s neck doesn’t quickly return to its place after being pinched, he may be dehydrated.
  • Mucous Membranes: If your horse’s mucous membranes in the nose and mouth are dry or red, he may be dehydrated.
  • Capillary Refill: If you press and remove your finger against your horse’s gums, the spot should turn white and regain color quickly. The longer it takes the capillaries to refill correlates with the severity of the dehydration.

When is it the right time to supplement my horse with electrolytes?

Platinum Performance® Equine provides a sufficient amount of electrolytes and trace minerals to support a healthy electrolyte balance and maintain hydration in most horses. The number of servings of Platinum Performance® Equine may be increased during times of extreme temperatures, however additional electrolyte support may be needed in times of heavy exercise or shipping in hot weather.

Quality & Satisfaction Guarantee

If for any reason you're not 100% satisfied, contact us for a replacement or refund.

What steps does Platinum Performance® take to ensure the quality of its products?

Providing the highest quality formulas is what drives us, and we never compromise. At Platinum Performance®, quality begins in the development of each formula. Our nutritionists, veterinarians and researchers design our formulas with providing unmatched results as their goal. We take great care in sourcing the highest quality and most bio-available and effective form of ingredients. We test each lot of raw ingredients for potency, purity and contaminants. We manufacture all Platinum Performance® products in our own facility in California with a seasoned team of experts in nutrition, food science and quality assurance to provide you with the best every time.