Looking for Answers about SmartFlex® Senior Pellets?
Customer questions and answers for
SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
Customer questions and answers for SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
Question
I have a senior horse (mare) with some arthritis & joint problems. I am considering Smartflex Senior but would like to know if she will need to take
it gradually to adjust to (e.g., as in a change to a new food) in order to alleviate any digestion or allergy problems?
Expertise: Intermediate
asked 2 months, 3 weeks ago 
on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Nonnie
NH
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
6 answers
Answers
answer 1
Thanks for your question. Although grain and hay changes do need to be made slowly, since the daily serving size of SmartFlex Senior is small, most of our customers start their horses on the full amount right away. If your horse is especially sensitive to changes to her diet, we’d recommend adding the supplement slowly, as well as discussing any changes with your veterinarian first.
Expertise: Expert
answered 2 months, 3 weeks ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
When I started my senior horse on this product, I did not need to add it in slowly. He had no stomach discomfort or changes in bowel movements. He took to it readily. You could always ask for a 3-day sample (I love that option) to see if your horse likes it and does okay with it.
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 2-5 years
answered 2 months, 2 weeks ago
by
KBinMI
Howell, MI
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 3
Great question - you obviously have your horses best interest in mind! But the answer to your question is - Nope! There is no "loading" dose - just maintenance. Horses adjust to it just fine since it's such a minor amount 1x daily. Depending on your mare, though, I definitely recommend the pellets so you know she's eating the full amount. My horses will eat them right out of my hand!
Expertise: Trainer
I have used this product for: 1-2 years
answered 2 months, 2 weeks ago
by
SKMRiding
Austin, MN
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 4
I use this product and we just started it right in with his normal feed. We had no issues
Expertise: Beginner
answered 1 month, 3 weeks ago
by
Horsetail
New Jersey
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 5
I put my mare on it as soon as I got it. No need to introduce it gradually as it is not alot.
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
answered 1 month, 2 weeks ago
by
redspqr
TN
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 6
I started my mare on this product six weeks ago. I had no problems with allergies or digestive changes. However, my mare does not have a history with either. She is fifteen years old.
Expertise: Intermediate
answered 1 month, 1 week ago
by
Misty15
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
At what age is a horse considered a senior??
My 17 yr old Tenn.Walker is not at all stiff or has any signs of discomfort, but a friend has suggested that I should put him on this product before he starts showing any wear and tear.. We ride trail several days a week.
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: Less than 1 month
asked 3 months, 3 weeks ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Mo
California, USA
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
4 answers
Answers
answer 1
A horse is considered a senior at 15. If you horse is healthy and shows no signs of discomfort, etc.. He may be getting all he needs from his grain. I use this because of the few herbs in it that reduce swelling and discomfort so I do not have to use bute. My mare is also and easy keeper and does not get a full ration of grain, so she needs the extra vitamins. It wouldn't hurt to add a supplement, you just may not need it.
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
answered 1 month, 2 weeks ago
by
redspqr
TN
-1point
0out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Preventative maintenance is always a great idea and 17 is old enough to be considered senior. This product covers all the basic bases for supporting your seniors well being. I am a dressage trainer, and have forty plus years experience horsing around;) I have been using supplements regularly for over a decade with much fewer vet bills than your average horse owner; well made supplements really produce results though with a few products, time in the system is needed. I highly recommend this particular product.
Expertise: Trainer
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
Products related to my answer
answered 2 months, 1 week ago
by
Burchwood
Elizabeth, CO
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 3
Thanks for your question. Although there is no rule regarding when a horse becomes a senior, many horse owners use age 15 as a general guide. Just like in people, horses age differently depending on their physical condition and several other factors. As many senior horses experience stiffness and discomfort associated with aging, it’s a great idea to start your older horse on a supplement now to help keep his joints healthy.
Expertise: Expert
answered 3 months, 3 weeks ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
+4points
4out of 4found this answer helpful.
answer 4
We had a 17 year old jumper pony that took SmartFlex Senior. He was still working but we noticed he didn't seem as happy doing his job and showed early signs of arthritus. After about a month on SmartFlex Senior he seemed to be moving much easier and happily jumping anything in front of him. We had to move on to a horse due to my daughter's growth but the pony is still doing his job with another little girl.
Expertise: Novice
I have used this product for: 1-2 years
answered 2 months, 4 weeks ago
by
scgirl32
Charleston, SC
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
Which supplement is best for my horse?
He's a senior horse with joint issues(years of roping has caused arthritis) Im kinda confused. Is the joint supplement for seniors as strong as a plain joint supplement? I'd like to put him on a fairly high dosage I still like to use him for trails.
Expertise: Intermediate
asked 3 months, 4 weeks ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
AmberC
Ramona, OK 74061, USA
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
3 answers
Answers
answer 1
Thanks for your question. SmartFlex Senior is our best-selling senior supplement which offers outstanding support for older horses. In addition to traditional joint ingredients (like glucosamine, chondroitin, and HA) it provides ingredients such as MSM and herbs to help ease the stiffness and discomfort associated with aging. These additional ingredients may help the older horse to stay comfortable and active in their golden years. However, if you’re looking for higher levels of joint ingredients for maximum impact, you may want to consider SmartFlex III Resilience Pellets or SmartFlex IV Ultimate Pellets.
Expertise: Expert
Products related to my answer
answered 3 months, 4 weeks ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
I have an OTTB who raced for eight years then was used as a pony horse for two or three years. When I got him, he was so stiff. I started him on SmartFlex Senior, and within two weeks, I saw a huge improvement. Within two months, I had a new horse. SmartFlex Senior combines herbs with the more common ingredients found in joint supplements. After two years on the Senior, I have moved him to SmartFlex Resilience. If you want to compare the ingredients in the supplements just go to the handy chart that SmartPak has on the main joint supplement page. I think starting on SmartFlex Senior is the best choice; then, you can see where you need to go from there.
Expertise: Intermediate
Top 50 Contributor
answered 3 months ago
by
fillygene
southeastern NC
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 3
I would say this stuff is better than regular joint supplements. I had my mare on FlexMax for a while with a little improvement, but not that much. After I put her on this stuff, she was a new horse! She had a tendon injury in her rear fetlock that would pop out if she lifted her rear leg a certain way. It was very painful for her and did cause her to fall with me on her back! I tried doing strengthening exercises along with the FlexMax and it helped a little, but the Smart Flex senior pellets changed our world. She hasn't popped the tendon out as long as I have had her on this. She will even kick (in defense) in the pasture now too, where as she was bullied before. I can also take her on some long and difficult trail rides with absolutely no issues. Where as before, I would never have considered it.
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
answered 1 month, 2 weeks ago
by
redspqr
TN
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
Is this product safe for pregnant mares?
Expertise: Expert
asked 3 months, 4 weeks ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Breeder
New York
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Thanks for your question. It’s important not to make abrupt changes to the diet and management of pregnant mares. For this reason we always recommend seeking your veterinarian’s advice before adding any new supplements to your mare’s diet. Additionally we do not recommend feeding SmartFlex Senior to pregnant mares as it contains the herb Devil’s Claw.
Expertise: Expert
answered 3 months, 4 weeks ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
I'm not a vet, but I did use this product with my mare when I bred her a few years ago, and did have my vet look at the product and it's contents, and they said it was safe. I would recommend asking your vet for confirmation though!! Hope that helps!!
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 2-5 years
Top 500 Contributor
answered 1 month, 3 weeks ago
by
mummygirl81
Ohio
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
Does Devil's Claw have any link to urinary infections ?
Expertise: Intermediate
I have used this product for: 1-2 years
asked 2 months ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Sadiegirl
Hillsboro Oregon
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
I've never heard of any issues with Devil's Claw other than stomach upset. I suppose it might create some liver/kidney issues if used long term, though. Best to talk to your vet, or SmartPak's vet.
Expertise: Expert
I have used this product for: Over 5 years
Top 500 Contributor
answered 2 weeks, 5 days ago
by
tuna
Pacific Northwest
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Thanks for your question. We are unaware of any links between Devil’s Claw and urinary tract infections. If you have any specific concerns about your horse’s health when adding a new supplement to their diet, we suggest that you discuss them with your veterinarian prior to making any changes.
Expertise: Expert
answered 2 months ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
IS THIS PRODUCT SAFE FOR OLD HORSES (ALMOST 30) WITH CUSHINGS DISEASE?
Expertise: Intermediate
asked 3 months, 4 weeks ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Anonymous
Hudson, NH, USA
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Thanks for your question. While this supplement is appropriate for senior horses, because of your horse’s health condition we recommend consulting your veterinarian before making any changes to his or her diet.
Expertise: Expert
answered 3 months, 4 weeks ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
0points
1out of 2found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Yes. Have a 31 year old quarter horse mare with HYPP and cushings and my vet recommended it. Took two weeks to get her levels up in her cells, but boy, does it work! Her energy levels are up, posture and head placement up, her coat did not get as long and curly this winter either. It worked for me. Hope you'll give it a try!
Expertise: Expert
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
answered 2 months, 2 weeks ago
by
KYGirl
Radcliff, KY, USA
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
How long does the 7.5lb bag last?
Expertise: Intermediate
asked 3 months ago on SmartFlex® Senior Pellets
by
Vicki08
Buckland, MA
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
Thanks for your question. The 7.5lb bag of the SmartFlex Senior Pellets is a 56 day supply.
Expertise: Expert
answered 3 months ago
by
CustomerCare
SmartPak
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
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