FAQs Chia Supplements

Sainfoin Forage Products

Sainfoin Forage Pellet

Q: How do I feed the Sainfoin Forage Pellet?

A: Sainfoin is a legume just like Alfalfa, but WAY BETTER for your horse. You would feed this like a hay pellet or hay cube.

Q: How much do I feed per day?

A: Start your horse at 1 pound per day. If you want to improve topline or have an older horse that needs a little extra, it’s super easy to adjust feeding rates. It is just a hay pellet, so increase when you see fit. Feed as little or as much as you want. For an average horse in light to moderate work, start at 1-2 lbs per day. If the horse is a hard-working show horse, feed 3-4 lbs per day.

Example: We have clients who feed 1 cup a day as a base for our Spirulina Chia supplement or a vitamin/mineral supplement. Whereas a 5* eventer gets 4-5 lbs a day. It really depends on the horse, their activity level, and their nutritional needs.

Q: Is this a hay replacement?

A: Sainfoin can be a hay replacement, but you would want to supplement lb per lb of what you are feeding for hay. Horses should get 1-2% of their body weight per day of forage. At StableFeed, we strongly believe in a forage-first diet for every horse.

Q: Do I need to soak the pellets?

A: We recommend adding water to any type of pellet to avoid choke. Adding a couple of cups of water to the bucket will allow you to feed it within minutes, as it breaks down quickly due to the absence of binding agents. There’s no need to soak overnight or for multiple hours like your traditional forage pellets.

Q: What is the shelf life?

A: 6 months - We recommend (especially in the spring/summer months) that people only get a maximum of 3 months' worth sent to them. We do not add any preservatives, and since we make the feed almost once a month, we want you to get the freshest product possible.

Sainfoin + Grass + Alfalfa Blend Forage Pellet

Q: How do I feed the forage blend pellet?

A: You would feed this like a hay pellet or hay cube.

Q: How much do I feed per day?

Q: Is this a hay replacement?

A: It can be a hay replacement, but you would want to supplement lb per lb of what you are feeding for hay. Horses should get 1-2% of their body weight per day of forage. At StableFeed, we strongly believe in a forage-first diet for every horse.

Q: Do I need to soak this product?

Q: What is the shelf life?

Seasons Biome Blend

Q: Is this a ration balancer?

A: The Seasons Biome Blend is a forage-based complete and balanced feed. When feeding 2-4 lbs a day, the horse will get all of its needed vitamins and minerals in a readily bioavailable form. It also provides the nutrition equivalent to a hoof supplement. If you are feeding the Seasons Biome Blend at the recommended feeding rate, you do not need to feed a ration balancer or hoof supplement.

Q: Do I need to soak this product?

A. We recommend adding water to any type of pellet to avoid choke. Adding a couple of cups of water to the bucket will allow you to feed it within minutes, as it breaks down quickly due to the absence of binding agents. There’s no need to soak overnight or for multiple hours like your traditional forage pellets.

Q: What if I don't have the current season? (ie, you have the fall blend during winter)

A. We do not stock all four seasons and the products is designed to gently move your horse from one mix to the next on your own timeline. This means if you still have some of the fall blend to feed in January, that's okay!

Q: What is the shelf life?

A. 6 months - We recommend (especially in the spring/summer months) that people only get a maximum of 3 months' worth sent to them. We do not add any preservatives, and since we make the feed almost once a month, we want you to get the freshest product possible.

Chia Products

Q: Why use a chia based food?

A. Because we use a chia base ALL of our products provide support for: Skin, Hair, Gut, Bone and Hoof

Q: Which product is best for hooves?

A: Every product provides your horse with bioavailable protein and Omega 3’s to support healthy hoof growth. We suggest our Carrot Chia formulation because Vitamin A supports metabolization of keratin, the main protein constituent of strong hoof horn.

Q: Is one formula better for my IR horse than another?

A. There is significant data to support the claim that Prickly Pear cactus promotes proper glucose and lipid regulation, which is why we created and offer that product for horses that need support for metabolic processes.

Q: I tried feeding spirulina to my horse before and he wouldn’t eat it. What makes this different?

A. We recognize that straight spirulina is unpalatable to some horses. We purposefully combine chia with +16UMF Manuka honey to create a sweet and synergistic combination that allows us to use a lower dose of spirulina for amplified results.

Q: Is it alright to continue to feed my other supplements to my horse if I give him this? He gets a hoof supplement, a gut supplement and a joint supplement.

A. Yes. You may want to look at the nutrition labels on your other supplements and compare them to our page on chia basics. We have many clients who replace their current hoof and gastric support supplements with one of our formulations. They get great results and it saves them money.

Q: Can I leave these out in my barn?

A. Yes you can. However, we recommend the loose version of these products for regions of the country with high heat and humidity. When dried down the loose version is extremely stable and has a long shelf life as long as it is kept dry. We dry the biscuit to less than 6% moisture and include a natural preservative in the formulation but we still recommend climate controlled storage during cycles of high heat and humidity to retain shelf life. If you DO have a problem with any of our products we will gladly replace it or issue you a refund.

Q: Can I just feed chia and get the same results?

A. I’m not sure what kind of results you are looking for but chia seeds are a high value addition to any equine feed program and will improve the overall health of your horse however you will not see the same functional changes in your horse as you will feeding our supplements.

Carrot Chia Supplement

Q: How does this supplement help my horse's hooves?

A: We use whole food sourced beta-carotene in our Carrot Chia formulation. Beta-carotene is then converted to Vitamin A in the horse’s system. Any excess beta-carotene that is not used for Vitamin A is used in the metabolism of keratin, the main protein constituent of strong hoof horn.

Q: How long will it take for me to see results?

A: For the hoof, your farrier will feel the difference after the first trim cycle. You will see the new "chia line" when it appears at about three months. For the coat, individual results vary with each horse, but most owners report being able to feel a difference within 10 days on the product. The shine begins to show through shortly thereafter.

Q: Can I feed this to my metabolic horse?

A: Yes, please do! All of our products provide horses with a quality, digestible protein, 19 of 22 amino acids, and a 3/1 balance of Omega 3’s to 6’s while keeping the ESC and Starch levels below recommended levels.

Q: Can I feed this to my metabolic horse?

Q: Loose or Biscuit?

A: We generally recommend the loose form over the biscuit due to texture, ease of storage, feeding to picky eaters, and it is perfect for hot and humid climates. That being said, our biscuit has a pill dimple that can be quite handy, and you feed them like a treat. We do have sample packs available so you can try each of our product variations.

For more on our Carrot Chia Supplement, read here.

Papaya Chia Supplement

Q: How does this supplement support my horse's gut?

A. This is a whole foods supplement where we have specifically chosen foods that provide gastric support for your horse.

High pectin, plus the action of the papain, aids in the digestion of protein.
Papain breaks down proteins and stimulates salivation to aid digestion and help decrease instances of choke
Papaya contains large amounts of naturally occurring pectin, which may soothe the lining of the equine stomach
Organic alkalizing greens support a normal pH in the stomach
Aloe Vera provides added fiber for enhanced gut sweeping action

The combination of these foods with chia provides excellent gastric support for your horse.

Q: Can I feed this to my metabolic horse?

A. Yes, please do! All of our products provide horses with a quality, digestible protein, 19 of 22 amino acids, and a 3/1 balance of Omega 3’s to 6’s while keeping the ESC and Starch levels below recommended levels.

Q: Loose or Biscuit?

For more on our Papaya Chia Supplement, read here.

Prickly Pear Chia Supplement

Q: How does this supplement support my metabolic horse?

A. This is a whole foods supplement where we have specifically chosen Prickly Pear Cactus to provide glucose support for your horse. In research studies, it shows to….

Support a normal anti-inflammatory response by helping maintain circulating blood glucose levels within normal ranges
Assist in lipid metabolism
Aid in the minimization of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
Support the normalization of ACTH levels
Support the body with the normal clearance of glucose

All of our products provide horses with a quality, digestible protein, 19 of 22 amino acids, and a 3/1 balance of Omega 3’s to 6’s while keeping the ESC and Starch levels below recommended levels.

The combination of this superfood with chia provides excellent glucose support for your horse.

Q: How long will it take for me to see results?

A. It takes 10 days to 2 weeks for a body to respond to changes like those we are seeking with this supplement. The disappearance of fat deposits is a gradual process that can take months, depending on the body score of the horse. Glucose regulation is supported after the initial 2-week period. For the hoof, your farrier will feel the difference after the first trim cycle. You will see the new "chia line" when it appears at about three months. For the coat, individual results vary with each horse, but most owners report being able to feel a difference within 10 days on the product. The shine begins to show through shortly thereafter.

Q: Loose or Biscuit?

For more on our Prickly Pear Chia Supplement, read here.

Spirulina Chia Supplement

Q: How does this supplement support my horse's immune system?

A. This is a whole foods supplement where we have specifically chosen foods that provide immune support for your horse.

Spirulina is best known for its ability to modulate the immune system by promoting an anti-histamine response to a variety of environmental irritants. Not only does Spirulina have incredible immune modulating properties, it also supports gastro-intestinal health. New research suggests Spirulina has the potential to ameliorate gastric ulcers.
Manuka Honey also supports proper immune responses but is best known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Methylglyoxal (MGO) has also been identified as efficacious in protecting the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall. We use +16 UMF grade to ensure a beneficial level of MGO.

The combination of these foods with chia provides excellent immune support for your horse.

Q: Can I feed this to my metabolic horse?

Q: My horse is metabolic and has immune issues. Do I need to feed the Prickly Pear Chia and the Spirulina Chia?

A. No; Spirulina has also been found to help support normal glucose levels in the body. If your horse needs the benefits of both products we recommend the Spirulina Chia supplement. If the immune issue occurs during a particular season, start your horse on the Spirulina Chia one month before you would start to see issues and maintain them on the product throughout that particular season. Once you are out of that particular season (usually winter time or the colder months) you can switch to the Prickly Pear Chia if you would like to.

Q: Do I need to wean my horse off of this product or slowly introduce it?

A. No, it is just food so there is no need for a weaning or slow introduction.

Q: I tried feeding Spirulina to my horse before and he wouldn't eat it. What makes this different?

For more on our Spirulina Chia Supplement, read here.

Boosted Spirulina Chia Supplement

Q: What is the difference between the Boosted Spirulina Chia and the Spirulina Chia?

A. The Boosted contains twice the amount of spirulina as the regular Spirulina Chia to support the more extreme symptomatic horses.

Q: How does this supplement support my horse's immune system?

A. This is a whole foods supplement where we have specifically chosen foods that provide immune support for your horse.

Spirulina is best known for its ability to modulate the immune system by promoting an anti-histamine response to a variety of environmental irritants. Not only does Spirulina have incredible immune modulating properties, it also supports gastro-intestinal health. New research suggests Spirulina has the potential to ameliorate gastric ulcers.
Manuka Honey also supports proper immune responses but is best known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Methylglyoxal (MGO) has also been identified as efficacious in protecting the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall. We use +16 UMF grade to ensure a beneficial level of MGO.

The combination of these foods with chia provides excellent immune support for your horse.

Q: How long will it take for me to see results?

Scratches: 1-2 months
Sarcoids: Results vary depending on severity and the viral load of the horse. We have seen results vary from 1 month to 1 year.
Canker: Results vary depending on severity.
Upper Respiratory Issues: We strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian before attempting to taper a horse off steroids and onto this product.

Q: Can I feed this to my metabolic horse?

Q: My horse is metabolic and has severe immune issues. Do I need to feed the Prickly Pear Chia and the Boosted Spirulina Chia?

A. No; Spirulina has also been found to help support normal glucose levels in the body. If your horse needs the benefits of both products we recommend the Boosted Spirulina Chia supplement.

Q: Do I need to wean my horse off of this product or slowly introduce it?

A. No, it is just food so there is no need for a weaning or slow introduction.