Cortaflex Vs Total Eclipse

chewitmonster

chewitmonster

Silver! Hey-ho Tonto!!
Jul 30, 2004
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Sheffield, UK
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Been talking to the simple systems people - very lovely! and have been recommended 1/2 - 1 1/2 kg of Lucie Bix and a mugful of Total Eclipse if I moved Silver over to it. The lady has said that Total Eclipse will cover what Cortaflex provides plus more and obviously it is a cheaper alternative for more things...but thats the question - will it provide the same things as cortaflex?

Silver isn't old (rising 6) but I do plan to jump quite a bit and he does have splints (think they happened before we got him as they just popped up - no lameness, no heat etc) oh and he is a big beast so was recommended cortaflex to protect his legs. Would Total Eclipse therefore be a fine alternative as it is a preventative measure?

Sorry if I'm not clear.
Lady has said 'It contains instant linseed, pure ocean seaweed and brewers yeast. It provides them with a natural broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals.' and 'We and our customers have found no need for other supplements once on the Total Eclipse. This excludes garlic but does include joint supplements and oil.'

What do you reckon? xxx
 
I'm just moving Ziz over to the SS feeds, she was on Superflex and without it would always be stiff. Gradually moving her over, finished the last lot of Superflex 2 weeks ago, so far she's shown no stiffness at all - although her hocks were swollen last night, but were fine this morning. I'm monitoring her carefully as I don't want her to go downhill, but so far she seems fine - she's on Total Eclipse and extra Linseed as i know she has arthritis. Sorry not much help !!!
 
I had my horse on total eclipse recovery and tbh I didn't see that he improved any, only thing I found was that his temprement worsened, he became very ill tempered and nippy. Have taken him off it and now just add cider vinegar and linseed oil with arnica and rhus tox and he is an all round little darling. Thats my experience but every horse takes to different things, maybe worth trying it as its not too expensive

Kath x
 
So do you reckon I just try it and see? YO's brother works for the cortaflex company so we get it quite a bit cheaper anyway and at least then I can go back to it if I need to pretty quickly. Decisions decisions! xxx
 
I fail to see how a feed balancer can replace a specialist joint supplement, and one which doesn't apparently even match up to the likes of TopSpec in terms of nutritional content. Beware marketing;)
 
I was told by my Vet that although these supplements may help slightly with joint flexibility they are more about helping to prevent any future deterioration. So although you might not see a great imrovement in the short term, long term you will be protecting the joints.
 
for what it's worth i've noticed naf 5* superflex has reduced the size of my horses thouroughpins, they haven't gone, but they are about half the size they were before i started him on the supplement
 
See I am just using cortaflex as a preventative so I haven't noticed (as I shouldn't in a 5 year old) any difference in his way of going - although his splints have gone down but this may be a coincidence!

I have decided to change to simple systems but keep him on the cortaflex. He is on a maintenance dosage but may put in slightly less as the tub is meant to last 4 months but at the moment, whilst groom is doing feeds, it isn't lasting that long.

Thanks for the advice guys :) Will stay on cortaflex as I can get it cheaper anyway and believe it is one of the best on the market. If it ain't broke and all that. And thanks Yann for agreeing with my thoughts confirming my decision to keep on it.
 
Whilst I like SS products, I honestly don't see how Total Eclipse can be marketed as a balancer in the sense that most people recognise it, or as a replacement for a joint supplement.

It does contain Kelp/seaweed which has many vitamins and minerals within it, but the quantity and quality of these varies greatly so can't be guaranteed. It also has high iodine levels which generally isn't a good idea for horses.

Linseed oil does have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with athritic joints, but it isn't the same as Cortaflex and shouldn't be considered as a replacement. Some horses will do well on Linseed alone for joint problems but others won't.

I use some SS products but have stuck with Lo-Cal and Cortaflex.
 
Well it must be better than pasture mix which is the other alternative at the yard unless I go hunting for another. It's all so confusing! And I can't seem to get it right :(

Decided to stick with cortaflex, I too can't see how TE can replace it.
 
I don't think that Total Eclipse IS marketed as a balancer in the Blue Chip/Top Spec sense of the word. Surely it's about a system of feeding rather than supplementing inadequate feeds!

Correct me if I'm wrong (it's a long time since I looked at a bag of Top Spec) but I can't remember seeing what actual ingredients are in TS, just a feed analysis. What I like about SS is that you know exactly what's in it!

With regards to joint supplements they are mostly of animal origin which concerns me as horses are herbivores and, therefore, aren't 'built' to ingest animal products. Linseed/TE may not have the instantaneous effects of something like Cortaflex but they do have anti-inflammatory effects which can only be beneficial for the joints. Having 'spoken' with Jane at SS I doubt that she would have said that TE is a replacement for Cortaflex, rather that it is an alternative system ... if that makes any sense. I'd be interested in what she has to say about the differences in 'systems' :D

I do wonder about the long term effects of feeding the likes of cortaflex especially as a preventative rather than a 'cure'. Remember BSE anyone?
 
ummm i'm off to check what's in naf 5* super flex now.

tbh though, it would be hard to stop feeding him it because i'm seeing an improvement.

it's a question of balancing the risks and benifits i think-not easy :confused:
 
If it's a case of balancing risks then I'd personally say that they are totally insignificant compared to the benefits. I think the use of animal / fish extracts in certain supplements is more of a moral choice for the owner than anything else.

From the SS website

Total Eclipse

A carefully balanced blend of Instant Linseed, Pure Ocean Seaweed and Brewers’ Yeast, Total Eclipse is the ultimate forage balancer. High levels of nutrients in a slow release form ensure that equilibrium is maintained mentally and physically. Can be combined with all feeding systems, but perfect with a forage-based diet.
Click to expand...

Seems they do market it as a feed balancer.
 
Yann said:
I think the use of animal / fish extracts in certain supplements is more of a moral choice for the owner than anything else.
Click to expand...
that's a fair point-lots of moral issues with fishing etc, but i know that when i have tried cod liver oil supplements it has made me feel below parr.

and i do remember BSE and my astonishment that the feeding of dead animals to cows was taking place. It seemed such an obvious invitation for trouble.

it is good to question these things and try to weigh up good and bad i think.
 
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