Many, many years ago I had an orphan foal 2-1/2 months old. She was distressed from missing her mother and wouldn't even TRY a milk replacement of any kind we had back then. I was a really new horse person and loving, but ignorant.

An old horseman suggested Calf Manna which I had doubts about because this was a filly, not a calf. The foal ignored the mixture we made up and were really wondering what to do next. We mixed it in with a little ground feed and she turned up her nose until a little girl in the neighborhood put some water into it and mixed it around with her hand. Then she stuck her fingers in the baby's mouth and lo and behold Windy started to suck the stuff off those fingers........she went on to eat it normally and survived (even a lightning strike in later years) and lived to age 23.

Pros: It worked for me

Cons: Don't know of any

This is one of my go to supplements for my halter horses. Anything that has stood the test of time for as long as Calf Manna does so for a reason - it works! I feed Calf Manna with whole oats, a 14 or 16% pelleted feed (depending on age of horse) and the appropriate dac product for that animal.....that's it and it works! DO NOT just dump a scoop of Calf Manna on your horse's food - a cup is all you need so a bag will last one horse a loooong time. This versatile supplement can also be given to other species - check the label for specifics. My chickens are very fond of it too!!! Available at most Tractor Supply Stores and Agways.

Pros: Does a great job when conditioning a horse for sale/show

Cons: MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE

This supplement has withstood the "test of time" because it works! Horse love the taste and it is safe and effective for weight gain and nutrients. I helped someone with an older roping horse that had lost his body condition; after 3-4 weeks on the Calf Manna supplement, he looked fantastic!

Pros: Effective; palatable; safe

Cons: Measure for the best use

This is one of my favorite supplements to put weight on younger horses. I'm reluctant to use it on my senior mare (24) though - have heard it's too concentrated for her system.

I did have one neighbor who almost lost her horse using it - but she did not read the directions and fed it as you would pelleted feed rather than as a supplement.

Pros: Price and effectiveness

Cons: none

At the shelter we often get horses that have been badly abused and starved. We have found that if we give them calf manna along with their other food it helps fatten them up faster. We have had some horses come to us that were so weak they couldn't stand and had to be put in a sling until they gained their strength back.

Pros: great for foals as welll as grown horses

Cons: none