Triple Crown Senior is a senior horse feed built around beet pulp, a highly digestible fiber. It’s often chosen by owners who want a lower-starch senior feed. This review covers its features, feeding guidelines and things to consider before switching.
Bottom Line: Triple Crown Senior is a beet pulp-based senior feed with lower starch and sugar than many traditional senior feeds. It can work well for older horses and for some horses that need controlled starch. As with any feed, check the current label and talk to your vet about your horse’s needs.
At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Complete senior feed |
| Fiber source | Beet pulp and other fibers |
| Starch and sugar | Lower than many senior feeds (check current analysis) |
| Form | Extruded or pelleted (check current form) |
| Use | With hay or as partial hay replacement |
What It Is and How It Works
Triple Crown Senior uses beet pulp as a main fiber source. Beet pulp is easy to digest and provides calories from fiber rather than starch.
Lower starch can matter for horses with metabolic issues. However, every horse is different. Horses with insulin dysregulation may need very specific diets.
See equine Cushing’s disease and laminitis in horses.
Strengths
- Beet pulp-based fiber
- Lower starch than many senior feeds
- Can be soaked
- Complete feed
- Popular with many owners
Limitations
- Higher price than some feeds
- Availability varies by area
- Still contains some starch and sugar
- Feeding below label rates may leave gaps
How to Switch Feeds Safely
Horses have sensitive digestive systems, and sudden feed changes are a known risk factor for colic and laminitis. A typical switch looks like this:
- Start by replacing a small portion of the old feed, often about a quarter, with the new feed.
- Increase the new feed gradually over 7 to 14 days.
- Split daily grain or concentrate into two or more meals rather than one large one.
- Keep hay or pasture as the foundation of the diet.
- Watch manure, appetite and attitude during the change.
Weigh feed rather than measuring by scoop. A scoop of one feed can weigh very differently from a scoop of another. See colic in horses for warning signs.
Before You Buy
- Check the current starch and sugar analysis.
- Ask your vet about metabolic issues.
- Feed at label rates.
- Change gradually.
- Monitor weight.
Who It Suits
| Good fit if… | Consider something else if… |
|---|---|
| You want a lower-starch senior feed | Your horse needs a very low-starch diet (ask your vet) |
| Your horse needs extra calories from fiber | Your horse is an easy keeper |
| You want a beet pulp-based diet |
Alternatives to Consider
| Option | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Purina Equine Senior | Widely available senior feed |
| Ration balancer | Lower calorie option |
| Plain beet pulp | Fiber source for weight gain |
When to Call Your Vet
Contact your vet if:
- Your horse is losing weight
- Your horse has signs of laminitis
- Your horse has colic signs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Triple Crown Senior low in starch and sugar?
It’s lower than many traditional senior feeds, which is one reason owners choose it. Check the current guaranteed analysis, since values can change, and ask your vet whether it’s low enough for your horse.
Can Triple Crown Senior replace hay?
It can partly or fully replace hay for horses that can’t chew forage well. Follow the label’s hay replacement rate and split the total into several smaller meals a day.
Should I soak Triple Crown Senior?
Soaking helps horses with worn or missing teeth and adds water to the diet. Many owners soak it for any horse that quids or drops feed.
How much Triple Crown Senior should I feed?
It depends on your horse’s weight, condition and how much hay it eats. Use the label chart as a starting point, weigh the feed and adjust with your vet.
Is it suitable for horses with Cushing’s disease?
Some horses with PPID do well on lower-starch senior feeds. Others need an even lower-starch diet. Your vet can help based on bloodwork and history.
Can younger horses eat Triple Crown Senior?
Some hard keepers of any age do well on senior feeds. Ask your vet whether it suits your horse’s age and workload.
Where can I buy Triple Crown feeds?
Triple Crown is sold through feed stores and dealers. Availability varies by region, so check with local stores before switching.
Why is beet pulp used in senior feeds?
Beet pulp is a highly digestible fiber that provides energy without much starch. It’s also soft when soaked, which helps horses with dental problems.
Pet Health Man is independent and isn’t paid by the brands we review. Product formulas, specifications and prices change, so check the current label or the manufacturer’s information before you buy.
This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your pet’s health, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital.
