Three Amigos is an essential amino acid supplement for horses providing lysine, methionine and threonine in a 5:3:2 ratio. This tri-amino blend contains three rate limiting amino acids that are commonly deficient in the equine diet. Three Amigos can help to support your horse’s hoof health, hair and coat quality, immune function, joints and muscles as well as athletic performance.
Three Amigos
Lysine, methionine and threonine are the three main limiting amino acids in the horse’s diet. Amino acids are molecules that serve as the building blocks of protein.
Optimal protein synthesis can only occur when all essential amino acids are sufficiently available. Essential aminos cannot be synthesized within the body and must be supplied by the diet.
If horses do not get adequate amounts of these three rate limiting amino acids in their diet, it can result in impaired protein synthesis and have negative consequences for immune function, growth, performance and overall health.
Our pure Three Amigos supplement can provide adequate levels of lysine, methionine and threonine to support optimal protein synthesis in all cells of the body. This will ensure that your horse has the structural proteins, enzymes, and immune components needed to promote complete wellbeing.
In horses, lysine is the first limiting amino acid meaning it is most likely to be low in the diet relative to physiological requirements. Protein synthesis rates will not be optimal until there is enough lysine available. Methionine and threonine are often considered the second and third limiting amino acids for horses.
Horses that have poor hoof growth, poor coat quality, or loss of muscle mass might have a protein deficiency in their diet. Low milk production in lactating mares and poor stamina are additional signs of deficiency.
Ensuring that your horse receives adequate levels of lysine, methionine, and threonine in their diet could correct amino acid imbalances, supporting normal function of all tissues in the body.
Lysine
Lysine supplementation is recommended to support bone growth in growing horses as well as healthy joints in exercising and aging horses.
Lysine enhances calcium absorption from the gut, increasing the availability of this mineral for the formation of healthy bones and supporting muscle and nerve function. [5]
Lysine is also essential for the formation of collagen, a structural protein that makes up skin and bones.
It is also required to synthesize carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient that is important for the production of energy from fat tissue. Exercising horses may benefit from lysine to support energy metabolism and athletic performance.
According to the NRC (2007), a 500 kg horse at maintenance requires a minimum of 18 grams per day of lysine with optimal intake estimated at 27 grams per day.
Exercising horses require between 29 to 35 grams of lysine depending on how much exercise they gets.
At different life stages, the protein and lysine requirements of your horse change. For a 170 kg weanling (4-10 months of age), the requirement is 29 grams per day. Yearlings (11-17 months) require 48 to 50 grams per day.
Threonine
Threonine is an amino acid that is important for the digestive tract and nutrient absorption. Between 60-90% of dietary threonine is used by the tissues in the gut.
Threonine is required to produce mucin proteins which form a protective barrier in the intestines. When dietary threonine is low, it is prioritized for mucin production and may not be available in adequate amounts to support muscle growth or protein synthesis. [2]
Horses that are susceptible to gut problems may benefit from threonine supplementation. High-grain diets fed to performance horses can cause microbial imbalances that injure the intestinal lining and lead to ulcers.
Supplemental threonine might help these horses handle high-grain diets and improve nutrient absorption leading to improved overall health and stamina.
According to the NRC, a 500 kg horse at maintenance requires 17 grams per day of threonine for optimal protein synthesis. [1]
Exercising horses have a greater demand for protein synthesis during exercise recovery. They require 19 to 22 grams of threonine daily depending on the intensity of their workload.
Growing animals also have higher needs. For a 170 kg weanling (4-10 months), the threonine requirement is 18 g per day. For a yearling (11-17 months), the requirement is 29 g per day.
Methionine
Methionine is an important precursor for the production of the antioxidant glutathione. [4] Horses that have inadequate levels of this amino acid might show signs of oxidative stress including slow recovery from exercise as well as more frequent illness.
Methionine helps maintain healthy joints, connective tissue, cartilage, and hooves. Horses with weak hooves might benefit from supplementation to strengthen hoof structure.
Methionine is converted into the amino acid cysteine, which is a sulfur-containing molecule that helps proteins maintain their structure. It is especially important for glucosamine, collagen, and keratin formation, which are proteins that are abundant in joints, connective tissue and hooves.
Methionine is also converted to s-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), which is an important methyl donor in all cells. [4] It provides a methyl group (one carbon with 3 hydrogen atoms attached) to numerous compounds like DNA and proteins which alters their function.
The NRC (2007) estimates that a 500 kg horse at maintenance requires 7.5 grams per day of methionine.
Growing horses require between 8 to 11 grams per day [3] and horses that are exercising require 8 to 10 grams total depending on the intensity of exercise.
You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.
References
- Mok, Chan Lee and Urschel, Kristine L. Threonine as a limiting amino acid in equine diets. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 2020.
- Law, Garson K. et al. Adequate oral threonine is critical for mucin production and gut function in neonatal piglets. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007.
- Winsco, Kelly N et al. Influence of methionine on growth and nitrogen balance in weanling quarter horsesJ Anim Sci. 2011.
- Brosnan, John T. and Brosnan, Margaret E.The sulfur-containing amino acids: An overview J Nutr. 2006.
- Tome, Daniel et al. Impact of low protein and lysine-deficient diets on bone metabolism (P08-072-19). Curr Dev Nutr. 2019.
- Brosnan, John T. and Brosnan, Margaret E.The sulfur-containing amino acids: An overview. J Nutr. 2006.
Consult with a nutritionist or veterinarian prior to use.
Top dress once daily on feed or ration.
Body Weight | Scoops | Dose |
<200 kg | ½ scoop | 10 g |
200 – 500 kg | 1 scoop | 20 g |
500 kg | 1 ½ scoops | 30 g |
1 scoop = 26.5 cc = 20 grams |
A scale should be used with all individual ingredients to ensure accurate dosing.
For equine use only. Not for use in horses intended for food.
Keep out of reach of children.
This VHP may not be incorporated into a mixed feed.
Active Ingredients: Per gram serving |
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Ingredient | Per 20 Grams | |
Lysine | 10 grams | |
Methionine | 6 grams | |
Threonine | 4 grams |
Ingredients: L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Threonine.
Recommended Use: Supports immune function, mane and haircoat, hooves and connective tissue.
Packaged by: Mad Barn Inc., Petersburg, ON, N0B 2H0, Canada.
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Servings | Cost Per Day |
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Customer Questions About This Product
- Are there any legume products used in the making of this product? What is the original source of these amino acids? What are they extracted from?
- Q Are there any legume products used in the making of this product? What is the original source of ...... Read moreAsked by March 8, 2024 12:37 pmonAnswered by the admin Our amino acids are synthesized without the use of legumes. Why does this VHP may not be incorporated into a mixed feed? We use VTM from Masterfeed and would like to add Mad Barn Three Amigos to my 3 years old. We also add W-3 Oil to their diet.
- Q Why does this VHP may not be incorporated into a mixed feed? We use VTM from Masterfeed and would...... Read moreAsked by January 22, 2024 7:55 amonAnswered by the admin This statement is required by the CFIA and pertains to manufacturers of livestock feeds as opposed to end consumers as the product's ingredients may be damaged during their processing procedure. It is fine to mix this product into your horse's feed. What does this mean: "This VHP may not be incorporated into a mixed feed"
- Q What does this mean: "This VHP may not be incorporated into a mixed feed"Asked by January 12, 2024 6:06 pmonAnswered by the admin This statement is required by the CFIA and pertains to manufacturers of processed livestock feeds as opposed to end consumers. It is fine to mix this product into your horse's feed.ÂAnswered by the admin This statement is required by the CFIA and pertains to manufacturers of livestock feeds as opposed to end consumers as the product's ingredients may be damaged during their processing procedure. It is fine to mix this product into your horse's feed. Is it safe to give Three Amigos to a 21 year old healthy horse in good shape that gets 30 minutes of light exercise every other day. He's a percheron/cleveland bay cross and is a little bit stocky with a dipped back. His coat and hooves are excellent. I watched a video in which a vet recommended these amino acids for the dipped back.
- Q Is it safe to give Three Amigos to a 21 year old healthy horse in good shape that gets 30 minutes...... Read moreAsked by October 7, 2022 11:03 amonAnswered by the admin Mad Barn’s Three Amigos is an equine essential amino acid supplement providing an ideal blend of lysine, methionine and threonine to support your horse’s health and wellness. This tri-amino blend contains three rate limiting amino acids that are commonly deficient in the equine diet. If your horse is low in any three of these amino acids, he may not be able to maintain muscle mass including in the top line area efficiently. We would recommend using this product to improve muscle mass, unless your veterinarian has advised not to supplement your horse with amino acids. Three Amigos can help to support your horse’s hoof health, hair and coat quality, immune function, joints and muscles as well as athletic performance. You may also want to consider consulting with one of Mad Barn's equine nutritionists to review your horse's overall diet to ensure he is receiving sufficient nutrients including amino acids. Can this be combined with Omneity and Optimum?
- Q Can this be combined with Omneity and Optimum?Asked by June 23, 2021 11:22 amonAnswered by the admin Yes, this supplement can be used with Omneity and Optimum. For personalized feeding rate recommendations, you can submit your horse's diet for evaluation here. Is this product well suited to pregnant broodmares? If so, is it also safe for their foals once born as they explore their dam's feed? If not, what is a better solution for optimal pregnancy?
- Q Is this product well suited to pregnant broodmares? If so, is it also safe for their foals once b...... Read moreAsked by April 11, 2021 9:01 pmonAnswered by the admin
Amino acids are safe for both mare and foal. We suggest consulting with a qualified nutritionist to come up with an appropriate feeding program for mare and foal.
Bonjour, votre produit '' Three Amigos'' a quelle texture, poudre ou pellet? Il y a longtemps que je cherche un produit comme celui-ci, Acides Aminés Essentiels pour mon cheval. Merci - Q Bonjour, votre produit '' Three Amigos'' a quelle texture, poudre ou pellet? Il y a longtemps que...... Read moreAsked by March 7, 2021 9:18 amonAnswered by the admin Bonjour Carole, Notre Trois Amigos est un supplément d'acides aminés en poudre. I am interested in this product, just curious why the threonine content is not higher. According to your description Threonine is very close in requirements to Lysine, so wondering why threonine is included at a much lower rate. Thank you!
- Q I am interested in this product, just curious why the threonine content is not higher. According ...... Read moreAsked by December 14, 2020 12:27 pmonAnswered by the admin Hi Stacey, the correct ratio you feed to your horse ultimately depend on how much threonine and lysine the typical horse gets from their diet. Typically, horses need more lysine than threonine to meet their minimum requirements.