Meet Amy B. and Mouse
Success Story Bio
- Success Profile: Bottofer (aka "Mouse")
- Breed: Dutch Warmblood
- Age: 21
- Discipline: Equitation, Hunters, and Jumpers
- Owner: Amy Benenson
Why SmartSupplements?
Mouse is my newly 21-year-old partner in the show ring and in life, and we often joke that he has no idea how old he is! We lovingly call him Benjamin Button because he just keeps getting stronger, fitter, and younger with time. I’ve been riding since I was young, and while I once dreamed of becoming a professional, I chose a career in medicine with horses remaining my passion. After taking three years off to focus on my education, Mouse helped me "brush off the dust" and return to the ring. He’s been with me since September 2022, and I truly couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help me rediscover my riding legs.
We compete in all three rings—equitation, hunters, and jumpers—which has been such an exciting challenge. I grew up focusing on equitation medals, so adding the jumpers to our resume has helped me become a more confident and well-rounded rider. Mouse makes it easy; he really shines in every ring. Just this year, we showed in all three disciplines within the same month and we placed in the top three in almost every class!
Mouse has always had a sensitive digestive system. Even minor changes like greener hay, shifting weather, or just an unknown trigger would leave him dealing with watery manure, discomfort, and plenty of extra time in the wash stall (gray horse problems!). After using a gastric health supplement for over a year, I decided to switch to SmartDigest® Ultra to better support his hindgut health. The switch was super simple to do online, and I was pleasantly surprised to see SmartDigest Ultra is ColiCare® eligible. It was a no-brainer.
I noticed a real difference in Mouse within the first 30 days of starting SmartDigest Ultra. During a time when he would typically struggle with his digestion due to lush, green hay, he was completely clean and comfortable, no extra trips to the wash stall needed! My trainer and I were both amazed and he’s been on it ever since.
Why SmartPaks?
I’ve trusted SmartPak for nearly 17 years, and I’ve been a loyal SmartPaks user since I was 16. Back then, my parents hated watching me scoop supplements into zip-lock baggies on our dining room table—what they used to call “baggie time.” My trainer told us about SmartPaks, and we never looked back. These days, our entire barn uses them. It makes everyday feeding, and especially traveling for shows, so much easier.
Mouse also gets Probios® Powder and Elevate® Maintenance Powder as part of his supplement program. We call them his “toppings” because they’re always the first thing he goes for in his grain. I can’t blame him, toppings are the best part! Everything he eats is carefully chosen and easy to manage thanks to SmartPak.
SmartPak has been with me throughout my riding journey, from my junior years to my current adventures with Mouse in all three rings. Thanks to SmartDigest Ultra, Mouse is comfortable, happy, and thriving—and I can keep focusing on what we love most: riding, learning, and enjoying the bond we’ve built together.
Learn More
SmartDigest® Ultra Pellets - provides unparalleled hindgut support for every horse and is specially designed to help manage digestive stress that results from modern horse-keeping practices, such as hay changes, training, travel and more.
This blend of targeted ingredients includes:
- Probiotics, or live microorganisms, that help promote healthy digestive and immune function
- Prebiotics, shown to reduce disruption in the cecum and colon and to inhibit the absorption of harmful bacteria in the hindgut
- DVEquine™ Postbiotic, shown to improve fiber digestion and to assist the beneficial bacteria of the cecum in adjusting to feed changes
- Enzymes demonstrated to increase the proper digestion of starch in the foregut
- All in a tasty pellet that’s easy to feed with or without grain, and with no added sugar!
Not to mention, SmartDigest Ultra is backed by research, including:
- An in vitro study showing SmartDigest Ultra and SmartGI Ultra with DVEquine™ Postbiotic produced significantly more of the beneficial Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) than the control
- Numerous studies on prebiotics, enzymes, and other ingredients validating their positive effects on gut structure and function