Complete feed suggestions

Range · 11-17-2005, 08:26 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions on my forage problems. I have been trying to figure out complete feeds online, hopefully my feed store has some. I have some questions...if you use complete feed, what brand/type do you use? Nutrena says to feed 14lbs a day of their brand for a maintenance rations - OHMIGOSH! That seems like SO much. Romeo only gets 1/2 pound of our current feed. Also, there doesn't seem to be much fat in these products. I feed a 6% fat now and these only have 3%. What do you do if your horses are pasture kept and you can't use an automatic feeder? I would have to feed my mare approximately 17 pounds of food....8 pounds twice a day is an awful lot!!!! There is no way to feed them 3 times a day.

If I wasn't so worried about the lack of forage and them eating the pine trees (piney fresh breath), I would just stick with what I'm doing! Oops, forgot, there is NO hay! Drat it all.......

What about cost? Is it prohibitive? I spend $70 a month on grain and we're up to $150 a month on hay.....

annem · 11-17-2005, 08:39 PM

When I got my weanlings, I could not believe the amount of grain was recommended that should be given. I used my own judgement, plus free choice hay and kept a close eye on the weight. I double checked with my vet at the time whether I was alright in doing this. He told me that the quantities stated help to get the suppliers rich. If your horses are doing well on what you are giving them plus the hay, then you are doing alright. Plus he pointed out hay is alot cheaper than grain. I continued with my own common sense, and all my weanlings have turned out to be healthy young adults.

Right now, for three horses, I give them daily, (adult horses now) three to four squae bales of hay depending on whether there is any left over from the previous day. At $3.00 a bale, times 4 per day times 30 days in a month, it costs me $360.00 a month to keep my horses. This year, I won't grain them unless they look as if they need it. I may have to increase the quantity of hay to 5 a day when it gets colder. They are all healthy. The two boys have good weight on. The mare has ample? weight on her. Miss rolly poly. She gets like that every year.

It used to cost me $250 per month to board out with just hay for one horse. It now costs me $360 - $450 per month to have three horses at home. They are out 24/7 with a run in stall.

snickers · 11-17-2005, 10:21 PM

My horses are out 24/7 as well.
I feed once a day with a 12% all grain and a
multi-suppliment that adds enzymes, so they
can utilize their feed better and get what they
need from it. They also get one flake of hay,
twice a day.
I feed them each 3 scoops (4 lbs) once a day.
I have one that is kept in a paddock,( recently gelded mustang) and he gets fed twice a day, 4 scoops total, and 3 flakes of hay
twice a day.
As it gets colder, I will up their feed by one scoop and
more hay.
I spend a month for 7 horses, and one is a Belgian $388.00
If your horses are maintaining their weight, then
you are doing just fine.
Most feeds that I know of are not high in fat. You have to get
a weight building suppliment.

**taelesean** · 11-17-2005, 11:16 PM

keep in mind, Range, the complete feed is meant to be complete...for comparative nutrition, you have to add the hay or grass they would normally eat into that equation....the complete feeds are actually high-energy diets for horses, most of them are meant for hard-working horses that travel alot and don't have time to quietly munch the usual 15 - 20 pounds of hay every day.

even with the reduced energy in complete feed, most horses that get it as the main part of thier diet are not getting enough fiber, and turn into buzz-saws on the woodwork to get the extra celulose.

Check with your feed dealer for the availabity of stuff like hay replacer, dried and chopped or pelleted corn stalks, or alfalfa and grass cubes and pellets.

You can even offer clean straw as a fiber source and entertainment.

With hay prices in your area so high, have you considered jumping in your truck and heading out to someplace where hay is less expensive?

here is a link to the Internet hay exchange......might be worth at least a click.

http://www.hayexchange.com/index.php

muttduck · 11-18-2005, 05:32 AM

Currently:
7 bales Coastal a week at $5.95 = $42/week = $189.00/mo.
2 bags 10% sweet a week at $6.50 = $13/week = $58.50/mo.
1/2 bag Rice Bran a week at $18/bag = $9/week = $40.50/mo.

I currently spend $64 a week. $288 a month.
(One week's worth of my pay... Two horses. Not counting cookies or the occasional bale of Orchard.)

Now with winter approaching, I will probably up the hay.

Rocking Horse · 11-18-2005, 07:07 AM

Range:

Nutrena Safe Choice (pellet) has 7% fat and 15% fiber.. I have switched mine over to it, as the cost of Alfalfa here is almost $18 a bale and Coastal (grass) is $6 a bale. I was going thru about 9 bales of grass hay and 2 bales of Alfafla a week.. This weekend they are getting a big round bale of grass hay, in the pasture and then soaked Alfalfa cubes 2x a day with their feed.

With the Nutrena I am feeding my oh so stout (read: fat) QH gelding, 1 16 ounce cup 2x a day of the feed, free choice grass hay and then the cubes with that... He hasn't lost any weight yet

Even my mare (in foal) and my TB are looking good on it..... I don't know the prices in your area, but here is about $10.00 a bag.... Before I was paying 12, so not a bad deal....

Karen

snickers · 11-18-2005, 07:23 AM

Rocking Horse,
you south and central Floridians need to get together and
come up here and buy hay in bulk.
Coastal and bermuda hay is going for $2.00 - $3.50 a
square bale, some bales 50 lbs or better.
We are getting fresh cut hay.
Round rolls go for $15.00 - $40.00
Depending on what sze you want.
Over in Valdosta, GA,. Western Hay Co., selling the alphalfa,
which is about 25 miles from me, around $15.00 a bale.
I heard from friends down there that hay has sky rocketed.
I been trying to get her to come up with a few others and
buy a couple of trailer loads.
I know gas is high, but a few getting together splitting
the cost and going home with from 100 - 200 + bales
maybe worth it.

leadmare · 11-18-2005, 09:23 AM

I feed Purina Equine Jr to the growing ones. Now the suggested amount on the bag is for horses about 1100 lbs I think. It is for when you feed only the complete feed alone. No pasture, no hay. You adjust the ration for weight of your horse, amount of pasture, and/or hay you feed in addition to it.

Like any feed the amount depends on, if your horse is an easy keeper or harder keeper. Mac is an easy keeper, but still growing. He gets about 4 lbs 2 times a day. Dunkin had been so ill last year and is still recovering as he had lost soooo much weight. He gets the same as Mac. I will be adjusting this soon, because he is starting to be a blimp. Mind you, they get 0 hay right now and pitiful grass nubs in the pasture.

My weanies (about 500 lbs each and growing) get 3 lbs 2 times a day. They have access to pasture and I keep hay for them, but I think the sneaky piggy pony gets most of that

My Sr mare gets 3lbs 2 times a day of the Equine Sr. She also gets suppliments added. No hay, but is on short grass pasture.

So, altogether all five of them cost me roughly $265.00 per month in complete feed. My other five are just on pasture right now.

When I was feeding grain and hay it ran about $220.00 for (The cheaper)grain plus about $180.00 in hay per month. So, even though the complete feed costs more, I still have a savings of $135.00 a month

Orchid · 11-18-2005, 09:50 AM

Right now my two old geldings are on Nutrena Sr. They get all the grass hay they can eat and 8 lbs per day (three of my scoops) of the Sr. feed. It costs me $22 for 6 days of the complete feed ($10.99/bag, two bags every six days); I really don't know how much the hay costs as we put it up ourselves.

I have fed Scotty 14 lbs a day at times when he couldn't keep weight on (we ran out of hay and couldn't get very good quality hay at the time). A bag lasted 3.5 days for the one horse at that rate, so $22 a week per horse at 14lbs a day - but the Senior feed is the most expensive one they make (of course). At first 14 lbs a day seemed like a lot (split into two feedings a day) but it really doesn't take them long to eat that much.

If you buy it by the pallet most places will give you a better deal, too. Right now our Fleet Farm has Nutrena Sr. on sale for $9.99 a bag so I'm stocking up!

JSlow · 11-18-2005, 10:26 AM

Our horses on the farm are outside 24/7 with leanto's for shelters. They are fed grass or grass mix hay round bales, which they have access to all the time.

When we switched over from sweet feed to complete feed, we noticed a HUGE difference in our horses! Their coats looked nice and glossy, their attitudes got a lot better (not hyper/pissy/etc), and they kept those beautiful coats and great weight on during the winter!

We were feeding the Farm & Fleet brand of 12% complete pelleted feed, but have now switched over to Safechoice (Nutrena) as it is much closer for us to get. The horses seem to be doing about the same on it and this was a better move for us since we like the idea of having one feed for everyone - broodmares, foals, and "teenagers" - all the stages of development! We also buy by the pallet, so we have arranged to get a "bulk price" with the feed dealer. Something maybe to look into!

Range · 11-18-2005, 05:42 PM

Okay, so, since I have no hay, but they are on pasture that might grow if there's any rain...would a complete feed be the best route to go? I can continue with the grain we're using and add beet pulp, but that might be more expensive than hay at $10 for a 40 pound bag.

Think no forage and then you have my situation. Stupid weather! Never had to deal with this problem....EVER!

Edited to add - Anyone have experience with Purina Horse Chow200? It's a complete feed. It is for mature horses, but I feed the same to my weanling, yearling, 4 year old, donkey, miniatures, and broodmare. I just alter the amounts by weight. I noticed that most were using Nutrena Safechoice, but it's NOT a complete feed according to the label.... I don't have a Nutrena dealer by me, but I do have a Purina dealer! Please, help me out.....

leadmare · 11-18-2005, 07:04 PM

I myself, would be more comfortable feeding just the complete feed with a dry lot situation, in the pinch you are in. That way you will not have to change feed when it does rain and you can cut back on the amount, if the pasture comes back. I would be more confident that they are getting what they need.

I'll do a rain dance for you

Deb Tauer · 11-19-2005, 11:11 AM

Purina has some complete feeds that are meant to be fed as the only feed a horse gets. Found this page regarding their feeds.
http://horse.purinamills.com/products/build.html

11-17-2005, 08:26 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,740	Complete feed suggestions Thank you all for your suggestions on my forage problems. I have been trying to figure out complete feeds online, hopefully my feed store has some. I have some questions...if you use complete feed, what brand/type do you use? Nutrena says to feed 14lbs a day of their brand for a maintenance rations - OHMIGOSH! That seems like SO much. Romeo only gets 1/2 pound of our current feed. Also, there doesn't seem to be much fat in these products. I feed a 6% fat now and these only have 3%. What do you do if your horses are pasture kept and you can't use an automatic feeder? I would have to feed my mare approximately 17 pounds of food....8 pounds twice a day is an awful lot!!!! There is no way to feed them 3 times a day. If I wasn't so worried about the lack of forage and them eating the pine trees (piney fresh breath), I would just stick with what I'm doing! Oops, forgot, there is NO hay! Drat it all....... What about cost? Is it prohibitive? I spend $70 a month on grain and we're up to $150 a month on hay..... __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

11-17-2005, 08:39 PM
annem Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 2,238	When I got my weanlings, I could not believe the amount of grain was recommended that should be given. I used my own judgement, plus free choice hay and kept a close eye on the weight. I double checked with my vet at the time whether I was alright in doing this. He told me that the quantities stated help to get the suppliers rich. If your horses are doing well on what you are giving them plus the hay, then you are doing alright. Plus he pointed out hay is alot cheaper than grain. I continued with my own common sense, and all my weanlings have turned out to be healthy young adults. Right now, for three horses, I give them daily, (adult horses now) three to four squae bales of hay depending on whether there is any left over from the previous day. At $3.00 a bale, times 4 per day times 30 days in a month, it costs me $360.00 a month to keep my horses. This year, I won't grain them unless they look as if they need it. I may have to increase the quantity of hay to 5 a day when it gets colder. They are all healthy. The two boys have good weight on. The mare has ample? weight on her. Miss rolly poly. She gets like that every year. It used to cost me $250 per month to board out with just hay for one horse. It now costs me $360 - $450 per month to have three horses at home. They are out 24/7 with a run in stall. __________________ Anne

11-17-2005, 10:21 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 9,804	My horses are out 24/7 as well. I feed once a day with a 12% all grain and a multi-suppliment that adds enzymes, so they can utilize their feed better and get what they need from it. They also get one flake of hay, twice a day. I feed them each 3 scoops (4 lbs) once a day. I have one that is kept in a paddock,( recently gelded mustang) and he gets fed twice a day, 4 scoops total, and 3 flakes of hay twice a day. As it gets colder, I will up their feed by one scoop and more hay. I spend a month for 7 horses, and one is a Belgian $388.00 If your horses are maintaining their weight, then you are doing just fine. Most feeds that I know of are not high in fat. You have to get a weight building suppliment. __________________ The "real" FACE of white trash is not here. http://diamondpfarm.webs.com/

11-17-2005, 11:16 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,319	keep in mind, Range, the complete feed is meant to be complete...for comparative nutrition, you have to add the hay or grass they would normally eat into that equation....the complete feeds are actually high-energy diets for horses, most of them are meant for hard-working horses that travel alot and don't have time to quietly munch the usual 15 - 20 pounds of hay every day. even with the reduced energy in complete feed, most horses that get it as the main part of thier diet are not getting enough fiber, and turn into buzz-saws on the woodwork to get the extra celulose. Check with your feed dealer for the availabity of stuff like hay replacer, dried and chopped or pelleted corn stalks, or alfalfa and grass cubes and pellets. You can even offer clean straw as a fiber source and entertainment. With hay prices in your area so high, have you considered jumping in your truck and heading out to someplace where hay is less expensive? here is a link to the Internet hay exchange......might be worth at least a click. http://www.hayexchange.com/index.php __________________

11-18-2005, 05:32 AM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,959	Currently: 7 bales Coastal a week at $5.95 = $42/week = $189.00/mo. 2 bags 10% sweet a week at $6.50 = $13/week = $58.50/mo. 1/2 bag Rice Bran a week at $18/bag = $9/week = $40.50/mo. I currently spend $64 a week. $288 a month. (One week's worth of my pay... Two horses. Not counting cookies or the occasional bale of Orchard.) Now with winter approaching, I will probably up the hay. __________________ Custom stall signs and pet portraits, Wood Burned by hand with your equine's (or pet's) image: www.WoodburnedPetPortraits.com Self Defense Supplies, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays: https://selfprotectionsupplies.com/

11-18-2005, 07:07 AM
Rocking Horse Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,388	Range: Nutrena Safe Choice (pellet) has 7% fat and 15% fiber.. I have switched mine over to it, as the cost of Alfalfa here is almost $18 a bale and Coastal (grass) is $6 a bale. I was going thru about 9 bales of grass hay and 2 bales of Alfafla a week.. This weekend they are getting a big round bale of grass hay, in the pasture and then soaked Alfalfa cubes 2x a day with their feed. With the Nutrena I am feeding my oh so stout (read: fat) QH gelding, 1 16 ounce cup 2x a day of the feed, free choice grass hay and then the cubes with that... He hasn't lost any weight yet Even my mare (in foal) and my TB are looking good on it..... I don't know the prices in your area, but here is about $10.00 a bag.... Before I was paying 12, so not a bad deal.... Karen __________________ http://www.horsetopia.com/2year.gif ~ Too many freaks, not enough circuses ~

11-18-2005, 07:23 AM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 9,804	Rocking Horse, you south and central Floridians need to get together and come up here and buy hay in bulk. Coastal and bermuda hay is going for $2.00 - $3.50 a square bale, some bales 50 lbs or better. We are getting fresh cut hay. Round rolls go for $15.00 - $40.00 Depending on what sze you want. Over in Valdosta, GA,. Western Hay Co., selling the alphalfa, which is about 25 miles from me, around $15.00 a bale. I heard from friends down there that hay has sky rocketed. I been trying to get her to come up with a few others and buy a couple of trailer loads. I know gas is high, but a few getting together splitting the cost and going home with from 100 - 200 + bales maybe worth it. __________________ The "real" FACE of white trash is not here. http://diamondpfarm.webs.com/

11-18-2005, 09:23 AM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,168	I feed Purina Equine Jr to the growing ones. Now the suggested amount on the bag is for horses about 1100 lbs I think. It is for when you feed only the complete feed alone. No pasture, no hay. You adjust the ration for weight of your horse, amount of pasture, and/or hay you feed in addition to it. Like any feed the amount depends on, if your horse is an easy keeper or harder keeper. Mac is an easy keeper, but still growing. He gets about 4 lbs 2 times a day. Dunkin had been so ill last year and is still recovering as he had lost soooo much weight. He gets the same as Mac. I will be adjusting this soon, because he is starting to be a blimp. Mind you, they get 0 hay right now and pitiful grass nubs in the pasture. My weanies (about 500 lbs each and growing) get 3 lbs 2 times a day. They have access to pasture and I keep hay for them, but I think the sneaky piggy pony gets most of that My Sr mare gets 3lbs 2 times a day of the Equine Sr. She also gets suppliments added. No hay, but is on short grass pasture. So, altogether all five of them cost me roughly $265.00 per month in complete feed. My other five are just on pasture right now. When I was feeding grain and hay it ran about $220.00 for (The cheaper)grain plus about $180.00 in hay per month. So, even though the complete feed costs more, I still have a savings of $135.00 a month __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

11-18-2005, 09:50 AM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,048	Right now my two old geldings are on Nutrena Sr. They get all the grass hay they can eat and 8 lbs per day (three of my scoops) of the Sr. feed. It costs me $22 for 6 days of the complete feed ($10.99/bag, two bags every six days); I really don't know how much the hay costs as we put it up ourselves. I have fed Scotty 14 lbs a day at times when he couldn't keep weight on (we ran out of hay and couldn't get very good quality hay at the time). A bag lasted 3.5 days for the one horse at that rate, so $22 a week per horse at 14lbs a day - but the Senior feed is the most expensive one they make (of course). At first 14 lbs a day seemed like a lot (split into two feedings a day) but it really doesn't take them long to eat that much. If you buy it by the pallet most places will give you a better deal, too. Right now our Fleet Farm has Nutrena Sr. on sale for $9.99 a bag so I'm stocking up! __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing

11-18-2005, 10:26 AM
JSlow Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	Our horses on the farm are outside 24/7 with leanto's for shelters. They are fed grass or grass mix hay round bales, which they have access to all the time. When we switched over from sweet feed to complete feed, we noticed a HUGE difference in our horses! Their coats looked nice and glossy, their attitudes got a lot better (not hyper/pissy/etc), and they kept those beautiful coats and great weight on during the winter! We were feeding the Farm & Fleet brand of 12% complete pelleted feed, but have now switched over to Safechoice (Nutrena) as it is much closer for us to get. The horses seem to be doing about the same on it and this was a better move for us since we like the idea of having one feed for everyone - broodmares, foals, and "teenagers" - all the stages of development! We also buy by the pallet, so we have arranged to get a "bulk price" with the feed dealer. Something maybe to look into! __________________ Rising Water Quarter Horses Home of World Champion stallion Phenomenal Creation www.risingwaterqh.com

11-18-2005, 05:42 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,740	complete feeds Okay, so, since I have no hay, but they are on pasture that might grow if there's any rain...would a complete feed be the best route to go? I can continue with the grain we're using and add beet pulp, but that might be more expensive than hay at $10 for a 40 pound bag. Think no forage and then you have my situation. Stupid weather! Never had to deal with this problem....EVER! Edited to add - Anyone have experience with Purina Horse Chow200? It's a complete feed. It is for mature horses, but I feed the same to my weanling, yearling, 4 year old, donkey, miniatures, and broodmare. I just alter the amounts by weight. I noticed that most were using Nutrena Safechoice, but it's NOT a complete feed according to the label.... I don't have a Nutrena dealer by me, but I do have a Purina dealer! Please, help me out..... __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

11-18-2005, 07:04 PM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,168	I myself, would be more comfortable feeding just the complete feed with a dry lot situation, in the pinch you are in. That way you will not have to change feed when it does rain and you can cut back on the amount, if the pasture comes back. I would be more confident that they are getting what they need. I'll do a rain dance for you __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

11-19-2005, 11:11 AM
Deb Tauer Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chisago City, MN Posts: 57	Purina has some complete feeds that are meant to be fed as the only feed a horse gets. Found this page regarding their feeds. http://horse.purinamills.com/products/build.html