Grain-Free Diet

[NaturallyHappy]

I’ve tried all of the vit/mineral supplements mentioned here to no avail w one horse. We get to a certain point in increasing the amount of vit/min supplement and it’s a big fat nope. He dumps his bucket. I can’t tell you how much money I’ve spent and it’s best I don’t try to figure it out. Buckeye came out w a low NSC (8.5%) called Low N Steady. Chewy has it. He likes it. I’m done😀.

[JB]

@BayBondGirl

She seems content in her tummy again, and gets grumpy if I reduce the quantity of alfalfa pellets, but her coat looks duller. Most people rave about the Omneity but this particular horse doesn’t look amazing when she’s on it; she looked absolutely phenomenal on the soy-based ration balancer.

you could try one of the soy-free ration balancers, since this may not be about the soy. Triple Crown Balancer Gold, Tribute Wholesome Blends Balancer, Purina Omega Match (note a roughly 2x feeding rate vs others), Hygain has 1 or 2 (but also $$$).

[BayBondGirl]

@JB

you could try one of the soy-free ration balancers, since this may not be about the soy. Triple Crown Balancer Gold, Tribute Wholesome Blends Balancer, Purina Omega Match (note a roughly 2x feeding rate vs others), Hygain has 1 or 2 (but also $$$).

I’m in Canada so have very limited options unfortunately

[JB]

oh rats. Does anyone carry plain soybean meal? You could try adding that to the Omniety and see if her stomach disagrees? If so, you know it’s a soy issue

[BayBondGirl]

Yes actually, I could try that! It would be nice to go back to the simplicity of the RB

[Simkie]

@BayBondGirl

She seems content in her tummy again, and gets grumpy if I reduce the quantity of alfalfa pellets, but her coat looks duller. Most people rave about the Omneity but this particular horse doesn’t look amazing when she’s on it; she looked absolutely phenomenal on the soy-based ration balancer.

You might consider adding a fat source, like flax seed or oil. Alfalfa pellets are quite a bit lower in fat than ration balancers, and fat makes them shiny for sure!

[BayBondGirl]

@Simkie

You might consider adding a fat source, like flax seed or oil. Alfalfa pellets are quite a bit lower in fat than ration balancers, and fat makes them shiny for sure!

This is a good point that I hadn’t really thought of. I was considering putting a fat source in, but didn’t pursue it because I wasn’t sure if I’m going to keep her on this diet long-term or not. Thanks for the suggestion!

[SusanO]

You used to be able to buy just soybean meal at feedstores - feed and seed (not TSC). I don’t know if they still sell it or not. It was pretty cheap back in the day.

[JB]

Many feed stores do still sell bags of SBM, they usually know it as “cow food”

[candyappy]

@SusanO

You used to be able to buy just soybean meal at feedstores - feed and seed (not TSC). I don’t know if they still sell it or not. It was pretty cheap back in the day.

I can get it at my local feed dealer ( Missouri Farmers Assoc Co Op) . I think it is $ 15 a 50 pound bag. I mix my own grain for my goats and get anything I need from them as far as grains.

They carry brand name bagged feeds as well as individual bagged grains and feed products under their name. Really handy.

Not sure what you call them now a days? Feed store was what I would think? You could see if your state has one of their own?

[WNT]

Most feed vendors have a list of items your local feed store may not carry but could special order. Thats how we can get soybean meal and occasional other bulk products like l-lysine.

You’re more likely to get that from a local feed store than a TSC/Rural King store.