New “Forage Only” Complete Feed

[RhythmNCruise]

Our TSC is notorious for a lot of turnover of employees and long lines at the registers. I loathe going there on the weekends because it’s so busy and takes forever. But then again, I’ve been in there in the middle of the day during the week when it’s slow and I’ve stood at the register wondering if ANYONE is working there…helloooo???

I’m literally right around the corner from my locally owned Triple Crown dealer. They order TC Gold Balancer for me, plus they have far superior shavings to TSC’s. They have some Standlee products, but I don’t think they carry any Unbeetable. If they did, whew…I’d never go to TSC again. It’s like the Walmart of feed stores, LOL.

[NaturallyHappy]

I’ve been using Standlee’s Gastric Support and Carb Smart. My horses like it better.

[trubandloki]

@RhythmNCruise

They have some Standlee products, but I don’t think they carry any Unbeetable. If they did, whew…I’d never go to TSC again. It’s like the Walmart of feed stores, LOL.

I wonder if they could order it in for you?

The tractor supply I use does have so much turn over in employees (it makes me wonder if the manager who is always so nice to me, is not an easy person to work for), but checking out is usually not too bad. If more than one person waiting they call for another person to run check out or someone comes and uses the hand held check out device. That is very cool

[JB]

@trubandloki

I wonder if they could order it in for you?

At least for now, this is a TSC-specific product

[RhythmNCruise]

I didn’t realize that. Hopefully that will motivate them to keep it in stock in their stores then at least.

[NaturallyHappy]

Actually, it’s not. My feed mill where we buy most things is an independent, privately owned mill. They’ve carried Unbeatable beet pulp for some time and now carry Forage Only, as well.

[fordtraktor]

Re:TSC—I went once and they had Triple Crown Senior in stock but told me it was too annoying to get to it. I really needed it and the cashier told me that the secret is to order it on the app for curbside delivery because corporate makes them prioritize those orders. Next morning I picked up my feed from a very grumbly associate who said it took them hours to get to it. I don’t know about that or why they don’t have things more organized, but at least my horses got fed.

There is no other store in my area that carries the product sadly. I now go in and have them special order me 20 at a time to be sure I have it as needed.

[SusanO]

Oh so that is the secret. Good to know! I had a huge problem with them back when the only hay my “cheap” companion pony could eat was Standlee timothy. They had plenty but it was “in the back” and" nobody there could use the forklift". I tried for DAYS to get them to get some down and finally had to give up and make a 100 mile roundtrip to another store to buy some. I was so mad! Have not bought any hay from them since thankfully. Next time I need something and get this answer I will try this.

[JB]

@NaturallyHappy

Actually, it’s not. My feed mill where we buy most things is an independent, privately owned mill. They’ve carried Unbeatable beet pulp for some time and now carry Forage Only, as well.

Well that’s interesting, as I’d seen posts on their page saying this was specific to TSC. Thanks!

[NaturallyHappy]

The manager of the mill called and got the name of the distributor. The FO is manufactured at a plant in Minnesota (I think). My mill buys other product out of there so was able to get it. It was a long process.

[JB]

oh, so he set up a special deal to get it right from the plant, thanks!

[Zlotych]

Sad face. I hate going to TSC for anything. All the bad experiences above echo my own.

[trubandloki]

@Zlotych

Sad face. I hate going to TSC for anything. All the bad experiences above echo my own.

Well, thankfully, if you kept reading your learned that you might be able to get it other places.

[candyappy]

@Zlotych

Sad face. I hate going to TSC for anything. All the bad experiences above echo my own.

It must be the employees at certain stores. My TSC people are friendly and go out of their way to get something from the back if it isn’t on the shelf .

[Rapunzel]

I have been using Forage Only for a couple of months now on two TBs that can be slightly hard to keep weight on. They are 16 and 17 years old, in great health, regularly get their teeth floated, in full work…but, BOTH have had choke episodes on the Forage Only.

The product claims to be safe to feed dry. I have tried it dry, slightly wet and soupy. The pellets are small and break fairly easily, not much different than a typical grain pellet in size but slightly harder. Neither of these horses bolt their feed or are particularly aggressive eaters.

The one that had the more serious choke episodes (3 total, with an emergency vet call on the 3rd, the first two passed quickly) was only getting 2 qts of Forage Only, so not a huge amount of feed to begin with. After choke episode 1, I started adding water to the product and have increased it to a fairly significant amount for a product that can be fed dry. On the plus side, he likes it and it has put weight on him, plus, he is prone to dry itchy skin and that has noticeably improved - no more tail rubbing!

The other TB had only one very mild choke episode. He gets 4 qts of Forage Only, so a greater amount of feed but is a slow eater. He seemed to really like the product dry (he was getting super sloppy beet pulp and alfalfa pellets prior). I now get his slightly wet and he has been fine. The Forage Only has greatly reduced the volume of feed he has to get in a day while putting weight on him. Plus, it is super palatable to him. So, overall, I am very happy with this product for this particular horse.

In summary, I like the make up of the Forage Only and do think it helps with weight. I do find it easier to feed than beet pulp and/or alfalfa pellets, but I would NOT feed it dry, which is a bummer.

[RhythmNCruise]

I have never fed it dry and wouldn’t because I don’t feed anything dry. My gelding bolts his feed and has to have everything soaked to a mush. His roomie has always eaten her feed soaked as well, though she’s a careful, slow eater.

I’ve had no issues feeding it soaked. It soaks fast and turns into a mushy blob within a minute or two. I usually pick through the two run-in stalls (right next to the feed room) and then it’s ready to serve. Literally less than three minutes, I’d say.

When the weather turns cold, I’ll bring warm water from home to soak it in and that’ll soak almost instantly.

My main issue with it is that I don’t see it on Chewy yet and TSC has it sometimes and not others. I’m running low again and am about to look and see if TSC has any in stock. My plan to avoid TSC has been foiled. I had to run over there to grab a bag of Purina Pro Plan the other day because it’s the only place locally that carries it and I didn’t have time to wait on Chewy (I kept forgetting to reorder).

[FjordBCRF]

@RhythmNCruise

My main issue with it is that I don’t see it on Chewy yet and TSC has it sometimes and not others. I’m running low again and am about to look and see if TSC has any in stock.

I had to do a TSC run for it too. My “stick it to them” is using their credit card for all my horse stuff, get the 5% kickbacks from the store and at the vet, and seem to always have at least $10 in rewards each time I go. No interest from me

Anxiously awaiting for chewy to start carrying it.

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Make that me three. At least they had it in stock. I feel bad for the employees…not their fault.

[Larbear]

I know this post was from a year ago but my guy who was getting soaked beet pulp has decided he’s not interested in it anymore (ugh!). I’m considering the Unbeetable pellets (alfalfa, BP, flax combo). Did your mare like it? If so, are you still feeding it?

[FromTheGalaxy]

I am still feeding it, but I wouldn’t say its her favorite. I have been mixing it dry with her regular grain, and she’ll usually pick at it through the day and cleans it up by dinner time, but not always. She does not love it soaked, it can get a little bit gummy if not super wet (which she also doesn’t like lol). My other horses who are not as picky are big fans, but they’d probably eat anything to be honest.