New “Forage Only” Complete Feed

[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.

[RhythmNCruise]

Good idea! I’ve had their credit card in the past, but I’m a Chase Ultimate Rewards hoarder for free Southwest flights ever year down to Disney, so everything goes on the Chase UR earners for me.

My mom’s cat has been having digestive issues with the food they’re giving her (grocery store brand) so we went to TSC yesterday to find her a better quality cat food. It’s the only store in our small town that has options beyond grocery store level. Once we figure out what works for the cat, I’m going to start an autoship for it from Chewy. Mom is intimidated by such stuff, but my dog’s food is already autoshipped and I’ll just add kitty’s food to that.

I am happy that TSC is at least carrying the Forage Only. I’ve thought about returning to a Standlee option, but it’s hard to stomach the added expense. Although, when I’m hefting those 50-lb. bags out of the trunk of my car, I do kind of long for the 40-pounders, LOL. But the horses love Forage Only and look really good on it.

[spacehorse]

Have you used this for your old guy? How is it? I just acquired and old fart babysitter and he quids quite a bit and is a bit thin. Looking at trying this out as I can get it locally at TSC.

[JB]

@spacehorse

Have you used this for your old guy?

I’ve tried, twice, and he just doesn’t like it I tried around when it first showed up at my TSC, and it was not a hit. I got a bag 2 weeks ago because his taste changes regularly, and it’s still a no-go. Thankfully the others like it so I get to use it up 1-2 cups at a time LOL I think it might be the flax oil he doesn’t like, but I can’t say for sure.

But don’t let that stop you from trying it!

[clanter]

@ClassyJumper

I am all in on the standlee version. It may be more pricey but at this point I am all about convenience

suggestion only to check Tractor Supply’s delivery program to see if what you use is in their free delivery program. We use Standlee Teff pellets, TSC’s has a subscription program similar to Chewy’s that makes the Standlee product we use if ordered in amounts that exceed $49, applies a 5% discount

We have been able to reduce the cost of the Teff pellets we use by 16%, plus they are being delivered free

[SmlHpy1]

I was trying to find the ingredient list for this, but can’t seem to.
Could this be used in place of alfalfa pellets. My guy gets 2 lbs of alfalfa pellets. The feed crew at my barn is generally unwilling to walk to get the hot water and so they don’t soak well. I was wondering if there is anything I need to consider nutritionally in trying these as a replacement?

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

I never soak in hot water. I just use water from the faucet. Soaks fine in 5 minutes. Just FYI.

[Sdel]

It’s a very small pellet with alfalfa, beet pulp, and flax oil. No soaking is really required. I don’t soak mine, but do top dress on a soaked cube. The complete is balanced for minerals while the only is just the pellet and no minerals was how I understood it.

[SmlHpy1]

Yes I’m not asking about the soaking but the nutritional aspect of replacing alfalfa pellets with this.

[JB]

@SmlHpy1

I was trying to find the ingredient list for this, but can’t seem to.

Ingredients are right on their website
https://unbeetablefeeds.com/unbeetable-forage-only-blend/

and if you’re looking for the Complete feed (which is in the title, but the original post is about the Forage Only product which is NOT a complete feed) then
https://unbeetablefeeds.com/unbeetable-complete/

The GAs are on the product pages too

So the Forage Only is mostly alfalfa, some beet pulp, and some flax oil that doesn’t really budge the fat content

The pellets are small and soft, so the horse who chews well and isn’t prone to choke shouldn’t have any issue with them. But, these soak VERY quickly even in cold water

[SmlHpy1]

Is it literally just alfalfa, beet pulp and flax? Someone way above mentioned wheat and soy being high on the list and I don’t see any list - just three ingredients.

I’m not looking for a complete feed. Just options for replacing alfalfa pellets. I tried the Bluebonnet Aflalfa Nibblets, but the ingredients were not pure alfalfa. Seemed a bit more like a hay stretcher. They worked well enough I suppose, but depending how wet they were, he wouldn’t eat them all.

[JB]

@SmlHpy1

Someone way above mentioned wheat and soy being high on the list and I don’t see any list - just three ingredients.

you’ll have to follow that trail, they were talking about another product.

I tried the Alfa Nibblets too for my old guy and he doesn’t like them either, I think it’s the rice bran as he really doesn’t like that.

[trubandloki]

@SmlHpy1

Is it literally just alfalfa, beet pulp and flax? Someone way above mentioned wheat and soy being high on the list and I don’t see any list - just three ingredients.

I don’t blame you for being confused, the thread changes from product to product quite a bit.

It might be easiest for you to look at the unbeatable website so you can see the difference in their products.

[SmlHpy1]

@JB

@SmlHpy1

Someone way above mentioned wheat and soy being high on the list and I don’t see any list - just three ingredients.

you’ll have to follow that trail, they were talking about another product.

I tried the Alfa Nibblets too for my old guy and he doesn’t like them either, I think it’s the rice bran as he really doesn’t like that.

Yeah I tried to understand what they were talking about and never really did figure it out. Thanks!

[SmlHpy1]

@trubandloki

@SmlHpy1

Is it literally just alfalfa, beet pulp and flax? Someone way above mentioned wheat and soy being high on the list and I don’t see any list - just three ingredients.

I don’t blame you for being confused, the thread changes from product to product quite a bit.

It might be easiest for you to look at the unbeatable website so you can see the difference in their products.

I did look at the website. I was looking for Ingredients spelled out. . . because the Bluebonnet wasn’t just alfalfa as I expected it to be. But this just seems to be three things.