PNW people what did you feed (grain)

[jennywho]

TC still has not gotten back to me regarding a new manufacturer.

I bought every last bag of growth my feed store had but they ran out of senior a couple of weeks ago and I’m now driving quite a ways to get it.

I figured I better start looking into what else might be available here. I fed purina for years and I really don’t want to go back after having so many problems. I do still feed ultium but it won’t work for everyone. I have never been impressed with nutrena.

Are there any other high quality brands available out here?

While not a grain, I do feed quite a bit of haystack special blend, but again, it doesn’t work for everyone. It’s also frustrating that I have to pay 17.99/bag at my local feed store but if I drive 45 minutes I can get it for 12.99 and cheaper when it is on sale.

Any ideas?

[GoodTimes]

Not sure about the availability and pricing in your area but I love Tribute feeds.

[PNWjumper]

I feed LMF feeds. Really like the company and the products and have fed a pretty decent variety of them over the years.

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

My guys are all forage based so the Haystack works out great + oats for the one in work. When I was feeding grain I really liked LMF.

[horsepoor]

I also really liked LMF when I needed to do grain. My current horses are all doing fine on a no-grain routine of Haystack Low Carb/Low Fat (Special Blend w/o the oil) or beet pulp with flax seed and vits/supps. Since having horses at home, where they have high quality and consistent forage (not always the case when boarding), I have rarely fed grain.

[jennywho]

I forgot about LMF. I will look into it thanks.

I don’t think we can get tribute out here which is a bummer because I have heard really good things about it.

[whbar158]

Although nutrena their pro force line is pretty good now. My friend switched her barn from TC to it awhile back and everyone still looks great! She feeds the pro force fiber. I think it’s available everywhere now.

[Obsidian_Fire]

[QUOTE=jennywho;8663776]
TC still has not gotten back to me regarding a new manufacturer.

I bought every last bag of growth my feed store had but they ran out of senior a couple of weeks ago and I’m now driving quite a ways to get it.

I figured I better start looking into what else might be available here. I fed purina for years and I really don’t want to go back after having so many problems. I do still feed ultium but it won’t work for everyone. I have never been impressed with nutrena.

Are there any other high quality brands available out here?

While not a grain, I do feed quite a bit of haystack special blend, but again, it doesn’t work for everyone. It’s also frustrating that I have to pay 17.99/bag at my local feed store but if I drive 45 minutes I can get it for 12.99 and cheaper when it is on sale.

Any ideas?[/QUOTE]

Will somebody fill me in please because I also feed TC Sr.
Thanks.

[Heinz_57]

OP, where are you located?

I switched to Purina’s version of haystack SB, bagged under the Albers label as Special 6. I just couldn’t rationalize paying $28/bag for TC Sr, especially not while I’m sidelined this year and horses are just sitting.

If you have a local Purina dealer it might be worth seeing if they carry the Special 6 or could order it in for you. It’s not exactly the same ingredient-wise as Haystack, but I have used both and saw no difference in my horse - a 17+h, 18yo 1500lb TB. I supplement additional fat as needed.

FWIW, ultium makes him unbearably spooky and high strung.

[Obsidian_Fire]

[QUOTE=jennywho;8663776]
TC still has not gotten back to me regarding a new manufacturer.

I bought every last bag of growth my feed store had but they ran out of senior a couple of weeks ago and I’m now driving quite a ways to get it.

I figured I better start looking into what else might be available here. I fed purina for years and I really don’t want to go back after having so many problems. I do still feed ultium but it won’t work for everyone. I have never been impressed with nutrena.

Are there any other high quality brands available out here?

While not a grain, I do feed quite a bit of haystack special blend, but again, it doesn’t work for everyone. It’s also frustrating that I have to pay 17.99/bag at my local feed store but if I drive 45 minutes I can get it for 12.99 and cheaper when it is on sale.

Any ideas?[/QUOTE]

OKAY…got the scoop regarding Triple Crown. OP I don’t know where you are located or where you were buying your TC at…but…here is what my feed guy told me:

TC was being milled by Nutrena in Bellingham (? I think) and Nutrena was not manufacturing to TC’s specs. So TC sourced out a new mill in Fresno, CA.

What this means is that stores that are Nutrena-branded (like Coastal) are going to have the devils own time getting TC if they can get it at all.

There will also be other feed stores likely to not carry it anymore. Apparently every little detail is not yet worked out.

Hope that helps.

Oh and Haystack doesn’t provide any vitamins/minerals beyond what the ingredients naturally provide…so… if you can’t get TC anymore, I’ve had good luck using Equis UltraMin added to my Haystack.

[RedmondDressage]

I’m another LMF person. For my old man I feed the Haystack Special Blend and everyone gets LMF Gold. The LMF Gold is spendy but good bang for your buck, especially if you have a hard keeper. If you don’t need something with such a high fat content the rest of their range is great as well.

[jennywho]

Thanks everyone for the info.

I’m in central Washington so my TC came from Spokane. I will look into the Fresno deal.

Haystack and vitamins work for a lot of mine but not the broodmare, babies, racehorses and pair of hard keepers. Didn’t have a lot of time to look into lmf yesterday, hopefully tonight.

Thanks again.

[DoubleDown]

I feed mine the Special 6 that is pretty similar to the Special Blend, and rice bran pellets. They do well with that, and of course a vitamin supplement.

I’m a buyer for a small feed store chain and we haven’t had issues with the TC. We don’t sell a lot of it, but availability is still good.

[showidaho]

I’m not technically PNW, but I did try to swap from TC Senior to LMF Senior when my favorite local feed store stopped carrying TC. I have several piggy eaters and one that gulps his food. I do all feed wet (soaked). LMF Senior doesn’t absorb liquid/isn’t water soluble. My worst gulper had a choking episode, which cost me a vet visit after trying the swap. I found another source for the TC and they are back on that. So if that is a concern for you at all, you might want to get a sample bag first.

[costco_muffins]

I feed Haystack Special Blend and NW Supplement. Both of my horses are easy keepers even when in work and the NW Supplement gives them all the vitamins they need with no fillers. The Haystack adds calories if needed.

I used to feed LMF Super Supplement and loved it until I had a soy-allergic horse and had to rethink my feeding program. NW Supplement also is fed in smaller quantities than LMF SS, so it takes less space, and comes out slightly cheaper.

Cost wise, I also drive a little further to get Haystack (maybe 45 mins), but will buy 3-4 bags every three to four months and store them in a cool, dry, dark place and haven’t had any problems. I couldn’t do the Albers Special 6 (which my local feed store has) because… you guessed it… it has soy in it.

[froglander]

A friend in Bellingham I know used to feed her horse something from Elenbaas Equiscience http://www.elenbaasco.com/equine/equiscience/index.html I think they have a senior feed.

[Elfe]

I feed Haystack Special Blend and TC 30.
I called Triple Crown and was referred to the West Coast Rep. She told me that right now the Washington TC will come from Oregon, until they set up a mill in Sumas. According to her, the Snohomish and Monroe Co-ops, will still get and carry the TC 30.

[TheJenners]

Winter or when needed, Haystack Special Blend. Otherwise alf pellets and/or beet pulp pellets. Top both with Horse Guard. Love the combo, horses are little fatties, not feeding nearly as much “grain” as I used to with mainstream feeds like Nutrena/Pyrina/LMF. FWIW, the LMF gave my horse diarrhea, possibly a corn allergy? Or soy. Stopped when I switched so never looked further into it.

[JoZ]

Sidebar, Jenners: you are happy with Horse Guard? I am about to finish up the last of my Millennium Gold, sniff sniff. Need a replacement and haven’t decided yet. I was leaning toward Equerry Economy but it isn’t easy to find.

[TheJenners]

Well I haven’t had any issues with it, and they all appear healthy. Smooth coats, the donkey and Bay have good feet (Rory…no…). It’s designed for up here.