Poulin ETec Balancer

[soloudinhere]

My horse is currently on 1lb/day of TC30 and good hay and is in good weight to slightly fat with a good coat.

I’m moving to a barn that feeds more hay, but it’s first cutting for the most part. They only feed Poulin feeds.

I don’t think ETec is really comparable to the TC30 but they won’t feed the TC30 even if I buy it (which at 1lb a day - I’d be fine with doing). Is there anything I can supplement the ETec with to bring the nutritional profile up?

I already supplement the TC30 with 8000IU of natural vitamin E and have seen an improvement in the horse. I can continue supplementing the lower vitamin E of the ETec if it’s otherwise mostly comparable.

Any thoughts on what I can do? I can buy cubes, other feeds, supplements and feed them to him myself as I’m there every day, but I’d like him to at least get some grain with the other horses so he doesn’t throw a fit. I’m not a fan of the Poulin hay stretcher type products as they seem to have a lot of soy. Otherwise I’m open to suggestions.

[SuckerForHorses]

I used to feed the Poulin Etec MVP, which is now the Etec Balancer so essentially the same product, different name. I switched to TC30% just because its easier to get for me. I did not notice a difference in horse condition when I moved from one to the other, so based on that, I’d say they are fairly comparable.

The lower Vitamin E wouldn’t bother me since you are already supplementing an additional 8000IU of Vitamin E.

[beowulf]

Our TBs & one WB filly are on the Poulin E-Tec, which was formerly Poulin MVP. I think they are fairly comparable to TC30 - comparable enough that I think making the switch wouldn’t cause any kerfluffle. I also supplement with 4000IU Vit E though. I’ve been very happy with it – the WB farm we got the filly from feeds all of their broodmares and foals it with very good results.

I noticed a huge difference in condition (for the better) when I switched my TB from his 12/14 pelleted feed to the Poulin MVP. He suffered a major freak paddock injury in October and we transitioned him off of his 12/14 grain. Despite not being in work, despite recovering from a horrific injury, despite being relegated to the smallest of medical paddocks, he developed a topline, packed on a few pounds, and just plain looked good for a medical puff that was rehabbing a fractured pelvis, broken rib and multiple puncture wounds. When Dr Gaby saw him in the spring he was surprised to see he had improved condition, not lost it, despite what he’d been through.

I don’t know what is in the Poulin MVP to make such a change, but I’m keeping him on it for as long as it works for him. He has been back into work since March, just hacking and some light trotting, and looks absolutely fabulous on it. Good bloom to his coat, dapples, and a topline that IMHO shouldn’t be there given his flub-status!

If you are looking for extra calories I think hay stretcher is a good way to go, doesn’t have to be the Poulin one, but we feed 1lb MVP and 1lb HS to my gelding. He is keeping weight better now than he was when he was on 2lb of 12/14 extruded grain.

[retrofit]

I used to be at a barn that fed Poulin grain and my easy keeper got Etec. He did great on that and as a somewhat picky eater, he seemed to find it very palatable. Now I’m at a barn that gets the TC30. I give him that plus a little Nutrena SafeChoice Original (because he’s working harder now and I want him to have some carbs for energy) and he’s doing just as well & seems to find the TC30 just as palatable.

Point being, I would try the Etec with an open mind and see how it goes for you.

[JB]

The biggest differences between the 2 are TC 30 has more protein and lysine - 30% vs 24, and 2% vs 1.3% respectively. That can be significant for some horses.

Minerals in TC30 are higher as well:
Copper is 290ppm vs 200.
Zinc is 940ppm vs 600
E is nearly double that of the Poulin at 1000IU/lb vs 525, but not that big a deal considering you’re already feeding 8000IU

You could also have them feed 1.5lb instead of 1. That would be much closer, and if they will do that without having a fit over the increased amount, it’s by far the easiest option. The bit of extra calories is unlikely to make a difference in his weight. Just add 10 minutes of trot work :winkgrin: