Regional Grain for the Midwest (WI)

[peepmouse]

Hi Everyone!

I am moving my horse from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest (Wisconsin). She’s a senior, but still active and healthy.

What grains do you recommend for the Midwest that take into account regional nutritional factors?
If possible, I would like to find a local brand rather than national - however, let me know if you do have suggestions for a national brand.

For example, my horse is currently on LMF Super Supplement G, which ensures she gets nutrients that are lacking in the PNW.

I am planning to bring a bag of her current feed and transitioning her slowly.

Thanks in advance!

[goodhors]

Make sure she gets a Selenium with Vit E additive. The Great Lakes areas are notorious for lack of Selenium in the soil. There are exceptions in counties, Wisconsin is much better than Michigan.

[peepmouse]

That is interesting - the Pacific Northwest also lacks in Selenium.

I contacted a local feed store, and the gentleman strongly recommended Tribute Essential K. He was kind enough to look up the ingredients and compare to what she’s currently on. It sounds like there’s also a version that has a therapeutic dosage of glucosamine, which means she would be able to discontinue the joint supplement I’m giving her.

It sounds good to me - but I’m certainly not an expert - so any feedback is appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Simkie]

Definitely test the horse before adding selenium supplementation. If you supplement now, you may want to discontinue when you move, give it several months on the new hay, and see where you are.

Lots of people seem to like Tribute, it’s not a bad choice

[shayaalliard]

I like the essential K GC plus (that’s tribute’s “code” for the added joint supp) here in Ohio. Very reasonable price, I pay 18-26 for a bag that lasts about a month, results as good or better as enrich plus was, although I do love the smell of nutrena’s RB better.

[betsyk]

Depending on where you will be in WI, you may find a local mill makes a horse mix from locally grown oats and corn — or not. I think most boarding barns in the Madison area feed brand name bagged feed, rather than local mixes. They are a lot less common/popular than they used to be. And, people will feed a vit/min supplement or ration balancer formulated for our local area. It will have selenium and may be specific to grass hay or alfalfa, depending on which brand you choose. Many horses around here do fine on just hay or pasture and a ration balancer. I can’t speak for the whole state or for breed-specific or discipline-specific training barns.

[peepmouse]

@betsyk

Depending on where you will be in WI, you may find a local mill makes a horse mix from locally grown oats and corn — or not. I think most boarding barns in the Madison area feed brand name bagged feed, rather than local mixes. They are a lot less common/popular than they used to be. And, people will feed a vit/min supplement or ration balancer formulated for our local area. It will have selenium and may be specific to grass hay or alfalfa, depending on which brand you choose. Many horses around here do fine on just hay or pasture and a ration balancer. I can’t speak for the whole state or for breed-specific or discipline-specific training barns.

Hi betsyk! I am in the Milwaukee area. It looks like there’s a least one local mill within a reasonable distance that I could look into. It’s a great idea, thank you. What do you give your horse?

[theresak]

If you want something specifically “formulated” for the area, Spirit Plus Nutrition and Equishine are both formulated/made in Wisconsin.

I feed Buckeye Gro-N-Win and sometimes Buckeye Cadence Ultra or Purina Ultium Competition. I’ve also fed Triple Crown Senior, but it can be hard to find in my area. I know a number of people who feed Tribute.

I think you need to confirm the barn will be feeding local hay as well or if not, where they hay comes from and if possible, what the analysis is.

Because we definitely don’t have grass in the winter, I add Vitamin E once the grass is gone.

[betsyk]

My horses get hay/ pasture and Spirit Plus ration balancer. I add a half cup of soybeans for the older ones and one of them gets a cup or two of Purina Senior. They’re pretty low maintenance right now!

[tikihorse2]

I’m sending you a PM.

[peepmouse]

Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for the help. I am looking into Equi-Shine and Spirit Plus.
I realized that Tribute has iron, and I have been advised in the past to stay away from products that add iron. Curious to hear if anyone has thoughts on that!

Thanks!