Does anybody out here use either of those 2?
I need something that will cover the bases vitamin/mineral-wise without having to feed too much.
I do feed TC Sr. but not enough for the above purpose. I am moving to a new barn and will be providing my own vitamins.
Thanks!
If you don’t need the calories (i.e. you have an easy keeper) then go with the 30%. It’s about 1,266 kcal/lb, so at 1 lb per day, those are your calories.
The Lite still needs to be fed at a rate of 2-4 lbs per day for a mature horse, and is 1150 kcal/lb, so you’d be doubling the calories from the lowest rate fed compared to the 30%. Up to 4600 calories at the max.
1 lb of the 30% is approximately 3 measuring cups
ETA: the calorie values may have changed; I haven’t checked with TC in a while to update my spreadsheet, but they are in the same ballpark I’m sure.
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8126554]
If you don’t need the calories (i.e. you have an easy keeper) then go with the 30%. It’s about 1,266 kcal/lb, so at 1 lb per day, those are your calories.
The Lite still needs to be fed at a rate of 2-4 lbs per day for a mature horse, and is 1150 kcal/lb, so you’d be doubling the calories from the lowest rate fed compared to the 30%. Up to 4600 calories at the max.
1 lb of the 30% is approximately 3 measuring cups
ETA: the calorie values may have changed; I haven’t checked with TC in a while to update my spreadsheet, but they are in the same ballpark I’m sure.[/QUOTE]
My problem with the 30% supplement pellets is that my fatty young horse also gets a bunch of supplements - like red cell, muscle builder, electrolytes, horse shine, and there is just not enough of the 30% to mix with the supplements. He is not at all picky but still snorts a bit at a bucket full of supplements with a few dry 30% pellets mixed in. I probably need to add something like alfalfa pellets or beet pulp into the mix so he is not so disappointed…
I have fed them both and they are both fine – I pick whichever one suits the horses I am feeding best. Currently feeding the 30% because the super easy keeper I am feeding only requires 1 cup per day (medium pony) as a carrier for her supps. I still add in a little TC Senior, maybe another 1/2 cup, to make it more palatable and get the supps to stick. The horse on it gets right at 1 lb. most of the time. he has been on Lite before too and doesn’t seem to have a preference. He does not LOVE any pelleted concentrate but he will eat either, slowly.
i have fed both the lite and the 30% to my easy keepers and prefer the 30%–its very economical and they look fantastic. If I need extra for mixing sups or medication I add the TC senior.
Why all those things? Red Cell really should not be given on a regular basis unless there’s a real, honest, systemic anemia, and then once that’s taken care of, no more.
Muscle builder - why? A good RB will provide what muscles need - lysine and methionine.
horse shine - Omega Horseshine? Can you use just plain flax seed?
Does he NEED electrolytes? Especially now, especially where you live? Just very curious.
Since you are PNW local:
Feeding Haystack Special Blend pellets 6 ingredients!
Using Vitaquine minernal supplement from Winnamucca Nevada
then add as needed
Flax Seed
Soaked whole oats
MSM
Haystack Special blend is very simple one can spell and pronounce all 6 ingredients. horses glow and you can add piece by piece what you need
I have fed TC Lite for many years. Never had a horse that needed less than 2lb - day. Music gets 4 Smartpak wells with her 1 lb TC Lite evening feed, plus sometimes other things, and finishes it up.
I feed 2lb TC Lite to my easy keeper per recommendation from TC to make sure all needs are met. I’d feed the Lite over a ration balancer if you’re adding other supplements. That’s why I chose Lite over the 30%.
TCL is a 1-2lb per 500lb feeding rate, so most horses should not be fed less than 2lb, and many should be fed closer to at least 3.
As said, it comes down to calories. The lower feeding rate of TC30 is fewer calories than the lower feeding rate of TCL
[QUOTE=Outyougo;8126637]
Since you are PNW local:
Feeding Haystack Special Blend pellets 6 ingredients!
Using Vitaquine minernal supplement from Winnamucca Nevada
then add as needed
Flax Seed
Soaked whole oats
MSM
Haystack Special blend is very simple one can spell and pronounce all 6 ingredients. horses glow and you can add piece by piece what you need[/QUOTE]
I am switching to the Haystack special blend as it contains all 3 of the things I currently feed him: Beet pulp, Alfalfa pellets, and grass hay pellets. Along with the flax and rice bran.
The barn I am currently in has a large feed room and already provides separate bins for beet pulp, hay pellets, etc., all fed separately. I won’t have that luxury at the new barn, so I have to consolidate everything.
I use the TC Sr. as a vehicle for supps, mostly. Plus he likes a cup of it soaked in with his BP and hay pellets. He’s spoiled…
I am planning to primarily feed him the Haystack Special Blend, with a vitamin supp, and the TC Senior to get the supps down, as I currently do. Plus he gets grass and whatever hay he chooses to nibble on (not his primary source of nutrition - bad teeth).
Thanks everyone…
[QUOTE=JB;8126613]
Why all those things? Red Cell really should not be given on a regular basis unless there’s a real, honest, systemic anemia, and then once that’s taken care of, no more.
Muscle builder - why? A good RB will provide what muscles need - lysine and methionine.
horse shine - Omega Horseshine? Can you use just plain flax seed?
Does he NEED electrolytes? Especially now, especially where you live? Just very curious.[/QUOTE]
He is borderline anemic; he gets the electrolytes when he is working hard (not daily until June); and he is not on Omega Horseshine, he is on the smartpak version for coats… do not recall what it is labeled at the moment. As far as muscle builder, he is a big guy and has some muscle weakness so the builder is to address that. Not willy nilly throwing the supplements at him - it is all well thought out. 
“borderline anemic” - when blood was taken, had he been recently (within 30 minutes or so) been worked? If not, then ignore “borderline” anemic. A horse should be worked a bit before a blood draw to check that, as extra RBCs are stored in the spleen, not circulating until there’s a need.
“Muscle weakness” - literally a weakness, or just lack of good (enough) muscle? For the latter I’d much rather see the use of something like Tri-Amino or Nutramino to supply the extra amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine) than a “weight builder” which is carbs and/or fat.
[QUOTE=JB;8127826]
“borderline anemic” - when blood was taken, had he been recently (within 30 minutes or so) been worked? If not, then ignore “borderline” anemic. A horse should be worked a bit before a blood draw to check that, as extra RBCs are stored in the spleen, not circulating until there’s a need.
“Muscle weakness” - literally a weakness, or just lack of good (enough) muscle? For the latter I’d much rather see the use of something like Tri-Amino or Nutramino to supply the extra amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine) than a “weight builder” which is carbs and/or fat.[/QUOTE]
We are good on all those. Draw blood periodically on the performance horses and both my vet and I are competent about how to draw blood. Neither of us just fell off the turnip truck :lol:
JB, I am not feeding a weight builder to a fat horse and I did not say that I was in any of my posts. Please see that I noted, I am feeding a muscle support supplement. I have had good results with the Tri-Amino (which has fewer key ingredients but now that he is doing better it will suffice) and he is due to be switched over to this on June 1.
Yes, muscle weakness has been an issue, of course not to the extent that would show up in a lameness exam. Specifically, this particular horse needs more strength through his back so we have combined nutrition and various under saddle exercises, in concert with regular training, to address those weaknesses. Horse is doing exceptionally well with our program.
Easy - I don’t know you, and SO many people and their vet draw blood from a horse who’s been standing in his stall for 12 hours and then proclaim him anemic. It seems to be more common than doing it the right way, so notice I didn’t assume it was done the wrong way, I asked.
You did say muscle builder, not weight builder, so I apologize for that. I do still stand by my thoughts that I’d rather use the first limiting amino acids for some muscle “builder” issues than small amounts of gamma oryzanol, bcaa and other amino acids that are in many of the muscle builder products.
I’m not clear, still, whether “muscle weakness” is simply due to not enough work, or if you’ve investigated something like EPSM. It’s just unusual to see “muscle weakness” listed as an issue if it’s just about lack of fitness.
[QUOTE=Winding Down;8126562]
My problem with the 30% supplement pellets is that my fatty young horse also gets a bunch of supplements - like red cell, muscle builder, electrolytes, horse shine, and there is just not enough of the 30% to mix with the supplements. He is not at all picky but still snorts a bit at a bucket full of supplements with a few dry 30% pellets mixed in. I probably need to add something like alfalfa pellets or beet pulp into the mix so he is not so disappointed…[/QUOTE]
Agree, 3 cups isn’t much for hiding things! I add either a few handfuls of soaked beet pulp or alfalfa pellets or cubes for making more hiding volume!
yep, I just added these nasty Chinese herbs to my pony’s 30% for her anhydrosis (I’ve tried EVERYTHING else to no avail) and am putting a few soaked alf cubes in there to try to hide them instead of the Senior now. Fingers crossed that works because they smell vile. Also wanted to make sure she isn’t getting any beet pulp which Senior has, I read that might be beneficial for the anhydrosis. She was only getting a tiny handful but none is better.
[QUOTE=Obsidian Fire;8126734]
I am switching to the Haystack special blend as it contains all 3 of the things I currently feed him: Beet pulp, Alfalfa pellets, and grass hay pellets. Along with the flax and rice bran.
The barn I am currently in has a large feed room and already provides separate bins for beet pulp, hay pellets, etc., all fed separately. I won’t have that luxury at the new barn, so I have to consolidate everything.
I use the TC Sr. as a vehicle for supps, mostly. Plus he likes a cup of it soaked in with his BP and hay pellets. He’s spoiled…
I am planning to primarily feed him the Haystack Special Blend, with a vitamin supp, and the TC Senior to get the supps down, as I currently do. Plus he gets grass and whatever hay he chooses to nibble on (not his primary source of nutrition - bad teeth).
Thanks everyone…[/QUOTE]
Sorry, I don’t understand your feed program. How much roughage are you feeding wrt actual hay and pasture? Technically the beep, alfalfa pellets and grass hay pellets are more roughage, why not simply feed more hay? If the horse needs more than hay/pasture, I go to a premium concentrate. TC Senior for one that also needs weight, and TC 30% for one that has good weight and just needs to supplement the weight. I also add flax and msm. I’m not sure how you figure out how your diet is balanced.
Agree Flash, and using just the Sr instead of all of those things will be cheaper
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8128047]
Agree, 3 cups isn’t much for hiding things! I add either a few handfuls of soaked beet pulp or alfalfa pellets or cubes for making more hiding volume![/QUOTE]
yes, and 3 cups divided over two feedings is even less. Picked up some beet pulp yesterday and just a bit of that helped with the snort, WTF are you feeding me reaction!
JB, no problem. We do not know each other but I am thinking that we are both very knowledgeable about horse care, fitness, etc… hence the line of questioning and responses. FYI, horse is weak through the stifles and SI region - responded really well to Estrone last year and I am repeating it this spring. Also has SI soreness. Full x-rays were done on him when he came over from Ireland last year and top vets all have agreed that it is simply weakness and with SI injections, and good exercise, that will resolve. I have added in the supplements just for kicks - can’t hurt and anything that might help is gravy. This guy is very special to me, as he is replacing my heart horse who I sold to a LL Ammy last year, so I am most likely going overboard in all the attention he gets.
Oh, and horse is out 24/7 in 20 acre hilly field with two other young horses, and he will be in during the day when temps go above 70. He has very little blood so he is much harder to get fit and develop muscle than what I typically have.
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