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Post by michellep on Jun 9, 2009 12:29:08 GMT -5
I had some time to kill yesterday and was browsing the feed store and saw this. Has anybody tried this product? Its Nature's Essentials Free Balance 12:12 supplement by Purina Mills. I had not seen that before and thought it looked interesting to use as a supplement. But before I buy, looking for feedback from anybody thats used it.
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Post by gratefulknits on Jun 9, 2009 13:03:42 GMT -5
No, is it a pelleted feed or is it a supplement?
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Post by michellep on Jun 9, 2009 14:05:05 GMT -5
Its a supplement, its a dark color, small pebble consistency. So its not peleted, its meant to be a free choice supplement
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Post by pnp4kidz on Jun 9, 2009 16:01:05 GMT -5
It's purina's new name for the 'old' Mare and Maintenance and Grow n Win...
same stuff, new name new package.
same with their suppliments Nature's Essentials 32
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Post by michellep on Jun 9, 2009 16:05:05 GMT -5
So is that bad?
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Jun 9, 2009 16:52:44 GMT -5
Posted my thoughts about this on another board  BUT - not my favorite product I like the idea of a free choice loose mineral product out at all time rather than a standard salt block. I don't care for the purina product much - but if you like the idea, check ADM Gro-STrong. they make both a Quad block as well as the loose minerals. OUTSTANDING product. I have used this for years and love it. I leave it out free choice in all of my pastures for my horses www.admani.comSara |
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Post by jtjedi on Jun 9, 2009 17:47:53 GMT -5
Sara-
Where do you buy this product locally?
JT
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Post by tireddog on Jun 9, 2009 18:47:17 GMT -5
From the website:
"For a dealer in your area, e-mail AN.EquineHelp@adm.com or call the number listed above: Call our Equine HELPLINE at 800 680-8254 for help locating our products in your area."
Their products look incredible ... and you can customize your own ration. You know how I am about my Tired Dog Horse Ration!
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Post by jtjedi on Jun 9, 2009 21:54:37 GMT -5
I thought since Sara uses the product and she lives near me, she might know. I saw the link in the website. Thanks!
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Post by shelberttk2 on Jun 10, 2009 0:11:05 GMT -5
NOT a fan of the purina products, especially the free choice mineral....my horses will NOT eat it, turned their noses up every single one on the place (Current head count of 19) I have not tried ADM, but use Merit loose minerals. I can not justify the price of ADM with the shipping etc. it is quite costly. All of my horses are in top notch shape, and do fine on the Merit (Now another name that I can not think of) loose minerals and Horse Guard vitamins. Each of my horses have access to these, and LOVE them. (Loose minerals)
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Post by shelberttk2 on Jun 10, 2009 0:14:53 GMT -5
clarification: The shipping on top of minerals is what is costly.....All of my horses have been looked over by a dear friend of mine who is also a veterinarian. He said they are all in amazing shape, and everybody who visits our ranch is amazed at what wonderful shape my 30 year olds are in.......We must be doing something right! I am anal about their nutrition what can I say?
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Jun 10, 2009 1:44:07 GMT -5
I agree - the shipping is crazy if you are doing single bag orders! Reber Ranch carries ADM although call ahead - they MIGHT need to order it for you - but don't charge you for it. Have them order the REGULAR formula for grass and PRECISE formula if you use alfalfa. Or, if you live out in the gig harbor/tacoma area Strohs carries ADM Gro-strong as well. They are a little more expensive at strohs. For the pastures if you dont have covered feeder areas try usign the quad blocks OR you can add 2 tablespoons of the product to the feed daily for the average size horse. I feed a daily vitamin/mneral and then leave the loose minerals out free choice. At first, don't be suprised to go through a TON of them. BUT, it levels off as the horses bodies level off For the first 60 days or so that I started feeding the minerals I was going through around 2 pounds a DAY with my 3 (2 giants and 1 normal) but now, I add about 1/2 pound a week to the feeders at most Sara |
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Post by countrygirl on Jun 11, 2009 12:18:31 GMT -5
Sara, have you ever looked at the Dynamite loose mineral and supplements? What do you think of it? One of my horses gets the runs really bad every time I let him have access to loose minerals or start feeding him a daily supplement. NOt sure what to do about that.
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Jun 11, 2009 15:13:08 GMT -5
I have tried the Dynamite products - but IMO - although I find that I do like the minerals - the cost vs. quality of product doesn't make sence to me. There are several products of equal quality for much less on the market. It IS a good product though. As far as the diarhea issue - generally speaking I would need to know more about the horse, te health history, the current diet, and the current work load/training schedule. I might be able to give you a few options to try with a little more detail  Sara |
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Post by countrygirl on Jun 11, 2009 17:39:31 GMT -5
He is 3, living the life of a well pampered youth with no responsibilities in life except to cause trouble, get into mischief, And flirt with the "older girls". Diet of good quality orchard grass hay and pasture. Mixed with Alfalfa in the winter. Was on Dynamite vitemins and free choice minerals until I figured out THAT was what was causing the runs. Been off of all supplements for amost a year now. Wormed regularly. About to learn that it is time to start earning his keep. Very kind and loving boy. Born on my place.
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Jun 16, 2009 11:15:43 GMT -5
Some minerals are mixed with increased amounts of salt and some use a high amount of soy/flax as a base. The issue here is that if a horse is eating these in excess it tells me 2 things. 1 - the horse is mineral defficiant - which needs to be addressed specifically - and 2 that because they are mineral defficiant and gobbling them down, they are gettng an extreme amount of sodium or flax/soy - ALL of which can cause horrible diarhea. IMO - If this kid holds weight well on forage alone, I would go ahead and use some Orchard or Timothy PELLETS - THEN, would start him on 1 of two options. 1st - Horseguard vitamins -1 scoop daily along with 1 rounde scoop of a product called ANIGEST made by animed. Great product and will help build his digestive system up so that he can tollerate the vitamins better. OR put this kid on Equerrys PLUS vitamin at 2-4 ounces per day. This product already has an outstanding probitic/prebiotic/enzyme package built in and I have not seen a single horse yet that has not had improved digestive function when put on it. Use the hay pellets as a "carrier" to put the vitamins on. The horseguard is a pellet, the equerrys is a granulated product. Either way, add a little water to make everything stick together THEN - would try the Gro-Strong minerals in a FIXED amount daily. This means - you can either ad 1-2 tablespoons TOTAL to th feed itself, OR add around 2-3 tablespoons in a pan outside daily. With growing youngsters I believe fo proper bone and joint development it is vital that they get a daily vitamin/mineral - this doesnt mean that they need a feed or grain product BUT - even if he looks 100% perfect at this point, as he ages - how well his bone structure developsed when he was young will play a vital role in his lifetime soundness and useability. Forages in the NW are extremely selinium deficiant - and the silly blocks everyone puts out do absolutely NOTHING. Mineals are not chelated -so are not absorbable - and are in such tiny amounts any way that they wouldn't be beneficial even if they were chelated Selinium is VITAL for long term health.... and there are others but won't boggle your mind too much Anyways - vitamins are really important- most all horses will et a little diahrea when starting new stuff, so go slow and make sure to be feeding it with measured minerals rather than free choice Sara |
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Post by beckybee on Jun 16, 2009 16:12:21 GMT -5
cutiepie,
The subject of salt/minerals reminded me of something I've been curious about Web. He's 6-7 year old gelding. QH? QH/TB? I dunno. I've had him 2.5 years (from CBER).
He's an easy keeper (way too fat right now).
Since the first day I got him (trailer ride from WA to CA), I've noticed he drinks a lot of water. On the trip down, Manny didn't drink a drop and Web drank 10+ gallons. I always generally thought his was a good thing. If you lead him to water, he *will* drink - pretty convenient.
He also loves his salt block. If he doesn't have salt to lick, he eats dirt. Even if he is getting daily supplements (equerry's) or supplemented feed (LMF), he still licks and licks and licks the salt block.
He and the other 4 are on 10 acres, and haven't been fed hay in about 2 months, so graze morning noon and night.
I know I should give them loose minerals (I'm bad). Other than that, do you know any metabolic issue why he would be so into salt and water?
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BUT - not my favorite product 
