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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
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Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Tdove - 2015-10-07 12:55 PM Fairweather - 2015-10-07 12:23 PM Sandok - 2015-10-07 10:45 AM While I agree with the above posts, in part, in some parts of the country it is not always so easy to get "good quality hay/forage". Yes you can always feed cubes, beet pulp, but still does not replace hay. In my opinion only. In Kansas I had good access to good prairie hay and never had an issue hardly with anything. Now here in Oklahoma it is getting harder and harder to find good quality "horse" hay. There is a lot of it this year after the rains and flooding we had in June but most hay fields were water logged and the first cutting was maybe not so good. Second cutting is better. So as to your question about horse feed also I think depends on how you are using them, age, physical condition, hair coat, feet, do you need weight on them, weight off them. I have 3 and 2 of them need to lose weight while my older senior guy needs to either put some on or maintain. So hard to get a feed that is for all 3. This is true. It also depends on what your finances & your storage space are. It's much harder to find excellent hay in small amounts that's a consistent supply, which is one of the reasons I don't feed top quality hay.
From a pricing standpoint, if I fed straight cubes and no feed, no hay it would take 3 bags a week -- $45 per week **per horse** not counting supplements. Keep in mind I have 9 horses. That's $405 PER WEEK, $1,600 per month!!
Strategy costs compared - $180 feed and $90 week on regular hay- big difference!! (10 bags feed per week, 30 bales of grass hay).
I meet in the middle and feed a decent feed, decent grass hay, and add a little cubes and beet pulp to help my cost down. I feed rice bran & remission to one's with feet issues. All of mine look good.and feel good -- we are called the fat farm by our farrier if that gives you any clue.lol What do the cubes cost you and how much do they weigh? How much is the hay you buy and how much does it weigh? The numbers are confusing to me. It looks like your grain cost $18/bag. That's where the comparison doesn't make sense to me. At least I am not following the thought process. Surely the cubes cost less than the Strategy and using them would help you lower the amount of Startegy fed, which would lower your costs, right?
Strategy runs around $18 a bag, averaging around 8 pounds per day per horse.
Grass hay,.depending on where you get it averages $3 per 50-75 pound bale here. My horses average around 3 bales per week per head when I've fed Strategy and other feeds.
Cubes are 50 pound bags, run $15 per bag - no grain to will take 20 pounds per day per horse.
I've worked in the horse industry full time, and then had my own farm since 2002 keeping no less than 6-7 head (with no pasture until 2 years ago) the whole time and I've tracked costs and tried all kinds of feed programs. These numbers are what my herd requires - they're all 1,000- 1250+. |
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| Have you tried using a supplement and then adding energy?
Horse Guard has a product called Trifecta that has a lot of the nutrients you mentioned.
Trifecta is a 4-in-1 horse supplement featuring:
The premier vitamin-mineral package on the market today providing 3 mg of organic selenium and other vitamins & trace minerals typically missing from hay.
A powerful joint supplement providing 5000 mg. of MSM, 5000 mg of Glucosamine and 100 mg of Hyaluronic Acid per dose.
A complete hoof & hair supplement featuring 32 mg of Biotin, 400 mg of Zinc and 5000 mg of Methionine per dose.
A huge probiotic, prebiotic and live yeast supplement providing 2 million beneficial bacteria and 5 billion live yeast per dose to support your horse in having a stable digestive track.
Then you could add the energy after, or possibly not add energy if it is not needed, just a high quality forage. |
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| Normally you have to feed those products mentioned in such high doses that they can cause ulcers or a intolerance to the sugars and starch. Then if you aren't feeding them to recommend dosage your horse is missing out on the vitamin and minerals.
My trainer suggests a good quality forage and then a good vitamin and mineral.... then add extra energy (grain, ect) if needed. This is more inexpensive then feeding a complete feed and you are certain your horse is getting all that they need to preform at the optimum level.
We feed Horse Guard on top of our forage (grass/timothy for the easy keepers, add alfalfa for the hard keepers). Since feeding Horse Guard's balanced vitamin and minerals I have seen less of my horses stress and drop weight as winter comes, fewer horses "tieing up" after our long endurance rides. And our costs have dropped.
Something to think about. |
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Location: Oregon | FLITASTIC - 2015-10-07 1:11 PM
PA-LEASE help me get Omnis cubes out here to CA!!!!!! With my curost I think my horses would look even more amazing if thats even possible!! I really wish we could just order a big pallet of them or something. I would sooooooo do it!!! I am tired of my horses wasting hay... lol
Or Oregon please! |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | I like 12% protein or less, 6% fat or a little more and highest fiber I can get.
I also want probiotics and biotin in there.
I like textured feed as well |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | TwistedK - 2015-10-07 2:02 PM I get my 50 pounds of alfalfa pellets for 7.99 a bag. Each horse gets 5 pounds a day. I'm also going through 1 round bale every 10 days with one group of 3 horses and every 3-4 weeks with the other 2. My Augment vitamin/mineral is $92 for 160 days. $7.99 is cheap!! The cheapest I have see it around here is $13 something a bag.....
I do self care and go out to feed once a day. I feed 3/4 to 1 bale a day of good grass hay, plus a custom horse feed mix from a local mill. My Sr horse gets 1 lb and my barrel horse gets 3 lbs. I supplement with alfalfa when I can get it, cubes when I can't.
Both of my horses are FAT.
Edited by fulltiltfilly 2015-10-27 9:29 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
| I am not feeding the Omnis...maybe I should...but I have really good alfalfa and mine are turned out on still pretty green grass. I get good quality hay all year around for the most part. Omnis works great for a lot of horses...would probably work for mine too. I just dont like to supplement a whole bunch. I was a little nervous about some of the cross-cantamination that was going on...although there hasn't been any near me. I also didnt like that I didnt know what all the ingredients were in my grain with the other brands. I switched to Bluebonnet Omega Force. I dont mind the "extra cost" $25 a bag...I dont have to feed as much of it because it has almost twice the fat as the cheaper stuff that I feel like I would probably have to feed more of. I have been giving it to a dun horse of mine that has never ever been able to handle any sort of grain or starch without being an idiot. The oats turn him into a fruitcake. He has been off three months, I worked him yesteday, and normally a horse that would have been a little nutso was completely even tempered and tunable. I havent found anything that I like more. I was feeding the Safechoice Perform...when a horse we have that is a little more sensitive to feed started snubbing random bags of it I realized there might be something wrong with it. Needless to say I like the Omega Force by Bluebonnet. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | MOTIVATED - 2015-10-27 10:01 AM I am not feeding the Omnis...maybe I should...but I have really good alfalfa and mine are turned out on still pretty green grass. I get good quality hay all year around for the most part. Omnis works great for a lot of horses...would probably work for mine too. I just dont like to supplement a whole bunch. I was a little nervous about some of the cross-cantamination that was going on...although there hasn't been any near me. I also didnt like that I didnt know what all the ingredients were in my grain with the other brands. I switched to Bluebonnet Omega Force. I dont mind the "extra cost" $25 a bag...I dont have to feed as much of it because it has almost twice the fat as the cheaper stuff that I feel like I would probably have to feed more of. I have been giving it to a dun horse of mine that has never ever been able to handle any sort of grain or starch without being an idiot. The oats turn him into a fruitcake. He has been off three months, I worked him yesteday, and normally a horse that would have been a little nutso was completely even tempered and tunable. I havent found anything that I like more. I was feeding the Safechoice Perform...when a horse we have that is a little more sensitive to feed started snubbing random bags of it I realized there might be something wrong with it. Needless to say I like the Omega Force by Bluebonnet.
Supplements aren't necessary with Omnis. I thought you were in Midland? TDove is in Midland. |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | I love the omnis cubes! and so do my horses! One nickers louder than he ever has! I am so glad that I am only doing the cubes because my one horse that came off the track a year ago has always been depressed off and on. This last time he got so depressed he quit eating. I had blood work pulled and all was good had teeth looked at and treated for ulcers and all that was good. When I switched to omnis he started eathing it and now after one week he is loping in his pen! (he is turned out 24/7 just have to put in pen to ride my other horse) This is the best he has felt since I got him! His eyes are brighter! he is walking better! (always been sore in his feet not lame just off a little) I want to put cubes out 24/7 but not sure if it can be too much if they dont quit eating. My other horse is fat and trying to drop some weight on him and he just gets 12 lbs a day omnis cubes and Curost. he weighs around 1100 last time we weighed at vet. He is also turned out 24/7 but dont have a lot of grass |
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | TurnLane - 2015-10-07 12:06 PM Sandok - 2015-10-07 10:45 AM While I agree with the above posts, in part, in some parts of the country it is not always so easy to get "good quality hay/forage". Yes you can always feed cubes, beet pulp, but still does not replace hay. In my opinion only. In Kansas I had good access to good prairie hay and never had an issue hardly with anything. Now here in Oklahoma it is getting harder and harder to find good quality "horse" hay. There is a lot of it this year after the rains and flooding we had in June but most hay fields were water logged and the first cutting was maybe not so good. Second cutting is better. So as to your question about horse feed also I think depends on how you are using them, age, physical condition, hair coat, feet, do you need weight on them, weight off them. I have 3 and 2 of them need to lose weight while my older senior guy needs to either put some on or maintain. So hard to get a feed that is for all 3. First and foremost I think safety is what a person should look for in horse feed. (research where your feed or hay products are processed)
I agree with Sandok. As mentioned by a few others on this post- good quality forage is most important (IMO) but most people I know dont even test their hay, ever, much less each year.  It can vary so much from your average google search of what Bermuda hay says it provides, believe me.
And while we have horses that are forage only, you might check in to a ration calculator as putting all your faith in one sole product may be skipping much needed nutrients like the Cal/phos ratio or selenenium for example.
You've sure gone MIA since you found a hiding place to discuss these things. Since you work at a feed mill, it might be beneficial to all if you'd share your knowledge of saftey practices. You never seem to be without an opinion about anything else involving me  |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. |
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information.
Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there. |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there.
I am near Houston. I looked up Danco and from what I could tell, they don't have a dealer anywhere near Texas, but I am going to ask at the local feedstore if they've ever heard of it. So, if I were to feed alfalfa cubes, would that be comperable to Omni cubes. Or maybe if I fed oats and alfalfa cubes??? |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there.
I am near Houston. I looked up Danco and from what I could tell, they don't have a dealer anywhere near Texas, but I am going to ask at the local feedstore if they've ever heard of it. So, if I were to feed alfalfa cubes, would that be comperable to Omni cubes. Or maybe if I fed oats and alfalfa cubes??? |
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:18 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there.
There are several dealers in Texas. I think the closest to Houston is in Bay City. |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:22 PM
KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:18 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there.
I don't do FB, so I can't see the dealers on their FB page. When I look at their website, it don't see any dealers in Texas. I'm on the opposite side of Houston than Bay City, so that would be quite a drive for me. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:38 PM
rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:22 PM
KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:18 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there.
I don't do FB, so I can't see the dealers on their FB page. When I look at their website, it don't see any dealers in Texas. I'm on the opposite side of Houston than Bay City, so that would be quite a drive for me. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.
Pm Tdove, he may be able to help you find a dealer near you if there is one. He helped me find one fairly close down here in South Texas. |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | GLP - 2015-11-11 2:47 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:38 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:22 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:18 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-11 2:11 PM KKCOWGIRL - 2015-11-11 2:09 PM I see a lot of people talking about Omni cubes. Are they the same thing as Alfalfa cubes? I've never heard of Omni cubes and I was looking for dealers here in Texas and can't find much information. Can someone on here please provide more information. Omnis Cubes are an alfalfa mini cube that also contains whole oats, and flax seed. They are a soft cube that you don't soak. Where are you in Texas? The company page on FB is Danco Forage and there's a list of dealers there. I don't do FB, so I can't see the dealers on their FB page. When I look at their website, it don't see any dealers in Texas. I'm on the opposite side of Houston than Bay City, so that would be quite a drive for me. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. Pm Tdove, he may be able to help you find a dealer near you if there is one. He helped me find one fairly close down here in South Texas.
Thanks. I will do that. |
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