wyoming barrel racer - 2018-04-23 10:18 AM  Is 15% considered high?

wyoming barrel racer - 2018-04-23 10:31 AM This is Bluebonnet. I have a guy that is local trying to become a dealer. So I am trying out the Senior and Omega. I don't feed a lot of bagged feed but boy the ingredients and smell is night and day better than any Purina/Nutrena that I can get around here. Senior I think was 14% and Omega is 15% 

winwillows - 2018-04-23 4:07 PM Understanding NSC levels in horse feed can be a little confusing. The percentage of NSC in a feed is not as important as how much NSC is contributed to the diet based on how much of a certain feed is fed. A 10% NSC feed provides 54 grams of NSC per pound fed. If you were to feed five pounds of it per day, that would mean that 270 grams of NSC is delivered into the digestive system from feeding that product. If you feed a 25% NSC feed (contributes 113 grams per pound fed), but only feed two pounds per day, the total NSC contributed to the diet would be 227 grams. So, in that case, the higher NSC feed, fed at a lower rate, would contribute less NSC to the diet than the super low NSC feed would if fed at a higher rate. Since a lot of super low NSC feeds are also super low in digestible energy, there is a temptation to feed them at a higher rate. Some horse owners fall into the trap of feeling that a low NSC feed is safe to be fed at any feeding level. I am certainly not saying that low NSC feeds are bad. I believe in keeping the NSC amount realistic to the horses needs and ability to digest properly. I am only saying that you as a horse owner need to understand how the entire diet works. Just remember, it is the contribution to the diet, not the percentage number that is important.

winwillows - 2018-04-23 3:07 PM Understanding NSC levels in horse feed can be a little confusing. The percentage of NSC in a feed is not as important as how much NSC is contributed to the diet based on how much of a certain feed is fed. A 10% NSC feed provides 54 grams of NSC per pound fed. If you were to feed five pounds of it per day, that would mean that 270 grams of NSC is delivered into the digestive system from feeding that product. If you feed a 25% NSC feed (contributes 113 grams per pound fed), but only feed two pounds per day, the total NSC contributed to the diet would be 227 grams. So, in that case, the higher NSC feed, fed at a lower rate, would contribute less NSC to the diet than the super low NSC feed would if fed at a higher rate. Since a lot of super low NSC feeds are also super low in digestible energy, there is a temptation to feed them at a higher rate. Some horse owners fall into the trap of feeling that a low NSC feed is safe to be fed at any feeding level. I am certainly not saying that low NSC feeds are bad. I believe in keeping the NSC amount realistic to the horses needs and ability to digest properly. I am only saying that you as a horse owner need to understand how the entire diet works. Just remember, it is the contribution to the diet, not the percentage number that is important.

wyoming barrel racer - 2018-05-01 7:15 PM


makes sense. I am feeding well below the rate. For my senior pony I just want something to go along with his soaked mush. For the other horse 1/2#, it is just a snack more or less. 

Chandler's Mom - 2018-05-01 6:26 PM Are you considering switching from your Purina Sr to this for your old pony? Laura's daddy is thinking about trying to get the BB in our area, so I am very interested in your results with the pony. The only one of my six that has special needs is Dan, and he came out of winter way way too thin. I've changed his feed routine a touch after talking to Mr Winn, and I've added Forco from Nevertooold to see if we can get some weight on. . . So please keep us posted on how you like it compared to the Purina Sr.

wyoming barrel racer - 2018-05-01 9:10 PM


Yes! I am just now into the 2nd bag. The smell is so much better than the Purina (which I would still feed if the Bluebonnet deal falls through), but this BB is just so much better smelling. It looks fresh and no dust like powder. The pellets look dark like they are fresh alfalfa just made. He really scarfs it up and still looks good. I am only feeding about 2# in the am and 2# at night. I guess he weighs 650ish. I like the idea of the ingredients behind it (and I am usually not a big supporter of bagged feeds). http://bluebonnetfeeds.com/intensify-technology/