Tdove - 2015-05-29 2:20 PM

Christie, you can feed as much of them or as little as you want, since it is just chopped hay. However, because of the increased surface area and no waste, it is about 25% more efficient than good baled alfalfa, by weight and considerably more than grass hay. I have estimated that 50lbs of top quality cubes, like Danco, will equal about 1 bale of good alfalfa, and almost 1 1/2 bales of grass hay.

The answer to your question lies mostly on how and what you prefer to feed. If you like grass hay then you can continue feeding it and replace some or most of it with cubes. Me I prefer alfalfa and so I feed only cubes. Another thing to consider is what and how much concentrate you prefer feed. Sorry there is no clear answer on how much to feed. Anyehere from 5-25 lbs/ horse/day it can be an effective part or all of your ration.

As far as choke, I have detailed in another post that while I had not had any choke myself when I was feeding the larger/harder cubes of other brands, I did have a couple customers and known others to have had some issue with it. I do believe that our smaller and softer cube reduced that risk significantly. I believe the worst offender of choke are alfalfa pellets. Concerning impaction Bermuda hay is known to increase the impaction risk. I think all cubes are extremely low of impaction problems. It is long indigestible fiber that causes impaction and alfalfa cubes are at the other end of the spectrum there. Dr Randy Lewis in Abilene feeds alfalfa cubes (specifically Danco) for horses he is treating for colic.

If you would like to discuss you are free to call me at 432-212-5889.

ktbeasleyze - 2015-05-29 12:32 PM

Here is my feeding plans....if this helps lol
1. Breeding Stallion/1D barrel horse
8lbs Ultium
1 cup of Oxy-Max
25lbs of Alfalfa cubes dry

2. 3D APHA Mare/ 60 days bred
4lbs Ultium
1 cup Oxy-Max
12lbs Alfalfa/Timothy cubes dry

Both are on free turnout at night on pasture and they are super muscled
Good luck!!

willrodeo4food - 2015-05-29 8:33 PM some cube makers add a binder of some sort (I have no idea what it is but the local cube company uses a white powder).  My understanding is that how much of that binder is used depends on how hard the cubes are.  I cannot feed the cubes made by our local company, my horses flat will not eat them, even if I soak them.  But I feed cubes from a place in Utah that my horses all eat just fine (without soaking).  All cubes are definitely not created equal.  

Nevertooold - 2015-05-29 9:43 PM

Bentonite is used in pellets a lot as a binder and is used in the Mustang Sally Alfalfa cubes I feed. I just checked my tag.
 

classicpotatochip - 2015-05-31 8:29 AM NTO, where are you getting your cubes and what do they cost? Thanks. :)

Tdove - 2015-05-27 10:56 AM

You should be able to feed cubes dry to most horses. We feed 30 horses dry Danco cubes daily and never had one choke. A horse can choke on anything and it is usually horses that bolt feed. The smaller cubes I feel are less prone to choke than larger and the worst thing for a choke prone horse is alfalfa pellets. The cubes you mentioned trying, I know of several horses that have choked on them. Many horses are fed those dry with no problem (I fed them dry without any choke issues) but they are more likely to choke on them than the Danco Mustang Sally cubes, my opinion.

The solution to your issue is undoubtedly Omnis Complete Performance by Danco Forage. I will guarantee it is the softest cube you have ever seen and we feel it is one of the safest products available. You can break them apart easily with your hand. You do not soak these cubes. The softness and safety of feeding the Omnis cubes are one if the things I and many other customers like most about them.

Disclaimer about me: I am currently a Danco Distributor. I have previously been a HayRite and Manzanola Top of the Rockies dealer and user. We have a training facility in Midland Tx where we extensively use cubes. The information that I provide, I take great pains to be honest and represent my experience and opinions based on real world use. I would encourage everyone to use the products for yourself and I am confident you will see the same results that I have had. I will not stretch the truth about my product not claim a superiority to other products when there is none. Feed companies routinely do this and I detest it. There are many ways to feed one well and there are many good products available. Thanks.

rachellyn80 - 2015-06-03 12:18 AM Thank you for taking the time to explain the sourcing behind the Danco Forage products.

booney - 2015-06-04 8:58 AM Where can I get some around OKC? Thanks.

TurnLane - 2015-06-04 11:03 AM Rach, yours is Danco or Omni? LB likes em! All the others do too but you know he is our hard keeper horse.  

We will be buying some.

 

FLITASTIC - 2015-05-29 10:36 PM


8 pounds ultium? Holy moly!!!!!