I wish some of the feed experts would look at this balancer and give their opinion. I too have looked at this ration balancer and really pondered trying it.
I have used Progressive Ration grass Balancer for coming on 3 years in January. I love it and really like how it works with my horses. However, I can't help but look around with the way the price is going up so often and so much. There is no store in Louisiana near me and I have it delivered from Texas every 4 to 5 weeks.
I like the fact it comes in 11 lb bags that are easily kept. The closest feed store to me that carries the Barn Bag is 20 miles away but I could buy in bulk and store easily. I also see it's carried by several stores and even Valley Vet, due to being only 11lb bags and easily shipped.
I pay right now 30.50 a bag for Progressive and it takes 7 to 8 bags (depends on nursing or pregnant mares needs)for 5 weeks for 7 grown miniature horses and 3 fillies. The Barn Bag runs $59.00 on internet, for the 11lb bag but says it feeds an 1100 horse for 60 days. If I figured right, ( figured all my horses weights and adjusted portions for this), at that rate it would take 3.2 bags for 56 to 57 days at a cost of $ 3.13 per day for all 10 horses. So, I multiplied $3.13 times 35 days (5 weeks) and came up with $109.55 for the Barn Bag versus the $213.50 for the same time period of Progressive for all ten horses. Feel free to correct my math, I for sure am not the best at this.
Looking at the nurient level on Barn Bag (shown below) it seems to be better than the Progressive Grass Balancer that I use and closer to Progressive's newer and more advanced and expensive 25lb bag ration grass balancer.
But...I still hesitat due to being so happy with the way my gang is doing right now. However, I can't help but think about the savings. This is why I would appreciate any corrections in my thinking or assistance by more experienced feed people.
Barn BagIt says 1/2 cup per day, per 1100 lb horse, for 60 days is one 11lb bag.
NUTRIENT
Crude Protein (Min) 29 %
Lysine (Min) 4 %
DL-Methionine (Min) 2.8 %
Tyrosine (Min) 0.44 %
Threonine (Min) 0.82 %
Crude Fat, (Min) 3.2 %
Phospholipids (Min)
Phosphatidylcholine 0.90 %
Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Min) 0.30 %
Trans Fatty Acids (Max) 0.0
Crude Fiber, (Max) 8.8 %
Ash (Max) 27 %
Calcium (Min) 5.6
Calcium (Max) 6.2
Phosphorus (Min) 2.0 %
Magnesium (Min) 7,600 ppm
Zinc (Min) 1,500 ppm
Manganese (Min) 3,400 ppm
Copper (Min) 520 ppm
Cobalt (Min) 10 ppm
Iodine (Min) 6 ppm
Iron (Min) 2,400 ppm
Selenium (Min) 4.2 ppm
Vitamin A (Min) 45,000 iu/lb
Ascorbic Acid (Min) 0.54 %
Vitamin D3 (Min) 3,200 iu/lb
Vitamin E (Min) 1,500 iu/lb
Folic Acid (Min) 80 mg/lb
Thiamin (Min) 23 mg/lb
Pyridoxine (Min) 127 mg/lb
Biotin (Min) 10 mg/lb
Choline (Min) 500 mg/lb
%
Barn Bag™ Broodmare and Growing Horse Feed
Concentrate
INGREDIENTS: Soy Protein Concentrate, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal,
Yeast Culture Dehydrated, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium
Phosphate, Lecithin, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Lysine,
DL-Methionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic
Acid, Manganese Oxide, Zinc Oxide, D-Biotin, Basic Copper Chloride,
Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamin, Vitamin D3
Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Permitted natural and
artificial flavorings added.
