Who here feeds Nutrena Safe Choice

[cretahillsgal]

Im the one that started this thread originally. And well, my horses are still on SafeChoice. I put my weanlings on Equine Jr but everyone else is on SC.

One difference is that right now I am not showing any horses. If I were, I would probably have to add something to thier feed for their coats. But my horses are holding their weight on it and for the most part look good. I've got a couple lactating mares that are getting pulled down, but I just separated them and started adding alfalfa to their diet.

I really only have 2 options for horse feed here where I live. Nutrena or Purina. I don't like textured sweet feeds and wasn't pleased with the purina equivalent of SC, which is Strategy.

 

[Equuisize]

Chanda,

I've been feeding Safe Choice for a bit over 3 years now.

When we moved down here in 2007 they were getting way 'fluffy' on the sugary grass, along with their normal amount of Allegra Senior.

I'm very happy with it. Their coats have a glisten to them even in the winter when they tend to be at their dirtiest.

I cut tails back at least 4 times a year and the farrier comes way to often for my pocket book

which is like each 6-7 weeks in the summer months.

Top lines are good, on everyone, except for the baby who is now switching out being wither high to rumpy, with blink of the eye moments of being level LOL

 

[chandab]

Nancy and Julie, thanks for the response, I appreciate the update. If either of you have time, would you mind getting a copy of the feed tag for me? I'd like to know the ingredients, they aren't listed on the website.

And, how much do you feed for what size horse? [Looking at Nutrena's chart, I'd need to feed a little more than what they are currently on for maintenance.]

Thanks

 

[Equuisize]

Sure, be happy to.

I'm heading out to the barn to feed lunches so I'll grab a tag and scan it.

I do up the amount I give them in the winter especially is it's a colder one, for us, sometimes add in alfalfa pellets.

The rule of thumb here is is I am cold then the horses get extra.

Not exactly scientific but they come into the spring in good weight, still shiny with tails needing to be cut, again.

Then the battle begins with the spring grasses.

My guys vary in size from 29 inches to 35 so...it is adjusted for the individual

and their metabolism, as I observe it.

I've had one girl in the fat girl pasture for months and she hasn't losts more than 3 oz, I don't think.

She is just a chunky monkey, not quite sure where that came from as she is not built like any of her siblings. Throw back to some distant relative is all I can think of.

 

[Equuisize]

The print on the tag is so small it didn't scan worth a darn.

I found this page of ingredients on their site.

http://www.nutrenaworld.com/nutrena/products/horses/safe-choice/index.jsp

 

[minisch]

I just tried it and it worked good for one horse and terrible for the other. My friend's morgans look great on it so I thought I'd give it a try. Lost topline and coat. He looks terrible, while the other, did better. I'm gradually switching to Strategy and he's gaining weight already.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I can say I know there has been an investigation with Nutrenea concerning the SafeChoice feeds as several people have had negative results feeding their horses SafeChoice.

 

[chandab]

The print on the tag is so small it didn't scan worth a darn.

I found this page of ingredients on their site.

http://www.nutrenaworld.com/nutrena/products/horses/safe-choice/index.jsp

Nope, no ingredients listed on the website just the guaranteed analysis. If you still have the tag handy, how about you just list the first 3-5 ingredients for me? Thanks.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

I bought it for Chaz because that's what he was eating when I bought him, but he's not eating it now!

He much prefers the stuff I was feeding my guys, but it doesn't have enough protein in it so I am looking into other feeds. I mix the SC in with our Horsemans Edge pellets and the goober picks out all the Edge and leaves the Safechoice!

 

[Equuisize]

Here is the ingredieant list:

Ground Wheat

Canola Meal

Yeast Culture

Wheat Middlings

Rice Bran

Suncured Alfalfa Meal

Soybean Hulls

Cane Molasses

And then it goes into the vitamins.

At the end of the vitamin list it says: Corn Oil & Soybean Oil

Hope that helps.

I think finding a food is such an individual thing. If it works for your horses it does,

if it doesn't, it doesn't.

We've 9 kidlets, plus one big guy and I've never had a bad reaction or anyone turn their nose up at it.

They look good, they feel good so I'm not changing, for the sake of changing, till there is an indication it no longer works or the food starts showing up in unsavory condition in the bag.

I've read to many articles about changing grains over to frequently can be the culprit in colics and sure don't want to deal with that.

Hope you find the one perfect for your kids.

 

[chandab]

Here is the ingredieant list:

Ground Wheat

Canola Meal

Yeast Culture

Wheat Middlings

Rice Bran

Suncured Alfalfa Meal

Soybean Hulls

Cane Molasses

And then it goes into the vitamins.

At the end of the vitamin list it says: Corn Oil & Soybean Oil

Hope that helps.

I think finding a food is such an individual thing. If it works for your horses it does,

if it doesn't, it doesn't.

We've 9 kidlets, plus one big guy and I've never had a bad reaction or anyone turn their nose up at it.

They look good, they feel good so I'm not changing, for the sake of changing, till there is an indication it no longer works or the food starts showing up in unsavory condition in the bag.

I've read to many articles about changing grains over to frequently can be the culprit in colics and sure don't want to deal with that.

Hope you find the one perfect for your kids.

Thank you. That helps alot. However, I found out late this afternoon, that the place that carried it no longer does; Cargill took their dealership.

I'm thinking I'll probably stick with the feeds I'm using, but change who gets what and how much.

 

[Tab]

I've heard this complaint about Safe Choice before. I think I would put it in the "wussy" feed category. I think it is designed to be more of a filler than an actual concentrate. I bet if you tried Nutrena Prime your results would improve mightily. Nothing, I repeat, nothing imo is as good as Summer grazing for horses. Even show horses, but you might need a feed with a little more substance for your show horses.

 

[wildoak]

Nothing, I repeat, nothing imo is as good as Summer grazing for horses.

That would be assuming you aren't in a drought and still have grass.

I fed Safe Choice for over a year and was fairly satisfied with it. I was feeding some goodies like Platinum along with it for my show horses. Also feed beet pulp and from time to time, BOSS. I had no particular problems with Safe Choice but am feeding a Bluebonnet pellet now that I think is better.

Jan

 

[cretahillsgal]

I've heard this complaint about Safe Choice before. I think I would put it in the "wussy" feed category. I think it is designed to be more of a filler than an actual concentrate. I bet if you tried Nutrena Prime your results would improve mightily. Nothing, I repeat, nothing imo is as good as Summer grazing for horses. Even show horses, but you might need a feed with a little more substance for your show horses.

Coincidentally, I switched to the Prime and even the Senior for about 5 months. My horses were worse on those than they were on the SafeChoice. I've just decided that the "recommended" feeding ammounts on the bag should be ignored. I have upped what they are getting and they are doing well now.

And yes I agree that pasture grazing would be best. IF you actually have pasture and are NOT in a drought so bad that I have never even mowed my yard once this year. And it looks worse than it does in the winter. No lie.

 

[REO]

I bought it for Chaz because that's what he was eating when I bought him, but he's not eating it now!

He much prefers the stuff I was feeding my guys, but it doesn't have enough protein in it so I am looking into other feeds. I mix the SC in with our Horsemans Edge pellets and the goober picks out all the Edge and leaves the Safechoice!

We feed Horsemans Edge. Have for maybe 20+ years (big horses before minis)

 

[cretahillsgal]

We feed Horsemans Edge. Have for maybe 20+ years (big horses before minis)

The only Horseman's Edge that is for sale around here is a textured, sweet feed. And I dont like to do sweet feeds. I've asked the same dealer to order the Horseman's Edge Pellets. But they wont.

 

[REO]

Ick.

So many people are hampered by what their feed stores will or won't carry.

I know over the years I'd read something on here I wanted to try but ours didn't carry whatever it was.

 

[wildoak]

I guess we are fortunate - we have our pick of feeds generally available in our region. TSC and at least 3 feed stores within about 20 minutes, one is a Purina store, one Nutrena and one carries Bluebonnet and a little of several other brands.

Jan