minerals

[Demented Donkey Dame]

Dynamite minerals are excellent as are the Moorman’s. There are some good mixes out there. To me it in important to feed the loose minerals not the blocks. I do have to say I have been warned NOT to feed any extra Iron, isn’t that what Red Cell is? I discontinued feeding Beet Pulp after finding out how high the Iron content is as well as the in balance of calcium/phosphorous. Feeding your animals correctly is truly an art. I know with my donkeys I only feed about one third of what the manufactures recommend any more than that and we have major hoof blowout problems.

[mink]

above is mention of a sulfur salt block and a cobalt salt block, what are the uses for each?

[grey]

The sulfur block is supposed to cause the animals to be less attractive to biting and blood-sucking insects. Cobalt is supposed to help aid digestion and also is necessary to formulate vitamin B-12. Many horses are found to be cobalt-deficient. Truly, however, I don’t know how much cobalt is needed in a horse’s diet. It could be that the trace mineral block has enough cobalt in it and the blue block is just wasted. But sometimes they work at the cobalt block pretty hard, so I continue to provide it.

[jen judkins]

It depends alittle on where you live as to what deficiencies horses will be prone to. Up here in the NE the soils are mostly copper and selenium deficient, with alot of toxic aluminum (which I’m told can bind up the utilization of other minerals). Never had to supplement cobalt specifically, but I believe it is in the micro trace minerals salt I have out. Loose salts are better for horses as they have soft tongues. Blocks are meant for cattle with rough tongues.

I think its great to provide minerals, you think your horses need, but the truth is, its hard to know what they need. Most supplement companies want to sell you product and have only alittle interest in the welfare of your horses. I think just as many horses are mineral deficient due to OVER SUPPLMENTATION than under supplementation. Many minerals inhibit the absorption of others, so forcing alot of minerals in one or two feedings, a common practice, sometimes backfires on you. Which is why free choicing a variety of minerals mimics the natural foraging instincts in horses (and cattle). Let them decide what and when they need.

[Kenneth F]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/dumor-reg-magic-cell-reg-1-gal–1169988

I’m using the TSC brand it seems to have already made a difference I put a salt black with selenium in there also we are selenium deficient in our area

[fogish]

This is my favorite feed calculating program, it’s based on the National Research Council – Nutrient Requirements of Horses. The most common minerals are always at the bottom no matter what page you are on, the rest are under “Other Nutrients.” The “Dietary Supply” has an in-depth list of different types of feed.

http://www.agmodels.com/Demos/NRC_Equine89/Equine_Model_2006.asp#

[njfarmer]

I put a red salt/ mineral block that I get from the local tractor supply next to the water tub. My belgian seems to fancy it. every couple months its time for a new one.

[carl ny]

A lot of the northeast is low in natural Selenium in the soil.I don’t think the red block has it but the “baby poop” yellow one does.That’s the one I use.Horses need selenium. Just my 2 cents,worth exactly what you paid for it..

carl ny

[Kenneth F]

I put the one with selenium in there and gave red cell up til this past weekend they haven’t touched the loose minerals since the red cell but have messed with the block some the act like they’ve got their mineral fix

[njfarmer]

My tractor supply only carries the white and red blocks no yellow one. But we feed selenium supplement with morning feedings. All our horses also get metamucil in the am since we have had past issues with sand colic.

[carl ny]

As long as you give them a selenium supplement, the red should be fine.

carl ny

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