Well, looks like I might change up my feed again. The Trail Mix isn't working for the mares like it did in the past, they are thin in the ribs and bit bony on top. I ordered a ration balancer to top dress their feed for the added protein, so if I'm going back to a ration balancer to top up their feed, I might as well try them on the Equis Complete or senior that the local store carries, so I don't have to special order. I can get the Progressive ProAdvantage grass formula from the place that delivers monthy or a local guy when he isn't having delivery issues. All else fails, I can switch to Buckeye Gro N Win, and order from Chewy.com. I don't know why or understand why I have so much trouble feeding the minis, especially the mares, but I sure seem to. The geldings are on senior with vit/min supplement to cover the bases since they only get a small amount, they are all chubby with good hair coat, but they are only about 1 bale into this year's hay, so may need an increase in pellets to cover what the drought year hay lacks. The little stallion is doing very well on the equis senior, probably just needs more of it, now that he's not eating as much hay as he used to; but I do give him some soaked hay cubes (he quids what long-stem hay he does eat).
I was going to add beet pulp to their winter ration to improve their fiber quality and help with hydration, so I bought a bag of beet pulp, and it smelled off and the color and texture was wrong. Called the place I bought it, and didn't get much of a response, they were like a wet noodle, so I'm feeding it to my bum calf, he doesn't seem to mind it. After talking about it with a friend, decided that it was probably overcooked in the pelleting process, so it's essentially burnt; that doesn't explain the texture, but would explain the smell and might explain the color. I might try beet pulp again, but it won't be what's available locally. [We are shipping calves in about 10 days, so I'll be able to stock up at a TSC. I have a coupon for Standlee products, so will use it before it expires the end of the month.] Wish "good" feeds were available locally, it would make my life so much easier.
Guess that's all for now.