Loose minerals.

I've toyed with the idea of using loose minerals for awhile now. What's been holding me back is I'm not really sure where to start. What minerals should I use? How do I store them? How much do I provide? Is it based on weight? What changes when I have to supply both horses with them in the same pasture/shelters and from the same "holders"? Where can I buy the minerals? Is there something I should specifically avoid? I'm located in the Pacific Northwest, and to be more specific, near Seattle, Washington.

Hmmm...I am not sure what loose minerals you would have access to, given your area, but I am sure if you asked someone at your local feed store, they could tell you which one is good for your horses; I prefer 'horse specific' ones, as opposed to livestock ones, as I know that the horse mineral will/should cover what my horse needs specifically, instead of just a general livestock dosage.

Most of the loose minerals I have used, are designed for free choice feeding, although you can give a specific amount in their feed each day as well, as a general rule. I usually feed free choice. I use those hang over feeders, and make sure they are in a dry place, like a stall or run in shed; somewhere they have access to atleast a few hours a day. Since you have two, make sure there is a mineral supplement in a pen that they both have access too, again, atleast for a few hours each day.

That's the thing, the people at my co-op are kind of rude and basically nothing more than cashiers. =| I'll probably have to give my vet a call, like I don't call him enough, haha. I was just hoping I could avoid it, or at least get most of my questions answered so the poor man doesn't need to stay on the phone with me for half an hour.

You can contact Smartpack and ask for their recommendations. I add loose vit/min during fall - spring (before I put them on grass) because I feed very little of pelleted feed. I just go with Show-Manna (if I'm not mistaking with the name) and mix it in the pellets once/day.

That's a good idea, KV! I've always heard a lot of good things about SmartPac. Thanks. =]

If you order stuff to put in their feed everyday... I would only order a little bit before making a huge order, haha my mare WILL NOT eat mineral in her feed. Haha :)

Lol ya make sure your horses like it before you order a ton

Sho Glo is a decent one...

And I've heard lots of good things about Smart Pak as well.

I've ordered mineral online too, at horse.com...OR you could look online and see if there is something there you might like, and go to your feed store and ask if they have it.

On a side, I can't stand rude check out clerks...Lol! Especially when they are there to help the customers; I will usually walk out if they aren't helpful...I can always take my business somewhere else!

I'm not sure if I'll have to get daily doses or just a few holders they have access to 24/7. Right now, my girls aren't on grain, Ricci just gets her hoof supplement.

And M2P, I probably would take my business elsewhere, but elsewhere doesn't have the cutest warehouse guy in the world. I just love him. =D

If you are talking about the mineral blocks try the small one first. Friend's of mine horses liked it so much they went through one in matter of days, and IMO it's not so good (excess of the vit/min may be even worse than not enough). However my neighbor keeps big min block for the to leak and it takes really long time for them to go through (to compare the small salt block I keep is good for 2-3 months for my 2 mares).