What are Complete Cubes?

Horseman's Choice complete cubes combine the benefits of premium forage with top quality grains, added fat, vitamins, and chelated minerals. Therefore, they can be fed as the sole ration or as the typical grain ration along with hay.

The digestive system of the horse was designed to digest fiber, not grain products. Unfortunately, many horses cannot get enough energy from just hay and pasture. Therefore, Horseman's Choice complete cubes come closer to a horse's natural diet than a typical grain and hay diet while providing the added energy, vitamins and minerals. The cube provides a longer fiber length than normal pellets for improved digestion and longer chewing times. The longer fiber length provides the 1 to 1½ inches recommended by nutrionists. Ground fiber sources, such as pellets, fall short in fiber length increasing the potential of wood chewing and colic.

Reliability and Experience

Hay and pasture can be extremely variable in quality. Recent studies have found that changes in the fiber portion of the diet are responsible for a large number of colic cases. Horseman's Choice reduces that risk by providing a constant source of fiber. Horseman's Choice cubes are made in the mountain regions where some of the best hay in the country is grown. With the formulation and marketing experience of Triple Crown Nutrition, Horseman's Choice combines the best in quality fiber and quality grain rations. Each bale of hay used in the manufacturing process is tested for proper nutrient levels. The product has a longer shelf liefe than grain and is guaranteed to meet nutrient content for six months beyond manufactured date.

Nutritional Advantages

Feeds high in fiber and fat will have a calming effect compared to diets high in carbohydrates, which are converted to glucose during the digestive process. Like all the Triple Crown diets, Horseman's Choice includes:

• Elevated fat levels for added energy and stamina. The added vegetable oil provides horses with a safe alternative energy source. It increases energy density so less feed volume is required to provide the body condition you want for your horse.
• Four organic minerals: zinc, manganese, copper, and cobalt. The organic minerals are more digestible in the intestinal tract and are used to improve stress resistance, proper bone development, reproductive performance, and energy utilization. Research has shown that Developmental Bone Disease may be influenced by copper and zinc in the diet. Organic sources aid in the prevention of such diseases.
• Yeast cultures. Yeast cultures have been proven to increase fiber and protein digestion in the hindgut of the horse. It also improves the absorption of phosphorus, necessary for bone strength.
• Probiotics. Probiotics supplement the naturally occurring microbes in the hrose. A healthy microbial population will increase feed utilization and help maintain intestinal health.

Maintenance Formula

Drought Conditions

Horseman's Choice cubes offer distinct advantages in situations where hay and pasture are either poor or unavailable due to drought conditions. If feeding as the sole ration, you can replace all of your fiber needs with high quality western alfalfa and timothy hay and still get the higher energy associated with a grain based diet. If some hay is available you can still use Horseman's Choice the same way as you feed grain. When replacing your grain ration, you can reduce your hay consumption by as much as you want and adjust the amount of Horseman's Choice fed accordingly.

Feeding Directions

If feeding as the sole ration, feed amounts that will maintain the horse in good condition, 15 to 20 pounds per day per 100 lbs. of body weight. No other fiber source needs to be added to the diet. If you want to feed Horseman's choice along with hay, feed a minimum of 5 to 10 pounds per day per 1000 lbs of body weight. Feeding fiber will induce horses to drink water. Therefore, always have plenty of clean, fresh water available. Cubes should always be fed at ground level out of a bucket, where the horse can use its incisors to bite the cube into a smaller size. Never offer a cube out of your hand unless it is broken into a manageable size for the horse to chew.

Other Products

Triple Crown Premium Forages are also available in other forms. Laurel Bluff Farm, Inc. routinely carries Premium Timothy Mini-chunks and can special order other products such as Timothy/Alfalfa Cubes, Alfalfa/Maize Cubes, and Horseman's Choice Performance Formula (14% Protein and 4% Fat).