Anybody feed Purina Nature's Essentials Enrich 12?

[jaimebaker]

Does anyone feed this product? Pros/cons? I've got some easy keeper pasture pets that I'm trying to get off of a soy based feed they are on now. Nobody in my area carries any Triple Crown products so I am fairly limited to Purina, TSC or Co-op.

[deltawave]

I've been feeding it for 2 years, but just this fall have switched to a blend of the Enrich 12 and the Enrich 30, because this year's first cutting hay is a little more poor in protein than in preveious years. By blending the two, I have the amount of nutrients I need. Next year if the hay is better I'll probably go back to the straight 12%.

I've been extremely happy with it, all 3 of my mares are healthy, in good weight, and shiny and glossy. No colics ever, (touch wood), great feet, they're all as healthy as I could wish. They also get a bit of rice bran for fat (and shiny coats), and a vitamin/mineral supplement because again, the hay is lacking some things. Plus, none of mine get anywhere NEAR the recommended 1-2 pounds a day--they'd be fat! They get mostly hay and pasture, and the ration balancer does a great job of adding most of what they don't get from forage, IMO.

No complaints from me--it's palatable, the quality is consistent (at least as far as I can tell) and the price is very reasonable.

[jaimebaker]

Well, my horses are fat as mud so I wouldn't be feeding the full two lbs either. Thanks for the feedback Deltawave!

[pearl's mom]

Have been feeding it for over a year and am happy with it. My porkers don't get the reccomended amount either. Skin and feet are perfect. I add flax seed.

Am curious about the vague labeling someone pointed out on another thread. Will be asking my very helpful PM dealer about what the "by-products" actualy are.

[pearl's mom]

Glad I don't have to feed too much of it. Just bought a bag for $25+. How much are you paying Deltawave, Jaimiebaker ? Was $ 17 when I started feeding it.

[horsetales]

I've been feeding it to my airferns this past year or so with good luck. Shiney, no skin problems and a strong, healthy foal out of the one that was bred last year.

[flypony74]

I've been feeding either the Enrich 12 or 32 for several years....feed the 12 when the grass is more nutrient rich in the spring/summer/fall, and the 32 in the winter. My horses are all easy keepers and do very well on it. I pay about $21/50# for the 12, and about $24/50# for the 32.

[deltawave]

I think it's around $21-22 for the 12%, $24-25 for the 32. (Sorry I put "30" up in my first post, that's incorrect)

[jaimebaker]

Glad I don't have to feed too much of it. Just bought a bag for $25+. How much are you paying Deltawave, Jaimiebaker ? Was $ 17 when I started feeding it.

I haven't priced it out yet, but what I have them on is $27 a bag so I'm used to it:(

[jaimebaker]

Well, I picked up a bag today for $20. I'll get it open in the next few days and take a look at it. Still doing some research but wanted to go ahead and get a bag. Has anybody every soaked it? I have to soak my stud's feed due to a past choke and wondered how well it soaks.

[VTHokie]

My mare chokes too, and I soak her Enrich 32. It does soften up but it takes a while. I think I probably wait at least 20 minutes.

[jaimebaker]

My mare chokes too, and I soak her Enrich 32. It does soften up but it takes a while. I think I probably wait at least 20 minutes.

Thank you for letting me know! :winkgrin:

[lilhighjumper]

All my fatties get either depending on grass and hay quality ...I add a lil oats or rice bran for the few who need just a lil more and they all do well on it. Ive not fed it in winter..however i may give the stangs it as we have winter rye planted. YOu def dont have to feed the 2 lbs the bag states...hope it works for you too!

[jaimebaker]

Well, I just got off the phone with Purina and it DOES contain soybean meal. It's actually the third ingredient. I asked if she was sure because I knew the Enrich 32 had it and she said 'Yes, I'm sure because they gave us the full list of ingredients because the tag is so vague'. I said, 'oh, vague as in grain by products, roughage products, etc' and she said 'yep'. So, bummer. Guess I'll just go with crimped oats then and find a vitamin supplement.

[deltawave]

It's awfully hard to find a high-protein, low-volume feed that doesn't have soy in it.

[jaimebaker]

It's awfully hard to find a high-protein, low-volume feed that doesn't have soy in it.

Enrich 12 isn't high in protein though. 12%. That's why I was hoping it didn't have it in it. I don't want them on high protein anyway. Just a low volume feed without soy in it. I'm finding that just doesn't exist. Oh well, so much for ration balancers. I made a few phone calls and everything in my area has soy in it. At least I know what's in oats:lol:

[deltawave]

Nothing wrong with oats at all, you just need to get creative with the added vitamins, minerals, etc.

[europa]

All mine are on it. It is a great ration balancer for those of us not able to get progessive feeds in our area. I feed anything under 1 the 32 for the higher protein content and the 12 to everything else. I am comforted that they are getting the correct balance of vitamins and minerals. I was told by the Purina on call vet that anything over a year should be getting the 12 and not the 32.

I also feed strategy.....but, it greatly limits the amount I have to feed.....gotta love that. Mine all get the free choice minerals and grass hay also.

[deltawave]

I was told by the Purina on call vet that anything over a year should be getting the 12 and not the 32.

And if the hay averages 6% protein? God, it drives me nuts when people fail to consider EVERYTHING a horse is eating when they fling out recommendations like this! :mad: