Wondering if anyone else has noticed this lately.  

I bought a new bag of Haystack Low Carb/Low Fat pellets (tan bag, red print) about 2 weeks ago in Montesano, WA.  I started feeding it to Andy a few days after his move to our new farm.  When I added the same amount of hot water to the same amount of pellets the pellets just SAT there.  They didn't absorb much or any of the water.  They did not fluff up and of course all the additions  (J-herb, Move-ease, Vit. E, salt, CTB) just sat there too.

I tried mixing it up, adding some extra dry pellets to make it "look" like what Andy has been eating for about 6 months but he turned his nose up to it immediately.  He still gets his pergolide and ALCAR dose syringed but I'm at a loss as to how to make this pellet work.  I reviewed the bag label and website and it says they only compress the pellet with steam, no binders.

No, I haven't called the company yet but think I will tomorrow.

Anyone having or had this happen with their Haystack?

Thanks much,
Sandy 
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Sandy

March 2017, Elma, WA, USA

Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . 
                        https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=6171 .

I haven't had that problem, but then I use almost boiling water and then cold water to cool it down.  During the summer I use tap water and don't recall any major issues other than it takes longer.  I've just tried a bag of the new teff hay pellets and they fluff up faster.

Ronelle and Yoyo
2015 Bend, Or, U.S.

Ronelle..yes, agree.  I use microwaved almost boiling water, the pellets fluff right away, within 30 seconds or so.  I add the supplements, etc. and then off to the barn.  I offer it to him and he gobbles it up...cooled first of course.  Now this new bag is very weird.  I've tried using different amounts of water, different temperatures of water.  But nope.  It just sits there eating up my supplements and budget to care for Andy.

Is the Teff hay "acceptable"?  I.e. on the ECIR list to use?
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Sandy

March 2017, Elma, WA, USA

Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . 
                        https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=6171 .

Have you tried soaking over night or for a few hours?  Then add more water and the supplements to make it mushy?   You can call the company or email them about that bag.  Maybe there's something off with that batch.  Or see if the store will take it back.   I don't know if they changed the formula.  I just had a bag of the low/low and the Teff tested.  I will be emailing the test results into ECIR so it can be put in the Commercial feed test section.  It's too new to already be listed on the OK list.  But here's the info on the Teff pellets. (Based on one bag)  Protein-10%  ESC- 6.9%  Starch- .7%  Iron- 723 ppm.  The Teff's iron was lower than the low/low.

Ronelle and Yoyo
2015 Bend, Or, U.S.

Thanks so much Ronelle.  No, haven't done the longer time soaking but I will.  It just seemed so fast and easy to have the dang thing fluff up in about a minute or less. Right now Andy is getting a heck of a dose syringe full, day and night, but with the CTB cherry flavor it's all good.  A pain to mix up and load into the syringe but I will not let this PPID beat me, or us!
Thanks again! I have a call into Haystack to discuss the feed.  He eats it dry and normal just fine. Using it as a reward after the dose syringing.
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Sandy

March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA

Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . 
                        https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=6171 .

Sandy-  When you talk with Haystack, ask about their new product, Teff hay pellets.  A dollar cheaper than low/low, and lower in ESC and starch. (At least it is here in Bend)   I bought a bag and had it tested.  I also sent the test results to LeeAnne and she's put it into the ECIR files and you can compare my test results for the low/low and the Teff pellets.


Ronelle and Yoyo
2015 Bend, Or

Will do. Thanks so much for going the extra mile in the testing. 
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Sandy

March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA

Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . 
                        https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=6171 .

And thank you so much also for sharing the information and contributing to the "Library".  Our members are tops!
--

- ​LeeAnne

I just got back test results on the haystack farm low carb/ low sugar pellets 
Iron 551 ppm and 250 mg.  as feed sampled (crushed them up as noted in another topic) . 
moisture 12.4 dry 87.7
I was worried about iron levels when reported that it was 775 ppm range from another test. 
Jeannie 
Oregon 2010

Thanks for sharing Jeannie.  Ya know I got tired of waiting for Haystack to call me back so revamped my preparation of the Low/Low Haystack pellets.  Just put all the dry supps in the pellets, added the CTB (THE dealer breaker as to whether he touches his pellet mixture), 2 T of water and mixed WELL.  It moistened the pellets enough all the supps stuck and he doesn't have soggy pellets and is gobbling them down!  For the moment...but we've gone a week now this way and all is good.
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Sandy

March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA

Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . 
                        https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=6171 .

-- is this instead of hay ? And flavoring u mentioned, what is it an where do I get it !!picky eater here on pracend .I need an alternate hay idea ,can't find low forage and if I do add/ ndf is to high so then I 2oery about digestion!!!🙄
Tara and Gavilon
Mass.  Nov 2017
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Tara%20and%20Gavilon

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=11449

Hi, I'm a little confused and hopefully someone can clarify. The Haystack low carb/low fat have alfalfa and rice bran pellets in the ingredients and are listed on the safe list. I thought we were not suppost to give our IR/metabolic easy keeper horses alfalfa or rice bran? 
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Lara Ca 2019

The safe list only refers to sugar and starch content. These are things you would feed in the smallest amount possible to get supplements into the horse. Rice bran has the wrong omega fats profile - but so does hay. Alfalfa in small amounts is usually tolerated.
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Eleanor in PA

www.drkellon.com 
EC Owner 2001