Two Time Tack & Feed

02/04/2025

01/24/2025

I always said…forage FIRST.

Apparently some of the "Forage Only" FB groups are gone or on hold for some reason. (I can guess but I won't). Because of this I have seen an increase in "Forage Only" posts looking for advice in the Jim the Feed Guy Discussion Group so I thought that I would post my standard reply for anyone interested.

Forage, hay, pasture or a combination of the two, is absolutely essential to keeping healthy horses. Sixty million years of evolution have turned the horse into an amazing factory for processing a very low yield source of nutrition and we shouldn't stray too far from that basis.

Unfortunately horses were evolved to be part of the food chain as a prey animal designed to feed big cats and wolves. Horses have not evolved to be selectively bred in captivity to fulfil the needs of the humans that have domesticated it. In short, we have messed with nature.

If you would like to put your horse on a "Forage Only" diet then dump them into a field with sufficient grass, full time hay and a clean water supply and your horse will do just fine for a few years and probably be old well before its time.

Most of the "Forage ONLY" (caps for emphasis) diets include powders, herbs, potions, oils, seeds and juju incantations in addition to the forage so let us be very clear, the horse is not on a "Forage ONLY" diet. It is being supplemented to fill in the nutrients missing from the forage.

If you have a large horse bred to be used for work or competition and is in heavy work or training it is highly unlikely that the horse is going to maintain weight and performance stamina from grass hay alone.

In reality, we really should be looking at "Forage FIRST" meaning that the horse is fed as much high quality forage as it needs to maintain weight.

Once we have established the appropriate amount of forage (assuming teeth and gastric system are sound) then we can look at the best way to supplement them.

My specialty and preferred method is to supplement with high quality premium commercial feeds because I am not smart enough to determine the best formula of raw commodities to best support my horses. I would be so bold as to state that unless you hold at least an MS, preferably a PhD in equine sciences you are not at all qualified to determine the best formula for your horse either.

This can be an argument for another day but I thought that I would put this out there for clarification.

I will repeat this for emphasis, if you are putting anything besides forage into your horses mouth you are not on a "Forage Only" diet.

Cheers!

01/23/2025

🌟 HAY ALERT $18.50/bale 🌟

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01/08/2025

Like many small retailers, we regularly deal with "customers" who come in to use our store's centuries-old expertise for fitting boots, helmets, and clothes and then gather their sizes and leave — presumably because they believe they can get a better price online. Here's why that's a bad idea:

💰 More than 95% of our prices are set by our manufacturers and we sell things for lowest price we're allowed to. If you notice a discrepancy, just ask — and we'll match it.

💰 Shopping from Europe — where you might save a small percent on select brands — means that you have zero warranty support from us or the manufacturers here. When that helmet you bought in Europe breaks, I can't replace it for you at a discount, like I could if you had bought it from me.

💰 Most small stores can actually get things to you faster considering that there is a true individual processing your order. We've overnighted jodhpurs to a weekend home so a kid wouldn't miss a riding lesson and sent a helmet via Manhattan courier when a client had a sick kid, all at no charge to our customers. Ask a big-box store to do that.

Supporting your independent equine retailer is more crucial than ever in 2025. We challenge you to make your next purchase, no matter how big or small, from an independent tack store. We promise that you will be amazed at the care and attention you receive from horse people who truly do care — not a corporate conglomerate that's sold out to a faceless venture capital firm. Don't have one near you? Almost all of us offer very affordable (if not free!) shipping these days and we'd be delighted to earn your business.

Happy New Year from your friends on East 24th Street,
Manhattan Saddlery 🐎

01/05/2025

🤔 I may have said this a time or a thousand.

01/04/2025

12/24/2024

12/19/2024

12/14/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AeGJFhf1Y/?mibextid=WC7FNe

"When you are perceived as a strong woman it is assumed that you do not need anything or anyone. You can bear everything; and will overcome whatever happens. You are looked upon to help carry burdens and when you share yours its labeled as negative.
She is not asked if she is tired, suffering or falling; or if she has anxiety or fear.
The strong woman is not forgiven for anything. If she loses control, she becomes weak. If she loses her temper, she becomes hysterical.
When a strong woman disappears for a moment, it is immediately noticeable, but when she is there, her presence is unappreciated.
The strength that is needed every day to be that kind of woman, is not noticed.
Honor, recognize, respect and thank the strong women in your life, because they also need to be loved and feel that they can rest."
-unknown
[Ynot shoes by Wendy Weems]

12/12/2024

12/05/2024

The equivalent of people without horses traditional 5K Marathon 😆

11/08/2024

11/08/2024

Share your feedback on any Purina® horse product or supplement and you’ll be entered for a chance to win $150 in coupons.