Simple systems

[googol]

I regularly search to get more info / stories from people who use /have used simple systems however very little ever comes up which surprises me! So does anyone have any experience? Is their Lucerne the same as Alfa-A and is that the sane as alfalfa? Feel free to mock me if this is a ridiculous question!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Lucerne is another name for alfalfa. Alfa-A is Dengies' brand of alfalfa which is molassed in most of the brand I thinkAlfa-A Oil just has added oil, no molasses. I don't use Simple Systems so can't tell you much about them, although I believe that they do Lucie-nuts. My guess is tht they cost more than an unbranded bag, or locally produced bag of exactly the same stuff would. Feed companies' marketting strategies of over-priced goods is one of my bug-bears. I'm sure they will have a web-site that you can look their feeds up on.

 

[TwoStroke]

I've used their timothy chop and blue bag grass nuts, as there are no similar products available elsewhere (apart from Halleys, for the timothy chop, but there's little price difference). I liked the products, as did the horses, but I wouldn't use them for alfalfa products as you can buy them cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Hen]

Like Twostroke I don't use them as a sole supplier but have used several of their products as ingredients, including Timothy chop, Blue Bag Grass Pellets, Luciestalks and Brix, Simplycomplete, cider vinegar. Very good service, good quality products, as described. I like the fact that when you order something like luciestalks it is exactly what it says, the chopped stalks only, I find sometimes with other brands when you order alfalfa it can vary enormously between leaf and stalk, and I want the least nutritious possible that is not covered in oils and preservative. I'm not convinced that if you used all SS that you'd end up with a very balanced diet (iron levels for example look pretty high) but I like what I have used and they have certainly helped with palatability for a very fussy horse!

 

[scribble]

I use them as the protein levels in their lucie nuts are quite a bit higher than dengies or other companies. my mare is growing and in medium work so needs higher level of protein to build muscle.

 

[googol]

Thanks for replies. I use just SS so will need to check he's on a balanced enough diet!

Anyone know why alfalfa is said to be so bad for barefoot? He isn't barefoot but I llke to keep him on a barefoot friendly diet as much as poss

 

[TwoStroke]

Thanks for replies. I use just SS so will need to check he's on a balanced enough diet!

Anyone know why alfalfa is said to be so bad for barefoot? He isn't barefoot but I llke to keep him on a barefoot friendly diet as much as poss

It can make some horses footy - as far as I'm aware the reason for this is unknown... Possibly the calcium content, or perhaps some other factor involved in the growing/harvesting process. My TB goes very footy on it. Some horses do perfectly fine on it however, and I expect the SS version is one of the least likely to cause upset due to the lack of mould inhibitors etc.

 

[MissJessica]

Thank you for this post...I was considering feeding SS however someone yesterday said no way go TopSpec, my oh my?! All I want to ensure is my horse gets his fit & min as doesn't need a lot of feed.
It gets very overwhelming & confusing.

 

[Captainmouse]

I feed dengie molasses free, marriages laminitic mix (not like a normal mix is basically fibre) micronised linseed, spillers lite balancer mag ox, brewers yeast and seaweed. This is all easily obtainable and my horse is positively blooming at the moment.


I looked at the SS but it seemed very expensive (particularly the linseed)

 

[EllieAA]

Ive fed SS for over a year now for my poor doer anglo arab youngster and my good doer welsh x mare. I have to admit though I cant keep the weight on them in the depth of winter with the products alone. For regular winter feeding the younger one got 1 scoop of greengold alfalfa chaff, 1kg lucie pellets and 1kg blue bag grass pellets split between 2 meals plus total eclipse balancer and extra linseed. He looked fantastic until we had such a rough winter with very little turnout, and no matter how much he ate and what they recommended I couldn't keep weight on him while keeping him sane. We still use it as a basis, but these days I tend to use dengie chaffs as they're less dusty, greengold just makes me cough and cough, when i spoke to SS about it they said the "dust" is lucerne leaf where all the goodness is and as its so fine it crumbles to a sort of dusty particle but i just couldnt stand it, so replaced with alfa a molasses free which i dont find such amazing quality but is consistently less coughy. I try to buy the micronised linseed elsewhere too as its such a rip off the price they charge for that bag. Calm and condition replacing purabeet/speedibeet and fed along side the lucerne and grass products worked really well for deep winter in the end. I also had to add oil.

Their staff are really lovely but ofc they are extremely bias as they dont even believe you should feed straw products so what they can offer is a bit limited sometimes. Like their version of conditioning feed is made from lucerne leaf and yet more linseed, which is fair enough i suppose but at what point when lucerne and linseed isnt working enough do you have to say... enough is enough and move onto different ingredients.
The only issue ive had with them not eating it is the younger one when the grass is really juicy he has a really sweet tooth and tends to spit it around, its probably not good but i add a tiny dab of golden syrup and stir it all up to take the edge off it, as i think it can be a bit bitter sometimes.

I think the main thing that puts people off is the idea of all those soaking times, and when you first ask the helpline they will tell you you MUST soak blabla etc but when you eventually dig deeper for reasons and risks you find no you dont have to soak the pellet versions. I feed lucie pellets and have fed both red and blue grass pellets without soaking, but i do add sloppy beet pulp to their feeds and dampen well. I think it all depends on quantities, mine dont eat more than 1kg (scoop) of pellets at a time and many people would give that amount in cubes or mix without soaking it first. If for some reason i want to soak i throw everything in a bucket the night before pour water over and we're ready to go in the morning, no 2 hours for this 3 for that nonsense, but i can really see how off putting it may seem and if i had to soak stuff except beet i would never feed it too much hassle!

Sorry for the rant I never get to discuss my feed choices!
To sum up: Good if you like tweaking your own rations and working out whats best for you by trial and error and have some feeding knowledge
Bad if you like simplicity, the names a joke nothing about it is that simple Also not great for keeping weight on all types but again its all about the individual horse.