Dec 15

Dec 15 Vermont Blend vs California Trace

These two supplements or ‘forage balancers’ are very popular amongst horse owners and often recommended as a supplement for general health, as well as a hoof support.

A common assumption is that hay or grass from the Eastern US may be balanced better by Vermont Blend and hay or grass from Western US may be better balanced by California Trace, and while this may be true in some cases… the best to know what to feed your horse is to test your hay, and/or pasture, and then work with an equine nutritionist to determine what would be best to balance your hay.

It is important to note that certain horses may need more or less of certain things, depending on what their body is deficient in. Some horses have chronic deficiencies and may need additional supplementation of something even if it we think we’ve met the right ratios by balancing our supplements to their hay or grass.

If you feed your horse grain, you can still feed Vermont Blend or California Trace, but you may want to consider the nutrient analysis of your grain before adding and selecting one over the other.

STANDARD VS. PLUS / PRO:
Both companies (California Trace & Custom Equine Nutrition - Vermont Blend) offer a standard version and ‘Plus’ or ‘Pro’ version of their products.
INGREDIENTS:
California Trace supplements contain more ingredients than Vermont Blend(s) which may make the supplement more palatable but does increase the complexity of the supplement. Some may consider these additional ingredients unnecessary as it contains rice bran, almond meal, natural and artificial flavoring.
Vermont Blend/Pro has significantly less ingredients.
COST:
Vermont Blend(s) are more affordable when you factor in the free shipping that Custom Equine Nutrition offers on all of their products.

We will explore the details below. . .

California Trace vs. California Trace Plus:

California Trace sells a standard ($67 for 40 days) or a ‘plus’ version ($72 for 40 days).

They also offer powder or pelleted for both blends, and a selenium free version of the standard blend as a powder.

California Trace ‘Plus’ contains higher levels of most ingredients including the lysine, methionine, threonine (not in the standard blend), cobalt (not in the standard blend), copper and zinc - therefore it is recommended more often over their standard blend.

California Trace Ingredients:

Ingredients: Rice Bran, Almond Hull Meal, L-Lysine Hydrochloride, D,L-Methionine, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Biotin, Rice Hulls (as a vitamin carrier), Selenium Yeast, Vitamin A Supplement, Ethylene Diamine Dihydroiodide (Iodine). Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Natural & Artificial Flavoring.

California Trace Plus Ingredients

Ingredients: Yeast Culture, Rice Bran, L-Lysine Hydrochloride, L-Threonine, Vegetable Oil, D,L-Methionine, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Biotin, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin A Supplement, Ethylene Diamine Dihydroiodide (Iodine), Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Natural & Artificial Flavoring

Vermont Blend vs. Vermont Blend Pro

Vermont Blend also comes in a standard and ‘pro’ version. There are no pelleted options, only powder. There are also ‘no selenium’ options.

The main difference between Vermont Blend and Vermont Blend Pro is that the pro version contains extra digestive support and it is in a smaller serving. The protein and salt levels differ slightly but the core ingredients contain the same levels.

Vermont Blend Pro is considered less palatable by some horses therefore it is important to slowly introduce it in tiny amounts.

You can only buy Vermont Blend Pro in a two month supply (for $45/month or $90/bag), as opposed to the standard which comes in a one month supply (for $40/month). There are larger sizes available for those who need it.

Click here for 5% off your order at Custom Equine Nutrition!

Vermont Blend Ingredients:

Diamong V Yeast, Salt, L-Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, DL-Methionine, Selenium Yeast, Copper Amino Acid Complex (organic copper), L-Threonine, Zinpro 120 (organic zinc), Biotin 2%, Organic Iodine

Vermont Blend Pro Ingredients:

Salt, L-Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, DL-Methionine, Selenium Yeast, Copper Amino Acid Complex (organic copper), L-Threonine, Zinpro 120 (organic zinc), Biotin 2%, Organic Iodine, Yea-Sacc Extra, Bio-Mos2, Anise

Vermont blend vs. California trace

Vermont Blend (Standard)
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS PER 4 OUNCE SERVING

Crude Protein, not less than …………. 20,795 mg
Lysine, not less than …………….. 10,000 MG
Methionine, not less than ……….. 5,000 MG
Threonine, not less than ………….. 2,000 MG
Magnesium ……………………………… 6,000 MG
Copper, not less than ………………… 300 MG
Zinc, not less than ……………………. 900 MG
Iodine ……………………………………… 3 MG
Cobalt …………………………………….. 0 MG
Selenium …………………………………. 2 MG
Vitamin A ……………………………… 0 IU
Vitamin E ……………………………….. 0 IU
Biotin ………………………………………. 25 MG
Salt …………………………………………..13,466 mg
Yeast…………………………………………. 2 OZ

California Trace (Standard)
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS PER 4 OUNCE SERVING

Crude Protein, not less than …………. 24.0%
Lysine, not less than ……………..7,000 MG
Methionine, not less than ……….. 2,500 MG
Threonine, not less than ………….. 0 MG
Copper, not less than ………………… 175 MG
Zinc, not less than ……………………. 500 MG
Iodine ……………………………………… 3.5 MG
Cobalt …………………………………….. 0 MG
Selenium …………………………………. 2 MG
Vitamin A ……………………………… 15,000 IU
Vitamin E ……………………………….. 750 IU
Biotin ………………………………………. 20 MG
Magnesium …………………………….. 0 MG
Salt…………………………………………….0 MG

vermont blend pro vs. california trace plus

Vermont Blend (Pro)
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS PER 2 OUNCE SERVING

Crude Protein, not less than …………. 16,384mg
Lysine, not less than …………….. 10,000 MG
Methionine, not less than ……….. 5,000 MG
Threonine, not less than ………….. 2,000 MG
Magnesium ……………………………… 6,000 MG
Copper, not less than ………………… 300 MG
Zinc, not less than ……………………. 900 MG
Iodine ……………………………………… 3 MG
Cobalt …………………………………….. 0 MG
Selenium …………………………………. 2 MG
Vitamin A ……………………………… 0 IU
Vitamin E ……………………………….. 0 IU
Biotin ………………………………………. 25 MG
Salt …………………………………………..12,624mg
Yea-Sacc Extra…………………………2,300mg
Bio-Mos2…………………………………2,000mg
Anise………………………………………….56.7mg

California Trace (Plus)
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS PER 4 OUNCE SERVING

Crude Protein, not less than …………. 31.0%
Lysine, not less than …………….. 10,000 MG
Methionine, not less than ……….. 3,500 MG
Threonine, not less than ………….. 5,000 MG
Copper, not less than ………………… 300 MG
Zinc, not less than ……………………. 750 MG
Iodine ……………………………………… 3.5 MG
Cobalt …………………………………….. 5.0 MG
Selenium …………………………………. 2.0 MG
Vitamin A ……………………………… 15,000 IU
Vitamin E ……………………………….. 1,950 IU
Biotin ………………………………………. 20 MG
Magnesium …………………………….. 0 MG

in Conclusion:

California Trace+ Plus gives you more bang for your buck than their standard blend.
Custom Equine Nutritions Vermont Blend (Standard and Pro) are differentiated by the extra digestive support in the pro, the smaller but less palatable serving size, and the cost of having to purchase 2 months of the Pro vs. being able to buy 1 month of the Standard.
It’s more comparable to look at California Trace Plus vs. either Vermont Blend (Standard or Pro).
The biggest difference between California Trace Plus and Vermont Blend(s) is that California Trace doesn’t contain magnesium or salt. These are considered essential nutrients in the equine diet and should therefore be supplemented into your horses diet in some way or another.
SALT: The amount of salt in Vermont Blend(s) is equivalent to approximately 1/4 of the daily recommendation therefore additional salt supplementation is typically recommended. The standard recommendation for adding salt into your horses diet is 1 Tbsp 2x/day fed in a meal and/or offered loose and free choice.
MAGNESIUM: Comes in many different forms (glycinate, oxide, etc.) and owners may select one over another, therefore, they may wish to provide a forage balancer without added magnesium, so that they can provide a different form of magnesium. The standard recommendation is to feed up to 20mg of Magnesium Oxide per day, or to bowel tolerance, as it can cause some loosening to the digestive tract. Magnesium is essential for many functions in the body and is a common deficiency in the body, and in forage. Magnesium is also in a lot of calming and digestive supplements, so additional supplementation, may be unnecessary.
VITAMIN E: While California Trace + contains 1,950 IU’s of Vitamin E there has been some debate as to whether or not it is an absorbable source. Most horse owners prefer to supplement higher levels (2,500+ IU’s) of Vitamin E anyways. This is especially important if your horse does not have access to fresh grass, or is struggling with a neurological issue, such as EPM. It is not uncommon to hear of these horses needing 8,000-10,000 IU’s per day. Custom Equine Nutrition sells a flax blend with Vitamin E called OmegaE, or a potent liquid option called Emcelle (our personal favorite).
As far as the other nutrients go, they should be considered individually. Some horses may not need cobalt, or selenium, and therefore you should choose accordingly!
Depending on a forage test, you may end up choosing one over the other.
If added digestive support is important to you, Vermont Blend Pro is a great option.
If you’re looking for the better deal, Custom Equine Nutrition is more affordable.
Click here for 5% off your order at Custom Equine Nutrition!