Thunderbrook Hay Flakes in a practical test – the convenient forage alternative for every day

In my experience, Thunderbrook Hay Flakes proved to be a useful forage alternative, especially for mixing supplements and extending eating time, with good overall acceptance.

Packaging:

The packaging was good, well labelled, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

It would have been nice to have more information about the grass species and herbs included. As someone interested in balancing vitamins and minerals according to forage analysis, I would also have appreciated an analysis sheet, especially when using the product as a hay replacer.

I have several horses with intolerances and sensitive stomachs and really like that this product consists of pure grass and herbs, with no grain, fillers, or alfalfa.

The contents:

When opening the bag, the flakes had a pleasant sweet smell. When tipping them into the feed bin, I noticed they were somewhat dusty. However, as the product is soaked before feeding, this did not pose a problem.

The flakes soaked well into a mash. I did find that it took longer than the stated 5 minutes for them to become completely soft, and I ended up soaking them for around 15 minutes.

All six of my horses enjoyed the taste, more so than the beet pulp I usually feed. I also noticed that it took them a little longer to chew the hay flakes, which extended their eating time. This was especially beneficial for my two small ponies who tend to eat too quickly.

One pony with EMS developed raised pulses after around three days of feeding. As a precaution, I removed the product from her diet, after which her pulses returned to normal. The other five horses showed no signs of footiness or digestive upset during the trial.

I mainly used the product as a carrier for supplements, and it worked very well. The supplements mixed easily and were well disguised in the mash.

I would definitely use the hay flakes again in the future and would recommend them as a very useful feed product.

From our perspective, Thunderbrook Hay Flakes offered high quality and good acceptance, with some limitations depending on dental considerations.

Thank you very much for the Thunderbrook Hay Flakes. We truly appreciate being included in your test panel.

For the mini shetlands we were able to feed this product to, the Thunderbrook Hay Flakes were received very well, with positive reactions. All ponies that could eat it finished their feed completely.

From our point of view, the product is quick to soak and the quality is, as always, very high. This is exactly what we expect from Thunderbrook, as you have consistently shown dedication to producing high-quality products.

However, following our vet’s advice regarding chaff and diastemas, we are unable to recommend this product for all of our minis. That said, we have still tagged you in our Facebook photos with positive comments featuring the ponies that were able to eat the product without issue.

Thank you once again for your continued support and consideration.

For our mare, Thunderbrook Hay Flakes have been an ideal hay replacement, combining easy preparation, high fibre, and excellent acceptance for a senior horse with dental challenges.

Hi, we’ve been loving the Hay Flakes! I hope the following feedback helps:

My mare Molly is 28 years old and can no longer manage to chew hay or long, coarse forage. We’ve tried various hay replacers in the past, but it’s been difficult to find one that is nutritious, high in fiber, and keeps her interested without her getting bored quickly.

After trying Thunderbrook Hay Flakes, I can say they definitely tick all the boxes. They are incredibly convenient and quick to prepare; by the time I’ve brought her in from the field, the mash is ready to eat. It is very easy for her to chew, and she clearly finds it very tasty.

Everyone at the yard has noticed the difference! They often mention how energetic Molly is and how beautiful her coat looks since we switched to this feed. There is even a bit of a ‘competition‘ between Molly and her field companion, Milly, over who gets the last bit in the bucket.

It’s a fantastic product. We will definitely be feeding Thunderbrook Hay Flakes from now on. Molly and her friends are looking forward to many more delicious mashes to come!