The Real Cost of Hay Markup (And How to Avoid It)
Most people don’t think about where their hay actually comes from — they just call their usual supplier and place an order. But between the manufacturer and your barn, there’s often a distributor in the middle. And that middle step costs you money. How markup works in the hay business Here’s the basic chain: a […]
Why Fall Is the Right Time to Switch to Cubes
If you’ve been thinking about moving away from loose hay, fall is the smart time to do it. Here’s why. Hay quality gets less predictable in fall As the growing season winds down, hay quality starts to vary more from load to load. Moisture content shifts, cuttings get mixed together, and later-season cuttings tend to […]
What “Buying Direct From the Manufacturer” Actually Saves You
The usual path Manufacturer→Distributor→Retailer→Your barn Buying direct Manufacturer→Your barn 1. The markup you never see Every stop on that first chain has to make money on the feed. None of those businesses are doing anything wrong — that’s how distribution works. But by the time a pallet reaches your barn, it’s carrying two rounds of […]
Signs Your Horses Aren’t Getting Enough Forage
The baseline A horse needs roughly 1.5–2% of its body weight in forage every day. For a 1,000 lb horse, that’s about 15 to 20 lbs — and it should be spread across the day, not dumped in two piles. Horses evolved to graze nearly continuously. Long gaps with an empty stomach cause problems on […]
Premium Alfalfa vs. Preferred Protein: Which Cube Fits Your Herd?
Two cubes, one real difference. Here’s how to tell which one belongs in which feed room — and why a lot of barns end up using both. Premium Alfalfa Cubes 100% alfalfa What it is Straight alfalfa, compressed. Nothing else in the mix. What it does Richer forage. More calories and protein per pound. Best […]
Do You Need Special Equipment to Feed Alfalfa Cubes?
Short answer: no. If you can feed hay today, you can feed cubes tomorrow. Here’s the longer answer. The myth Switching to cubes means buying grinders, soaking tanks, and special feeders. The reality A feed pan and a water source. That’s the whole setup. Where the myth comes from Cubes look processed. They’re compressed, uniform, […]
Keeping Horses Hydrated in SoCal Summers: How Soaked Cubes Help
Southern California summers don’t mess around. When temperatures climb, keeping your horses properly hydrated becomes one of the most important things you can do for their health — and it takes more than just topping off the water trough. Why Hydration Gets Harder in Summer Hot weather increases a horse’s water requirements significantly, and dehydration […]
Meet Paramount Cubing: Why We Sell Direct and Skip the Middleman
If you’ve been feeding horses in Southern California for any length of time, you know how the math usually works: a farm grows the alfalfa, a mill processes it, a distributor buys it, and then it finally lands at your barn — with everyone in that chain taking their cut. By the time it reaches […]
What Horses Actually Need From Their Feed
With so many feeding options, supplements, and opinions out there, it’s easy to feel like your horse’s diet needs to be complicated to be effective. But in reality, most horses thrive on a feeding program that focuses on a few core essentials. Understanding what horses actually need from their feed can help you cut through […]
How to Stay Ahead of Feed Demand This Season
As the seasons shift, so do the demands of your barn. Spring and early summer often bring increased activity—horses returning to work, more time spent riding, and busier daily routines. With that comes a natural rise in feed demand. If you’re not prepared, it can quickly turn into a challenge. Staying ahead of your feed […]