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Vitamin B Complex refill pouch for the Sweet Medicine Farm Free Choice Horse Mineral Buffet

Vitamin B-Complex (CB) Mineral Refill Pack

0.5 lb / Rice Hulls

$3.00 USD

1/3

Vitamin B-Complex (CB) Mineral Refill Pack

Size 0.5 lb 1 lb 2 lb 5 lb 10 lb 15 lb 25 lb

Carrier Type Rice Hulls Salt

Pickup available at Sweet Medicine Farm

Usually ready in 24 hours

$3.00 USD

Vitamin B-Complex (CB) is a targeted water-soluble vitamin blend formulated specifically for use in a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet / Free-Choice Mineral Bar system. This Vitamin B-Complex Free-Choice Mineral Buffet refill supports energy metabolism, nervous system function, appetite, stress resilience, and reproductive performance across horses, goats, cattle, bison, sheep, deer, elk, and other pasture-based livestock.

Sweet Medicine Farm offers Vitamin B-Complex as part of a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet / Free-Choice Mineral Bar, so animals can self-select based on real-time needs instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

Why Vitamin B-Complex Matters in a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet

B vitamins function as metabolic cofactors. They help convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy at the cellular level. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, B vitamins are not stored in large quantities in the body, meaning demand can rise quickly during stress or high production periods.

In pasture-based and regenerative livestock systems, B-vitamin demand may shift with:

• Rapid growth phases
• Heavy workload or performance cycles
• Transportation or weather stress
• Breeding season
• Changes in forage quality
• Rumen stress or digestive disruption

This blend commonly supports:

• Energy metabolism and stamina
• Nervous system regulation
• Appetite and feed utilization
• Healthy hair coat and skin
• Reproductive efficiency

Because rumen microbes synthesize many B vitamins, disruptions in rumen balance can increase external demand in cattle, sheep, and goats. Horses, which rely on hindgut fermentation, may also experience fluctuations during stress or diet shifts. A self-selection minerals approach allows individual animals to adjust intake based on metabolic demand.

Common Situations Where Demand Increases

• Performance horses in training or hauling
• High milk production in does and cows
• Rapid growth in foals, kids, lambs, and calves
• Appetite decline during stress
• Seasonal transitions in forage
• Breeding and recovery cycles

What Low Intake May Look Like

Signs can overlap with other nutrition gaps. Owners often watch for:

• Reduced appetite or inconsistent feed intake
• Lower energy or “flat” performance
• Rough coat quality
• Nervous tension or stress sensitivity
• Slower growth in young animals

Because B vitamins interact with protein metabolism, energy pathways, and mineral utilization, imbalance can influence overall metabolic efficiency. This is why a mineral bar or buffet system that allows selective intake can be useful in pasture-based systems.

Why the Free-Choice Mineral Buffet Approach Is Different

Traditional feeds include fixed vitamin levels based on average herd assumptions. Individual animals, however, vary in metabolic rate, stress exposure, and digestive efficiency.

This product is designed exclusively for Buffet-only use within a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet / Mineral Bar system.

It:

• Supports natural self-selection across species and life stages
• Respects individual metabolic variation within the herd
• Avoids forced intake ratios
• Integrates into observation-led mineral management
• Complements pasture-based and regenerative livestock feeding programs

Important: This is for Buffet use only. Do not top-dress or mix into feed or water.

How to Use

Placement & Setup

• Offer in a clean, dry compartment within your Free-Choice Mineral Buffet
• Keep protected from moisture, manure splash, and contamination
• Place in a calm, low-traffic area where all animals can access comfortably
• Provide adequate space to prevent dominant animals from blocking timid herd members

Mineral access is behavioral ecology. Proper placement supports accurate self-regulation.

Maintenance & Storage

• Refill regularly and maintain at least half-full compartments
• Refresh and stir if clumping occurs
• Maintain clean compartments to prevent cross-contamination
• Store refills in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight
• Ensure fresh, clean water is always available

Transition Guidance

When first introducing a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet system, temporary higher intake may occur as animals address prior imbalances. Intake typically stabilizes within 2–6 weeks depending on forage quality and previous mineral program.

Animals should have continuous, unrestricted access to the Free-Choice Mineral Buffet at all times so they can adjust intake based on biological demand, forage shifts, reproductive stage, and environmental stress.

Guaranteed Analysis & Ingredients

Rice Hull Carrier

Guaranteed Analysis:
Calcium – 8.5–9% (Min-Max)
Salt – 15–16% (Min-Max)

Ingredients:
Oyster Shell Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Choline Chloride, Biotin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Thiamin HCL, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Rice Hulls

Salt Carrier

Guaranteed Analysis (per lb):
Calcium – 8.5–9% (Min-Max)
Salt – 55–56% (Min-Max)

Ingredients:
Oyster Shell Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Choline Chloride, Biotin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Thiamin HCL, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Salt

Species Notes & Practical Use Cases

Often included in multi-species Free-Choice Mineral Buffet setups for:

• Horses – Performance cycles, stress periods, coat quality support
• Goats / Sheep – Lactation and growth phases
• Cattle / Bison – Rumen stress recovery and production cycles
• Deer / Elk – Seasonal stress and breeding cycles
• Swine / Poultry – Growth and metabolic support

Packaging Options

• Resealable Bags: 0.5 lb, 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb
• Bulk Boxes: 25 lb

Why Sweet Medicine Farm

Sweet Medicine Farm builds minerals around animal agency and practical herd management:

• Designed specifically for a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet / Mineral Bar system
• Clear labeling for simple, consistent refills
• Built to match real pasture variability rather than static premix assumptions
• Supports long-term herd resilience through observation-led mineral management

This is not a premix strategy. It is a mineral framework built for dynamic pasture systems and biologically responsive livestock.

Frequently asked questions

Always offer all 21 minerals at the same time. The Free-Choice Mineral Buffet works best when animals can choose from the full lineup, rather than being limited to a
few options.

Yes. Keep the full mineral buffet available and accessible 24/7 so animals can self-select as needs change with season, stress, workload, pregnancy/lactation, and growth.

Place the buffet in a dry, covered location, out of direct sunlight. Moisture and heat can reduce freshness and cause clumping.

Clumping can happen from humidity. If it occurs, stir to loosen and remix. Many farms choose a simple routine like stirring on a regular schedule to keep minerals
fresh and flowing.

Mount mineral bins or containers securely to a stable structure so they can’t be tipped, dragged, or contaminated. Many customers fasten bins to a board, then attach the board to a post, wall, stall front, or fence structure at a comfortable height for the animals. The goal is simple: stable, accessible, and hard to knock over. If you don’t want to build your own setup, we also offer prebuilt wooden mineral buffet feeders designed for easy mounting and long-term use.

If any mineral becomes wet or contaminated, discard it and refill it with fresh product. Keeping minerals clean is key to consistent intake and performance.

Yes, tracking is part of the system. Monitor consumption to learn what your animals are asking for and how intake shifts with season, stress, forage changes, and life stage. Usage patterns are valuable information.

Keep refills sealed and store them in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Reseal opened packages promptly to prevent moisture and clumping.

Often, yes. Many herds show higher intake at the beginning as they adjust. This is normal, but it should be monitored. Intake typically becomes more balanced over time—often within the first 1–2 months.

Yes. This system is commonly used in multi-species farms (goats, sheep, cattle, horses, alpacas, and more). Keep all 21 options available and track intake patterns per species when possible.

Yes. Always provide clean, fresh water at all times. Free-choice minerals can increase thirst as animals balance electrolytes, so consistent water access supports healthy intake, hydration, and overall digestion.

Selenium levels vary a lot by region, soil, and water. Keep the full buffet available, but if your area is known for high or low selenium, it’s smart to confirm regional guidance with your local extension office or your preferred livestock advisor so intake aligns with local conditions. Tip: If you already have a forage or water test, compare it against extension guidance, then monitor buffet intake patterns over time.

Yes, but copper management matters in multi-species setups. Offer the full buffet and monitor intake patterns and use guidance appropriate for copper-sensitive animals (especially sheep). If you’re running sheep with other species, your extension office or livestock advisor can help confirm a safe approach for your herd.

Often yes, but metabolic horses can be more sensitive to overall diet and management changes. Keep minerals available, track consumption, and introduce changes thoughtfully. If your horse has a diagnosed metabolic condition, your trusted equine professional can help you align mineral access with the horse’s program and forage.

Use 21 separate bins, label each one, keep them dry and covered, and make them available 24/7. Start with small amounts, then refill based on consumption patterns. Stir periodically to keep product fresh and flowing.

It depends on species, herd size, season, forage quality, and starting status. Consumption is often higher at first, then levels out. Tracking weekly intake is the best way to estimate refills for your specific animals.

Yes, plain salt should remain available free-choice. Even when salt is included in the buffet, keeping a consistent plain salt option helps animals regulate intake and keeps mineral choices from being driven solely by salt appetite.

Either option works, this is largely personal preference, and both are acceptable for a free-choice mineral buffet / mineral bar.

Rice hull carriers are commonly chosen because they’re a neutral carrier. It primarily helps minerals stay dry, free-flowing, and easy to offer, without making intake primarily salt-driven. Many customers prefer rice hulls when they want mineral choices guided more by mineral demand than salt appetite.

Salt carriers are preferred by some customers who want to avoid rice hulls and keep the system simple. The trade-off is that salt can influence intake with some animals: if an animal is already satisfied with salt, it may be less motivated to consume a salt-based mineral option at that moment. *Note Salt carrier is not recommeded for swine, for swine use rice hulls as the carrier.