After trying many things I than tried stove pellets, it was ok but VERY VERY VERY dusty and the smell when wet was not that great.
Than one day they ran out and I tried Equine Fresh, and I never went back, it is not as dusty when breaking down and it smells a lot better.
I use it as it is for my breeders than for nursing mom (for the first 2 weeks) I use that and some shaving (50/50)
$6.25 a bag of 40lbs is not bad at all and very little goes a long way.
I think the problem is that people use too much of it making it look like it is expensive, I know I made that mistake too.
The one from tractor supply that I was getting did say 100% Hard woodThe major thing I didn't like about the pellets I bought is that they never CLEARLY stated what type of wood was used, or whether or not it was 100% hardwood.
So anyway after trying many different substrates I found the one for me and I would not consider switching back.