Ru-Mend is a supplemental product designed to enhance nutrient absorption in the ruminant. Previous research shows animals fed Ru-Mend had increased mineral uptake and blood glucose versus the control. The objective of this study was to determine whether Ru-Mend supplementation would be a cost-effective way to improve mineral uptake and prevent performance issues in ruminants fed inadequate minerals by examining blood metabolites and tissue mineral deposition. Sixty Katahdin wethers (average BW 13 ± 3 kg) approximately 55 d of age were split into groups and fed an ad lib corn silage plus alfalfa haylage-based diet with Ru-Mend, and either adequate (FULL) or reduced (RED) minerals for 52 d. The total mixed rations (TMR) were analyzed and RED diet found to be 30% lower in Co, Cu, Mn and Zn, 15% in S, 10% in Ca and Mg, and 5% in P as compared with the FULL diet. Diets were balanced for K, Na and Cl, but there was a 10% reduction in Na for the RED TMR. Lambs were penned in groups of 15 with 2 pens per treatment. Jugular blood samples were analyzed for each animal during wk 0, 2, 5, and 7. Animals were euthanized on d 52, tissues collected and prepared for analysis. Data were analyzed by ANOVA completely randomized design. Lambs on FULL supplement had higher blood hemoglobin and hematocrit (P = 0.02) and a tendency for higher glucose (P = 0.09). However, lambs on RED supplement had higher blood Cu (P = 0.0001) and a tendency for higher Fe (P = 0.06). Lambs fed RED treatment had significantly lower liver Ca, Cu, Mn and S (P ≤ 0.03) and a tendency for lower Zn (P = 0.06). In addition, RED lambs had lower duodenum tissue Cu and Mn (P < 0.03), but higher spleen Ca, Cu, K, Mg, P and Zn (P < 0.04). This may suggest the spleen acted as an organ of sequestration. FULL TMR-fed lambs had higher hoof covering minerals of Co, Mn and Na (P ≤ 0.01), whereas hoof bones were higher in Ca, Mn and P (P ≤ 0.04). These results may indicate lambs receiving RED supplementation did not benefit from Ru-Mend as observed by lower blood hemoglobin and hematocrit as well as lower liver, duodenum, and hoof mineral levels compared with FULL-fed lambs.