Balancer changing personality?

[GLG77]

I have a 5yr old connemara mare that I would like to feed a balancer to - she is a good doer.
My problem is all feeds make her really 'narky' and agitated - I see the changes literally 2-3 days after trying something new. Take it away and she is fine again within 48hrs.
(When I say narky she gets girthy, grumpy and doesn't want to be touched - take it away and shes like a lamb, I can touch her all over)

I am baffled as to what I can use as I've tried pelleted balancers and powder balancers - different chaffs do the same (happy hoof etc)

The only things I have found I can use are Simple Systems Lucerne Stalks and Lucie Fibre Cubes but she even reacts to their balancers??

Its a balancer I want for all year round and add the above in over winter when its needed.

Its getting exepnsive and wasteful trying so many different options.
Any ideas please ???

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Why do you think that she needs a balancer? Over the years I have learned that 'less is more'. We started our current 2 on ForagePlus balancer, all was well for 1 winter and 1 summer then when we put them back onto FB Winter Balancer, the cob started with skin problems, we increased the linseed, as per FB recommendation, and the skin problems got worse, while the Appy got a recurrent hoof abscess.
So yet again, we have decided that they are better off without a balancer. We did, however, very gradually, one at a time, introduce oily herbs, which seem to have helped the skin and we have had no.more abscesses

 

[GLG77]

I have been advised to use a balancer/vits and mins only so I know she is getting all she needs.

But honestly I have tried so many, wasting money and product that I may just not bother trying anymore and hope she is ok without and not lacking in anything.

I do think it may be the additional rubbish that is included that makes her unhappy

 

[tda]

If she looks good and feels well then she is probably ok. Don't forget native ponies are designed to thrive on poorer rations than other horses.
She will get various vits and mins from hay and grass don't forget

 

[splashgirl45]

Years ago we had never heard of balancers and the horses all survived quite happily and looked really well. Why not do without ?

 

[GLG77]

Thanks all, no balancer it is!