Balancer vs Supplements

[SatansLittleHelper]

Just wondered which is better and more cost effective??
Horse 1) is a turned away 4 year old Friesian x Warmblood who is still growing. Started work a few months ago but now turned away for winter. Decent over all condition.
Horse 2) is a 15 year old Breton (french draft) who is only ever used for light hacking but currently roughed off for winter. Generally a good doer.
Both live out 24/7 unrugged and unshod.

Currently on Spillers Lite Balancer, Top Spec Lite Chop and sugar beet.
Just not sure if it would be better to go with a decent chaff and beet with a powder supplement than balancers?? Any recommendations???

 

[AngieandBen]

Not sure why you would want to feed the beet with the balancer and chaff?; You could ditch the balancer and add a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement, I think the only benefit would be to your purse

I feed mine the Top Spec lite balancer plus a handful of chaff and some linseed, they all look fab and 2 are in their twenties both lightly hacked out. The other is nearly 17, Friesian x Sec D again she looks fab and his hacked out 3/4 times a week.

If you want to carry on with a balancer and want to save a bit of pennies Horse and Pony Direct to a good one. There are lots of powdered ones on the market so that's just personal choice.

 

[WelshD]

I stopped feeding a pellet balancer as I was worried about what fillers they may have in them (pony has allergies) I switched to Equimins Advance Complete powder and am really pleased with the results.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Thanks for the replies.
I have always fed a small amount of beet with the feed...it is literally 1 dry weight stubbs scoop betweeen 2 big horses. I guess it makes it all mushy which they like �
Horse and Pony direct seem to have good subscription offers but in fairness the saving is negligible. I have to be honest and say that both horses look in good condition, save for poor muscle but that is down to workload rather than feeding. Both have excellent feet etc.
It's just so many people have said that balancers are a bit of a waste of time so exploring options.

 

[_HP_]

I think supplements are better for fatties as no calories...so you can feed them with just a handful of something .