Balancer- which?

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poiuytrewq

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I am looking at swapping balancer.
The powder ones were a complete wate of money as no one will touch them unless in a tiny amount so they are not worth feeding. I ended up giving the two I purchased away!
So, fat horse has actually just beem on Mole Valleys own lite balancer and It's fine, He likes it and I dont have any specifuc issues with him, other than that he is fussy. Its very easy to buy locally. Always in stock etc. So he can stay on it really.

Other horse I've been using Simple Systems Calm Balance. She is getting on fine with it, but It's a pain to get hold of. I can order direct and they provide free delivery if over £80. Its £39.50 or something a bag and I neither want to order 3 at a time or order anything else really as its the only SS product I use. I could of course pay postage but rather not! Especially as im only 10p under!!- Thats just annoying!
I can get it locally but they don't stock it so have to order, fine but some weeks (usually when i need it) they are for what ever reason not putting an order in that week. So its just a bit of a faff to get.

I really would like something that I can pop into Mole Valley and get easily.
I'd been looking at Spillers Ulcer balancer, it contains pectin etc which i liked- but MV dont have that in stock close to me- Unsure if thats a one off or if they never have it.
I know Spillers Lean and lite is usually well rated but she's not fat so not sure its the best choice. So their daily or original (whats the difference) might be an option. Really I'd have liked something without all the crap in it. (wheatfeed, soya, floor sweeping etc!!)

Any recommendations?
 
I use Pure Fibre Balance for 2 of mine. It ensures Sh*tland gets
all she needs and t'other is a good doer.
None of mine would touch Simple Systems feeds so went back to Pure. It's cheaper too.
 
I was just looking at the Pure site actually. I don't think anywhere local stocks Pure but weirdly you can buy it delivered on Ebay for £39 which is the same as the SS one
 
The Simple Systems balancers aren't great in terms of what they provide - & I'm an otherwise loyal customer!

All of Spillers pelleted ones are good but can't you use the same for both horses?
 
poiuytrewq said:
I was just looking at the Pure site actually. I don't think anywhere local stocks Pure but weirdly you can buy it delivered on Ebay for £39 which is the same as the SS one
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Pure Feeds balancer, my agri store / corn mills can order it within two days, no delivery charge.
Seems palatable, just add warm water to ‘mush’ the little pellets, and they all lick the buckets!
 
I swapped from from spillers lite and lean and now use Dodson and horrell daily vits and mins . My ponies hooves have transformed amazingly so definitely made a difference and can recommend. On the nutritionist recommendation
 
I had an independent nutritionist out a few years ago and she rates Spillers daily balancer. Said it had good levels of nutrients in it.
I used to feed Equilibra but she said it was a little low on zinc? (I think) levels.
 
SEL said:
The Simple Systems balancers aren't great in terms of what they provide - & I'm an otherwise loyal customer!

All of Spillers pelleted ones are good but can't you use the same for both horses?
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Yes, I had kind of thought that but had wanted no molasses/alfalfa and all that and there are no other pelleted ones I could see that provided that side of things.
Ideally they could both have the same but ones a TB and ones the worlds absolute best doer ever in existance so they are fairly different requirement wise. He really doesnt need any thing at all imo!

I think I will probably just go Spillers as I know I can get it- That's the annoying thing, every time I find a feed that works i suddenly can't find it anymore or its out of stock so I am forced to switch.

I miss Countrywide Farmers! They never ever let me down as I remember!
 
So, I've just gone all out and made a comparision chart for the 4 Spillers and to be honest they are really much the same for most things.
Obviously the Lean and Lite had slightly less DE, oil, sugar and starch but I feed the first horse linseed to that will provide more calories for her. It's actually higher in proteing and Lysine than the others so thats a plus. Higher in fibre and per kg is the second cheapest so am going to switch both to that.
I liked the idea of the Pectin and Lecithin in the Ulcer balancer, but I already feed Acid Ease so that's acually covered anyway, and as above its always in stocka nd very easy tp get hold of!
 
poiuytrewq said:
Yes, I had kind of thought that but had wanted no molasses/alfalfa and all that and there are no other pelleted ones I could see that provided that side of things.
Ideally they could both have the same but ones a TB and ones the worlds absolute best doer ever in existance so they are fairly different requirement wise. He really doesnt need any thing at all imo!

I think I will probably just go Spillers as I know I can get it- That's the annoying thing, every time I find a feed that works i suddenly can't find it anymore or its out of stock so I am forced to switch.

I miss Countrywide Farmers! They never ever let me down as I remember!
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Pure Feeds ‘low calorie premium balancer’, doesn’t contain molasses or alfalfa, if that helps?
Our corn merchants can order it very quickly - is there no agri supplies store locally that could get yours in? (no delivery charge, I collect from them unless they’re also sending a wagon of feed to blow in, when they’d just put ‘extras’ in the cab to drop off)
 
Exasperated said:
Pure Feeds ‘low calorie premium balancer’, doesn’t contain molasses or alfalfa, if that helps?
Our corn merchants can order it very quickly - is there no agri supplies store locally that could get yours in? (no delivery charge, I collect from them unless they’re also sending a wagon of feed to blow in, when they’d just put ‘extras’ in the cab to drop off)
Click to expand...
The only stockist flagging near me has actually closed down about a year ago! Ill have another look at the website though as i dont think I saw a low cal one
 
I’ve moved from Spillers Lite and Lean to their Ulcer balancer, both elderly ponies are looking well so I’m happy. Spillers always seems to be rated well for the correct levels of vitals and mins for UK grazing.
 
Mine was a lunatic on Topspec Lite. Switched him to Spillers Lite & Lean and he was a delight all winter. I've actually just swapped him onto Baileys Lo Cal purely as it was all they had in stock when I called in at a random feed store the other day and he's been a bit unhinged lately but that could just be spring grass so I will give it to the end of this bag and see but may go back to Spillers.
 
I’ve heard elsewhere that in respect of balancers, you feed such a small quantity that it’s not really worth worrying much about their calorific content.
If one horse lives on fresh air and the other needs some help I’d just feed them the same balancer but the poor doer gets something else in addition to the balancer to add calories.
 
My two tb's have been on Spillers daily balancer for some years now - the tubby gets nothing else in the summer if the grass is plentiful, the old boy gets conditioning cubes on top of his. Both polish off everything. I went with this mainly because of the added biotin - the tb feet are tb feet but I wanted to stop buying the endless hoof supplements. They both look well and are as sane as can be expected.
 
I've been feeding mine the haygates Equibalancer this winter as it's pretty much the cheapest in our local feed shop and doesn't have anythign that screams 'DO NOT FEED' to me. No complaints and ponies are coming into spring with lovely dapples, good feet and nice temperaments (they can sometimes get a bit wacky at this time of year!) :D

EQUI BALANCER

25% PROTEIN 9% FIBRE

A low starch, low intake, nutrient dense balancer for all horses and ponies, particularly those requiring a calorie controlled diet. Equi Balancer is ideal for good doers, overweight horses and ponies and those prone to laminitis.

Equi Balancer is high in Omega 3 fatty acids from linseed, it contains a live yeast supplement for improved digestion and has added biotin for improved hoof and coat condition.
 
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