balancers, supplements and 'complete' feeds...

[mandwhy]

I went to a big feed shop the other day (horsey shop heaven) and had a look at simple systems and all kinds of balancers etc. My haffy just has hi fi lite and a bit of linseed meal in variable amounts over winter (she has lost just the right amount of weight so I am glad I did feed her a bit extra), but I decided not to buy anymore of that since spring grass is on its way and buy a feed with a good range of vitamins and minerals. So I just got D&H high fibre cubes which claim to not need an extra balancer or anything, she will still have the hi fi.

So just wondering what is the point of balancers and why are they so expensive? Are they basically just vitamins and minerals in little pellet food form? What is the advantage of that over giving a powdered all round supplement and how much does that differ to just giving a 'complete feed'? I do give my horse a bit of mag ox as well which seems to make a difference.

I understand competition horses especially might need the extra vitamins and whatnot, but just confused by the concept of what a balancer actually is...

Please enlighten me to the modern newfangled world of horse feeding

 

[TGM]

Balancers usually contain vit/mins, protein and a probiotic yeast. The protein is meant to boost the overall protein content of the diet which can be useful if the protein content of the forage is low. The theory behind the probiotic yeast is that it improves conditions in the hind gut so the horse can make the most of the fibre it eats. Balancers are concentrated so a small amount (typically 500g) will contain the Rda of vit/mins. This can be particularly useful for good doers to whom you want to supply correct nutrients but not too many calories.

Complete feeds also contain vit/mins but these are usually spread through a higher quantity of feed so typically you would to feed at least a couple of kgs to get the RDA.

Vit/mins supplements usually lack the protein and probiotic content of the balancer - useful when high protein forage is being fed (eg haylage/summer grazing).

 

[Jericho]

Balancers usually contain vit/mins, protein and a probiotic yeast. The protein is meant to boost the overall protein content of the diet which can be useful if the protein content of the forage is low. The theory behind the probiotic yeast is that it improves conditions in the hind gut so the horse can make the most of the fibre it eats. Balancers are concentrated so a small amount (typically 500g) will contain the Rda of vit/mins. This can be particularly useful for good doers to whom you want to supply correct nutrients but not too many calories.

Complete feeds also contain vit/mins but these are usually spread through a higher quantity of feed so typically you would to feed at least a couple of kgs to get the RDA.

Vit/mins supplements usually lack the protein and probiotic content of the balancer - useful when high protein forage is being fed (eg haylage/summer grazing).

TGM - I really do find your answers to any feed question very clear and useful!

 

[Redequus]

I like Baileys Lo Cal balancer, made my mare very shiney.. but aesthetics aside, grass & hay & soil may not have all the nutrients they need, my field at the time was a bit on the 'needy' side, poor soil etc, plus she can live on fresh are so her grazing was pretty minimal.. so I started using that, and on just a handful a day her shiny coat certainly reflects something's going right
I did alot of reading up on content, plus reading about others who use various balancers. Baileys & Top Spec seem to be the average favourites, though I prefer Baileys myself, having tried both. Well, not actually me - my horse! ;D

 

[glamourpuss]

I think that 'balancer' is the worst terminology that could be used because some how it implies that they magically even up vitamin/minerals etc to the correct levels, but obviously they can't do that if a horse is receiving enough of 1 mineral & you feed a balancer you will still just end up feeding too much of that mineral. Really they should just be called a'top up'

That said I do think balancers have a place. I keep a TB eventer. I prefer a fibre based feed programme for him, I add a feed balancer because it then gives him vits & minerals + quality protein to help muscle development + Pre & pro biotic to help his gut. I can get all this from a small amount of feed (instead of having to pump the huge amount of feed into him that I would do if I followed the manufacturers feeding advice for an ordinary cube/mix)
This means the rest of his feed can be pure fibre (+ linseed) which is much healthier for him.

Could I achieve the same thing cheaper? Most definitely but I'm too busy to spend my time working out exactly what I need & tracking it all down. I'd rather just buy the 1 product & be done.

 

[glamourpuss]

Oh & totally what TGM said

 

[Conniemara1]

Can I hijack the thread a bit to ask if a senior balancer would put on more condition/ be fattening? I feed pre and pro biotics, glucosamine, vit and min supplements etc. and veteran balances have these included where normal balancers don't . However I don't need the calories a veteran does as I have a Very Very good doer who doesn't need any feed but I find I'm feeding more and more chaff to hold the supplements!