Behaviour problems with introduction of Balancer

[Saffrondelight]

Hi, Has anyone experienced and changes in behaviour after introducing Bailey's Stud Balancer to a yearlings feed? I was advised to add it to my filly's daily intake but since i have, her behaviour has become irracticle and so fizzy and dangerous, she is a tbx so you can imagine the restistance i'm coming across... more so at feed times, Is it a coincidence that adding this to her youngstock mix has brought out this bad behaviour or could it be her age? Help if you can or advise new feeding routine, out at grass 24/7, fed on 2 shovels of Spillers youngstock mix (that she has been on for 6 months) a cup of Baileys balancer and handfull of Hoofkind. (1 meal a day at evening)

 

[FlashyP]

Hi, I know this is a bit of an old thread, but I thought you might be interested in my experience with Baileys Stud Balancer, as it is similar to yours. I've had my two year old WBX (14hh now) since March and contacted the various feed companies for feed advice. Baileys advised me to use their Stud Balancer at 2 mugs a day until completing her growth. However, I only gave her half of this ration as the grazing is pretty good. She came to me as a very laid-back, but curious/friendly filly. I started the Baileys about two weeks after getting her. She seemed to get progressively more pushy, bargey, tense, spooky and excitable over the following few months. I was unsure as to whether this was her true personality coming through as she got more comfortable in her new home or her testing the boundaries with me, but of course I also thought it could be her feed. The bag lasted until about two weeks ago, I haven't replaced it and she seems to have really chilled out. Definitely less frantic and stressy than she was, no longer a pony on speed I plaited her up on Sat morning for a show and she stood like a lamb and was happy to munch her haynet in the stable while I groomed my other horse. I was pleasantly surprised by this, as a few weeks back she would not stand still when tied and would be pawing the ground/box-walking. I also took her out in-hand around the fields yesterday and she walked calmly beside me the whole way, whereas previously she would pull me constantly when walking out. Of course, she's not turned into a complete angel overnight, she's still a two year old, interested in life, but I'm liking the new sanity. I do feel it is the balancer that changed her behaviour, as there was quite a difference. I guess she just wasn't suited to that particular balancer. I think for the rest of the summer I'll just give her the odd feed of happy hoof with Mag-ox and salt (which she got before, and I added the balancer to this) and reassess if she needs something more over winter. Hope your filly has calmed down