Best balancer??

[dominobrown]

I do not feed an awful lot of hard feed and its all mostly fibre based.

Looking at balancers I tend to like to feed a supplement form rather than a feed bag one as I often thing they have a lot of cheap filllers and they are not that cheap to buy.
Further research has shown that my area is high in selenium and iron, but fairly low in magnesium and very very low in copper. I am concerned at how much iron and selenium are often in certain balancers and how if fed too much how harmful it can be.
I also have a lot to feed so what ever balancer it is it must be cost effective. Any ideas? I would ideally like to do tests to see if the horses are actually deficient in anything. All my hay and haylage is very local, normally from the fields right next to mine so will be the same.

I have seen severe copper defiency before however at the moment everyones feet seem good, or have improved since being here, andnnot showijgnany obvious signs of any defiencies.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I too am aware of the clinical signs of copper deficiency, but none of mine have ever shown any indication of a problem either.
My good doers have done well on Bailey's Lo Cal and the ones that are in hard work have Top Spec balancer. I judge them by observation, if they keep condition, have shiny coats, bright eyes, good feet and energy, then the balancer is doing a good job.

 

[vmac66]

I use Equivita by Equi natural. Started using it. when my horse was on restricted diet on soaked hay so not getting much in the way of nutrients. I've kept her on it as, she is looking well and farrier commented on how good her feet are.

 

[Leo Walker]

Equimins advance compelte worked out to the best spec for a reasonable price. I'd add extra magnesium when the grass is flushing though.

You need to look for something with no added iron, far too many of the big names add iron and its detrimental. I'd also want a high copper and zinc at the correct ratio. Equimins has that. Progressive Earth, Forage Plus and Equivita all do as well but work out significantly more.

 

[JillA]

Depends what is in it and what you are balancing.

 

[dominobrown]

Depends what is in it and what you are balancing.

Yes well exactly, I want a balancer that is relatively high in copper but not so much in selenium and iron.

 

[dominobrown]

Equimins advance compelte worked out to the best spec for a reasonable price. I'd add extra magnesium when the grass is flushing though.

You need to look for something with no added iron, far too many of the big names add iron and its detrimental. I'd also want a high copper and zinc at the correct ratio. Equimins has that. Progressive Earth, Forage Plus and Equivita all do as well but work out significantly more.

Thank you. Will look into that. My area, including areas of the farm have been used for iron mining and therefore have a very high iron content in the soil. You can literally see bits of iron ore the soil. However where there is iron, there is rarely copper. I have also read when you feed copper you need to feed zinc. Also, I personally think, that since this area has no arable farming the grass is high in selenium still however it doesn't store well in in hay and depletes quickly?

I have been reading a lot of books on the subject ?

 

[catkin]

ForagePlus may be worth talking to.
They may not be the cheapest supplement by 'cost per dose' but that can even out over overall feed bills if it supplies what you need.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Useful web site, LW put us onto it some time ago http://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/ukso/home.html

 

[JillA]

ForagePlus may be worth talking to.
They may not be the cheapest supplement by 'cost per dose' but that can even out over overall feed bills if it supplies what you need.

I second Forageplus - they have generic or made to order, or can supply the minerals you need. Give them a call https://forageplus.co.uk/

 

[Leo Walker]

ForagePlus may be worth talking to.
They may not be the cheapest supplement by 'cost per dose' but that can even out over overall feed bills if it supplies what you need.

It just doesnt do that though. I worked it all out and they are the most expensive, yet not always the highest spec. But they do do hay and grass analysis so if you own your own place its worth testing and then having a bespoke mix made up. I find Equivita the best for anything bespoke, but I'm sure FP are equally as good, just no doubt more expensive.

 

[dominobrown]

Leo walker- do you want a job? ? thanks for the great advice so far.
7 horses in total to feed so can't cost a fortune.

 

[Ranyhyn]

What are the signs of copper deficiency?

 

[Leo Walker]

What are the signs of copper deficiency?

If its serious then you will know, but mild copper deficiency tends to cause rubbish feet and skin problems like mud fever and rain scald. It doesn't actually cause them obviously, but poor skin contributes to them. Copper is involved in healthy connective tissue.

Its also linked to dull, and faded coats.

As far as I know copper deficient anaemia is far, far, far more common than iron deficient anaemia as well.

 

[dominobrown]

What are the signs of copper deficiency?

Is has a few syptoms, most often you will see the coat "bleach", and lighten giving a faded washed out look. You see it often chestnuts and black horses. Also drop in performance, listless etc.
Googled and found...
"In adult horses a deficiency of copper in the diet may cause limb deformities, thinning of the bones, swelling of the joints, blood vessel weakness, connective tissue weakness, saggy skin, and a lowered immune system as copper is the main mineral for the body to produce T cells."

Basically not good!

 

[Ranyhyn]

Very interesting, thank you!