Best, most cost effective Vit/Min Supplement

[ktj1891]

What supplement is out there that is the most cost effective and best levels of mineral and vitamins in them?

I know about

Equivita
Equimins Advance Complete
Pro Earth

and I have used Forage Plus previously for over a year, however, as I now have my two on livery I cannot afford that supplement anymore it just works out far to expensive!

I'm trying to work out the differences in mineral levels between them all but its getting far too confusing, can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[LittleBlackMule]

Before I discovered Forage Plus, I kept a variety of barefooters healthy on Benevit from Feedmark. It's good value for a basic supplement, and Feedmark are always doing discount/half price offers especially at Hickstead, which makes it even more affordable to buy in bulk.

 

[Yertis]

I trialled one of my barefooters on Equine Answers 365 Complete this winter and was so pleased with it I have moved them all on to it and stopped all the bits of this and that balancing act. But still add linseed meal as like the soft coats lol !! clips easier in the winter

 

[criso]

If you are on facebook, this group has a spreadsheet comparing them https://www.facebook.com/groups/BarefootApproach2WholeHorseHealth/?fref=ts

I did look at it before, when you took into account the amount of key minerals in the recommended dose, the forageplus ones work out the same as the progressive earth in terms of cost. The Equivita works out a bit cheaper as it uses copper and zinc sulphate instead of bioplex versions of these two though some of the mineral levels are a little lower.

 

[Nudibranch]

You'll probably get as many different answers as there are posters on here! But fwiw I have used Pro Earth for a few years now and mine have great feet. It's all they get in their scoop now apart from micro linseed.

 

[gunnergundog]

The best/most cost effective vit/min supplement will be the one that addresses the shortfalls for your horse based on your land/soil/forage and diet that you provide. You need analysis of what you have available naturally in order to determine where the shortfall is and then and only then can you determine what is right for your horse let alone what is cost effective

 

[tallyho!]

EAch horse is different and you will get lots of differing opinions.

One horse i had did well on jusg Mg and Cu.

My filly now, does best on NOTHING whatsoever. Well, she has grass 24/7 but that is it.

 

[Dry Rot]

I use grass.

I grow it myself and my horses have been selectively bred for thousands of years to eat it.

They seem to manage fine.

 

[wkiwi]

I use grass.

I grow it myself and my horses have been selectively bred for thousands of years to eat it.

They seem to manage fine.

Agree with this and with gunnergun dog above. If the horse does not have a diagnosed deficiency, then consider whether you really need a supplement as some minerals and vitamins cause problems when given in higher amounts than the horse needs. Usually better to ensure a balanced diet whenever possible first, then use a specific supplement for what is lacking in the diet for that horse.