D&H Suregrow as a balancer?

muckypony

muckypony

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I've just seen a post on here saying that someone uses it as a balancer. Is this effective?? What are the advantages?

Only asking as I have two 2yo's on it, don't want to take them off it as its doing them fine, but it says suitable for horses up to 24 months? Would be great if it works as a balancer as I could feed it to my other boy and get through a bag quicker than 6 months!
 
Way too much protein for a adult horses' liver and kidneys to cope with.

If its not being used for growth, it's waste. Don't bother.
 
I was weighing up the sure grow and ultimate balancer and opted for the ultimate balancer as it has less protein. Mine was rising two when I got him :)
 
I have used it before as a balancer it's only slightly higher in protein than alot of the leading balancers including topspec with alot of very similar ingredients. I now use topspec anti-lam and to be honest have seen a real difference in my boys coat condition over the winter, don't get me wrong cost effective the suregrow is far cheaper! I know a full livery yard that uses it as a balancer for all their horses their youngsters get full cup and the rest half.
 
Thanks all!

Tallyho - not that I need a balancer, but the two youngsters I have are Shetlands so have a very (very!) minimal amount, so it takes me about 6 months minimum to get through a bag which I'm sure isn't good...? Wondered if I could feed it to my big pony to get through it a bit better and whether it would do any good. Having too much protein makes sense... Although I'm nearing the end of a bag so guess I need to swap the babies onto something lower in protein, but its a minefield out there!
 
From experience, the natives do worse on commercial balancers as they are made mainly for thoroughbreds who need the protein and excessive nutrients to match accelerated growth which is bred into them and isn't entirely "natural". It's best to give them a quality mineral lick like Rockies or something.

Just my thoughts :)
 
I have tried mineral licks in the past and mine turn their noses up at them! I don't know if I have tried rockies though. How do you tell if they are getting enough from the lick?
 
Agree with tallyho for the natives. A selection of salt licks (not molasses licks) and some apple and ash and willow branches for them to chew the bark from.
 
I have used Suregrow for everything - broodmare, weanling, youngster, oldies. Spoke to D&H who said its not much different to their other balancer, but did not have the extras for joints etc. so suitable for all of mine. I have native horses, so very good doers, who generally live on just forage plus balancer. My riding horse doing riding club stuff, got half a scoop of cool mix daily, when working with one cup suregrow. Youngster just got suregrow.
 
That's a good point Tallyho, in fact I've just moved them to a new place which has a serious amount of grazing. The shets are now on a 50ml scoop of suregrow (yes, that little!!) and a sprinkle of micronised linseed as they get a bit scurfy this time of year with the coat change. Once this bag has finished, I think I'll just forget about it all together and give them a pinch of chaff instead. They have a Himalayan salt lick as well so should be getting what they need.
 
The good thing about mineral licks is that you can't overtop. If they lack something they will take some time to lick and salt is very important in a horses diet.

Rockies do allsorts of licks for all foraging animals and are very reputable. They do several different ones so just choose one to suit.

Muckypony, I think if you stopped the suregrow, and just gave them a lick with the grazing, you will find the scurf gone! Scurfy skin is a sure sign of overdoing it on balancers. The skin needs lots f zinc and vitamin c but if you start feeding lots of minerals then they compete for the same receptors in the cells. Once natives are 2yo, they have done most of the growing. Pushing them on with more protein does little to add height but puts stress on the digestive system. If they have good grazing, I wouldn't bother with anything whatsoever. If it makes you feel better to give a bucket, just give some veg I'm sure they'd love that more than dried grass :)
 
There's plenty of people like me! I just happened to spot your post... and anyway, I've done my fair share of learning the hard way! :D
 
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