Feed balancer: TopSpec or BlueChip?

Very interesting thread ! Shy has tried Baileys (no difference), Spillers (same) and is currently on Topspec Lite (£25), which he is doing really well on. Am always interested in advice and info on other products though. It's a huge learning curve for me.

I do have to say though that I would not consider Blue Chip as I cannot see beyond the price tag - even if it was the most wonderful balancer on earth, I cannot afford it, so won't even look at it as an option nutritionally.
 
I have feed both Blue Chip and Top Spec, but got on best with Equilbra, which is what I still feed.
I have found I don't have to feed anywhere near as much alongside it as I did on either of the others,and they look better, and are calmer.
 
I know this page is all about BlueChip vrs TopSpec buuut has anyone thought about trusting your horses instinct in what and when they need a supplement? In the end horses are designed to look for herbs themselves when they need it. I feed Hilton Herbs All Year Power Mix. I give it in a separate bucket alongside her chaff etc and she eats it almost every time even though I give her more then it says on the tub. Some days she wont eat it meaning she doesn't need it. This saves you money and no fizz from your horse as its just herbs( no starch sugar or similar). It's much more natural and available to your horses gut too. Also your horse will listen to their instinct and needs more. I recommend to have a blood test done to check if your horse needs extras. So all in all your still saving cash even after blood test and herbs as this will be no where near the costs of BlueChip or TopSpec every month!
 
I'm fairly sure my cobs would eat the extra bucket of feed whether they needed it or not :D

FWIW I had a discounted bag of Topspec as a trial and was pretty impressed with it. Even feeding one horse 500g/day and another 250g/day it lasted around 7 weeks, which isn't too bad. I then moved them on to Redmills balancer, which is pretty much exactly the same stuff but almost exactly half the price. I must say I have been pleased with the results of both feeds. Redmills is an Irish company and I'm lucky that my local feed merchant stocks it. I also use their conditioning mix, which is very good and cheaper than 'branded' ones. Well worth checking out.
 
Ahh cool I shall google that and see if I can get a sample. Do you know if the ratio of supplements in the redmills is the same as TopSpec???:confused:
 
I feed Blue Chip, buy direct from them, use the over 50 or over 100 discount, and keep the loyalty card thing too. It works out cheaper than top-spec this way.
Also it is molasses free and my barefoot horse, in fact all my horses, do very well off it. I haven't got any feet/ coat/ behavioural issues (runs off and touches some wood!).
 
SpanishNeddy said:
Ah ok thanks.

I am now changing my mind! my horses problem is that he is too tense/highly strung/hot and a bit mad to ride (in an anxious/nervy way NOT excitable!). So I do not want him to get worse!!!!!!!!!!

ahhhhh confused now :confused:
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I wouldn't worry too mush Spanish Neddy - each horse is individual and you will just have to try it to see.

I have my yearling on Top Spec Leisure Time and certainly hasn't gone to his head - in fact I think he thinks he's a donkey ;)

I think TS leisure time might be a good place to start if your Neddy a a bit hot headed, but lots of very interesting views on here to consider also. Bit of a minefield if you ask me.....
 
Lacantus said:
I'm checking on BlueChip more in detail now as Redmills is full of soya and that is free radical polyunsaturated and is unstable.
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I didn't understand that :/ Sorry, I'm a bit thick :D
I did a comparison (as best as my uneducated, non-scientific brain could) of Topspec Complete Balancer and Redmills GroCare Balancer and they seemed pretty much the same. It wasn't very scientific, mind, so I'm probably wrong. Mine seem to do well on both.

I know you meant putting the herb supplement in a different bucket lol. I guarantee both my cobs would eat anything vaguely palitable put in front of them :D
 
I was feeding spillers lite but thought I would compare to horse and pony direct balancer, pleased with it and its delivered to your door and around 3p per meal cheaper which i found humerous, ridiculous maths for 3p. (no trip to feed merchant
though).
Highly recommend some of their supplements though .
 
I fed TS for years, plus alfalfa products, but after a dreadful time with abscesses I changed to Pure balance plus bespoke minerals for our three. I add speedibeet and linseed oil only. Their feet are so much better - tighter white lines and less chipping and footiness. One is a sensitive Spanish mare, one an older I'd x with Cushings, and one fairly straightforward 3/4 tb. If you have consistency in your forage supply it is the most scientific approach and it is working.
 
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