Feeding progressive earth Pro balance.

[zangels]

I have just switched my horse and daughters pony onto pro balance from topspec balancers. They have this with micronised linseed, unmollased beet and my mare also has a joint supplement. I have noticed that pro balance dosnt contain b vitamins and wondered do others add b vitamins in some form to the balancer? My daughters pony was on the cool balancer by topspec which does have b vitamins to help with calming them down, which it really did and she is acting less calm since switching over. It could be a coincidence and be something else like the autumn flush, do horses need b vitamins?

 

[Buddy'sMum]

There's no need to supplement B vitamins to adult, healthy horses or ponies who are fed a reasonably good diet. In the horse, bacteria in the caecum and colon produce B vitamins which are then absorbed across the wall of the intestine.

 

[Hen]

My basic understanding is that unless a horse is in hard work or has a compromised metabolism, it should be able to access all necessary B vitamins either direct from its hay/grazing or they are produced in the hindgut by microbial flora. That said, you do see certain of the B vitamins supplemented in so many products - and if the hindgut microbial population is not in great shape, I guess there could be issues?

 

[zangels]

Thank you, I will leave it for now then as I think they are on a good diet. Would the less calm attitude of my daughters pony show a lack of b vitamins?

 

[NellRosk]

Thank you, I will leave it for now then as I think they are on a good diet. Would the less calm attitude of my daughters pony show a lack of b vitamins?

You could always feed brewers yeast? I believe that contains b vits and can also act as a calmer so you may as well try it! Cheap as well!