charlie55
Well-Known Member
Or does it depend what you feed? Just a general wondering?
Is it essential to feed a balancer?
- Thread starter charlie55
- Start date
kerilli
Well-Known Member
i always feed a balancer, have done for years, unless it's a real fatty that i'm worried might be pre-laminitic.
i feed a base long feed of graze-on, or Happy Hoof, or Healthy Hooves, or Hi Fi, sometimes plus Alfa A, all depending on the horse's needs, plus a balancer. Usually that's enough, if I need to add extra energy I have a couple of things I'll add. I don't tend to feed normal mixes or nuts or anything.
i feed a base long feed of graze-on, or Happy Hoof, or Healthy Hooves, or Hi Fi, sometimes plus Alfa A, all depending on the horse's needs, plus a balancer. Usually that's enough, if I need to add extra energy I have a couple of things I'll add. I don't tend to feed normal mixes or nuts or anything.
Noodlejaffa
Well-Known Member
Ditto. My lot normally on Hi-fi with Top Spec. They've all got a good bloom to them and super healthy hooves too.
Charlotte125
Well-Known Member
I feed mine a scoop of spillers conditioning mix at either end of the day with a squirt of linseed oil. He also gets one cup of spillers performance balancers on an evening, mainly because i really struggle with his weigh. Ideally id like him to eat abit more as hes always lean but hes extremely fussy so dont want to change anything whilst hes happy!x
charlie55
Well-Known Member
Ive always had very good doers. My last horse i had for 14 years was an ID and he seemed to always be on a diet and never had a balancer. My lad now is a Dutch warmblood and he has had laminitis in a previous home so i really have to watch him so he doesnt have a balancer either, but now ive got the rescue skinny ex racer, im wondering if he should be on one? At the moment he is having Hi-fi original, calm and condition and baileys No 4 conditioning cubes?
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
Ditto this - although as I have ponies, ANYTHING could be laminitic, but they are all kept fairly lean. Balancers are fab for fatties, as you can use something like TopSpec Lite, AntiLam or LesuireTime which are lower in everything than the comprehensive, but still be sure they aren't vit/min deficient.
Wilbur_Force
Well-Known Member
My boy is a real fatty pants. He is working nearly every day at the moment. He has hi-fi lite and tiny bit of Allen & Page Ride and Relax plus supps, but when I phoned Dengie, they suggested that I dropped the R&R and went for the Hi-Fi balancer and then if he needed a bit more oomph, to add some naked oats. Another alternative would be Dengie Good-Doer completely on its own at the recommended levels as its a complete feed with vits and mins added. Sounded good to me! 
charlie55
Well-Known Member
Oh i didnt realise they done balancers for fatty's, according to falcon feeds, hes getting all the vit/mins he needs in he's fibre care... Hope he is anyway! x
gingerarab
Well-Known Member
Out of interest, which balancer do you recomend ?
SpruceRI
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's necessary.... not for mine anyway.
Depp_by_Chocolate
Well-Known Member
I don't think it is essential to feed a balancer but I've had good results with Blue Chip.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
I have fed mine a balancer for the last 10 years or so- the last 8 years with Topspec.
Cuts down the rest of your feed so much and they all look great on it with super shiney coats and great feet.
Cuts down the rest of your feed so much and they all look great on it with super shiney coats and great feet.
V1NN
Well-Known Member
I am a massive fan of balancers just because i see such fantastic results with them. My young man gets the spillers light balancer as he can be prone to gaining a bit of weight, he just gets the reccomended amount of that and a tiny bit of speedi beet and hifi light and he looks super fantastic and his coat gleams.
Previously i have used the dodson and horrell ultimate balancer, and top spec comprehensive both with very good results.
Previously i have used the dodson and horrell ultimate balancer, and top spec comprehensive both with very good results.
TGM
Well-Known Member
Balancers can be very useful products, but they are not essential for every horse.
They were initially designed to be fed to overwintering breeding stock alongside hay, the idea being that they would provide the protein and vit/mins that the animals needed without having to feed large amounts of concentrates, and also to give a probiotic to ensure that the gut bacteria were in good health so that the animals could get the maximum out of their fibre-based diet.
Whether your horse would benefit from a balancer depends on the horse itself and the rest of its diet. If the horse is looking well, eats well and hasn't suffered any recent stress, illness, antibiotic treatment or been on a high cereal/low fibre diet, then it probably doesn't need the probiotic content of a balancer. (Also some compound feeds now contain probiotics - such as the Fibre Care you mention).
If the horse is receiving its vit/mins from being fed the recommended amount of a mix or cube (or other supplemented compound feed) or is getting a vit/min supplement then it doesn't need the vit/min content of a balancer. Whether it needs the protein content of the diet depends on the rest of the diet - if an animal is on poor winter grazing, poor hay and no other feed, then the protein content may be necessary. If the animal is on good quality haylage and/or has protein-rich feeds in the diet, then the protein content of the balancer is not necessary.
They were initially designed to be fed to overwintering breeding stock alongside hay, the idea being that they would provide the protein and vit/mins that the animals needed without having to feed large amounts of concentrates, and also to give a probiotic to ensure that the gut bacteria were in good health so that the animals could get the maximum out of their fibre-based diet.
Whether your horse would benefit from a balancer depends on the horse itself and the rest of its diet. If the horse is looking well, eats well and hasn't suffered any recent stress, illness, antibiotic treatment or been on a high cereal/low fibre diet, then it probably doesn't need the probiotic content of a balancer. (Also some compound feeds now contain probiotics - such as the Fibre Care you mention).
If the horse is receiving its vit/mins from being fed the recommended amount of a mix or cube (or other supplemented compound feed) or is getting a vit/min supplement then it doesn't need the vit/min content of a balancer. Whether it needs the protein content of the diet depends on the rest of the diet - if an animal is on poor winter grazing, poor hay and no other feed, then the protein content may be necessary. If the animal is on good quality haylage and/or has protein-rich feeds in the diet, then the protein content of the balancer is not necessary.
soot
Well-Known Member
All the horses on my yard are now fed on a forage-only + NAF general purpose powder and all looking great. Most are in light to medium levels of work and competing at weekends.
I think theere are three on topspec antilam instead of the NAF
I think theere are three on topspec antilam instead of the NAF
Firewell
Well-Known Member
I feed baileys lo-cal to my horse, we love it! I feed it to him because he's on a lower specification feed for his type and workload, he is on a high fibre diet of HIFI and fibre nuts. Because he's a tb in medium work he needs the extra vits and mins and protein in the balaner to raise the profile of the fibre feed without giving him excess energy.
The probiotic in the balancer really help him get the most from his haylage and fibre feed, he is also prone to loose droppings so it helps this.
When the rich grass comes through I cut the balancer down slightly as he doesn't need as much because the grass provides more of what he needs.
It really helps my horse, has cut the feed bill down hugely and he looks a picture on a scoop of hifi, haylage and nuts in his playball. At £19 a bag it lasts 6-8 weeks depending on the rate I feed it and that is a lot cheaper then buying a powder supplement and a separate probiotic.
They are not for everyone or every horse but it works well for mine
The probiotic in the balancer really help him get the most from his haylage and fibre feed, he is also prone to loose droppings so it helps this.
When the rich grass comes through I cut the balancer down slightly as he doesn't need as much because the grass provides more of what he needs.
It really helps my horse, has cut the feed bill down hugely and he looks a picture on a scoop of hifi, haylage and nuts in his playball. At £19 a bag it lasts 6-8 weeks depending on the rate I feed it and that is a lot cheaper then buying a powder supplement and a separate probiotic.
They are not for everyone or every horse but it works well for mine
Firewell
Well-Known Member
I feed baileys lo-cal to my horse, we love it! I feed it to him because he's on a lower specification feed for his type and workload, he is on a high fibre diet of HIFI and fibre nuts. Because he's a tb in medium work he needs the extra vits and mins and protein in the balaner to raise the profile of the fibre feed without giving him excess energy.
The probiotic in the balancer really help him get the most from his haylage and fibre feed, he is also prone to loose droppings so it helps this.
When the rich grass comes through I cut the balancer down slightly as he doesn't need as much because the grass provides more of what he needs.
It really helps my horse, has cut the feed bill down hugely and he looks a picture on a scoop of hifi, haylage and nuts in his playball. At £19 a bag it lasts 6-8 weeks depending on the rate I feed it and that is a lot cheaper then buying a powder supplement and a separate probiotic.
They are not for everyone or every horse but it works well for mine
The probiotic in the balancer really help him get the most from his haylage and fibre feed, he is also prone to loose droppings so it helps this.
When the rich grass comes through I cut the balancer down slightly as he doesn't need as much because the grass provides more of what he needs.
It really helps my horse, has cut the feed bill down hugely and he looks a picture on a scoop of hifi, haylage and nuts in his playball. At £19 a bag it lasts 6-8 weeks depending on the rate I feed it and that is a lot cheaper then buying a powder supplement and a separate probiotic.
They are not for everyone or every horse but it works well for mine
Horsemad12
Well-Known Member
I think balancers are great and make it very easy to adjust the feed to your requirements.
After a chat with topspec my "fatty" is on half rates of topspec comp with topspec lite chaff. She has slimmed down now and is doing more work so that will go up to the full rate and Alpha A at some stage soon.
From my experience most horses on the yard looked better when they changed to a balancer, but then again most horses are not feed the recommended rates of normal feed and I think this is where the difference lies.
After a chat with topspec my "fatty" is on half rates of topspec comp with topspec lite chaff. She has slimmed down now and is doing more work so that will go up to the full rate and Alpha A at some stage soon.
From my experience most horses on the yard looked better when they changed to a balancer, but then again most horses are not feed the recommended rates of normal feed and I think this is where the difference lies.
MissMistletoe
Well-Known Member
Ive only had experience of good doers, so can only comment from that point of view.
It really depends on a few factors.
For eg. In the winter, if the grazing is ok, but obviously lacking in nutrients due to time of year and you arent feeding hayledge or good quality hay, then the horse may lack in nutrients. You may consider feeding a low calorie balancer then.
Particularly so for youngstock or breeding stock , that are well covered but just need the protein for growth/gestation/lactation during the winter months.
In the summer, when the grass is starting to come through, you will have some vits and mins in the grass, so you may well be overdoing those if you feed a balancer alongside this grazing. Some people then just reduce the balancer ration by half in this case.
If you have, say a laminitic who is overweight, then the protein in the balancer may be too high for them. In this case, a powdered supplemant would be better to provide everything lacking in their soaked hay and bare paddock routine.
An underweight laminitic, may on the other hand need the protein to put weight on in addition to quality oil sources. So a good quality balancer may be ideal.
The above suggestions are purely from previous experience. I dont tend to feed balancers anymore as i dont need the protein.
It really depends on a few factors.
For eg. In the winter, if the grazing is ok, but obviously lacking in nutrients due to time of year and you arent feeding hayledge or good quality hay, then the horse may lack in nutrients. You may consider feeding a low calorie balancer then.
Particularly so for youngstock or breeding stock , that are well covered but just need the protein for growth/gestation/lactation during the winter months.
In the summer, when the grass is starting to come through, you will have some vits and mins in the grass, so you may well be overdoing those if you feed a balancer alongside this grazing. Some people then just reduce the balancer ration by half in this case.
If you have, say a laminitic who is overweight, then the protein in the balancer may be too high for them. In this case, a powdered supplemant would be better to provide everything lacking in their soaked hay and bare paddock routine.
An underweight laminitic, may on the other hand need the protein to put weight on in addition to quality oil sources. So a good quality balancer may be ideal.
The above suggestions are purely from previous experience. I dont tend to feed balancers anymore as i dont need the protein.
tricksibell85
Well-Known Member
After a chat with topspec i am changing my boy from 2 scoops of cool mix and 1.5 scoops of comp mix to the comprehensive feed balancer and super conditioning flakes...
Will let you know how that works out....
Will let you know how that works out....
Spyda
Well-Known Member
IMO balancers are particularly excellent for feeding to growing youngstock.
I've raised all mine on Bailey Stud Balancer [or D&H Suregrow] very successfully. Means I can keep them lean whislt they're growing but know they're getting everything they need for steady, healthy growth.
I think 'balancers' have a valid place in today's equine world. Many leisure horses are over weight; whilst many others receive inadequate levels of all the beneficial vits/mins some or all of the time. Feeding a balancer at the correct levels can help in both these instances.
Problem is, most are relatively expensive - putting people off buying them. An equally good alternative to a balancer (and cheaper too) is to use a high spec vit/min supplement daily fed with a little appetising feed and sufficient long fibre either good quality hay, haylage or grazing. Once my youngsters are 3.5 years old, I switch from using the stud balancer to the cheaper option of a good supplement. Personally, I cannot rationalise spending £30+ for a single bag of supplemented feed.
I've raised all mine on Bailey Stud Balancer [or D&H Suregrow] very successfully. Means I can keep them lean whislt they're growing but know they're getting everything they need for steady, healthy growth.
I think 'balancers' have a valid place in today's equine world. Many leisure horses are over weight; whilst many others receive inadequate levels of all the beneficial vits/mins some or all of the time. Feeding a balancer at the correct levels can help in both these instances.
Problem is, most are relatively expensive - putting people off buying them. An equally good alternative to a balancer (and cheaper too) is to use a high spec vit/min supplement daily fed with a little appetising feed and sufficient long fibre either good quality hay, haylage or grazing. Once my youngsters are 3.5 years old, I switch from using the stud balancer to the cheaper option of a good supplement. Personally, I cannot rationalise spending £30+ for a single bag of supplemented feed.
MissSBird
Well-Known Member
I've found balancers to be great. For my old mare who was a terrible poor doer they made quite a difference. I had tried different conditioning cubes, suger beets, mixes, chaffs, and she always finished winter like a toast rack. The first winter with a balancer, she came out slightly poor, but so much better than ever before. The following winter she had a belly come spring
They've made quite a difference to my fatty fell as well. She went on the ultra-low cal diet of soaked hay, hi-fi lite and a grass muzzle when we got her as she was morbidly obese, but after a while on this she seemed quite lethargic and dull. We added a low-fat balancer to her feeds and she immediately perked up.
I now have a connie who's a good doer as my old mare is no longer with us. Both him and the fell just get a low-cal balancer and a handful of chaff to stop them bolting. And seaweed, because I'll try any old wives tale to keep my dapple grey dappled. Both look great, and the vet is pleased with their weight.
They've made quite a difference to my fatty fell as well. She went on the ultra-low cal diet of soaked hay, hi-fi lite and a grass muzzle when we got her as she was morbidly obese, but after a while on this she seemed quite lethargic and dull. We added a low-fat balancer to her feeds and she immediately perked up.
I now have a connie who's a good doer as my old mare is no longer with us. Both him and the fell just get a low-cal balancer and a handful of chaff to stop them bolting. And seaweed, because I'll try any old wives tale to keep my dapple grey dappled. Both look great, and the vet is pleased with their weight.