horsefeed
Well-Known Member
I am in process of overhalling all my horses diets as balancers are just too expensive when feeding 13!
So wonders what everyone else uses.
So wonders what everyone else uses.
What supplements/balancers do you feed and why?
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TwoStroke
Well-Known Member
I feed Forage Plus' Hoof Health Balancer, but I only have two horses! If I had 13 then I'd probably just feed calmag, copper and zinc.
Scarlett
Well-Known Member
I was feeding Equine Answers 365Complete when I had 4 too feed, by far the cheapest balancer I could find and I was always pleased with the results.
Now I only have 2 in work so one gets Pro-Hoof as he is barefoot and doesn't have the best feet and the other Keyflow Perfect Balance, he's also barefoot but is in need of help to build muscle. Neither is the cheapest but I'm happy with the results.
Now I only have 2 in work so one gets Pro-Hoof as he is barefoot and doesn't have the best feet and the other Keyflow Perfect Balance, he's also barefoot but is in need of help to build muscle. Neither is the cheapest but I'm happy with the results.
horsefeed
Well-Known Member
I have changed to
Linseed for poor doers
Brewers Yeast, 1 15ml scoop for everyone plus 2 for 2 with gut issues
Seaweed for 2 with poor feet
Magesium Oxide 1 15ml scoop for everyone plus 2 for lami or excitable ones.
I was feeding 365 complete and this is working out about 1/4 of prices as brought all in 25kg bulk bags.
They also get beet, Alfa a,grass nuts and cheapy pony nuts.
I have noticed no difference since changing.
Linseed for poor doers
Brewers Yeast, 1 15ml scoop for everyone plus 2 for 2 with gut issues
Seaweed for 2 with poor feet
Magesium Oxide 1 15ml scoop for everyone plus 2 for lami or excitable ones.
I was feeding 365 complete and this is working out about 1/4 of prices as brought all in 25kg bulk bags.
They also get beet, Alfa a,grass nuts and cheapy pony nuts.
I have noticed no difference since changing.
Follysmum
Well-Known Member
I am now using Pro Balance. Find it very economical having 6 horses.
flintfootfilly
Well-Known Member
13. Wow!!!!
I have 5 and that can be expensive enough in vit/mins for them all, so I can appreciate it's worth trying to find something that comes in at a good price but still provides the essentials.
I think I would start with a forage analysis to find out what was deficient in the hay/grass. That way I could weigh up whether any particular balancer or vits/mins were more appropriate than others.
But I'd definitely stick with one that provides organic selenium (aka selenium yeast) rather than inorganic (sodium selenite). That rules quite a few out for me. And selenium yeast is more expensive than selenite unfortunately!
I'm afraid I've been put off by the marketing blurb on the website for 365. It doesn't include an analysis.
I'm opting for Blue Chip at the moment. It certainly won't be the cheapest, but it is cheaper buying it online than in my local feedstore, and there's also a loyalty card on the bag so for every 8 bags I buy I can have one bag free. So taking those 2 things into account, it's quite competitive compared to other bagged balancers. And most importantly for me, I trust the product.
Sarah
I have 5 and that can be expensive enough in vit/mins for them all, so I can appreciate it's worth trying to find something that comes in at a good price but still provides the essentials.
I think I would start with a forage analysis to find out what was deficient in the hay/grass. That way I could weigh up whether any particular balancer or vits/mins were more appropriate than others.
But I'd definitely stick with one that provides organic selenium (aka selenium yeast) rather than inorganic (sodium selenite). That rules quite a few out for me. And selenium yeast is more expensive than selenite unfortunately!
I'm afraid I've been put off by the marketing blurb on the website for 365. It doesn't include an analysis.
I'm opting for Blue Chip at the moment. It certainly won't be the cheapest, but it is cheaper buying it online than in my local feedstore, and there's also a loyalty card on the bag so for every 8 bags I buy I can have one bag free. So taking those 2 things into account, it's quite competitive compared to other bagged balancers. And most importantly for me, I trust the product.
Sarah
lannerch
Well-Known Member
I'm trying horse and pony direct performance horse feed balancer at the moment as its so much cheaper than the other pelleted performance horse balances .
Only just started feeding so can't comment yet on result
Only just started feeding so can't comment yet on result
warmbloodcrazy
Well-Known Member
I'm interested to hear the feed back on this as i too think some of the balancers are so expensive!
leflynn
Well-Known Member
I've switched from selenevite e and yea sacc to Saracen Stamm 30 as it worked out slightly cheaper and has the same good stuff in, also only means measuring one thing than two and so far so good and no difference in horse 
(might be slightly more chilled but that maybe due to other factors)
(might be slightly more chilled but that maybe due to other factors)
warmbloodcrazy
Well-Known Member
Thats the one i'm currently using Stamm 30, does seem to include all the important things!
Archiepoo
Well-Known Member
i use blue chip -ive tried a few others as well as mixing things up myself to try to save money but i always get results with blue chip so have just gone back to it again and have actually seen positive results in 3 weeks so im chuffed to bits
Dusty85
Well-Known Member
I really rate topspec comprehensive balancer. The change to my horse (he's also fed A&P CC) has been hugely beneficial, in coat, muscle build, temperament and energy.
He's 600kg and In supposed to feed 600g daily, but I feed 400g, which he does well in. Makes the bag last longer too. I would definitely feed to more if I had them. What you put in is what you get out!
He's 600kg and In supposed to feed 600g daily, but I feed 400g, which he does well in. Makes the bag last longer too. I would definitely feed to more if I had them. What you put in is what you get out!
muff747
Well-Known Member
Have you compared Equimins Advance Complete Meta Balance?
I started feeding it after buying "straight" minerals like magnesium, copper and zinc and also adding vitamin E to balance against a hay analysis.
But then a student of Eleanor Kellon (from the yahoo group Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance) got together with Equimins and tweeked their Advance Complete to satisfy demand from barefooters wanting more magnesium, copper and zinc and vit E. It is a reasonable cost per day so it saved me a lot of messing about.
It's actually very suitable for any horse or pony as if I remember rightly, it was formulated after studying a variety of forage analysis from all over the UK and noting the general excesses and deficiencies.
You need to call Equimins to order MB, it's by special order.
Here is the analysis, hope this helps
Feeding Directions: When feeding for the first time, introduce slowly
over a period of 10 -15 days. Ponies: 30-40 grams per day.
Horses: 50 - 60 grams per day, Larger horses: 80 90 grams per day
Foals from two weeks onwards: 10 grams per day.
INGREDIENTS: Ground micronized linseed, Dicalcium Phosphate Limestone Flour, Vitamins, Minerals, Trace elements, Organically bound minerals, Saccharomyces cerivisae, probiotics and prebiotics
Analysis:
Oil 7.7%
Protein 14.4%
Fibre 3.8%
Ash 20.9%
Vitamin A 625,000 iu/kg
Vitamin D3 125,000 iu/kg
Vitamin E 17000 iu/kg
Vitamin B1 1000 mg/kg
Vitamin B2 1000 mg/kg
Vitamin B6 800 mg/kg
Vitamin B12 3.25 mg/kg
Biotin 175 mg/kg
Pantothenic Acid 1300 mg/kg
Choline 15,000 mg/kg
Nicotinic acid 2100 mg/kg
Zinc Methionate 15000 mg/kg
Calcium 4.5%
Phosphorus 3.465%
Sodium 5%
Magnesium 42.5 g/kg
Folic Acid 500 mg/kg
Vitamin K 1225 mg/kg
Zinc 13280 mg/kg
Lysine 166 g/kg
Copper 3325 mg/kg
Cobalt 125 mg/kg
Iodine 85 mg/kg
Selenium 30 mg/kg
Manganese 5000 mg/kg
Methionine 15,000 mg/kg
Prebiotics 10,000 mg/kg
Organic Minerals bound to a yeast cream: Magnesium 5000 mg/kg
Zinc 750 mg/ kg , Copper 500 mg/kg , Chromium 5000 mg/kg
Manganese 1000 mg/kg, Cobalt 1250 mg/kg, Selenium 15 mg/kg
Probiotics: Lactobacillus Acidophilus & Bifidobacterium 10 billion cfu/g
Sacccharomycyces Cerivisae 20 billion cfu/g
I started feeding it after buying "straight" minerals like magnesium, copper and zinc and also adding vitamin E to balance against a hay analysis.
But then a student of Eleanor Kellon (from the yahoo group Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance) got together with Equimins and tweeked their Advance Complete to satisfy demand from barefooters wanting more magnesium, copper and zinc and vit E. It is a reasonable cost per day so it saved me a lot of messing about.
It's actually very suitable for any horse or pony as if I remember rightly, it was formulated after studying a variety of forage analysis from all over the UK and noting the general excesses and deficiencies.
You need to call Equimins to order MB, it's by special order.
Here is the analysis, hope this helps
Feeding Directions: When feeding for the first time, introduce slowly
over a period of 10 -15 days. Ponies: 30-40 grams per day.
Horses: 50 - 60 grams per day, Larger horses: 80 90 grams per day
Foals from two weeks onwards: 10 grams per day.
INGREDIENTS: Ground micronized linseed, Dicalcium Phosphate Limestone Flour, Vitamins, Minerals, Trace elements, Organically bound minerals, Saccharomyces cerivisae, probiotics and prebiotics
Analysis:
Oil 7.7%
Protein 14.4%
Fibre 3.8%
Ash 20.9%
Vitamin A 625,000 iu/kg
Vitamin D3 125,000 iu/kg
Vitamin E 17000 iu/kg
Vitamin B1 1000 mg/kg
Vitamin B2 1000 mg/kg
Vitamin B6 800 mg/kg
Vitamin B12 3.25 mg/kg
Biotin 175 mg/kg
Pantothenic Acid 1300 mg/kg
Choline 15,000 mg/kg
Nicotinic acid 2100 mg/kg
Zinc Methionate 15000 mg/kg
Calcium 4.5%
Phosphorus 3.465%
Sodium 5%
Magnesium 42.5 g/kg
Folic Acid 500 mg/kg
Vitamin K 1225 mg/kg
Zinc 13280 mg/kg
Lysine 166 g/kg
Copper 3325 mg/kg
Cobalt 125 mg/kg
Iodine 85 mg/kg
Selenium 30 mg/kg
Manganese 5000 mg/kg
Methionine 15,000 mg/kg
Prebiotics 10,000 mg/kg
Organic Minerals bound to a yeast cream: Magnesium 5000 mg/kg
Zinc 750 mg/ kg , Copper 500 mg/kg , Chromium 5000 mg/kg
Manganese 1000 mg/kg, Cobalt 1250 mg/kg, Selenium 15 mg/kg
Probiotics: Lactobacillus Acidophilus & Bifidobacterium 10 billion cfu/g
Sacccharomycyces Cerivisae 20 billion cfu/g
NaeNae87
Well-Known Member
I have just overhauled my 2 boys feeds. I don't like the idea of pumping them full of heavily processed pellets and synthetic suppliments that are hard for the body to absorb.
I feed -
Oaten Chaff - to add bulk and rouchage to the feed
Lucerne Chaff - rich in protein and Vitamin K amongst other things
Flaky Bran - contains B vitamins.
Black Sunflower Seeds - they contain Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Viamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin C, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Copper, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc and are also high in Amino Acids.
Raw Wheat Germ - high phosphorous/calcium ratio, rich in B vitamins, iron, Vitamin E, copper, calcium, magnesium and manganese. A natural source of Sulphur.
Rosehips - packed full of vitamins C, A, B[SUB]1[/SUB], B[SUB]2[/SUB], B[SUB]3 [/SUB] and K, bioflavonoids (including rutin), carotenoids, tannins, calcium, magnesium, silica, phosphorous and copper.
Garlic - it is rich in sulphur which is essential for healthy skin and hair. It is a stimulant for the immune system.
Brewers Yeast - contains B vitamins and aids in the digestion of fibre
Seaweed Meal - natural source of Iodine and many other trace minerals
Dolomite - contains Magnesium Sulfate and calcium
Apple Cider Vinegar -Promotes healthy joints, Enhances skin and coat health, Balances the horse's pH, Boots immune system health, Helps to dissolve calcium deposits in kidneys and bladder, and around joints and helps prevent intestinal stones called enteroliths, Improves urinary tract health, Stimulates proper digestion, Helps horse to resist internal and external parasites, Contains beneficial enzymes, has natural antibiotic properties.
Oaten Hay - for roughage
3 times a week they also get a boiled Millet & Linseed Porridge. The Linseed contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, Linoleic Acid and high concentrations of beneficial fatty acids. It is good for the health of the immune system, digestive tract, ligaments and tendons. It also helps to remove sand from the gut. The Millet is very high in silica. It is most beneficial in eliminating foreign wastes from the body, facilitates the action of Calcium in the body to strengthen bones and hooves, as well as conditioning hair and skin. Millet is rich in B vitamins (especially niacin, B6 and folic acid), calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It also help wtih coat condition and building top line.
It may look like I feed a lit of things and the feeds are complicated. It isn't. The amounts I feed are quite small and it has been cheaper to feed this way than buying pellets and suppliments. I get the satisfaction of knowing I am not feeding heavily processed feeds while my horses dietary requirements are still being met.
I feed -
Oaten Chaff - to add bulk and rouchage to the feed
Lucerne Chaff - rich in protein and Vitamin K amongst other things
Flaky Bran - contains B vitamins.
Black Sunflower Seeds - they contain Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Viamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin C, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Copper, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc and are also high in Amino Acids.
Raw Wheat Germ - high phosphorous/calcium ratio, rich in B vitamins, iron, Vitamin E, copper, calcium, magnesium and manganese. A natural source of Sulphur.
Rosehips - packed full of vitamins C, A, B[SUB]1[/SUB], B[SUB]2[/SUB], B[SUB]3 [/SUB] and K, bioflavonoids (including rutin), carotenoids, tannins, calcium, magnesium, silica, phosphorous and copper.
Garlic - it is rich in sulphur which is essential for healthy skin and hair. It is a stimulant for the immune system.
Brewers Yeast - contains B vitamins and aids in the digestion of fibre
Seaweed Meal - natural source of Iodine and many other trace minerals
Dolomite - contains Magnesium Sulfate and calcium
Apple Cider Vinegar -Promotes healthy joints, Enhances skin and coat health, Balances the horse's pH, Boots immune system health, Helps to dissolve calcium deposits in kidneys and bladder, and around joints and helps prevent intestinal stones called enteroliths, Improves urinary tract health, Stimulates proper digestion, Helps horse to resist internal and external parasites, Contains beneficial enzymes, has natural antibiotic properties.
Oaten Hay - for roughage
3 times a week they also get a boiled Millet & Linseed Porridge. The Linseed contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, Linoleic Acid and high concentrations of beneficial fatty acids. It is good for the health of the immune system, digestive tract, ligaments and tendons. It also helps to remove sand from the gut. The Millet is very high in silica. It is most beneficial in eliminating foreign wastes from the body, facilitates the action of Calcium in the body to strengthen bones and hooves, as well as conditioning hair and skin. Millet is rich in B vitamins (especially niacin, B6 and folic acid), calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It also help wtih coat condition and building top line.
It may look like I feed a lit of things and the feeds are complicated. It isn't. The amounts I feed are quite small and it has been cheaper to feed this way than buying pellets and suppliments. I get the satisfaction of knowing I am not feeding heavily processed feeds while my horses dietary requirements are still being met.