Providing a balanced diet plays a key role supporting long-term health and wellbeing. On the flip side, an unbalanced diet may contribute to many issues including poor hoof quality, a dull listless coat or a compromised immune system.
Balancers are a low intake feed (typically 500g per day for a 500kg horse) designed to provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to balance a forage-based diet, without excess calories, making them the ideal option for good doers.
If you are feeling unsure about whether a balancer is the right option for your horse, the following advice may help…
1. Does your horse maintain weight easily on forage alone?
Although many horses and ponies maintain weight easily (or too easily!) on forage alone, forage only diets may be in lacking in key nutrients including copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin E and lysine - this is where feed balancers come in.
Product tip: If your horse is managed on soaked hay, restricted grazing/ forage or fed straw as a partial forage replacer, look for a balancer specifically designed to balance a calorie restricted diet such as SPILLERS Lite & Lean Balancer
2. Are you using feeds without added vitamins and minerals?
Although typically designed for good doers, balancers are also a great option if you prefer to use feeds without added vitamins and minerals such as alfalfa, sugar beet and grass nuts as the main 'bucket feed'
Product tip: When choosing a balancer think about which functional ingredients may be beneficial to your horse. SPILLERS™ Ulca Balancer contains natural calcium, lecithin, pectin and FOS to support gastric health as well as pre and probiotics to support digestive health. If on the other hand you are looking for added joint and digestive support you may wish to consider SPILLERS™ Supple & Senior Balancer, even if your horse is not yet senior!
3. Are you feeding less than the recommended amount of compound feed?
Compound feeds (as well as some fibres and mashes) already contain added vitamins and minerals so if you are feeding recommended amount, there is no need to feed a balancer on top. However, many horses and ponies maintain weight easily on less than their recommended ration of feed and as a result, are likely to need a top up of vitamins and minerals. A good rule of thumb is to feed half the recommended amount of balancer if feeding half the recommended amount of compound feed, but our nutrition advisors are on hand if you would like more specific advice.
Product tip: If you are looking to provide vitamins and minerals without functional ingredients such as joint and digestive support, consider SPILLERS™ Daily Balancer.
For more advice on feeding a balancer contact the SPILLERS Care-Line
03.06.2024
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