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Does my horse need a balancer?

Balancers are a low intake feed designed to provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and protein 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 on forage alone, they are unlikely to receive a balanced diet. 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: SPILLERS™ Lite + Lean Balancer is specifically designed for horses and ponies on calorie restricted diets e.g. those on restricted grazing and/or reduced rations of hay. Adding a double handful of low-calorie chaff such as SPILLERS™ Fibre Lite Molasses Free helps to bulk out the bucket and extend eating time without compromising your horse’s waistline.

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 that don’t contain added vitamins and minerals such as alfalfa, sugar beet and grass nuts.

Product tip: When choosing a balancer think about which functional ingredients may be beneficial to your horse. SPILLERS™ Original Multi Balancer for example provides nutrients to balance the diet plus added digestive and immune support. If on the other hand you are looking for added joint and digestive support you could use SPILLERS™ Supple + Senior Balancer, even if your horse is not yet senior.

3. Are you feeding less than there commended amount of compound feed?

Compound feeds, as well as some fibres and mashes, already contain added vitamins and minerals so if you are feeding the recommended amount, there is no need to feed a balancer. 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 speak to a nutritionist if you would like specific advice.

Product tip: If you are looking to provide straight up vitamins and minerals without added bells and whistles, such as joint and digestive support, consider SPILLERS™ Daily Balancer.

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