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[JB]

I can’t speak to what they are trying to imply about chelates, as it all reads a little unclear, but organic minerals, regardless of chelated or not, are much more bioavailable than inorganic.

[Dutchmare433]

@suzyq

Here is the new horsetech blend [ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“large”,“data-attachmentid”:10650337}[/ATTACH]

Where/how did you find this? I looked on the HorseTech website and couldn’t find it, but I’m interested in it!

[Fellbutbackup]

@summerfield

A ration balancer is a pelleted product. It is typically fed to horses that cannot have “regular grain” for whatever reason (usually because they don’t need the calories). Horses get about 1 -1.5 pounds/day, so they are much higher % in protein.

At my barn, most of the ponies are on ration balancers because they would explode on the average 5-6 pounds/day of grain They get their nutritional needs met on 1 pound. Less calories, and they don’t get grumpy at graining, as they get 1/2 pound AM and PM. IMO a ration balancer is the simplest way to meet the needs of horses that can’t have “grain”.

Some horses have even stricter requirements- could be metabolic issues. Or they have a soy intolerance, since most RBs use soy for protein. These horses would be better served with a supplement. At a few ounces, you have extremely minimal calories, there are several that are soy-free, etc. The only “problem” is that you then usually need to mix with with hay pellets or hay stretcher, unless you plan on hand-feeding it to your horse every day. Really only an issue if you are boarding.

Thanks.

So ration balancer = fortified feed
Supplement = something to add to feed

Is this the case?

[suzyq]

@Dutchmare433

Where/how did you find this? I looked on the HorseTech website and couldn’t find it, but I’m interested in it!

I saw it on facebook. They said if you want to order you need to contact horsetech and give the ms number. If enough people order it will be added to the website.

[Dutchmare433]

@suzyq

I saw it on facebook. They said if you want to order you need to contact horsetech and give the ms number. If enough people order it will be added to the website.

Thank you!

[Obsidian_Fire]

@Fellbutbackup

Thanks.

So ration balancer = fortified feed
Supplement = something to add to feed

Is this the case?

Yes.

[JB]

@Fellbutbackup

Thanks.

So ration balancer = fortified feed
Supplement = something to add to feed

Is this the case?

Kinda. Yes and no.

Fortified feeds are any commercial bagged feed that have some base bulk ingredients, such as alfalfa meal, wheat middling, corn, oats, barley, beet pulp, in any combination, with added vitamins and minerals, usually some added fat (if for no other reason than dust control).

A ration balancer is a subset of that. It fits all that criteria, but the generic “fortified feed” is fed at minimally, usually, 5-6lb. Consider you see feeding rates usually listed as something like “feed between .5 - .75lb per 100lb”, which would be minimally 5lb, as much as 7.5lb, for a 1000lb horse. These feeding rates are calculated based on what level of nutrition will most likely do a decent enough job balancing out the nutrition found in the average hay.

A ration balancer is usually fed at something like 1-1.5lb per 1000lb, so that same 1000lb horse would bet 1 or 1.5lb of the balancer. Same ballpark nutrition as the 5lb of regular feed, but way fewer calories. And again, those amounts are to help “balance” the average hay. Balancers designed for grass hays have different levels of protein, calcium, and phosphorous than balancers designed for alfalfa.

If you feed less than the recommended amount of a regular feed, due to excess calories, then you can add a portion of a ration balancer to ramp up the nutrition. So at that point, you are adding something to the feed and it’s not just a v/m supplement.

A v/m supplement is still fortified, but the serving size is much smaller, most are in the 1, maybe 2oz range, most contain small amounts of most nutrients, little to no protein, little to no amino acids, no calories. So in general, not nearly the level of nutrition as ration/diet balancers.

Technically anything not forage is supplemental feed. Some companies list their ration balancers under the category “Supplements”. At that point it’s kinda semantics.

There is no formal definition, which is why it’s confusing sometimes. To me, it’s the 3 levels of nutrition and calories. Regular feed, balancers, v/m supplements.

[joiedevie99]

@JB is right as usual

My vet explains it to new owners in simple terms:

v/m supplement = multivitamin. Doesn’t contain meaningful amounts of protein/calories. Can be fed alone if your horse’s calorie/protein needs are being met with grass/hay.

ration balancer = low calorie diet.

“regular” grain = normal calorie diet.

complete grain = normal calorie diet that includes roughage (think horses who can’t chew hay)

[JB]

Oh @joiedevie99 I really like that distinction! :yes:

I’d add that the complete feed has a high roughage content. High quality regular feeds usually do have roughage, whether beet pulp or alfalfa meal, but the complete feeds just have more. But how your vet broke it down is a great simplified version that helps immensely. AND, I’m truly impressed a vet gets it!

[Fellbutbackup]

Thanks for all the responses. I got the info I need.

[Fellbutbackup]

@vali

Daily Dose Carbbuster (avail on Chewy), Modesto milling Horse Supplement, Arizona Copper complete.

Thanks for the reminder about Modesto Milling. I had forgotten about that.