Replacing a ration balancer

[CanteringCarrot]

I’m looking to replace a ration balancer with a vit/min such as Vermont Blend, or California Trace. Taking this route is more expensive, and I want to make sure that I consider all of my options.

My horse was on Triple Crown Balancer but I wanted to try something else due to the soy content. Purely experimental. His fatty pockets reduced drastically off of the Triple Crown Balancer, so I do wonder if the soy contributed? It’s not a large amount, but nothing else has changed except for the feed.

I put him on the Triple Crown Balancer Gold when he came off of the Balancer and he became an absolute nut. I’m wondering if it’s the alfalfa meal? I took him off of it and just put him on soaked timothy pellets and he returned to normal.

I could put him back on the Triple Crown Balancer, but I don’t think the reduction in fatty pockets was coincidence, and going into spring, the more help with that situation, the better.

So I was thinking of adding something to his timothy pellets. I think that otherwise, the nutritional profile of the TC Balancer was good for him. I don’t want to get overly complicated.

If this were your horse, what would you do and which products would you consider? I’ve never had a horse experience “negative side effects” from a balancer.

[Simkie]

I use Vermont Blend Pro and have no complaints. My horses eat it fine. I’ve been very pleased with the improvements in my crew moving them away from commercial feed.

[JB]

The nutritional profiles are quite different, so it’s a matter of trying it and seeing

If you wanted, you could try Purina Omega Match which is both soy- and alfalfa-free, just with a higher feed rate

[CanteringCarrot]

@JB

The nutritional profiles are quite different, so it’s a matter of trying it and seeing

If you wanted, you could try Purina Omega Match which is both soy- and alfalfa-free, just with a higher feed rate

Hm. Hadn’t thought of that one. My main concerns are the copper and zinc levels. I’m not sure if I’d want to go that low with this horse.

[JB]

Gotcha. You can add cu/zn, or you could use 1-2lb of alfalfa pellets with the VB if you feel the protein is beneficial

[CanteringCarrot]

@JB

Gotcha. You can add cu/zn, or you could use 1-2lb of alfalfa pellets with the VB if you feel the protein is beneficial

I’m trying to avoid alfalfa

I’m also trying to find something that I don’t have to add to, but if it’s just one additional supplement, that’d be alright.

I think that California Trace Plus might be a decent candidate if I go that route.

[FjordBCRF]

Another happy Vermont Blend Pro user here.

If you switch to CalTrace, be aware that the Vitamin E on the analysis is not accurate. It has a short shelf life when mixed with the minerals.

Both are not very palatable, so expect to introduce it slowly and with some extra incentive (I had to use diluted molasses spray). This is the only stuff my guy has been picky about.

[CanteringCarrot]

Good to know.

Do you add Vit E to the Vermont Blend Pro?

[FjordBCRF]

I get Custom Equine Nutrition’s (maker of VBPro) Omega E which is a flax/vitamin e combo. Since we’ve tested low for E in the past and had a moderate EPM titer, I also purchase my Emcelle liquid E from them too.

[Critter]

Take a look at Tribute Wholesome Blends ration balancer…soy free. Available through Chewy too! I switched my mare over to that and really like it (I liked the nutritional profile better the the TC balancer too).

[Simkie]

@CanteringCarrot

Do you add Vit E to the Vermont Blend Pro?

I do.

I also add (more) copper & zinc, although I doubt that most would need to. There’s something weird about here that needs it

[kaya842]

I’ve used and like KIS Trace, AZ Copper Complete, and Tributes Wholesome Blend balancer (not sure if any are alfalfa free but all are soy free). The KIS and AZ I fed with Coolstance Copra.

[JB]

@CanteringCarrot

I’m trying to avoid alfalfa

Oh duh, right LOL!

@CanteringCarrot

I’m also trying to find something that I don’t have to add to

I don’t know any forage balancer that’s palatable enough to feed on its own. I suppose there are some weirdos who will eat the pelleted form on its own, but mostly they’re just so mineraly tasting because they pack a lot of minerals into a small serving

[CanteringCarrot]

@JB

@CanteringCarrot

I’m trying to avoid alfalfa

Oh duh, right LOL!

@CanteringCarrot

I’m also trying to find something that I don’t have to add to

I don’t know any forage balancer that’s palatable enough to feed on its own. I suppose there are some weirdos who will eat the pelleted form on its own, but mostly they’re just so mineraly tasting because they pack a lot of minerals into a small serving

Generally, if it’s in pellet form, this horse will eat it. I’ve been surprised at what he’ll accept. Powder form, is hit or miss.

I wouldn’t feed it on its own though. I’d likely keep him on the Timothy pellets and add to that, then see what happens. I could add a little something to make it more appetizing if needed.

[Simkie]

The Vermont Blend options are available in sample sizes, so you can try it out before really committing to a big bag. They just recently started offering a pelleted version!

[CanteringCarrot]

Cool. I saw California Trace had samples too. It’s great when feed/supplement companies offer this.

I guess the but that perplexes me is that the small amount of alfalfa meal in a balancer could make a horse more reactive? No skin or other health changes, and the balancer is such a small portion too.

[ladipus]

You could always try Hygains MetaSafe Ration Balancer which is soy free …I give this to 3 of mine and they are doing well on it …I do have 2 others of mine on Vermont Blend Pro …if you’re looking for pellets go with either regular Vermont Blend or California Trace Plus

[tabula_rashah]

Another fan of the Vermont Pro Blend here. I feed it on top of a soaked hay pellet with flax and salt

[BlueDrifter]

I am missing something – isn’t a reduction of fatty pockets a good thing?

[ladipus]

@CanteringCarrot the reason to give a forage mineral balancer like VB , CA Trace, or KIS Trace usually is when you’re trying to reduce calories and other ingredients as much as possible