horse supplements Archives

I had stopped at one of my large training barns to check on their horses’ diets, as they had just returned from a recent show circuit. The owner said the horses were doing well, but he was going to tweak their diets just a little. He had purchased a bag of selenium from a local milling company for top dressing a little extra.

Green diagram of minerals representing Balanced Mineral Supplements for Horses

Understanding Mineral Interactions in Horses

Unfortunately for him, the truth is that more is not always better. I emphasized the importance of maintaining specific ratios and levels of vitamins and minerals for optimal horse health. Randomly adding supplements undeniably can endanger a horse’s health. To ensure proper bone growth and development, it is crucial to maintain a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1 between copper and zinc.In young growing horses specifically, having this ratio out of balance could lead to Developmental Orthopedic Diseases. All horse feed supplements are not created equal. In the case of minerals, organic complexed trace minerals (minerals that are tied to an amino acid) have increased bioavailability over the oxide or sulfate forms.

Macro and Micro Mineral Requirements

Mineral requirements for horses are categorized as Micro and Macro minerals. Macro minerals include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sulfur. The diet requires these in gram amounts. Micro, or trace, minerals include copper, cobalt, manganese, zinc, iron and selenium. The diet comparatively necessitates these in smaller quantities, measured in “parts per million” (ppm).A part per million is equivalent to one drop of water diluted into 50 liters (roughly the fuel tank capacity of a compact car). Micro and macro minerals play an important role in bone development, muscle, hair coat, appetite, skin and hoof integrity. The key is to balance them in the horse’s diet.

Ready to ensure your horse is getting the optimum nutrition at feeding time, every time? Find the perfect feed formulated specifically for horse’s needs with our Feed Selector Tool.

two horses looking over a fence representing when to feed ration balancers

Feeding horses a balanced diet is essential for their overall health and well-being. In cases where horses receive a low amount of grain or appear to be lacking something in their diet, incorporating a ration balancer can be beneficial. This article discusses the importance of feeding ration balancers and highlights key features to consider when selecting one.

Understanding Nutrient Fortification Needs

Identifying Nutrient Gaps

When reviewing a farm’s feed program, it’s important to assess whether the horses are receiving proper nutrient fortification. In some cases, horses may only be receiving a small amount of grain, leading to potential nutrient deficiencies.

One Farm’s Problem

When we looked at the tag on her feed, the problem was obvious. Her feed was designed for to be fed at a rate of 0.5 – 0.75 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight. This means that to provide proper fortification for a 1000 pound horse, she would need to feed 5 – 7.5 pounds per day. By that standard, her horses that were only getting 1 lb per day were not receiving the nutrient fortification they needed for optimum health, and thus her feeling that “they appeared to be lacking something”. Her farm was feeding good quality hay at a rate of about 2% of each horse’s body weight, and the overall body condition of the horses was good, but we needed to balance the amino acid and vitamin/mineral fortification.

Balancing Amino Acids and Vitamins/Minerals

To address the nutrient deficiencies, incorporating a ration balancer can greatly improve the horse’s diet. Ration balancers have a low feeding rate, typically ranging from 0.25 to 1 pound per head per day. However, they provide a concentrated mix of extra vitamins, minerals, and protein essential for horses to achieve their full potential. While the protein level of a ration balancer may be around 30%, it’s important to understand that when comparing feeding rates, 1 pound of a 30% protein feed is equivalent to or slightly less than feeding a standard 12% feed at a higher rate.

Key Features of Ration Balancers

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Organic Complexed Trace Minerals

Look for ration balancers that include probiotics and prebiotics, which enhance fiber and protein digestion while aiding mineral absorption. Additionally, organic complexed trace minerals, such as “zinc methionine complex” listed on the ingredient label, increase bioavailability, ensuring optimal utilization by the horse’s body.

Biotin, Methionine, and Guaranteed Amino Acids

A quality ration balancer should contain added biotin and methionine, important components for maintaining healthy hooves and a lustrous hair coat. It should also guarantee adequate levels of essential amino acids (such as lysine and methionine), minerals, and vitamins necessary for overall health.

Feeding a ration balancer can significantly enhance the nutritional balance of a horse’s diet. By providing concentrated levels of essential nutrients, probiotics, prebiotics, and organic complexed trace minerals, a quality ration balancer can often eliminate the need for additional supplementation. Selecting the right ration balancer ensures that horses receive the dietary essentials necessary for their optimal health and performance.

At Nutrena, we believe proper nutrition plays the biggest role for a lifetime of health and happiness for every horse. That’s why Nutrena horse feeds are specifically formulated for every life stage and activity level.