What Type of Feed Is Best for My Horse? Presented by Kentucky Performance Products

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What’s in your feed bin? More importantly, is it the right type of feed for your horse? Make sure you know how to determine whether your horse needs a fortified feed, balancer pellet or a vitamin and mineral supplement.

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Are you confused about the difference between a fortified feed, balancer pellet, and vitamin and mineral supplement? You are not alone. Here is a simple chart to help you choose which one is right for your horse.

Fortified Feed

  • Provides: Energy, fiber, protein, vitamins, macro minerals, and trace minerals.
  • May provide: Omega fatty acids and/or digestive aids.
  • Average minimum amount fed to meet basic nutritional requirements: 4 to 6 pounds.*
  • When to choose a fortified feed:
    When required amount of forage does not provide enough energy (calories) to maintain a healthy weight or support optimal performance.

Always feed according to manufacturer’s directions.

Balancer Pellet

  • Provides: Protein, vitamins, macro minerals, and trace minerals.
  • May provide: Omega fatty acids and/or digestive aids.
  • Average minimum amount fed to meet basic nutritional requirements:  ½ pound to 2 pounds.*
  • When to choose a balancer pellet:
    When required amount of forage provides enough energy but has protein levels below what is required for the horse’s age.

Age                                     Percent protein required in diet

  • Weanlings:                        14% to 16%
  • Yearlings/2-year-olds:    12% to 14%
  • Mature horses:                 10% to 12%
  • Performance horses:       12% to 14%
  • Seniors:                              12% to 14%

Always feed according to manufacturer’s directions.

Vitamin & Mineral Supplement

  • Provides: Vitamins and trace minerals.
  • May provide: Omega fatty acids and/or digestive aids.
  • Average minimum amount fed to meet basic nutritional requirements:  2 to 4 ounces.*
  • When to choose a vitamin and mineral supplement:
    When fiber sources such as hay and/or  pasture provide enough energy and  protein but are missing essential vitamins and trace minerals.
    OR
    When less than the recommended level of fortified grain is fed, to meet vitamin and mineral requirements.

Always feed according to manufacturer’s directions.

*Each product is formulated differently, so be sure to follow the feeding directions on the label or feed tag.

You can get a printable version of this chart here.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Is your horse currently suffering from metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation?

Do you have a horse that is at risk for developing insulin resistance, or a horse with Cushing’s (PPID) that may become insulin resistant?

Ask your vet about InsulinWise™.

InsulinWise:
• Maintains lower blood insulin levels, a marker of increased insulin sensitivity.
• Reduces body weight.
• Supports a decreased risk of laminitis in insulin-resistant horses.

For more information visit KPPvet.com