My horse doesn't need a balancer

This is something I hear a lot 'My horse doesn't need a balancer' — let’s dig into this properly

and see if you still agree once you understand what’s actually going on inside your horse’s body.

Why It’s Important to Feed Your Horse a Vitamin & Mineral Supplement

We all want our horses to look well, feel good and perform at their best. Shiny coat. Strong feet. Good topline. Calm brain. Resilient immune system.

But ........

Most UK horses are not getting a fully balanced diet from forage alone.

And that’s where a good vitamin and mineral supplement becomes essential — not a luxury.

1. Forage Is Brilliant… But It’s Not Perfect

Grass and hay should absolutely form the foundation of your horse’s diet. However, modern forage is often:

• Grown on mineral-depleted soils

• Cut at different maturities

• Stored for long periods (which reduces vitamin levels)

• Variable depending on season and weather

Key minerals like copper, zinc and selenium are frequently low in UK forage. Calcium and phosphorus ratios can also be imbalanced.

Your horse might look “fine”, but internally they could be operating on less than optimal levels — and that impacts everything from hooves to immunity.

2. Vitamins & Minerals Power Every System in the Body

Vitamins and minerals are not just “extras”. They are required for:

• Hoof strength and horn quality

• Muscle function and recovery

• Joint support

• Immune health

• Hormonal balance

• Energy metabolism

• Skin and coat condition

• Gut lining integrity

For example:

• Copper and zinc support connective tissue and hoof quality

• Selenium and vitamin E support muscle health

• Magnesium plays a role in nerve function and relaxation

• Iodine supports thyroid function

Without adequate levels, systems don’t run efficiently — even if calories and protein are correct.

3. Most Horses Don’t Eat Enough Hard Feed to Be Balanced

Many owners feed:

• A scoop of chaff

• Maybe a conditioning cube

• A handful of something “just for supplements”

But unless you’re feeding the manufacturer’s recommended amount of a fortified feed (which is often much more than people realise), your horse is unlikely to be getting full vitamin and mineral coverage.

Feeding half the recommended rate = half the intended vitamin/mineral balance.

That’s where a concentrated balancer or powdered vitamin and mineral supplement becomes so useful. It provides the essential micronutrients without unnecessary calories.

4. Deficiencies Don’t Always Show Up Dramatically

We tend to look for big red flags.

But early signs of imbalance are often subtle:

• Poor hoof growth

• Thin soles

• Lack of muscle development

• Dull coat

• Low-grade stiffness

• Reduced resilience to stress

• Slow recovery

These can easily be blamed on age, workload or “just how they are”.

Balancing the micronutrients can quietly transform how a horse feels and functions.

5. It Creates a Strong Foundation Before Adding Anything Else

Before you add joint supplements, calming herbs, gut products or coat enhancers…

Ask yourself:

Is the base diet balanced?

Adding extras on top of an unbalanced diet is like decorating a house without fixing the foundations.

A good vitamin and mineral supplement provides the baseline your horse’s body needs to actually respond properly to anything else you add.

6. Prevention Is Always Better (and Cheaper) Than Cure

Supporting the body daily helps:

• Maintain strong hooves

• Support joint integrity

• Keep the immune system robust

• Promote healthy muscle function

It’s far more effective to maintain balance than to try to correct long-term deficiencies later.

So, Does Every Horse Need One?

Almost every horse on a forage-based, low hard-feed diet will benefit from a vitamin and mineral supplement.

The key is choosing:

• A product appropriate for UK forage

• Correct copper:zinc ratios

• Appropriate selenium levels

• No unnecessary fillers

And feeding it consistently.

Final Thought

Calories keep your horse alive.

Vitamins and minerals allow them to thrive.

If you want strong hooves, good muscle tone, balanced behaviour and long-term soundness, don’t overlook the basics.

Because real health isn’t built on extras — it’s built on balance. 🌿🐴

Equus Health Everyday Balancer provides all the Vitamins and Minerals a horse need without the calories. Its palatable too so can be added to a small amout of chaff for your good doers. Shop HERE