How do I know what mineral balancer is right for my horse?

Nutrition

Feb 20

Short answer

The only way to know which mineral balancer is appropriate for your horse is to start with a forage (hay or pasture) analysis and evaluate it against established nutrient requirements (NRC guidelines). From there, you adjust nutrition based on your horse’s workload, age, metabolic status, and overall health. There are many great free resources, and Mad Barn’s diet analysis is a perfect place to begin!!

Real-Life Example

You notice brittle hooves and assume your horse needs a hoof supplement. But if your hay is already high in iron and low in copper and zinc, adding a generic supplement may not fix the imbalance, and may even compound it. Testing your hay provides the data necessary to eliminate guesswork and supplement with just what’s needed.

It Depends

Mineral needs vary based on:

• Hay mineral profile - The nutrients present in the forage form the foundation of the horse’s mineral intake and help determine what may need to be supplemented.
• Region and soil content - Soil composition and regional growing conditions influence the minerals present in the plants grown there.
• Metabolic conditions (EMS, IR, PPID) - Horses with metabolic concerns may require careful balancing of certain minerals and carbohydrates to support metabolic stability.
• Workload - Horses in heavier work may have higher requirements for certain minerals involved in muscle function and recovery.
• Growth stage - Growing horses, pregnant mares, and aging horses often have different mineral requirements to support development, reproduction, and maintenance.
• Overall diet (concentrates, supplements, pasture access) - The full diet must be considered, since grains, supplements, and pasture all contribute additional nutrients that affect overall balance.