Ration Balancers Demystified: What, Why, and How Much?
Ration balancers are a powerful nutritional tool that can sometimes be misunderstood. Some horse owners may hesitate to use them, thinking that balancers are meant to help horses gain weight or condition, or make horses too energetic. They might also be discouraged by the higher cost per bag, worried that it will increase their feed expenses. While these concerns are understandable, they are often based on popular myths that have gained traction over time. Using balancers can be a beneficial choice for your horse, offering high-quality nutrition that supports overall health. Before deciding that ration balancers aren’t right for you, read on to learn more about what’s fact versus fiction!
What Does “Condition” Really Mean?
When we talk about a horse being in “top condition,” we’re not just referring to weight gain or the amount of fat they’re carrying. “Condition” refers to a horse that is fit, healthy, and strong, both inside and out. A horse in optimal condition typically has a body condition score of around 5 (on a 1–9 scale), but you should also notice a shiny coat, healthy skin, strong hooves, bright eyes, and an overall positive attitude. All these characteristics should be considered when evaluating how well our horses' nutritional plans are working for them.
Ration balancers have low daily feeding rates and lack enough calories to promote weight gain. Instead, they are designed to nutritionally support horses that maintain their weight well on a mostly forage-based diet. Often, the belief that balancers help horses gain weight comes from the increase in muscle mass that can be seen after adding a balancer to the diet. Ration balancers are packed with high-quality amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health, topline and muscle growth, and peak performance. A balanced diet is the best way to help any horse thrive, and feeding a ration balancer can be a cost-effective and simple way to achieve this balance.
Do Balancers Make Horses “Hot”?
Some owners notice that their horses seem more energetic, excitable, or “hot-headed” after starting a balancer. The energy and sugar content added to the diet by ration balancers is usually very minimal because of their low daily feeding rates. The most likely explanation for this phenomenon is that horses which were previously undernourished may feel particularly good once they start receiving the essential nutrients their bodies need. Just like humans often feel more energized after transitioning from a poor diet to a healthier one, horses may experience the same! It’s important to give your horse a few weeks to adjust to any feed changes before deciding if it’s a good fit.
Are Balancers Worth the Cost?
While it’s true that ration balancers usually cost more per bag, it all comes down to the daily feed rate. A 50-pound bag of ration balancer will last about 30 days for an 1,100-pound horse. In comparison, a 50-pound bag of traditional feed concentrate might last less than 7 days when fed at the full recommended amount. On a daily cost basis, ration balancers are often the more economical and efficient choice, especially when used to complement forage-based diets.
It’s important to remember that if you’re feeding less than the recommended amount of a feed concentrate daily (for example, only 1–2 pounds per day of a product that recommends 6 pounds daily), your horse is likely missing out on critical nutrition. In these cases, a ration balancer is an excellent option for filling these nutritional gaps and ensuring your horse's needs are met.
Which BUCKEYE™ Nutrition Balancer is Right for Your Horse?
BUCKEYE Nutrition offers a selection of expertly formulated balancers to support horses of all ages, activity levels, and life stages. All BUCKEYE Nutrition balancers are low in sugar, starch, and calories, making them ideal solutions for easy keepers or horses on forage-based diets.
Below is some information about each that may help you choose the best option.
Best for: Easy keepers, working horses, broodmares and stallions, growing horses
Great compliment to a forage-based diet. Provides five times the vitamin and mineral content of most feeds, with low daily feeding rates. Low in starch and sugar to help nutritionally support those requiring a low-calorie diet. Essential amino acids support muscle development, recovery, and repair. Versatile product that can feed all ages and workloads by adjusting the daily feed rate.
Best for: Horses on a weight-loss plan, those with metabolic disorders, or increased laminitis risk.
Targeted balancer for metabolic horses and ponies on a forage-based diet. Only 8.5% NSC to support stable glucose and insulin levels. Provides five times the vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients of most feeds while being low in calories. A great complement to a forage-based diet.
Best for: Horses benefiting from joint or gut support
Not just for seniors! This formula provides 2,500 mg of MSM per serving for joint support, along with probiotics for gut health. It also includes high-quality amino acids, vitamins C and E for immune support, and has low levels of starch and sugar, making it a suitable option for those with carbohydrate sensitivities.
Best for: Horses on a forage-based diet consisting of 75% or greater alfalfa content
Versatile ration balancer designed to complement an alfalfa-heavy, forage-based diet. Low feeding rates with five times the vitamins and minerals of most feeds. Low in starch and sugar to support those needing a low-calorie diet. Provides essential amino acids to promote muscle development, recovery, and repair. A flexible product suitable for all ages and workloads by adjusting the daily feed rate.
Still Have Questions?
Not sure which balancer is right for your horse? Reach out to our team of equine nutrition specialists. We’re here to help you build a feeding plan tailored to your horse’s unique needs! Call our Care Line at 1-800-898-9467, or fill out our Contact Us form here.