[PeggySue]

I really think this thread needs to become a sticky as many questions as we get on Ration Balancers all the time

[imacowgirl2]

Here's some more recent threads also:

Ration balancer results!!

Feed Recommendation?

Help with RB?

[Aussiesnapps]

I was talking to a equine nutrition specialist with 15 years exp and she recommended this stuff called Healthy Coat anyone ever hear of it? She recommended it for my gelding. He is finally gaining weight but she said that this might be more economical and also that the way this stuff is processed the Omega acids actually are more efficient.

[SkipaJo Cowgirl]

Thank you for putting this thread together imacowgirl2 and a special thank you to our fellow members who have generously contributed their knowledge on the subject! I've enjoyed reading these threads as it has brought a sense of clarity to my general understanding of horse health; it's a relief to have old feed questions finally answered in an intelligent way, lol!

[Sue B]

Just wanted to add the link to the Ration Balancer Compaison Charts that Dawn made.
Ration Balancer Comparison Charts

[Sue B]

Here is a direct link to the comparison charts....
Grass Ration Balancer Compaison Chart
Alfalfa Ration Balancer Compaison Chart

[Sue B]

Have one more interesting fact to add to this thread.....it is something that has been confusing me for a while...so we asked....

If you are feeding a small horse or pony a ration balancer, we would generally believe that it is ok to decrease the amount....not necessarily so! According to KER (the nutritionist that the Pennfield reps point us to when we have more than "average" questions). So, the answer to how much to feed a small horse/pony is: if the horse/pony is not eating at least 15-30 lbs/day of forage, then it needs more than 1 lb (or recommended low level) of the ration balancer.

[imacowgirl2]

Here's an updated thread with the more recent threads added to it

Ration Balancer Reference Thread II

[PeggySue]

Adult with no work

I am gonna put from Minimum to Elevated here

DE 15.2 - 18.2
CP 540 -720 g
Lys 23.2 - 31.0g
Ca 20g
P 14g
Mg 7.5g
K 25g
Na 10g
Cl 15g
S 15g
Co 0.5mg
Cu 100.00 mg
Fe 400mg
Mn 400mg
Se 1.00mg
Zn 400.00 mg
Vitamin A kIU 15.00
Vitamin D IU 3300
Vitamin E 500IU
Thiamin 30.0 mg
Riboflavin 20.0mg

These are guidelines only to sustain a natural healty life

[littlecelticpony]

Just thought this sticky seemed like a good place to store this as a "bookmark" for everyone -

NRC Nutrient Calculator:

http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh/