This means we can select the most suitable, scientifically developed product to match our horse’s circumstances and optimise both his health and his performance. Immune support - Pro contains the antioxidants selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E to aid the ‘mopping up’ of free radicals and to promote a healthy immune system.

L-tryptophan - Karma is enhanced with L-tryptophan. This essential amino acid is required for the formation of proteins and some hormones, including serotonin. Serotonin is the ‘feel-good’, ‘anti-stress’ hormone. Certain vitamin and minerals can, if fed in excess, cause toxicity, while a high-quality feed balancer at the recommended inclusion rate negates the need for extra supplementation. The majority the problems you mention are not caused by nutritionists bringing out 'crap' products, rather they are caused by owners overfeeding their horses, the majority of leisure horses in this country do not need 'hard' feed, they simply do not work hard enough, most would do well on fibre and a vit/min supplement or a balancer. A good quality feed balancer is a low-calorie, nutrient-rich blend, usually in pellet form. Formulations vary, but often include:

It is these horses that are traditionally more likely to be on a high level of compound feed, along with a feed balancer and, potentially, an additional feed supplement. Feed companies are mindful of the potential problems that such horses face, and often formulate their feed balancers with a margin of safety in key nutritional areas. In an ideal world, an individually tailored diet of high-quality fibre should be enough to maintain the horse in light to medium work and keep him strong and healthy. Unfortunately, soil conditions in the UK mean that vital nutrients could be deficient, while hay quality varies. Blue Chip Calming - a feed balancer with added calming supplements, removing the need for additional supplementation, saving you money, and ensuring your pony/horse receives the necessary nutrients whilst staying stress free. SoundHoof - A complete hoof supplement with biotin, methionine, lysine, organic zinc and organic copper for the formation of strong, pliable, good quality hooves. PrimoVento™ - Like all Blue Chip balancers, Pro contains a complete respiratory supplement containing antioxidants, menthol, eucalyptus and garlic. PrimoVento™ is formulated to soothe the airways and maintain lung health and integrity.

It is worth noting that in the case of Dodson & Horrell, over-excitement is also classed as a symptom for requiring a calming feed balancer, with the Be Calm blend recommended either on its own during intense periods or alongside a regular hard feed for consistent monitoring. The ultimate slimming world product for horses, the NAF Slim is uniquely designed to support the health and wellbeing of horses which are overweight, have fat pads, or are on a restricted grazing feed but still need the full range of vitamins and minerals for a healthy lifestyle.

For horses in harder work, feed balancers can also be a key ingredient. Working horses tend to be on higher levels of cereal feed, as well as facing the stress of training, travelling and competing, all of which can adversely affect the digestive system. L-tryptophan - An amino acid derivative, included as the precursor for serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. Balancers provide essential nutrients, but not energy. This means they are low in calories, so a feed balancer is an especially convenient and effective means of feeding horses at maintenance or in light work – resting horses, native breeds, children’s ponies and good doers, for example – where they can be used to balance a high-fibre diet.