What's the difference?

[Helicopter]

Some people mention Ration Balancer in their feeding regime. What is the difference between a Ration Balancer and a Vitamin/Mineral supplement? Just wondering.

 

[chandab]

Vit/min supplements are usually just that; vitamins and minerals, most I've seen are fed at an ounce or so for a full-size horse (so probably only a tablespoon or so for a larger mini). A ration balancer is usually vit/min plus protein to balance your forage, so there are formulas to balance grass or mix forage (usually higher protein, 25-30% range), and formulas to balance alfalfa forage (usually moderate protein, low teens). Most ration balancers I've seen are fed at a rate of about 1-1.5# for average 1000# horse; so about 1/4-1/3 that for minis (some are fed at even lower rates for minis).

 

[disneyhorse]

I think Chandab said it perfectly.