Description
This ultra low iron, horse feed balancer has been formulated for superior hoof and skin health using data obtained from scientific analysis of our many samples of forage. It contains only the commonly deficient minerals, vitamins and amino acids found to be needed to help develop optimum hoof and skin health.
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In addition we have formulated Hoof and Skin Health Summer horse feed balancer so that it is the ultimate balancer covering all your horse’s other needs as long as he/she is on a forage based diet and in maintenance, light or moderate work.
All Forageplus Balancers are powders, are very low in sugar and starch, contain no fillers and only the highest purity minerals and vitamins for the lowest iron formulation. The minerals used are of a high quality to ensure against contamination with heavy metals and enable good absorption rates.
All Forageplus Balancers are best carried in a high fibre, fast soak feed or chop of your choice. If your horse is on a reduced grass or hay/haylage only diet then Winter Hoof Health Balancer is perfect as it contains high levels of vitamin E to maintain anti-oxidant processes in the body.
Forageplus recommends the feeding of additional micronised linseed throughout the winter months or if a horse is on a predominantly hay/haylage diet. This will ensure good levels of the essential fat omega 3 to maintain and support excellent health.
“We had our grass and hay analysed and Forageplus showed us that this horse feed balancer would match our forage mineral deficiencies perfectly. My horse is bouncing with healthy hooves. My vet and farrier are astounded and now recommend everyone to try Forageplus products.” Carol Bent, Gloucestershire
Forageplus Summer Hoof Health Equine horse feed balancer matches nutrients to the forage consumed by a horse. Supplying correct levels of nutrients in forage, as matched to ratios determined by the National Research Council, is an important consideration when maintaining and supporting:
- healthy structurally sound, crack and brittle free, robust hooves with a strong laminae connection
- healthy frogs
- healthy skin
- vibrant, shiny coat colour without coat bleaching
- robust tendons, ligaments and joints
- a strong immune system
- healthy muscles
- healthy nerves
- healthy lungs and breathing
- a well functioning metabolic system
- good fertility and bone
- a healthy digestive system
- strong liver function
- healthy joints
- good growth in young horses
Compare the ingredients of Forageplus Horse Feed Balancers
This product is particularly useful for those unable to take forage samples for analysis or those wishing to add further products from a base which contains no iron or manganese but good levels of copper, zinc and magnesium.
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Analysis Info
The minerals used are of a good quality to ensure against contamination with heavy metals and enable good absorption rates.
We use particularly low forms of mono-sodium phosphate and magnesium oxide in our balancers.
Read here for info on our ultra low formulation
Oil 5.80%, Protein 17.35% and DE 6.70 MJ/kg (please note these are Kg amounts)
Each 100 grams contains:
25.17 grams of micronised linseed
12 grams magnesium (low iron magnesium oxide)
10 grams lysine
5 grams salt
5 grams phosphorous (low iron mono-sodium.phosphate)
3 grams methionine
1200mg zinc (bioplex)
400 mg copper (bioplex)
2mg iodine (calcium iodate)
1mg selenium (yeast)
30 mg biotin
100 mg vitamin B1 thiamine
100 mg vitamin B6 pyridoxine
20 mg folic acid
Be aware that the above analysis for 100 grams is equivalent to elemental values fed.
The volume feed rate (100 grams) is not the same as the elemental feed rate values (above). Therefore the above figures will not equal 100 grams.
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FAQ Info
When should I feed this balancer?
Feed this balancer to horses in maintenance to light work, grazing pasture in summer from April to October. Horses which do not have more than 6 hours access to green and growing pasture should be fed the Hoof Health Winter version all year round to ensure adequate levels of vitamin E are maintained. You should also feed these horses additional omega 3 in the form of micronised linseed at a rate of 42 grams per 220kg of body weight.
What is the cost per day of a Forageplus Hoof and Skin Health Balancer
| Balancer | Weight |
| Forageplus Hoof & Skin Health Winter | 200-400 kg Horse | 400-600 kg Horse | 600-700 kg Horse | 700-800 kg Horse |
| Cost per day | £0.87 | £1.16 | £1.46 | £1.75 |
| Days one 5KG bag will last | 66.6 | 50 | 40 | 33.3 |
| Forageplus Hoof & Skin Health Summer | 200-400 kg Horse | 400-600 kg Horse | 600-700 kg Horse | 700-800 kg Horse |
| Cost per day | £0.79 | £1.06 | £1.32 | £1.59 |
| Days one 5KG bag will last | 66.6 | 50 | 40 | 33.3 |
| Forageplus Laminae Plus | 200-400 kg Horse | 400-600 kg Horse | 600-700 kg Horse | 700-800 kg Horse |
| Cost per day | £1.37 | £1.71 | £1.93 | £2.16 |
| Days one 5KG bag will last | 41.6 | 33.3 | 29.4 | 26.3 |
| Forage First Pelleted Balancer | 200-400 kg Horse | 400-600 kg Horse | 600-700 kg Horse | 700-800 kg Horse |
| Cost per day | £1.45 | £1.74 | £2.03 | £2.32 |
| Days one 10KG bag will last | 40 | 33.3 | 28.5 | 25 |
Visit this page for more information about the cost of using Forageplus horse feed supplements
Which horses suit this balancer?
Horses grazing on pasture which specifically need optimum support for strong hooves and skin. The addition of the B vitamins will provide additional nutritional support particularly if your horse has itchy skin. High levels of copper , zinc and biotin will provide nutritional support for various hoof and skin issues.
Horses at maintenance or working at light to moderate level will do very well on this balancer. For those on a predominantly hay or haylage based diet then choose our winter version of this Hoof Health Balancer.
If your horse is working at moderate to heavy work loads then consider using Forageplus Performance Balancer
If your horse is a laminitis prone horse on older hay without access to grazing then consider using Forageplus Laminae Plus Balancer
How does Forageplus formulate their horse feed balancers?
We have a very different approach to the levels of nutrients which starts with the grass, hay or haylage horses eat. Find out more about how we use statistical analysis of hundreds of scientific reports of forage to formulate the levels in our horse feed balancers here.
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Katherine Harberd –
I use this balancer as it is so much easier than mixing all the ingredients myself and great to know they are all top quality and levels are just right for my horse.
lanningg@gmail.com –
I have used the Hoof and Skin Health Balancer for two years now, after being recommended by Mark Johnson, my trimmer. The horse’s hooves have just continued to improve. After 10 years in shoes I never thought I would have a horse I could ride barefoot with confidence.
Carolyn Cohen –
Having used the Hoof & Skin Winter Balancer since Oct. 2015 with fantastic results, I have changed to the Summer Version from April.
Hooves looking amazing & summer coat coming through in wonderful rich glow. Easy to feed just mix in with Sugar Beet or similar.
Rikke –
Have been using this supplement for my four horses about 3 months. They all(!) had thrushy frogs, and quite bad at that. Now, even though environment has not changed and they at times have been standing in deep mud (turnout 24/7), the thrush is now gone. I’d wish I could post pictures to show the improvement, but healthy frog is now growing out in even the most infected frogs. I am simply amazed. I cannot think it should be anything but the supplement, as I have done no topical treatments for the past 1-2 months.
I hope I will find the finances (being a poor student) to provide this supplement for my horses in the future as well.
kateweeksbowen –
My horses have been on this for about 6 weeks now, their coats are so shiny they looked like they’ve been polished! One of my horses always had ‘gummy’ eyes and these have cleared up completely. My mare is much sweeter and more affectionate. It’s a little early to tell re. hooves, but am hoping that it will help with one horse who struggles to maintain good foot health. Very pleased, it doesn’t work out much more expensive than the Global Herbs Globavite – which has manganese in it which according to your research is unnecessary. Will keep you posted re. feet.
Elizabeth –
My horse seems more relaxed and is not as tense throughout his body since using this product. There is no problem getting it down him as he licks his bucket clean afterwards!
organicamanda –
Our Shire X 18hh is a ‘good doer’! But his coat didn’t have a shine and he has always struggled to maintain the health of his frogs and skin. Our trimmer suggested Forageplus to nutritionally support him in his recovery from thrush and mud fever. Even though we are only half way through a 5kg bag of Hoof Health Summer his coat and condition have improved dramatically. So much so that yesterday a fellow livery asked me what he had because he was so dappled all over. Delighted! Will continue to feed it with his small handful of bran & non molassed sugar beet.
SR –
Was recommended this to help my little cob who was having some metabolic issues which were showing in his feet. Both my trimmer and I were stumped as to what had gone wrong.
Welll, since feeding this balancer he has gone from strength to strength, have now got my sister to feed it to her IDx and if I can convince my TB to eat it he will be fed this too.
Marvellous stuff. Does exactly what it says on the tin/bag.
Juliawalton –
Only been using it for 2 months but the horses really like it which helps because in the summer they don’t get much food to mix it with.
elsie –
I have given FP’s Hoof Health 5 stars as after using one 5kg bag my barefoot mare’s slightly recessed whiteline is improving – the recess becoming shallower. My trimmer had always suggested that I should use targeted minerals in order to nutritionally support her hoof quality and white line. After nearly 2 years on a quality no-sugar feed her general condition was good but her hoof quality needed additional nutritional support. My trimmer explained that commercial feeds supply additional iron even though much of the UK’s forage has a high iron content which inhibits the uptake of zinc and copper – essential for horses’ health and hooves particularly. I have ordered a second bag and look forward to seeing continued improvement to her hooves. My mare has no problem with the taste of the minerals. I mix it dry with some ground linseed and 3 handfuls of plain chaff which has mint added and then some water and mix thoroughly.
caligulaspony –
My barefoot youngster had always been fed a supplement from another well known company, and I considered her to be in great health.
However, since being on the Forageplus Hoof Health Balancer there have been noticeable improvements to the quality of hoof growing down. Also, she has become much calmer and more sunny tempered, although whether that is also down to the balancer, or just that she is finally growing up, I can’t be sure!
She will be staying on the Forageplus Balancer from now on.