We do not send a physical kit for this analysis. Please wait for us to email you the instructions on how to best collect your sample and how to return this to ourselves. This email will also include a link to our form, where you can enter details about your horse(s), this will help us to calculate your bespoke feed recommendations*.
Why test your horse’s forage?
Our forage mineral analysis for horses gives a full mineral profile of horse grass, hay or haylage, all macro and micro minerals are included.
This analysis will allow us to advise you exactly what to feed based on what minerals are already found in your horse’s forage, as long as this forage makes up the biggest proportion of the diet.
Why Choose Forageplus?
Mineral reports provided by other companies will often exclude selenium, iodine or chloride. The report that we provide you is created by a UKAS accredited lab using wet chemistry methods.
Reports take approx. 10-14 working days to finalise.
This can take longer during busy periods or in instances where re-testing may be required.
Please note that this is purely a report of the mineral levels in your horses forage sample, showing high and low levels of each mineral.
It does not include ESC or starch levels, for this, you will need a nutritional analysis.
Our analysis includes all the minerals known to be essential in the equine diet, plus levels of antagonist minerals aluminium, lead and molybdenum.
What do we test for?
The following elements are included in this mineral forage analysis for horses.
This is the starting point for balancing your horse’s diet and nutrition so that your unique situation is addressed for optimum health and performance.
Feed Suggestions
Our bespoke feed suggestions are based on forage analysis (and where applicable, in addition; water analysis results). We formulate suggestions unique to your individual horse’s requirements. Feed suggestions are given at the discretion of the company and are not included in the price of any forage or water analysis report.
It is important for safety and horse welfare that the information provided to Forageplus is up-to-date and as accurate as possible. Failure to provide sufficient information and or photos may result in us being unable to provide you with feed suggestions.
The timeframe for completion of feed suggestions is dependent upon demand. Each feed suggestion request will be placed in a queue and will be responded to as soon as possible.
We can only begin to calculate feed suggestions once the analysis report has been completed. The timeframe for completion of feed suggestions is dependent upon demand.
The feed suggestions will normally take 1-2 weeks longer than the analysis report but this is totally dependent upon employee annual leave and the level of demand for this free service.
Policy Regarding Implementing Feed Suggestions
Customers who have previously received detailed Forageplus feed suggestions after a full mineral and or nutritional analysis, but have not implemented the suggested dietary changes, will have to pay a £200 fee to receive further feed suggestions based on the new analysis results. This £200 fee will then be reissued to the customer in the form of a store credit, which is redeemable against all Forageplus balancers and supplements.
This policy has been introduced to ensure that our nutritionists are able to help those who are committed to implementing the feed suggestions which require a significant amount of time and expertise to complete. It allows us to dedicate our resources efficiently and effectively, prioritising customers who are actively engaged in improving their horse’s nutrition and supporting the unique, forage-centric, feed suggestion service that Forageplus offers.
**To avoid any extra charges due to increases in lab fees please use any analysis kit, bought from Forageplus, within 6 months of purchase.
For customers outside of the UK – the analysis process will be the same will full instructions sent via email once we receive your order.
Carrie Place (verified owner) –
Without this analysis to go with my Nutrition analysis I would be over feeding in some things & under in others. Having both analysis done for my hay has proved to be invaluable with the dropped hoof, Cushings & potential EMS I was facing with my donkey with the Vet advice I was following. Finding Forageplus has helped more to gain control & see results with my hard work regarding what I feed. I’m so grateful.