HORSLYX BALANCER BROCHURE 2023

HOW IT WORKS The digestive process starts in the mouth, where chewing and licking releases saliva to help buffer stomach acidity. A horse’s stomach is the size of a rugby ball and this is where the digestion starts, continues in the small intestine and is completed in the hindgut. Two-thirds of the equine digestive process occurs in the hindgut, where fibre is fermented by micro- organisms and beneficial bacteria. With a healthy hindgut, ample amounts of trickle-fed, good-quality forage should provide the horse with energy and warmth from the fermentation of fibre, and a range of B-vitamins. This combination ensures that the horse’s skin and coat are healthy and the hooves are in good condition. However, a long-term undersupply of minerals, including trace elements and vitamins, can lead to more serious problems, some of which can’t be rectified. It is important irrespective of workload that the horse’s diet is balanced in terms of gross nutrients and micronutrients to maintain normal health and performance expectations. The horse may have evolved as a trickle feeder with the majority of his diet comprised of forage, but it’s important to remember that grass is not balanced ideally for a horse, so using a balancer can correct any deficiencies resulting in a healthier animal.