Supplements and complementary feed for horses
Hay, grass and suitable concentrate feed form the basis of a horse's diet. Depending on the horse, how it is kept and how it is used, it can make sense to add supplements to the ration – for example if the hay contains few minerals, the horse sweats a lot or is working hard in competition. Here you will find complementary feed for horses from Cavalor, Waldhausen, Leovet, Pharmakas, Stiefel, Grooming Deluxe, Premiere, Trust and Speed.
What supplements are there?
The range goes from oils such as linseed oil, rice bran oil or Oilmega to mineral and vitamin feeds such as magnesium, zinc, biotin or vitamin E and electrolytes as powder or liquid. There are also herb mixes and herbal juices, feed for sport horses and muscles, complementary feed with MSM for joints, skin and hoof horn, as well as mash and spirulina. Many products come in several pack sizes, from bags to canisters.
What should you look out for?
Complementary feed is no substitute for a balanced basic ration. First check what your horse already gets from hay and concentrate feed – a feed or hay analysis helps here. Follow the manufacturer's feeding recommendation and don't combine several products with the same ingredients. If your horse has health problems, talk to your vet before changing its feeding. If you go to shows, check the manufacturers' notes on withdrawal periods and use in competition.
Practical accessories
For daily feeding there is a feed box with lid, a digital measuring spoon scale for exact dosing and a pump for the linseed oil canister. You will find treats and lick stones under Treats and lick stones, hay nets for slow eating under Hay nets and slow feeders. Everything for the feed room and stable is under Feed and stable supplies.
In everyday use the terms mean the same thing. In feed law the term is "complementary feed": it complements the basic ration of roughage and concentrate feed and is fed in small amounts according to the manufacturer's instructions.
No. Many horses are well supplied with good hay and a suitable mineral feed. Supplements can make sense if the basic ration has gaps, for example with low-mineral hay, a lot of sweating in summer or a high workload in competition. Whether this applies to your horse is shown by a ration calculation.
That is possible, but check the ingredients. If several products contain the same minerals or vitamins, the amounts add up. If in doubt, discuss the combination with your vet or a feed advisor.
Follow the feeding recommendation on the packaging. It is usually based on body weight and workload. A digital measuring spoon scale helps you to measure powder and pellets exactly. Introduce new feeds slowly over a few days.
That depends on the product. Some manufacturers give notes on use in competition or on withdrawal periods. Read this information on the product page or packaging and check the current rules of your federation.
Dry, cool and tightly closed. Store oils such as linseed oil away from light and use them up quickly once opened. A feed box with lid protects powder and pellets from moisture and pests.