Walking into a feed store looking for a feed supplement can be very confusing. There are a vast array of complete feeds and supplements to choose from — the choice can be overwhelming.

Complete feeds contain varying amounts of “carrier” or “filler,” often described as added protein, fat, or fiber. Most come in bags priced under $30. That seems like a great deal — big bag, small price. Usually in 20 kg (45 lb) bags, these products often contain processed fillers such as soybean meal, dehydrated alfalfa, wheat middlings, etc. While they may provide protein, other factors matter: What heat or pressure processing was used? What remains of the natural vitamin and enzyme content? Where do the ingredients come from? Are they organic? Traceable? North American?

And consider the feeding regimen: if the recommended portion is 2.5 kg, that $30 bag only lasts 10 days — about $3/day for mostly filler plus some vitamins and minerals. Many horse owners say, “I only give them a little.” But nutrient levels are calculated for the full dose — not a cupful. Yet bagged, processed feeds remain a multi-billion-dollar market in North America.

Feed supplements are different. They are concentrates meant to complement your horse’s base diet and let you fine-tune nutrition to your horse’s needs. I believe that if a supplement requires more than a couple tablespoons daily, it likely contains filler. So read the label: divide total weight by daily dose to find number of servings, then cost per serving.

Our BioEquine Natural Digestive Support 5 kg pail contains 5,000 g and costs $250 CAD. At the maintenance dose of 25 g daily, it provides 200 daily servings at $1.25 per day.

For a horse starting with the two-week cleansing period, feed 50 g daily for the first 14 days, then 25 g daily. One 5 kg pail lasts 186 days with that schedule. Top-dress on something your horse likes.

Our formula combines a zeolite mineral base, vitamins and minerals, yeast culture, prebiotics including MOS and XOS, and six probiotic bacteria to support digestive health and fibre digestion.

I invite you to compare products and find anything that matches BioEquine in ingredient quality and value.