OKAPI Ration Balancer

Grain-free supplement to the daily ration

15 kg (15 kg) Sufficient for 20 days

25 kg (25 kg) Sufficient for 6 weeks

OKAPI Ration Balancer provides high-quality protein and balanced minerals and trace elements to compensate for imbalances in the basic roughage when fed purely on hay and to prevent deficiencies.

OKAPI Ration Balancer is highly appreciated by most horses and can be fed directly dry in the bowl or trough, or alternatively mixed with soaked hay pellets.

Due to the higher trace element levels than in complete feeds, this supplementary feed can only be given to horses up to 500 g per day.

OKAPI Ration Balancer

Name: OKAPI Ration Balancer
Brand: Okapi

€98.00

Sales Tax Included |

Quantity

What is a Ration Balancer?
The term "Ration Balancer" comes from English-speaking countries and refers to a feed supplementing basic fodder, rich in proteins and minerals, which differs from a mineral feed. Whereas mineral feed is primarily used to prevent mineral deficiencies by providing concentrated minerals and trace elements, Ration Balancer also contains a source of protein.
The basic idea behind Ration Balancer is that horses get most of their nutrients from hay and pasture grass, and should not be fed concentrates containing cereals or starch. However, basic forage does not always contain enough protein to cover the needs of a (riding) horse. If only mineral feed is given, it is certainly possible to compensate for mineral deficiencies, but there is still a risk of protein deficiency.
Proteins are essential for the formation of muscles, skin and hair, as well as for the regeneration and maintenance of body structures such as the hoof horn, tendons and fascia. Adequate protein intake is therefore important for growth, muscle development and daily regeneration.
OKAPI Ration Balancer compensates for mineral, trace element and protein deficiencies in the basic feed, so that no additional feed is required. This makes feeding much simpler, especially for horse owners who are unable to visit the farm every day. Ration Balancer contains no cereals or starch. Instead, we use green oats as a source of protein, which may contain less protein than sainfoin, but thanks to its high-quality amino acid pattern, it makes the most of the protein in the total ration without causing excess energy that could lead to unwanted weight gain. Green oats are harvested during the heading stage, i.e. just before flowering. At this stage, they contain a high proportion of cellulose and good protein values, while having a low sugar content because starch formation has not yet begun. Green oats should therefore not be confused with oat cereals. Combined with a balanced mix of minerals and trace elements, Ration Balancer guarantees optimum intake for horses whose basic forage comes from medium-quality soils.
A complete cereal-free supply: all the important minerals and amino acids your horse needs in a single product - for just €2.75 a day. Save time and money with our practical all-in-one solution!
Ration Balancer from OKAPI is ideal for leisure horses aged between around 1.5 and 20 years. During the growth phase between weaning and the age of 18 months, when young horses gain height and weight particularly quickly, the feed must be adapted to their breed and their expected final size. After this phase, when growth slows down, Ration Balancer is an excellent choice for covering protein and mineral requirements.
For horses over 20 years of age, who often suffer from dental problems and limited absorption of nutrients due to digestive problems (malabsorption syndrome), it may be necessary to adapt the diet regularly. In this case, the ration should be individually adapted to the needs of each horse. We also recommend a customised ration composition for brood mares and competition horses, to meet the requirements of the different performance phases.
Ration Balancer is particularly suitable for leisure horses and hobby sport horses. The small pellets can be fed without soaking, as they are easy to chew. This facilitates basic protein and mineral intake, particularly when the feed is distributed by the stable manager.
Ration Balancer can also be combined with other feeds that meet additional metabolic needs. These include products such as OKAPI Four Seasons Feed, which provides the herbs that wild horses seek in nature and which are often no longer found in today's hay or pasture. During the winter, further variations can be made to the menu, for example by feeding OKAPI wild seeds, OKAPI wild berries, OKAPI leaves & bark and OKAPI rose hips.
Because of the small diameter of the pellets, OKAPI Ration Balancer is suitable for automatic feeders.
OKAPI Ration Balancer must be fed continuously to ensure a regular supply of proteins, minerals and trace elements. If fed regularly, Ration Balancer adapts optimally to your horse's needs. Here are a few guidelines concerning the duration of feeding:
Long-term feeding: for most leisure and sport horses, continuous feeding of Ration Balancer is sensible to ensure a stable supply of all the necessary nutrients.
Growth phase: for young horses in full growth or in an intensive training phase, Ration Balancer can be administered over long periods to cover increased protein and mineral requirements.
Older horses: Even in older horses or horses with specific needs, such as dental problems or digestive disorders, Ration Balancer should be given regularly to reliably cover nutrient requirements.
Ration Balancer can be fed directly dry in the bowl or trough. If your horse tends to eat in a hurry or has chewing problems, it is advisable to soak the pellets in water to minimise the risk of oesophageal obstruction. Alternatively, ration balancer can be mixed with soaked feed such as hay cobs or mash. Because of the small diameter of the pellets, OKAPI Ration Balancer is suitable for automatic feeders.
How do I calculate the right dosage for my horse?
To calculate the right dose for your horse, follow these steps:
Determine your horse's weight: you can determine the weight either using a scale, a tape measure or the BCI app from our partner Sanoanimal. This application is available free of charge from Google Play Store and Apple Store.
Follow feeding recommendations:
The general dosage for the OKAPI Ration Balancer is based on a 600kg horse, which should receive up to 500g per day.
Adjust the dose: If your horse weighs 300 kg, for example, you need to adjust the dose of the ration balancer accordingly.
Ration Balancer is specially formulated to guarantee a complete supply of proteins, minerals and trace elements as part of an exclusively hay-based diet or a feeding plan without concentrates containing starch. Thanks to its cereal-free, low-starch formula, it is particularly suitable for horses with sensitive digestion or for whom weight control is important.
OKAPI Ration Balancer contains : Green oats, mineral premix (calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, monocalcium phosphate, crushed grape seeds, molasses).
Nutritional additives per kg : 600mg zinc (3b605) as zinc sulphate, monohydrate, 300mg manganese (3b502) as manganese (II) oxide, 200mg copper (3b405) as copper (II) sulphate, pentahydrate, 80mg iron (3b103) as iron (II) sulphate, monohydrate, 10mg iodine (3b202) as calcium iodate, anhydrous, 4mg cobalt (3b304) as coated cobalt (II) carbonate granules, 0.8mg selenium (3b801) as sodium selenite.
Analytical constituents: Crude fibre: 17.7%, Crude protein: 8.30%, Crude fat: 6.70%, Crude ash: 17.60%, Calcium: 2.35%, Phosphorus: 0.58%, Sodium: 1.06%, Magnesium: 0.75%.
Feed supplement for horses
Store in a cool, dry place! Best before: see label