Ep. 75: Ration Balancers Explained: The Key to Filling Nutrient Gaps in Your Horse’s Diet
Ep. 75: Ration Balancers Explained: The Key to Filling Nutrient Gaps in Your Horse’s Diet  
Podcast: Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition
Published On: Mon May 11 2026
Description: Ration balancers are one of the most commonly recommended feeds in the horse world but what are they really doing, and does your horse actually need one?If your horse is living on pasture or hay looking good and maintaining weight, it’s easy to assume their diet is “complete". In reality, many diets fall short in key nutrients that support long-term health, topline, and performance. The effects of these deficiencies may not show up for a long time. In this episode, we break down what ration balancers are, how they work, where they fit into your horse’s feeding program, and some of the most common misconceptions we see.We discuss:What a ration balancer is and how it differs from other feeds and supplementsWhy forage-only diets are often missing key nutrientsThe role of protein, minerals, and vitamins in balancing the dietRation balancer vs. ration-balancing supplements: what’s the differenceWhen you may need to add a ration balancer to other feeds that you are feedingAnd so much moreWhether you’re feeding a performance horse, an easy keeper, or anything in between, this episode will help you better understand how to support your horse’s nutrition without adding unnecessary calories.Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   Thanks for riding along with us!