Testimonials for Balanced Equine Nutrition

Thankyou everyone for your contributions:

I've tried so many different things, different supplements, different ideas and beliefs over the last 12 months, nothing has worked as good as the diet you did up for my horses. Some of the other diets had the horses looking okay, but there was just SOMETHING lacking. Diesel didn't have as nice a colour as I thought he could and the ends of Cherrie and Ace's hairs was curled and all of their coats were sometimes a bit dry. There wasn't actually anything 'wrong' with my horses, I just thought they could be better.

I'm interested to see how their coats go this winter. Generally I don't rug. This last winter or rather coming out of winter their coats weren't real good. Not really the length, got to expect that when you don't rug, but the condition of their hair etc. So I'm interested to see how they go with the change of weather but at the moment, they feel FANTASTIC!

Actually, hoping I'm not jumping the gun here, but I really believe its helped with their skin conditions also!!!

My mare and the 2 year old (and to a much lesser extent the 3 year old) were rubbing their tails a bit. I had tried all kinds of things to stop them. Different shampoos, creams, making sure his sheath and her udder were clean, worming. Nothing seemed to help. They didn't rub BAD, just enough that it was bothering me and causing small patches of thinned hair on their tails. Well today I was brushing their tails and thought, hang on, they don't have the rub marks/patches like they did!!!! I looked at the skin and it looks a lot healthier! I did worm them but other than that, given the improvement in the actual condition of the skin, I can only assume its DIET related.

Simple, easy, cost effective and GREAT results. I'm a student of the Cert3 TAFE barefoot trimming course, if anyone has diet issues I'll be sending them to Carol!!

Tracy Dunn, Tieri Queensland

I was recommended to contact Carol Layton by members on the Barefoothorseinaustralia forum as I was worried about being able to sustain a mare through pregnancy on my 2 acre property. I just didn't know if the grass on my property and the pre-mixed broodmare feeds were enough to produce a healthy foal.  After two weeks the results were already showing with her coat just gleaming. At four months I was just so rapt to see her absolutely blooming, she had improved in condition and was maintaining her weight so easily on the little amount of feed I was giving her compared to the large quantity of pre-mixed feeds prior. 

My boy had mucky eyes (both) for over 18 months. Vet had been out and flushed his tear ducts etc. but the 'gunkiness' would return.I would have to bathe his eyes every day or two. After less than 4 weeks on Carol Layton's mineral balanced diet his eyes have cleared completetly and remain crystal clear to this day (6 months now). I figure his immune system must be far better equipped these days now that his minerals are properly balanced. It is also worth noting that I did have him on *** Pellets (Vit/Min supplement) before Carol balanced his diet. At one stage I ran out of pellets (supplier sent the wrong type) for a week or so, and in that time his eyes deteriorated. When he resumed the pellets his eyes improved noticably, however they were never completely clear. It was only when the minerals were correctly balanced by Carol that the problem disappeared completely.

Their coats really are shiny even though they are all woolly bears at the moment.  In the flesh, the changes in Gideon's feet are very obvious. You can see a definite line of demarkation on all four feet, and you can also feel a slight ridge when you run your hand down the hoof wall. This is the one I find most interesting, because if you remember, Gideon was the one horse who had been on continuous (expensive) vit & mineral supplements for over 18 months. It just seems to reinforce that unless it is balanced, it's useless.

Kelly Crombie, Metung Victoria

I discovered Carol Layton through a book [Natural Horse Care The Right Way by Dr Ann Nyland] I read in the summer of 2009. I doubt very much without this book I would have ever found her but I can honestly say I am sure glad I did. Although the idea of a custom diet seemed overwhelming to me at first and even expensive it only made sense that one must analyse what your horses are eating to know what they may be missing and supplement accordingly. Carol immediately made me feel this was possible and that overwhelming feeling was reduced to a firm knowledge that I was doing the right thing for my horses and Carol was helping make it possible.

I would be lost without her knowledge and insight into the nutritional care of our friends of the equine world and cannot express enough gratitude in regards to how patient and understanding Carol has been and continues to be. She is always willing to answer my questions and has made herself available even well after the diets were implemented. Additionally, I am quite pleased with how my horses are beginning to look. Specifically, thanks to the much needed copper in my gelding’s diet, his coat has never looked so rich even in the harsh months of intense sunlight in my area of the U.S.

Thanks Carol for all you have done to help make the transition from commercial feed products to feeding my horses more nutritionally sound and closer to what nature intended.

Nicole L. Womack, Dothan Alabama U.S.A

We offer rehab agistment, so I deal a lot with horses that have ‘issues’, either behavioural or physical. I had done a lot of research myself into equine diet. I thought I was pretty up to date, but I still had niggling problems with skin condition, maintaining topline in the older horses, and muscle tightness in the younger ones. Also many of the horses here were overweight and I couldn’t shift it. Every few months I seemed to be trying something new. Carol’s diet incorporated many of the ideas that I thought I was doing, but she showed me how what I was feeding was not balanced. I can now feed confidently, knowing that the mineral mix is perfect for our pasture. Best of all, my feed bill has been cut by two thirds. Carol’s consult paid itself back in just one week.Most horse people think they already know what is best to feed their horses. Even if your horse looks good and is going well, Carol at Balanced Equine might be able to suggest a way that reduces waste and is cheaper. If you can have your horse looking as good or better at half the price, it's definitely worth a try.

We fed this older TB all the 'good' brand-name feeds. He was costing close to $70 a week to feed and I was embarrassed about the way he looked. I kept his rug on to hide him from my friends and neighbours. I was starting to wonder if he had cancer. After six months on a Balanced Equine diet he now costs us $25 a week in work, and I'm so proud of the way he looks. His health has improved overall, hoof quality, soundness, as well as temperament and attitude. We couldn't be happier.

Alyssa Brugman, Hunter Valley NSW

For the past few years I have been struggling with my 13hh riding pony, Clemy. A very nervous and highly strung pony, difficult to manage and ride at times. After a 6 month spell to refresh his mind he came back very much the same and incredibly underweight. We had a lot of trouble getting the weight back on and having him working well under saddle.

My friend had contacted Carol regarding her show pony and the results were amazing, she was so happy. So I immediately contacted Carol myself and not long after we had Clemy on his special diet formulated just for his needs. The transformation is amazing. He has since stacked on the weight and is working the best he has ever worked before, his movement is extravagant!!! He is also much quieter making him easier to handle and ride, but still keeping his natural flair and character, essential for the show ring!

I would definitely recommend Carol to anyone and everyone. Her dedication and commitment to the individual horses needs and their progress is overwhelming. Always seeing how we're going and always happy to answer the thousands of questions I keep coming up with. So thank you Carol for your continuing hard work and interest in my wonderful pony.

Priya Mason, Duffys Forest NSW 

Raheim was the older horse who l was mainly targeting to improve condition as he'd just come into my care (he was/is my sister in law's horse) so l wanted her to know and see l was making every effort to look after him and improve his health and wellbeing. Needless to say, we are both very impressed (gives me goosebumps looking at the photos) at the results, 10 weeks into his new feed regime. Another interesting fact is that he hasn't had diarrhoea since his new diet so l'm rapt about that too.

You have been fantastic with the amount of information and guidance you have provided me over the last 3 months and l can confidently say l would recommend you.

Kylie Wendell, Queensland

I can unreservedly recommend Carol Layton's feed and mineral balancing service to any horse owner who really wants to optimise their horses' health and performance.

I have seen an amazing improvement in the general health, athletic performance and hoof health of my endurance horses since following Carol’s balanced feed plan.

At the Toongabbie endurance ride in April 09, the head vet Vic Stockil stated that there were two ‘stand out horses’ entered and one of them was my mare Promise. She had been on the balanced program for only a few weeks by that stage but the change in her was amazing. She went on to win her division and was awarded BC for the 100 km event.

The other area I have noticed a huge improvement is in hoof health. During winter my horses would suffer terrible thrush in their feet, despite my best efforts with daily hoofcare and anti thrush treatments. Now that I am supplying copper and zinc in adequate balanced amounts, there is no thrush at all despite wet, muddy conditions! Without Carol's expertise I would have been struggling to find the correct amounts to feed – and probably spending way too much money on wasted supplements and expensive feeds.

Carol has simplified the feeding process and optimised the benefits to my horses – and saved me money as well.

Jenny Moncur, Gippsland Victoria
Mullungdung Endurance Arabians

Hi Carol
I sent you this photo because I so love seeing Dream's beautiful muscles and his glossy coat.  He looks so good, even a very hard to please horse friend commented on him the other day. He has just put on a fair amount of weight over the last month and a bit.  I think finally his immune system has caught up and strengthened and allowed him to put the weight on?

Anyway, whatever it is it's great and I'm so happy. The cost of this diet compared to a prepackaged feed is much less.  We are getting great results, calm yet responsive horses for a fraction of the cost of some performance feeds.

Karen Dickson, Queensland

Thank you very much for your detailed report.  I have read it twice and I know I will continue to use it as a valuable reference.  There is so much contradictory advice out there in horseyland, it is difficult for a person like me with limited knowledge and scientific understanding, to disseminate the information and make sound diet choices.  Your report has answered many questions for me and provided clarity in my approach to Othello's diet, who being a Thoroughbred and not a hardy stock or quarter horse - is reliant upon correct nutrition to keep him sound. 

Judi Vickerman, Mudgeeraba Queensland

Hi Carol
I've trained one or two gallopers for most of my life, doing this as holistically as circumstances, logistics and my knowledge have permitted but the 'science' of a nutritionally balanced diet has frustrated me for most of this time. A myriad of vitamin and mineral supplements all claimed to have the answer to perfecting my horses dietary needs for high performance BUT my logical thinking kept asking "How can they rectify an already imbalanced diet?" and, "How do I know what is even being suplied to my horses when they graze or eat hay 24/7?"  I can make an educated decision by using processed bag feeds, based on their labelling but this is only a tiny portion of their diet.

I'd consulted nutritionists and even computer generated diet programs but they still didn't give me the accurate vitamin and mineral amounts or ratios relevant to my pasture & hay supplies.

I buried my head in the sand until 'meeting' Carol Layton via a cyber forum and discovering that she could analyse my horses' entire daily intake, advise on how to correct it and possibly save me money into the bargain. All this for only a small fee.

My two horses each have metabolic problems but within about 6 weeks, their form and physical appearance began to improve to the extent where the last 6 starts have produced 3 x 2nds, a 3rd and a 4th with an unplaced run on an unsuitably boggy track. I'm super impressed, to say the least and look forward to helping these horses reach their full potential.

Gay Harbord, Victoria
Racehorse trainer

Hi Carol

Thanks so much for helping me to get our horses on to a truly balanced diet.  It was great to get our pasture tested so we know what the horses are getting out of our paddocks before we even feed them.  All of the horses are in great condition and maintaining throughout winter.  My endurance pony is completing 80 km rides and maintaining condition, whereas before it would take a couple of weeks to get him back to where he was before the ride.  The feed is obviously giving him plenty of energy without any fizz, and until now had never even considered feeding oats.  He is looking great and going great. 

Our pregnant mare is also blooming, in wonderful condition, and has a great shiny coat.  I have truly benefited from your expertise and appreciate the interest you have shown in our horses.   I have nutrition books at home, but upon reading them came away more confused than ever.  I just wanted someone that would put a diet together for me that would encourage the horses ongoing good health, I have found that in you.  I know others have said the same thing, but your diets are practical, budget conscious, and allow me to feed with confidence. Thanks again, I will keep telling people of your service.

Chris & Natalie McIntyre, Queensland
Crik Hollow Endurance

We have had our three horses on Carol's suggested diet for a few months now and all their colours have deepened and have a lovely sheen, sometimes even a gloss ;)

Our buckskin, Maisey in particular is lovely and dappled and a gorgeous golden colour, she shines in the sun and the shine really defines her muscles beautifully when she is moving.

We are very happy with the diet and it's pretty easy to do.

Karen D, Samford Valley Queensland

Dear Carol
Just wanted to update you on the girls' diets. They are both looking fantastic and are going really well. I have noticed a difference in coat texture, shine, energy they have, they are just going super.

Summer and I also got through our 80 km endurance ride 3 weeks ago and she just went bloody super - best she has gone! No joke, there were 10 hills in the 80km ride at Pyengana and they were as steep as you could get them. Summer cruised through the ride like a professional, had ever lasting energy through out the whole ride - she even started pulling my arms out at the 70 km mark instead of tiring out. I have never been so pleased with her performance and recovery. At the last vet check she looked like she had not even done a ride. She was not tucked up like she normally gets (she normally tucks up really bad), she pulled my arms out in the trot out still, we did the ride in 7 hours and this was out first 80km of the year and she was cruising past seasoned horses - just amazing, can not thank you enough for the diets, all your advice and help through out this year.

It is not just performance horses who you notice a difference in though, my young 2 year old looks fantastic also and her hooves look the best they have looked yet since her bad hoof days 6 months ago.

Danielle Coleman, Tasmania

We don't do anything fancy with our 8 horses. We are just a family who loves to pack up the bunch and take them riding in the Victorian High Country, or simply trail/ bush riding closer to home. Many of the list members have shaped our horse husbandry practices, whether it be trimming, bitting (or lack of), saddling, drenching or feeding. There is always so much more to learn, and it certainly seems like this forum, with its collective experience and intellect, is an excellent starting point. [Forum = Myth Busters Natural Horse Care]

Now, I must make special mention of Carol Layton. I know you all probably already know how wonderful she is, but I just wanted to reiterate what a brilliant service she is providing. Carol has balanced the diets of all our horses with excellent results, however we have recently acquired a very sick little `rescue' foal who was orphaned at 8 weeks of age and rescued by us 4 weeks ago at 5 months of age. Carol's dedication, care and attention in formulating his diet is second to none. She offers the sort of `old fashioned' service that most of us have forgotten existed, and for any younger list owners, probably never knew existed. The time that Carol spends both on this list and others, as well as privately, sharing her knowledge, is certainly very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Kelly Crombie, Victoria

Dear Carol
Well I have some wonderful news re my mare who was so sick with diarrhoea. I followed the program you sent to me re the panacur and then the Equest. She is due for one more Equest at the end of this month. After the 5 doses of Panacur she got better and then with the Equest two weeks later, has not had a dirty bottom since. I cannot thank you enough. This is hopefully the end of a 7 month saga!!

I am now looking forward to riding her again and her having a healthy happy life. She has been so tolerant through all this.

Once again - without your help I think i would have lost my lovely mare. You were very kind to help me out.

Kylie Reeves, Queensland

Contact details:

Carol Layton B.Sc, M.Ed
Balanced Equine Nutrition

Phone: 02 4953 2580
Email:

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