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Can I get a sample pack?
Yes, you can purchase these at your local retailer or through our online store for €1.50 per sample pack. We have sample packs available for Daily Complete, Active+, NutriMash, and Breed & Grow, so you can try these products out in advance.
What is the difference between Vitalbix and other pet food brands?
Vitalbix is made from high-quality ingredients and contains the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Due to its low starch/sugar content and high fiber (and fat) content, Vitalbix meets the horse’s natural needs and is also suitable for horses with health issues such as stomach ulcers, summer eczema, laminitis, insulin resistance, PSSM, etc. Vitalbix is GMO-free, soy-free, molasses-free, free of whole grains, and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Additionally, Vitalbix is much more concentrated, so you need to feed less of it.
Does Vitalbix contain any (added) sugar?
Vitalbix contains no added sugar. It does contain natural sugars from its ingredients, but the percentage is much lower than the sugar content in hay. On average, hay contains 10–15% sugar. In addition, you feed your horse far less Vitalbix than the amount of roughage a horse eats each day.
Can I feed all Vitalbix products soaked?
All Vitalbix products are suitable for serving wet and/or soaked. Please note that you should not pour boiling water over food containing added vitamins and minerals, as this will cause the vitamins and minerals to be lost. Use cold or lukewarm water instead, and ideally do not let it sit for longer than 1 hour; 30 minutes is usually sufficient.
How much roughage does my horse need?
This depends on the nutritional value of the roughage and the horse itself. A lean horse often needs less than a horse with a lot of blood or energy. Your horse’s digestive system is designed to process small amounts of fiber-rich food 24 hours a day. It is therefore important to ensure that your horse is never without roughage for more than 4–6 hours. Ideally, you should provide your horse with unlimited access to roughage. However, this often leads to obesity, which brings many health problems. As a minimum (rough) guideline, you can use 1.5–2 kg per 100 kg of body weight, which amounts to approximately 7.5–10 kg of roughage per day. This amount also depends heavily on the dry matter content—hay or haylage also contains some water. Note: when combined with pasture access, it may be necessary to reduce the amount.
When will I start seeing results from switching to Vitalbix?
On average, you’ll see the most significant improvement after about 3 months, depending on any underlying health issues. If a horse has nutritional deficiencies or is accustomed to a high-concentrate diet, it may take up to 6 months to see optimal results. For horses with summer eczema, improvement may continue even after a year.
What's the best way to switch?
This varies depending on the situation, so we’re happy to provide you with personalized advice to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. As a general guideline, you can gradually phase out the old feed and introduce the new feed over a period of two weeks. If you’re currently feeding more than 1.5 to 2 kilograms, is it important that your horse maintains its performance, or is your horse a picky eater? In that case, it may sometimes be advisable to allow more time for the transition. We’re happy to help you with this.
In addition, we generally recommend a higher dosage for the first 8 weeks to help replenish any deficiencies that may have developed.
Is it necessary to give supplements in addition to Vitalbix products?
Vitalbix is formulated in accordance with the CVB guidelines, which specify the nutrients a horse needs. Horses obtain some of these nutrients from forage; however, analyses of average forage often reveal deficiencies in, for example, selenium, copper, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, etc. With Vitalbix, you can generally make up for these deficiencies in the forage. For a complete picture, we recommend having the forage analyzed for nutrients as well; this can be done, for example, at Dumea.
Do all horses like Vitalbix?
Most horses typically eat Vitalbix without any issues. If your horse is coming from a diet high in starch or added sugar, he or she may need some time to adjust. We therefore recommend mixing Vitalbix with the old feed for at least 2 weeks. If your horse is fed more than 2 kilograms of concentrate, we’d be happy to create a transition plan for you. Because Vitalbix contains no added sugar, your horse may not “go for it” as eagerly or might leave it untouched at first. It’s important to give it some time; you’ll see that they’ll eventually eat it just fine. Feed with added sugar is often eaten too quickly, which isn’t natural behavior for horses. It’s better to see them chewing their feed calmly.
Where can I find the ingredients and nutritional information for Vitalbix products?
Of course, you can find the composition and nutritional analysis on the back of the product packaging. You can also find all this information on our website: go to the product page, scroll down -> under the heading “What’s in it?”, you can view the ingredients and nutritional analysis. We list not only the additives but also the levels of the raw materials. This way, you know exactly what you’re feeding!
What's the best way to help my horse gain weight?
Forage is the foundation of a healthy weight. If a horse is too thin, it’s a good idea to check whether it’s getting enough forage (weigh it) and, if possible, increase the amount (preferably to an unlimited amount). In addition to a proper diet, it is important to rule out any potential causes of weight loss, such as: stomach ulcers, dental issues, worms, or sand in the intestines. With unlimited roughage, a horse should maintain a healthy weight. Older horses or horses in (higher-level) competition sometimes need additional supplements to maintain their weight. Preferably choose products low in starch and sugar, but with a high fiber and fat content. This way, you avoid putting unnecessary strain on the gastrointestinal system. Good products to help a horse gain weight include Vitalbix Active+, Vitalbix Breed & Grow, Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+, Vitalbix NutriMash, and Vitalbix Linseed Oil + Vit. E.
What's the best way to help my horse lose weight?
Weight loss (or gain) is a process that requires time. If weight loss occurs too quickly or is excessive, fat metabolism can become so disrupted that fats enter the bloodstream (hyperlipidemia). Forage is the foundation of a healthy weight. If a horse is receiving a lot of concentrate, it is often wiser to choose a balancer, such as Vitalbix Daily Complete. Is the horse not losing enough weight? Then you can gradually reduce the roughage (hay and/or grass) and/or opt for a lower-calorie type of roughage. Keep in mind that a horse should not go without roughage for more than 4–6 hours.
How do I know if my horse is at a healthy weight?
It’s important to pay close attention to the condition of the ribs; run your hand over your horse’s belly regularly (once a week). Try to determine how easily you can feel the ribs—is there a layer of fat over them? If you can see the ribs, the horse is usually too thin. You can also tell if a horse is too fat by looking for fat deposits around the tail, shoulders, and (heart-shaped) hindquarters. A full belly doesn’t always mean a horse is overweight—it could also mean the horse has eaten well and its intestines are full (a forage belly). You’ll often notice that after riding, for example, the belly has shrunk considerably.
My horse has stomach ulcers. Is Vitalbix suitable?
For horses with stomach ulcers or sensitive stomachs, it is important to choose a concentrated feed that does not contain too much starch or sugar. Standard concentrated feeds, such as pellets and muesli, are typically made up of grains and contain high levels of rapidly digestible carbohydrates, such as starch and sugars. However, horses have a limited ability to digest starch. The lactic acid released from the starch and sugar causes the horse’s stomach to become acidic. All Vitalbix products have a low starch and sugar content, which means Vitalbix helps prevent health issues and the products can be safely fed to horses that already have metabolic or digestive problems. For horses with stomach ulcers, a proper treatment plan involving the correct medication (omeprazole) and adjustments to stable management to reduce stress and provide sufficient roughage is necessary to heal or prevent the ulcers.
My horse has laminitis and isn't allowed to eat concentrates. Can I keep giving it Vitalbix?
When your horse develops laminitis, you’re often advised to stop feeding concentrated feed. This is because concentrated feed often contains high levels of starch and sugar, which aren’t suitable for horses with laminitis. However, thanks to its low starch and sugar content, Vitalbix is also suitable for horses that have had or currently have laminitis. The Daily Complete is often the most suitable choice in such cases. If your horse is suffering from laminitis, we are of course happy to assist with personalized advice.
My horse gets unlimited hay—do I need to feed him anything else?
Yes, even with unlimited access to forage, it is important to supplement any nutritional deficiencies in the forage. In the wild, a horse has a wide variety of grasses, plants, and herbs at its disposal, which it eats as needed to obtain the necessary nutrients. However, our pastures are monotonous in terms of vegetation, and the soils are often too poor, meaning your horse cannot obtain all the necessary essential nutrients—such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids—from its forage. A forage analysis is a useful tool for determining what is missing from your forage. Deficiencies we frequently see in forage analyses include selenium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. Supplement the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids with products such as Vitalbix Daily Complete, Vitalbix Active+, or Vitalbix Breed & Grow.
Is it necessary to provide supplemental feeding in the summer as well?
Yes, we recommend supplementing any nutritional deficiencies in the forage throughout the year. In the wild, a horse has access to a wide variety of grasses, plants, and herbs, which it eats as needed to obtain the necessary nutrients. However, our pastures are monotonous in terms of vegetation, and the soils are often too poor, meaning your horse cannot obtain all the necessary essential nutrients—such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids—from its roughage. Even in the summer, when your horse is out in the pasture, it is important to supplement vitamins and minerals, because average grass does not provide sufficient vitamins and minerals.
Certain vitamins are adequately replenished in the summer if the horse has access to sufficient pasture for long enough. These include vitamins A and E. Deficiencies that we frequently see in forage analyses include selenium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. Therefore, feed a supplement year-round to ensure adequate levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. You can, however, choose to feed less alfalfa in the summer—when your horse is getting more energy and protein from the grass—or switch (partially) from Vitalbix Active+ to Vitalbix Daily Complete.
My horse gains weight easily. What’s the best thing to feed him?
Roughage is the foundation of a healthy weight. If a horse is fed a lot of concentrate, it is often wiser to choose a balanced feed, such as Vitalbix Daily Complete. Is the horse not losing enough weight? Then you can gradually reduce the roughage (hay and/or grass) and/or switch to a lower-nutrient type of roughage. Keep in mind, however, that a horse should not go without roughage for more than 4–6 hours.
I’d like to give my horse a tasty treat every now and then—what’s the best thing to give him?
For a healthy, tasty treat, you can give your dog Vitalbix NutriMash, for example. This high-fiber, grain-free mash is low in starch and sugar and contains a healthy blend of nettle, fennel seeds, chamomile, B vitamins, and prebiotics. The mash can be prepared with either cold or warm water and is ready in 5 minutes. In addition to the mash, we also offer various healthy reward pellets, naturally also with low starch and sugar content. The Healthy Horse Treats come in two sizes, with the smallest (Tiny Treats) being ideal for use as rewards during groundwork, liberty dressage, and similar activities. You can give either product as needed, but always be mindful of (unnecessary) extras when feeding overweight horses.
My horse gets spooked very easily. What's the best thing to feed him?
For hot-tempered or nervous horses, it is important to avoid feeding products with a high starch or sugar content, but to ensure they receive sufficient vitamins and minerals. Horses can derive energy from various sources, not only to perform but also, of course, to ensure that the horse remains healthy and that its bodily functions work properly.
How energy is released—quickly or slowly—varies depending on the energy source. The horse’s primary energy source is fiber, found in roughage such as hay, haylage, grass, and alfalfa. In the large intestine, fiber is converted into volatile fatty acids, where it can be absorbed and converted into slowly released energy or stored as a reserve (fat). Energy from fiber is released slowly, unlike sugar and starch. Sugar and starch are converted into glucose in the small intestine, which is quickly absorbed by the body as energy. This energy is not released slowly, but in a short spike. A few hours after such a spike, your horse may even experience a dip in its energy level.
Unlike regular sports muesli, Vitalbix Active+ has a high fat and fiber content (8.5% and 22%) and primarily provides slow-release energy. This energy does not make your horse hyper or nervous, but rather ensures that your horse has enough energy to maintain a consistent performance. Vitalbix Active+ reduces the production of lactic acid and accelerates its removal, preventing muscle stiffness. Thanks to its low starch and sugar content, Vitalbix Active+ also helps prevent stomach ulcers and colic.
My horse isn't building muscle as well as it should—what's the best feed for it?
In addition to proper training, your horse needs the right nutrients to build muscle. The right balance of vitamins and minerals is important, but the most important nutrients for your horse’s muscle development are proteins and amino acids. If the diet contains too little protein, muscle growth is not possible and muscle breakdown may even occur. Proteins are made up of amino acids. There are two types of amino acids: essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids must be provided through the diet, because the horse cannot produce them in its own body. Non-essential amino acids can be produced by the horse itself and therefore play a less important role in the diet. Deficiencies in the essential amino acids lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine, or tryptophan do occur, so it is advisable to supplement these through additional feed. Regular concentrates often contain insufficient or no amino acids. At Vitalbix, we choose to add more than enough amino acids. Using Vitalbix Daily Complete, Active+, or Breed & Grow as a base provides sufficient vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. You can then supplement protein further with Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+ if necessary.
My horse has an injury. What changes should I make to its diet?
If your horse has an injury and is therefore (temporarily) unable to work and may need to be kept in a stall, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at its diet. First, consider the concentrate: when a horse suddenly needs to rest, it’s important not to feed it concentrates with a high starch/sugar content. Vitalbix Daily Complete is often a very suitable product for horses with an injury: it provides sufficient vitamins, minerals, and amino acids without supplying excess energy. Note that it’s also a good idea to review the amount of roughage: if a horse is prone to weight gain and suddenly stops working, it may be necessary to limit the roughage as well.
My horse lacks energy. How can I help him with this?
First and foremost, it is important to determine the cause of the lack of energy: is it due to the diet, are there any underlying health issues, is the horse at a healthy weight, what is the horse’s temperament like, or could riding technique be improved? Regarding diet, it may be that the horse is being underfed, resulting in insufficient energy in the ration or deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. For horses that could use extra energy from their diet, our Vitalbix Active+ muesli is highly suitable. Unlike regular sport muesli, Vitalbix Active+ has a high fat and fiber content (8.5% and 22%) and primarily provides slow-release energy. This energy doesn’t make your horse hyper or nervous, but rather ensures your horse has enough energy to maintain a consistent performance. Vitalbix Active+ reduces the production of lactic acid and accelerates its removal, preventing muscle stiffness. Thanks to its low starch and sugar content, Vitalbix Active+ also helps prevent stomach ulcers and colic.
What is the difference between Vitalbix Breed & Grow and other mare and foal feeds?
Regular mare feed often contains a (very) high starch/sugar content, and you also have to feed a large amount of it. The high starch/sugar content can cause acidification and disrupt the gastrointestinal flora in the mare, and lead to overly rapid growth in the foal, which can result in OCD. The correct balance of vitamins and minerals is also very important for the foal: both in the womb and once it is born. Thanks to the unique composition of Vitalbix Breed & Grow, you provide both your mare and the foal with the nutrients they need in addition to sufficient roughage.
Can I feed Vitalbix Breed & Grow to my mare who has had laminitis?
Yes, thanks to its low starch and sugar content, Vitalbix Breed & Grow is also suitable for horses with (or prone to) laminitis or other metabolic issues.
Up to what age should I feed Vitalbix Breed & Grow?
Starting at around 3 years of age, a young horse’s nutritional needs are similar to those of an adult horse. Some young horses may still need extra support for weight gain or muscle development; for these horses, it is best to continue feeding Vitalbix Breed & Grow until they are 4 years old. For most young horses, you can switch to our regular products, such as Vitalbix Daily Complete & Active+, or a combination of these, starting at 3 years of age.
My pregnant mare / mare with a foal is too thin; what should I feed her?
Lactation often requires a lot of energy from a mare, which is why we always recommend providing unlimited roughage. So make sure she has plenty of access to pasture and, if necessary, supplement this with unlimited hay or haylage. Is the mare still too thin? A slight drop in weight is natural, but the more weight the mare loses, the harder it will be to get her back to her ideal weight. So increase the amount of Breed & Grow in a timely manner: follow the maximum dosage in our Vitalbix Breed & Grow recommendations (see the chart on the packaging or on the website under Vitalbix Breed & Grow). In addition, you can supplement with Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+ and Vitalbix NutriMash—start, for example, with 500 grams of Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+ and 500 grams of Vitalbix NutriMash. Of course, we’re also happy to assist you with personalized advice.
My pregnant mare / mare with a foal is still too heavy—what should I feed her?
Lactation often requires a lot of energy from a mare, which is why we always recommend providing unlimited access to roughage. If the mare is still overweight, stick to the lower limit of our Vitalbix Breed & Grow feeding guidelines (see the chart on the packaging or on the website under Vitalbix Breed & Grow). Of course, we’re also happy to assist you with personalized advice.
At what age should I start using Vitalbix Breed & Grow?
A foal learns to eat concentrate best by having a few bites with its mother at a young age. Four to six weeks before weaning, it’s a good idea to start getting the foal used to eating concentrate on its own; around weaning, gradually increase the amount, and after weaning, feed the correct amount for foals up to 1 year old. You can find this dosage on the packaging of Vitalbix Breed & Grow or on our website under the Vitalbix Breed & Grow product.
My mare is pregnant. When should I switch to Vitalbix Breed & Grow?
Starting at 8 months of pregnancy, the mare’s nutritional needs change, so we recommend switching to Vitalbix Breed & Grow. You can follow the feeding schedule provided under Vitalbix Breed & Grow or as shown on the bag.
My older horse is at a healthy weight—what’s the best supplement to give him?
It’s important to note that older horses have an increased need for vitamins, minerals, and proteins, as they are less efficient at absorbing these nutrients. Additionally, they have a harder time digesting starch. Depending on what your older horse is used to, Vitalbix Daily Complete, Vitalbix Active+, or Vitalbix Breed & Grow is a good starting point. We’re happy to help you choose the most suitable product for your horse.
My horse has trouble maintaining a healthy weight—what’s the best thing to feed him?
Unlimited roughage is the most important factor. In addition, one of our mueslis, such as Vitalbix Active+ or Vitalbix Breed & Grow, is highly suitable, supplemented with Vitalbix NutriMash, Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+, and Vitalbix Linseed Oil + Vit. E. You can feed both the NutriMash and the alfalfa as needed. We’re happy to help you put together the right diet.
My horse has dental problems. Which product is best suited for this?
In general, all Vitalbix products are suitable for horses with dental issues: you can soak or serve them wet. Please note that you should not pour boiling water over feed containing added vitamins and minerals, as this causes the vitamins and minerals to be lost. Use cold or lukewarm water instead, and ideally do not let it sit for longer than 1 hour; 30 minutes is usually sufficient. Depending on how much roughage your horse still eats and/or whether it is at a healthy weight, you can choose a base formula such as Vitalbix Daily Complete, Vitalbix Active+, or Vitalbix Breed & Grow. This can then be supplemented as needed with Vitalbix Lucerne+ and/or Vitalbix NutriMash. We’re happy to help you put together the right feed ration.
Do my older horse's needs change?
Horses over 19 years of age are less efficient at absorbing vitamins and minerals and therefore have increased nutritional requirements. They also have a reduced ability to digest starch, and their protein requirements increase.
Thanks to their low starch and sugar content, Vitalbix products are therefore also very suitable for older horses. Protein can be supplemented with Vitalbix Pure Lucerne+ or by choosing Vitalbix Breed & Grow. We recommend using a higher dosage for older horses. As a general rule, you can use the dosage for horses engaged in heavy work (for Daily Complete, for example, this is 80 grams per 100 kg of body weight -> 400 grams of Daily Complete for a 500 kg horse).
Can I still change or cancel my order?
In most cases, this is no longer possible. However, if your order hasn't been shipped yet, you can always send us an email (as soon as possible) to see what options are still available.
Can I pick up the order somewhere?
Once shipped, the order will be delivered to your home. The order can also be left at your doorstep; please note this in the comments section when placing your order. By appointment, you can also pick up your order at our office in Heerhugowaard (North Holland); please clearly indicate this when placing your order.
Can I return my order?
If you wish to return your order, please send an email to [email protected] within 14 days of receipt. Please note that only unopened and undamaged products can be returned. You are responsible for the cost of returning the product. We will refund the purchase price plus any shipping costs paid for the original shipment within 14 days.
When can I expect my order?
If you place your order before 3 p.m. on a business day, it will be shipped the same day. Within the Netherlands, delivery usually takes place the next business day. Orders are delivered Monday through Friday, and you’ll receive an email with tracking information as soon as your package leaves the warehouse. For deliveries to Belgium and Germany, please allow 2 to 3 business days.
What are the shipping costs?
Within the Netherlands, we offer free shipping on orders of €100 or more; otherwise, we charge a shipping fee, which decreases as follows:
€4.95 for orders up to €36
€3.95 for orders up to €55
€2.95 for orders up to €75
€1.95 for orders up to €100
For other countries, you pay a fee per package:
Belgium €4.95 for packages up to 20 kg
Belgium €5.95 for packages weighing 21 to 30 kg
Germany €5.95 package, max. 20 kg
Germany €8.95 package, 21 to 30 kg
France €12.95 package, max. 20 kg
France €14.50 package, 21 to 30 kg
We therefore recommend ordering full packages (for example, two 14-kg bags, which fit in one box). For larger shipments to Belgium, Germany, and France, shipping costs are available upon request.
Which countries do you ship to?
We ship to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. We can also ship to other countries upon request; please email us at [email protected]. Please include your full address and a description of your order so we can calculate the shipping costs.
I've tried to get in touch, but I haven't received a response yet.
We’ll do our best to answer your question the same business day. Did you request nutritional advice? In that case, we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible, but it may take a little longer. If you haven’t heard back from us after 5 business days, we may not have received your message properly. Please send us another email at [email protected]