Ingredient Glossary

Blue Chip Glossary

Every Blue Chip balancer is carefully formulated using scientifically selected ingredients that work together to support your horse's health, well being and performance. Below you will find some of the key ingredients used across the Blue Chip range and, more importantly, why they're included.

Click on the ingredients below to read more about them.

Alfalfa

Beta-Glucans

Biotin

Black Oats

Black Pepper

Calcium

Chamomile

Chaste Tree Berry

Cinnamon

Copper

Dextrose

Eucalyptus

Full-Fat Soya

Garlic

Glucosamine

Grape Seed Extract

Iodine

Iron

Natural Clay

L-Carnitine

Linseed 

Live Yeast

L-Tryptophan

Magnesium

Manganese

Marine Minerals

Menthol

MOS (Prebiotic)

MSM

Nucleotides

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Phosphorus

Rosemary

Rosehip

Salt (Sodium)

Selenium

Sepiolite

Silica

Soya Protein 

Spearmint

Turmeric

Vitamin A

B Vitamins

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin D3

Vitamin E

Yucca

Zinc

Alfalfa

Beta-Glucans

Biotin

Black Oats

Black Pepper

Calcium

Chamomile

Chaste Tree Berry

Cinnamon

Copper

Dextrose

Eucalyptus

Full-Fat Soya

Garlic

Glucosamine

Grape Seed Extract

Iodine

Iron

Natural Clay

L-Carnitine

Linseed 

Live Yeast

L-Tryptophan

Magnesium

Manganese

Marine Minerals

Menthol

MOS (Prebiotic)

MSM

Nucleotides

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Phosphorus

Rosemary

Rosehip

Salt (Sodium)

Selenium

Sepiolite

Silica

Soya Protein 

Spearmint

Turmeric

Vitamin A

B Vitamins

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin D3

Vitamin E

Yucca

Zinc

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a naturally nutritious source of quality fibre and protein. It encourages chewing and saliva production, helping support healthy digestion, while its naturally high calcium content can help buffer acidity in the stomach. It also provides useful slow-release energy and supports healthy condition.

Supports: • Digestive Health • Gastric Comfort • Slow-Release Energy • Condition

Beta-Glucans

Beta-glucans are natural compounds found in yeast cell walls. They help support the horse’s natural immune defences and contribute to a healthy digestive environment, which can be particularly valuable during periods of training, competition, travel or other increased demands.

Supports: • Immune Function • Gut Health • Recovery • Resilience

Biotin

Biotin is one of the best-known nutrients for supporting strong, healthy hooves. It also contributes to healthy skin and coat condition, making it an essential part of any comprehensive balancer.

Supports:
• Hoof Quality • Skin Health • Coat Condition

Black Oats

Black oats provide useful energy, fibre and nutrients to help support condition, stamina and performance. They are included in feeds for horses that need additional nutritional support while remaining active and in regular work.

Supports: • Energy • Stamina • Performance • Condition

Black Pepper

Black pepper contains a natural compound called piperine. It is commonly included alongside turmeric because it can help the body absorb and utilise turmeric’s beneficial plant compounds more effectively.

Supports: • Turmeric Absorption • Nutrient Utilisation

Calcium

Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, healthy muscle function and normal nerve signalling. It is one of the most important minerals in a horse's diet and works alongside phosphorus to support the skeleton.

Supports:
• Bone Strength • Muscle Function • Healthy Growth

Chamomile

Chamomile is a traditional botanical widely used to support relaxation and a settled outlook. It is particularly suited to horses that can become tense, anxious or easily distracted, helping support calmness without compromising their willingness to work.

Supports:
• Calm Behaviour • Relaxation • Focus

Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste tree berries (Vitex agnus-castus) are traditionally used to support hormonal balance and normal endocrine function. They are particularly popular for older horses and ponies, including those whose changing hormone levels may affect their behaviour, comfort, coat or general wellbeing.

Supports: • Hormonal Balance • Senior Wellbeing • Behaviour • Vitality

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is traditionally used to support healthy glucose metabolism and normal insulin function. It is particularly relevant to good doers and horses or ponies whose weight, grazing and sugar intake need to be carefully managed.

Supports: • Healthy Weight • Glucose Metabolism • Insulin Function

Copper

Copper plays an important role in connective tissue development, healthy joints, hoof strength and coat pigmentation. It also contributes to the body's natural antioxidant defence system.

Supports:
• Hooves • Joints • Coat Colour • Connective Tissue

Dextrose

Dextrose is a simple carbohydrate used in very small quantities to support palatability and help ingredients combine consistently during manufacture. It helps ensure the finished feed remains appealing and uniform.

Supports: • Palatability • Product Consistency

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an aromatic botanical traditionally used to support respiratory comfort. Its naturally fresh aroma can also improve the sensory appeal and palatability of the feed.

Supports:
• Respiratory Comfort • Palatability • General Wellbeing

Full-Fat Soya

Full-fat soya combines high-quality protein with healthy oils, providing both condition and slow-release energy. It is particularly beneficial for horses that need additional calories without relying heavily on cereal starch.

Supports:
• Condition • Muscle Maintenance • Energy • Coat Quality

Garlic

Garlic has been used in equine nutrition for many years to support palatability, digestive health and general wellbeing as part of a balanced diet.

Supports: • Digestive Health • Palatability • General Wellbeing

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is one of the best known ingredients for supporting healthy joints. It is a natural building block of cartilage and helps maintain joint comfort, flexibility and freedom of movement in active, ageing or hardworking horses.

Supports: • Joint Health • Mobility • Flexibility • Cartilage

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is naturally rich in plant antioxidants called polyphenols. These help protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress and support recovery, circulation and overall wellbeing, particularly in active horses.

Supports: • Antioxidant Protection • Recovery • Cellular Health

Iodine

Iodine is needed for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and help control how efficiently the body uses energy.

Supports: • Metabolism • Energy Regulation

Iron

Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin, allowing oxygen to be transported around the body. Healthy iron levels help support normal energy production and stamina.

Supports:
• Oxygen Transport • Energy • Red Blood Cells

Natural Clay

Natural clay helps support digestive stability by binding certain unwanted compounds within the digestive tract, contributing to a healthy hindgut environment.

Supports: • Digestive Health • Gut Stability

L-Carnitine

L-carnitine helps transport fatty acids into the cells, where they can be used to produce energy. It is particularly useful in feeds for horses and ponies requiring support for healthy weight management and efficient fat metabolism.

Supports: • Fat Metabolism • Healthy Weight • Energy Production

Linseed 

Linseed is one of the best natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and is widely recognised for supporting healthy skin, a glossy coat and overall condition. It also provides slow-release energy and supports healthy digestion, making it an ideal ingredient for horses and ponies of all ages.

Supports: • Skin •Coat Shine •Condition •Digestive Health •Healthy Fats

Live Yeast

Live yeast helps horses get more nutrition from their forage by supporting healthy fibre digestion and maintaining a stable hindgut environment. A healthy digestive system is the foundation of good condition, performance and overall wellbeing.

Supports:
• Gut Health • Fibre Digestion • Feed Efficacy • Condition

L-Tryptophan

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid used by the body to produce serotonin, a chemical messenger involved in mood and emotional regulation. It is included to support a calm, focused and more settled outlook without sedating the horse.

Supports:
• Calm Behaviour • Focus • Relaxation

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes throughout the body, including muscle contraction, nerve function and energy production. It supports healthy muscle function and contributes to overall wellbeing.

Supports: • Muscle Function • Nerve Function • Energy Metabolism

Manganese

Manganese helps support healthy cartilage, connective tissue and bone development. It also plays an important role in normal energy metabolism.

Supports: • Joints • Bones • Connective Tissue

Marine Minerals

Marine Minerals (Lithothamnium) are a naturally mineral-rich red marine algae containing calcium, magnesium and a range of trace minerals. Its porous structure helps provide a sustained buffering effect within the stomach, while its mineral content supports bones, muscles and overall nutritional balance.

Supports: • Gastric Comfort • Stomach Acid Buffering • Bones • Mineral Balance

Menthol

Menthol provides a naturally fresh aroma and flavour that helps improve palatability. It is also traditionally associated with supporting a feeling of respiratory freshness and comfort.

Supports: • Palatability • Respiratory Freshness

MOS (Prebiotic)

MOS (Mannan Oligosaccharides) is a natural prebiotic that helps support the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. A healthy gut microbiome plays an important role in digestion, immunity and nutrient absorption.

Supports
: • Gut Health • Digestive Balance • Immune Function

MSM

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural source of sulphur. Sulphur is needed for the formation of cartilage, connective tissue and keratin, making MSM useful for supporting joints, mobility, hooves, skin and coat quality.

Supports: • Joint Comfort • Connective Tissue • Hooves • Skin & Coat

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are naturally occurring compounds that support the renewal of cells throughout the body, particularly within the digestive tract. They help maintain a healthy gut lining and support the horse during periods of stress or increased nutritional demand.

Supports:
• Digestive Health • Gut Integrity • Immune Support

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skin, a shiny coat and normal inflammatory responses throughout the body. They are an important part of maintaining overall health and wellbeing.

Supports: • Coat Shine • Skin • Joint Health • Overall Wellbeing

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 fatty acids work alongside omega-3s to support healthy skin, coat condition and normal cellular function.

Supports: • Skin • Coat • Cell Health

Phosphorus

Phosphorus works together with calcium to support healthy bones, teeth and energy metabolism. Maintaining the correct balance between calcium and phosphorus is essential for long-term skeletal health.

Supports:
• Bone Health • Energy Metabolism

Rosemary

Rosemary is a natural source of antioxidants that help protect nutrients from oxidation while supporting the body's natural antioxidant defences.

Supports: • Antioxidant Protection • General Wellbeing

Rosehip

Rosehips (Rosa canina) contain naturally occurring antioxidants, including vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds. They are widely used to support joint comfort, connective tissue, mobility and the body’s natural defence against oxidative stress.

Supports: • Joint Health • Mobility • Connective Tissue • Antioxidant Protection

Salt (Sodium)

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain hydration, fluid balance, muscle function and nerve transmission. It plays an important role in supporting horses during everyday activity and exercise.

Supports: • Hydration • Electrolyte Balance • Muscle Function

Selenium

Selenium works alongside vitamin E as one of the body's most important antioxidants. Together they help protect muscle cells, support recovery after exercise and maintain a healthy immune system.

Supports: • Muscles • Recovery • Immune Function • Antioxidant Protection

Sepiolite

Sepiolite is a naturally occurring clay mineral used to help support digestive stability and product consistency. Its absorptive properties can help maintain a stable environment within the digestive tract.

Supports: • Digestive Stability • Gut Health • Product Consistency

Silica

Silica is a naturally occurring mineral associated with the strength and structure of connective tissue. It helps support healthy skin, hair, hoof horn, joints and bones.

Supports: • Hooves • Skin • Hair • Connective Tissue • Bones

Soya Protein 

Soya protein is a premium quality source of essential amino acids, helping horses build and maintain muscle, support topline and recover after exercise. It provides highly digestible protein that the body can efficiently use for growth, maintenance and repair.

Supports: • Muscle Development • Topline •Recovery •Condition

Spearmint

Spearmint is a naturally aromatic herb that helps improve palatability and encourage consistent feeding. It is also traditionally used to support digestive comfort and freshen the aroma of the feed.

Supports: • Palatability • Digestive Comfort

Turmeric

Turmeric contains naturally occurring antioxidant plant compounds called curcuminoids. It is widely used to help support joint comfort, mobility and the body’s normal response to exercise and everyday wear and tear.

Supports: • Joint Comfort • Mobility • Antioxidant Protection

Vitamin A

Vitamin A supports healthy vision, skin, immune function and normal growth. It also helps maintain healthy mucous membranes throughout the body.

Supports:
• Immunity • Skin • Vision

B Vitamins

The B-vitamin group, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid, play an essential role in converting feed into usable energy. They support metabolism, healthy cells and overall vitality.

Supports: • Energy Production • Metabolism • Overall Vitality

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps convert nutrients into usable energy while supporting red blood cell production and normal nervous system function.

Supports:
• Energy • Stamina • Red Blood Cells

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports collagen production, tissue repair and the body's natural defence against oxidative stress. Although horses produce their own vitamin C, additional dietary support can be beneficial during periods of increased demand.

Supports: • Recovery • Tissue Repair • Antioxidant Protection

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 helps the horse absorb and utilise calcium and phosphorus efficiently, supporting healthy bones, muscles and teeth.

Supports: • Bone Strength • Calcium Absorption

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the horse's most important antioxidant vitamins. It helps protect muscles during exercise, supports recovery and contributes to a healthy immune system.

Supports: • Muscles • Recovery • Immune Function • Antioxidant Protection

Yucca

Yucca is a natural plant extract containing beneficial antioxidant compounds. It is traditionally used to support digestive health, joint comfort and general wellbeing in active and ageing horses.

Supports: • Digestive Health • Joint Comfort • Antioxidant Protection

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in hundreds of enzyme systems throughout the body. It supports healthy skin, strong hooves, coat quality, tissue repair and normal immune function.

Supports: •Hooves • Skin • Coat • Immune System

Why These Ingredients Matter 

No single ingredient makes a horse healthy. At Blue Chip, we carefully combine premium ingredients that work together to support digestive health, strong hooves, healthy skin, a glossy coat, muscle maintenance, immune function and overall wellbeing. By providing targeted nutrition alongside a forage based diet, our balancers help horses and ponies look, feel and perform at their best.