Maintaining a horse’s well-being requires more than just quality forage. A balanced consumption of vitamins and minerals is critical for promoting optimal performance, longevity, and immune health. The best vitamins for horses are pivotal in muscle development, nerve function, and hoof health. However, nutritional needs can vary based on a horse’s activity level, age, and health status. Whether understanding how much vitamin E a horse needs for muscle recovery or selecting the best vitamin supplement for horses to prevent deficiencies, ensuring the right balance is critical.
Horses may not always obtain all nutrients from forage, making horse vitamin and mineral supplements crucial, especially during intensive work or seasonal changes. This guide explores the core vitamins and minerals horses need, their sources, and how supplements can keep your horse in peak condition.
Understanding Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Horses
Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K, are absorbed with dietary fats and stored in the body, so they must be administered cautiously to avoid toxic buildup.
Vit. A:
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Functions: It is essential for vision (particularly night vision), optimum immune function, efficient reproductive health, proper growth and development, and good skin and coat health.
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Sources of vitamin A: It's available as Beta-carotene in fresh green forages, pasture, and high-quality hay. However, when there is little pasture to graze, vitamin A supplements must be given through feed.
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Deficiency: Lack of this vitamin causes night blindness, poor growth in young horses, decreased immunity to infections, especially respiratory diseases, and reproductive failures.
Vit D:
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Functions: Essential for normal skeletal development, Vitamin D also regulates the calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is critical for bone strength, muscle function, and energy production. Tissue repair, Inflammation, immune function, and regulation of cell growth, division, and function are some of the other functions.
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Sources of Vitamin D: The skin produces Vitamin D when the horse is exposed to sunlight. Sun-dried forages/hay also contains vitamin D.
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Deficiency: Apparent vitamin D deficiency has not been reported in horses, but young exercising horses, growing horses, and pregnant and lactating mares could benefit from supplementation.
Vit E:
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Functions: Vitamin E is an essential biological antioxidant that prevents damage to normal cells by free radicals and maintains normal neuromuscular function.
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Sources: Horses obtain sufficient amounts of vitamin E through the lush green pasture. Supplementation increases vitamin E levels in deficient animals.
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Deficiency: Nutritional myodegeneration in conjunction with selenium deficiency, equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD), and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) are some of the conditions caused by Vit E deficiency in young horses. Adult horses deficient in vitamin E may develop equine motor neuron disease (EMND).
Vit K:
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Functions: Vitamin K, known for its blood clotting activity, is crucial for developing strong and healthy bones, including bone density, which will give the best results in sporting activities or racehorses. Its blood clotting activity aids in preventing minor cuts or injuries from turning into serious issues.
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Sources: Horses get it from green pasture and microbial synthesis in their intestines.
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Deficiency: Although not commonly detected, it could impact bone health and clotting time
Water Soluble Vitamins:
Water-soluble vitamins, such as B-complex and vitamin C, are critical in energy production and tissue repair. They are not stored in the body and need to be replenished regularly.
B-Complex Vitamins:
These are a group of water-soluble vitamins, each with unique chemical names and specific bodily functions. Collectively, they are referred to as the B-vitamin complex.
Vitamin B1 to Vitamin B12
Functions:
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Vitamin B1: Plays a vital role in carbohydrate metabolism and supports the transformation of nutrients into energy by acting as a coenzyme.
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Vitamin B2: Riboflavin plays a crucial role in the metabolism of nutrients into energy and also facilitates the transformation of other B vitamins into forms that the body can use.
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Vitamin B3: Niacin (nicotinamide) is Involved in energy metabolism. Niacin also exerts an antioxidant effect, helping to repair DNA damage.
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Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid breaks fats and carbohydrates for energy. It also helps in red blood cells and certain hormones.
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Vitamin B6: Keeps the nervous and immune systems functioning optimally for normal brain development.
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Vitamin B7: (Biotin) It Supports normal nervous system function, is vital for a few hormonal glands, and is essential for the growth and repair of skin and hooves.
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Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) is critical for red blood cell formation and healthy cell growth.
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Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): This vitamin plays a critical role in DNA formation and is also crucial in the development and function of the nervous system.
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Sources: B vitamins are plentifully found in grass and cereal grains. They are also synthesized by microorganisms in the hindgut and absorbed through the intestinal wall.
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Deficiencies: Although not commonly reported, deficiencies in horses can lead to anorexia, as well as muscle and heart disorders.
Vit C:
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Functions: Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant in horses, protecting them against cellular damage caused by free radicals. It is also required for collagen and hormone synthesis, wound healing, and immune function.
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Sources: fresh forage such as good-quality pasture grass.
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Deficiency: Synthesized within the liver, deficiencies are generally not seen. However, in overstressed horses, supplementation may be needed.
Minerals in the Equine Diet
Minerals are inorganic nutrients required in relatively small quantities by the horse and are classified as macro (or significant) minerals or micro minerals (or trace elements). Macro minerals are required in relatively larger quantities, while micro minerals are needed in relatively smaller quantities.
Macro-Minerals: Functions, Sources, and Deficiency Symptoms
These minerals are essential in more significant amounts for maintaining overall health:
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Sodium & Chloride
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Function: Supports muscle contractions, nerve function, fluid balance, and thermoregulation.
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Sources: Salt blocks, mineral supplements.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Muscle cramps, poor performance, excessive licking, dry skin, and dehydration.
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Potassium
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Function: Regulates electrolyte balance, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
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Sources: Fresh forages like hay.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Weak muscles, fatigue, reduced appetite, and poor exercise tolerance.
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Calcium
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Function: Essential for bone development, blood clotting, and muscle contractions.
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Sources: Legumes (alfalfa, clover).
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Deficiency Symptoms: Muscle tremors, stiff gait, tetany, and gastrointestinal issues.
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Phosphorus
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Function: Supports bone formation, energy production, and protein synthesis.
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Sources: Cereal grains (oats, barley).
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Deficiency Symptoms: Bone weakness, lameness, and unusual eating habits (pica).
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Magnesium
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Function: Promotes muscle relaxation and immune system strength.
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Sources: Grains and high-quality forages.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Muscle twitching, nervousness, and increased allergy sensitivity.
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Sulphur
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Function: Aids in keratin production for hooves and hair and insulin synthesis.
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Sources: Forages and grains.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Weak ligaments, brittle hooves, and poor joint health.
Micro-Minerals: Functions, Sources, and Deficiency Symptoms
These trace elements are needed in smaller amounts but remain critical for health:
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Iron
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Function: Supports oxygen transport via hemoglobin and myoglobin.
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Sources: Fresh forage and grass.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Anemia3+, pale gums, increased heart rate, and fatigue.
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Zinc
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Function: Essential for DNA synthesis, growth, and keratin production for hooves and skin.
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Sources: Cereal grains and forage.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Poor growth, hair loss (alopecia), and skin lesions in foals.
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Iodine
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Function: Regulates thyroid function and nervous system health.
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Sources: Iodized salt, grains, and forage.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Goiter, poor coat quality, muscle weakness, and lethargy.
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Selenium
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Function: Acts as an antioxidant, improving fertility and immune response.
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Sources: Grains and forage.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Weak muscles, reproductive issues, and dull coat or hoof problems.
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Copper
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Function: Aids in bone formation, blood cell production, and vascular strength.
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Sources: Forage and grains.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Anemia, brittle bones, and low energy levels.
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Manganese
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Function: Involved in collagen synthesis and nutrient metabolism.
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Sources: Grains and forage.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Enlarged joints, poor bone development.
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Cobalt
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Function: Assists in producing Vitamin B12 and supports metabolic functions.
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Sources: Grains and forage.
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Deficiency Symptoms: Anemia, weight loss, and reduced appetite.
Conclusion:
The foundation of good health is balanced nutrition, which ensures all the essential ingredients daily. Regularly analyzing the diet and ensuring access to essential vitamins and minerals can prevent deficiencies and support overall well-being. Providing a good forage base along with high-quality nutrients ensures your horses are healthy and perform at their best.
Ensure your horse stays healthy, active, and well-nourished with Med-Vet Pharm!
From vitamin e supplement for horsesto complete vitamin and mineral blends, we have everything your horse needs to thrive. Explore our best horse vitamins today and take the next step in promoting your horse’s health and performance. Visit Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals or contact us at 833-809-4848 for expert advice on selecting the right supplements tailored to your horse’s needs.