D-Carb Balance (Pellets)

Magnesium (Mg) is a macro mineral that is frequently recommended for a wide range of equine health conditions. Magnesium helps to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, a healthy heart, healthy immune system and strong bones. Magnesium aids to regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Since a symptom of magnesium deficiency is agitation or anxiety, it is included in many calming supplements.

Phosphorus is a macromineral that, like Calcium, is found in highest amounts in bone. It is also required for energy production and the synthesis of many vital compounds such as DNA. The minerals calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) play a major role in proper growth and development of the skeletal system in horses. Ideally, horses should receive slightly more calcium than phosphorus – a ratio between 1:1 and 2:1.

Calcium is a micromineral found in highest amounts in bone and teeth. However, it also has important roles in supporting muscle contraction, cell membranes, blood clotting, enzymes regulation, and hormone release. Absorption of calcium from the small intestine is controlled by vitamin D but can be reduced if there is too much phosphorus in the diet. Ideally, horses should receive slightly more calcium than phosphorus – a ratio between 1:1 and 2:1. Pregnant and lactating mares, growing horses, and exercising horses may need more dietary calcium than an adult horse at rest. 

Zinc (Zn) is a micromineral involved in over 100 enzyme systems ranging from support of connective tissue formation and antioxidants to carbohydrate metabolism and immune system function. It is most recognized for its role in healthy skin and hooves.

Manganese is a micromineral that aids in bone formation, growth and reproduction. It also supports carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Supplementation should be considered because not all diets provide the same levels of manganese. It plays an important role in young growing horses as well as active performance horses.

Salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) plays an important role in maintaining hydration, nerve and muscle function and also helps regulate body's pH balance. Many equine diets can be low in sodium, therefore additional supplementation may be necessary and can vary depend on workload, exercise, weight etc. According to the Nutrient Requirements of Horses (NRC), a 1,100 pound adult horse in no work requires 10 grams of sodium daily, which can be met by giving 1 ounce of salt daily.

Vitamin E is considered the most important antioxidant and works closely with selenium to protect the body from the oxidative stress of exercise and illness. Found in high amounts in fresh pasture, levels begin to decay the moment pasture is cut for hay. That is why any horse that does not have access to grass, regardless of its activity level or health, would be a candidate for vitamin E supplementation. Horses are not very efficient in storing vitamin E and deficiency may be accelerated if the diet is deficient in selenium.

Copper (Cu) is a micromineral that aids in the production of normal connective tissues including tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. As a component of many enzyme systems, it is also involved in making iron available to the body for blood, in producing skin and coat pigments, in proper nerve signaling and in repairing antioxidants.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an antioxidant that plays a role in helping combat harmful free radicals. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the tissues of the body and also important in the production of connective tissues like tendons and ligaments.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) The Vitamin B family is made up of several compounds that serve many important roles in the body: protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism; energy production; proper nerve cell transmission and reproduction.

Vitamin A is well known for its role in supporting healthy vision, immune function, and skin/coat. However, it is also needed for respiratory health, reproduction, soft tissue and normal skeletal development in young growing horses and exercising horses that are remodeling bone.

Vitamin D (Calciferol) plays an indirect role in bone growth and maintenance by managing the levels of calcium (Ca) in the body. It assists in the absorption of Ca from the intestine, the movement of Ca into and out of bone, and the amount of Ca excreted by the kidneys.

Iodine is aids in reproduction and normal physiological function in the horse. This is due to the important role that it plays in natural thyroid metabolism and in the synthesis of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These hormones fulfill multiple functions ranging from healthy cell regulation to tissue differentiation and growth.

Chromium is a trace mineral which works with insulin to regulate blood sugar.

Selenium is a trace mineral that along with vitamin E function together to help to protect body tissues from free radical damage that occurs during oxidation (the conversion of feedstuffs into energy). While some parts of the country have high levels of selenium in their soil and therefore the plants that grow there, selenium deficiency is not uncommon and reported in many states. Therefore, most horses may require supplementation to meet the NRC requirement of 1-3 mg/day, depending on activity level. *NRC upper safe limit approx. 20 mg/day in total diet.

The Vitamin B family is made up of several compounds that support many important roles in the body: protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism; energy production; proper nerve cell transmission, reproduction, and division (especially rapidly dividing ones such as red blood cells). B vitamins include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), choline, biotin, inositol and others are sometimes referred to as B-vitamins. For most of the B-vitamins, microorganisms in the large intestine make all the horse needs. Only thiamine and riboflavin have NRC dietary requirements. However, research suggests B-vitamin supplementation may be beneficial to horses with little access to fresh pasture and/or during any periods of stress (training, injury, travel, etc.)

Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) that help promote healthy digestive function and support a healthy immune system. Often referred to as ‘good bugs’ they help break down ingredients/contents that the body normally can't, and help inhibit ‘bad bugs’ from growing.

Do you have any tips on how to get a picky horse on a low sugar diet to eat supplements?

MVP:  Find a low sugar “carrier” that your horse will eat and gradually mix in the supplement.  Some low sugar options are; commercial feed formulated for sugar-sensitive horses (NSC level of 10% or less), shredded beet pulp (no molasses), hay cubes broken into pieces (choose a hay cube that is 10% NSC or less) or alfalfa pellets. Only use a small amount of carrier ingredient (1 cup per feeding or less if a mini). Once your horse readily eats the carrier ingredient, add a small amount of supplement and mix well.  Over the next few days gradually increase the amount of supplement until you reach the full serving size.  Soaking the carrier with a small amount of water may make the supplement mix in better and harder to leave behind. Add the supplement right at feeding time, do not soak.

I would like to start my mare on a metabolic daily supplement, there are so many to pick from. What sets them apart, they seem similar?

MVP: In review – The most essential ingredient to feed an IR horse is a minimum of 5,000mg/5gm of Magnesium. Chromium and iodine are also very beneficial when the diet is lacking these nutrients.

Anti-Carb – Formulated for a horse that is already on a balanced vitamin/mineral supplement.

Carb-X – An herbal approach, contains good levels of magnesium and chromium along with herbals that may be beneficial.

D-Carb Balance – Provides the Vitamins/Minerals that are lacking for horses receiving a low starch diet.

Magnesium 5,000 – Should be given when an all-around vitamin/mineral supplement is lacking in high levels. This is the minimum someone should do with an a horse  on a low starch diet and is great for those on a budget!