December 1, 2018
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Does your horse need a Vitamin E supplement?
- Vitamin E is the #1 antioxidant that horses naturally consume to protect themselves from free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Horses do not make or synthesize vitamin E themselves, so it can only be obtained through diet.
- Vitamin E is a critical component to a healthy immune system.
- Fresh pasture grasses contain ample amounts of vitamin E, but most horses in training, competition or are stabled at large boarding facilities are likely are not receiving enough time on fresh pasture, so they may need to supplement E into the diet.
- Although it is found in fresh grass, the amount of bioavailable vitamin E is diminished considerably in hay due to the natural storage process and drying.
Performance horses, mares, foals and even senior horses need vitamin E to stay healthy.
Know what you're getting:
- Many commercial feeds and supplements use a synthetic source of vitamin E, which has extremely low bioavailability compared to the natural source.
- You can go and check the source of Vitamin E in your feed by looking for these particular letters: synthetic Vitamin E it is going to have the letters dl-tocopheryl acetate while Natural Vitamin E will be denoted as d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. It's a subtle, but important designation.
- Vitamin E deficiency compromises the immune system and can make horses more susceptible to neurological diseases like Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM).
- Liquid vitamin E (nanoemulsion) provides high bioavailability, but is particularly unstable. These products are great for the first 30 days, but after that you have a phenomenon called 'after-ripening', which begins as soon as the product is exposed to air.
- Equithrive Vitamin E Pellets offer increased bioavailability and stability in a highly palatable and easy to administer form, ensuring your horses are getting adequate vitamin E intake, no matter the season or environment.
Final Thoughts:
- Vitamin E supplementation may support performance and normal recovery times in equine athletes by decreasing oxidative tissue damage caused by free radicals.
- Aging horses, and horses with reduced neurological function, are particularly susceptible to damaging free radicals and can benefit from vitamin E supplementation.
- Nursing mares need adequate vitamin E to support the immune system of their foals.
- Not all vitamin E is created equal - talk to your veterinarian about what supplements your horse may benefit from.
