Are Supplements Right for Your Horse?
Horse supplements are a hot topic these days - it seems like every new supplement on the market promises all sorts of miracles. But just how true are these claims and do they really work? Furthermore how do you know which supplements are necessary and which aren't?
To answer these questions you must first understand that supplements are designed to supplement a horse&##9;'s diet with something he is not getting through normal feed alone. The most important thing to keep in mind when examining the health of your horse is to take a close look at what you are feeding him. By far the number one step you can take in keeping a healthy horse is to provide the best quality hay and grain you can possibly afford along with adequate salt and water. High-quality feed will go a long way toward meeting most if not all of any horse's nutritional requirements.
However there are some horses that can benefit from added supplementation. Growing horses and pregnant mares for example often need additional supplements to keep them healthy and to ensure they get the adequate nutrients they need. In addition horses that are being trained for race or show are often put under more intense levels of stress and often benefit by added supplementation. Before giving your horse any kind of supplements it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Below are a list of common supplement ingredients and what they are used to treat.
1. Protein. Protein is necessary for overall growth as well as the building and repairing of muscles and other body tissues. Protein helps build bones blood skin hair hooves and muscles. A protein deficiency can stunt a horse's growth interfere with hoof development and cause poor hair growth. Additional protein can also help a horse to shed a winter coat in early spring. Since excess protein is metabolized as energy a high-protein feed can help keep a horse warmer in cold winter months. Most commercial hay and feed contain adequate amounts of protein for the average horse; however foals nursing and pregnant mares might need supplementation.
2. Vitamins. Vitamins are organic compounds that are required in small amounts for normal body function. There are two kinds of vitaminsfat-soluble vitamins A D E and K and water- soluble vitamins B and C. Below is a list of the main vitamins and their function.
- Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is important to the reproductive system eye health and hoof growth. A vitamin A deficiency can cause a mare to spontaneously abort her fetus or to give birth to weak or poorly developed foals. In addition low vitamin A intake also causes digestive upsets colic poor eyesight and respiratory problems. The horse makes vitamin A from carotene in various plants found in green pastures and green leafy alfalfa. If the pasture in your area is poor or not green or if you have a pregnant mare consider supplementing the diet with vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in body tissues therefore; only small amounts of this vitamin are needed. - B Vitamins:
B vitamins consist of thiamine riboflavin niacin pyridoxine pantothenic acid biotin choline folic acid B6 and B12. B vitamins are important for energy metabolism and healthy red blood cells. Endurance horses or those who are ill or anemic usually benefit from vitamin B supplementation. Biotin is essential to the growing horse and helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy hooves. Biotin supplementation has been shown to produce stronger healthier hooves but it can take anywhere from six to nine months of supplementation to see positive results. - Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects fats proteins and cell membranes from damage in addition to helping in the formation of bones and teeth. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin; therefore excess amounts are excreted in the horse's urine. Horses under stress or endurance horses may benefit from added vitamin C supplementation to prevent cells from becoming damaged by free radicals. - Vitamin D:
Vitamin D plays an important role in converting calcium and phosphorous into healthy bones. A vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in growing horses and soft bones in older horses. Vitamin D is produced in the skin of a horse that is frequently in the sun or that eats sun-dried hay. Under normal conditions most horses receive enough of this vitamin but those who are kept stabled most of the time or in a climate that is not sunny may need additional supplementation. . Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in body tissues therefore; only small amounts of this vitamin are needed. - Vitamin E:
Essential for the development and proper function of muscles as well as for healthy reproduction vitamin E is very important for mares young horses and horses that receive strenuous exercise. Vitamin E is also important to the immune system and proper neurological functioning. For horses that do not fall into one of the above categories adequate amounts of this vitamin can usually be obtained through commercial feeds. However horses that regularly participate in competitions who are undergoing tremendous stress or who are in their reproductive years may need additional sources of this vitamin. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in body tissues therefore; only small amounts of this vitamin are needed. - Vitamin K:
Vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting and for activating certain proteins in the horse's body. This vitamin is made in the intestines of healthy horses and a deficiency of this vitamin is very rare. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in body tissues therefore; only small amounts of this vitamin are needed.
3. Minerals. Minerals are inorganic elements that are required in small amounts to maintain good health and body function. Horses receive most minerals by eating plants that store them from the soil. The major essential minerals are calcium phosphorous magnesium sodium chlorine and potassium while the minerals needed in trace amounts are iodine cobalt copper iron zinc manganese and selenium. Supplementation of minerals is necessary in regions where certain minerals are not found in the soil. If your horse eats hay or pasture from your property make sure and have your soil tested by your county extension agent to determine whether supplementation is needed in your horse's diet.
Here is a list of important minerals:
- Calcium and Phosphorous:
These minerals are important for building strong bones and teeth. A lack of either mineral can impair growth and lead to an unhealthy horse. Pasture and hay are usually high in calcium while grain is high in phosphorous. A mature horse needs more calcium than phosphorous while a growing horse needs the same amount of each. - Iodine:
Iodine helps control body metabolism and is important for growth. A tiny amount of this mineral - only about 1 milligram - is needed per day. This can easily be met by providing the horse with iodized salt or mineral salt. Iodized salt must be given in areas that lack iodine in the soil. Lack of iodine in a pregnant mare's diet can have negative consequences resulting in stillbirths weak foals or foals born with contracted tendons. - Iron:
Iron is crucial in the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Horses receive most of their iron by eating hay but endurance horses may need supplementation to increase athletic performance. Be careful when supplementing this mineral as overdose can be fatal in mature horses. - Potassium:
Potassium is necessary for many body functions including proper muscle function. Hay naturally contains potassium but large amounts can be lost in sweat. Therefore endurance horses or those under extreme stress may need added supplementation. - Selenium:
Selenium is essential for proper nutrition and health. Deficiency can lead to muscle disease and weakness especially in foals. Horses can occasionally receive too much of this mineral if they regularly eat large amounts of certain plants that store it in the soil. Be sure to have your soil analyzed before determining whether or not your horse needs supplementation of this mineral as selenium can be toxic in large doses. - Salt:
Sodium chloride constitutes ordinary salt - a combination of two important minerals needed by the body. Roughages do not contain salt so the horse must get it via another source. Salt should always be available to the horse whether in trace mineral salt blocks or as loose salt.
4. Joint supplements. Joint supplements can be very useful as they help maintain the soundness of athletic and aging horses. Over a period of time these supplements can make a distinct difference to some horses.
5. Electrolyte supplements. Supplementations of electrolytes are usually unnecessary for horses that receive low to moderate levels of activity. Electrolyte imbalance usually occurs with endurance horses and horses that live in hot humid climates. Because electrolyte loss can occur when horses sweat supplementation of electrolytes - mainly sodium and potassium chloride - may be beneficial under these conditions.
The important thing to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to supplement is to understand that no "magic pill" exists for a healthy happy horse. Nothing can take the place of high-quality feed as well as regular health visits and vaccinations by your veterinarian. Above all before supplementing make sure you understand why you are supplementing in the first place and what results you would like to achieve. Lastly when in doubt be sure to consult with your veterinarian on whether or not your horse needs a specific supplement.
