Does Your Horse Need Vitamin E?
We have all heard how vitamin E is important in human health. Did you know it’s equally important in your horse’s body? Horses require vitamin E to have healthy muscles and immune systems. Without an adequate supply or proper absorption you horse can become critically ill.
Keep reading to find out more.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is not just one thing. It is a compound made up of eight different substances.
Tocopherol and tocotrienol are the two main chemical compounds and each one can be broken down into four sub compounds - alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Alpha and gamma tocopherol are both necessary forms of vitamin E in horses. Horses typically absorb alpha- tocopherol most readily.
The compound is fat soluble and can be stored in the body. This is good because the horse’s body cannot manufacture vitamin E. Horses need to ingest this compound through either forage or concentrates.
We love our horses and want the best for them.
Natural Food Source
Good pasture is an excellent source of vitamin E. Your pasture should be rich in a number of native grasses. A good variety includes fescues, bluegrass, and clovers.
In addition, there are times of the year where the grasses are died down or under snow and you may need to supplement at least in the winter months.
Hay can also contain adequate levels. However, the catch is that you need to have quality, fresh hay. The nutrients in your hay decrease during storage. Even if your hay has been stored in a dry location with good air circulation the nutrient value is halved after six months.
Signs Your Horse Is Not Getting Enough
Your horse may not be getting enough Vitamin E or they are not metabolizing it well. Horses are not very good at storing vitamin E and reserves may be used up quickly when no fresh source is available. In addition, foals born to mares who are low in vitamin E are especially prone to deficiencies.
Symptoms of a Deficiency
Loss of muscle mass
Dull Coat
Brittle hooves
Lack of muscle development
Severe cases can lead to equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, a neurological disorder
If you feel your horse has a vitamin E deficiency talk to your vet. They can take a blood sample to determine levels.
How Much?
The Merck Veterinary Manual states that while no minimal requirement has been developed supplementation may be necessary. Horses that are very physical active, nursing mares in winter when grass is not available and animals not getting enough forage.
They recommend 500–1,000 IU noting that selenium and vitamin E work together to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
You don’t want to give too much vitamin E because it hinders the absorption of Vitamin A. Remember all things in balance. That’s why we so highly recommend the Excel supplements.
Supplements
The type of Vitamin E found in our Excel products is predominantly Gamma-tocopherol. This form is a natural inflammatory.
Susan recommends the ExcelEQ ProElite™ supplement in our practice here at Cork N Mane. ExcelEQ ProElite™ is the best all rolled into one! It is rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9.
Click image to purchase EQ from us and get your horse on the road to recovery. We can ship anywhere USA.
This product helps to improve absorption and Leaky Gut Syndrome. Not only will it help with your horse’s digestion it is a remedy for ulcers.
“A second nutrient found in Excel Eq and Pro-elite is vitamin E. This vitamin has been shown to strengthen foal immunity at birth when compared to foals born to mares not supplemented with vitamin E”. Dr. Julie Vargas DVM, owner of Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, KY.
We use Excel with our own horses and have seen dramatic results. ExcelEQ contains Camelina sativa seed oil which supports the whole body. You will see that shiny coat on the outside but know that on the inside your horse is developing stronger muscles, experiencing better digestion and nutrient uptake, and a stronger immune system.
Check out our Excel page and feel free to call or email if you have any questions about our products.
Powdered or Liquid
When shopping at your favorite online horse supply company you will most likely find vitamin E supplements available in an inexpensive dry formula. Don’t waste your money! They are often not bioavailable to the horse and just pass on through.
Toxicity
Vitamin E is stored in the body as fat and is found most often in liver cells. Since it’s not excreted in urine as are water-soluble nutrients it can build up in the body.
The effects of megadosing horses with vitamin E have not been documented. However, Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, at Rutgers University, states that too much vitamin E in the system may interfere with the absorption of vitamin A.
Take Away
We demand a lot from our horses who work hard to give us their all. Making sure they have an exceptional diet and are in tip-top shape is our responsibility.
Author, Ame Vanorio, is a lifelong equestrian and mom to rescue horse Rocket.