Did you know that horses need vitamin E? Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient in equine diets. This vitamin acts as a biological antioxidant in horses. This means that it protects tissues from the oxidative effects of free radicals. Free radicals are a natural outcome of cell metabolism. Continue reading for more information on why horses need vitamin E. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.
Why Horses Need Vitamin E
So, how much vitamin E does your equine need? The National Research Council has the answer. There are minimum recommendations for vitamin E intake for different body weights and metabolic states in the Equine Nutritional Guidelines. A mature 500 kg horse needs a minimum daily intake about 500 IUs. If the horse is active, then bump it up to 1000. Horses consuming diets higher in unsaturated fat like corn or canola oil may not absorb vitamin E as well.
Fresh spring pasture is one of the most abundant sources of vitamin E. On the other hand, stored forages like hay lose their vitamin E activity quickly. This is the same for whole grains and other stored sources of unsaturated fats. They nay have vitamin E, but they can be eaten quickly enough. The most metabolically available source of vitamin E for equines is one where vitamin E is processed to make it water soluble. This means that you might have to provide your horse with a supplement. Talk to you vet to see if your horse is getting enough of this essential vitamin today.
