Kentucky Performance Products » natural vitamin E

Feeding starch/sugar sensitive horses

Becky — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:17:43 +0000

A better understanding of how the horse’s digestion system works has revealed that balancing forage intake with concentrate intake is necessary when feeding horses, and even more critical when feeding starch/sugar sensitive horses.

Concentrates are the portions of the diet we typically think of as “grain.” A concentrate can consist of a plain grain, such as oats, or it can be a mixture of ingredients referred to as textured feeds (sweet feed) or pellets. These feeds typically provide energy almost entirely from starch and sugar. The consumption of too much starch/sugar stresses the digestive tract and can lead to colic and laminitis. High starch and sugar concentrates should be fed in limited amounts, especially to sensitive horses.

The fiber your horse consumes is the most important part of his daily diet. Significant fiber intake from good quality fresh pasture and dried grasses (hay or hay cubes) is imperative. Offer 1.5% to 2% of your horse’s body weight in fiber each day. When hay or pasture doesn’t provide enough energy, you can build a healthier feeding program for your starch/sugar sensitive horse by mixing additional fiber sources, such as beet pulp (molasses-free) and soybean hulls, into the concentrate portion of the diet. This helps you limit the amount of starch and sugar you have to feed.

Fiber reduces the risk of digestive upset.

The hindgut plays a significant role in your horse’s health and well-being. The hindgut houses billions of microbes that digest all the fiber our horses consume. The sources of fiber a horse eats can alter the hindgut’s microbial population, for better or worse. Inadequate amounts of fiber stress the hindgut, making it susceptible to a proliferation of bad microbes, leading to digestive upset. Adding alternate fiber sources, such as beet pulp and soybean hulls, provides significant quantities of fiber fractions that can change your horse’s hindgut population for the better. These types of fibers can provide significant amounts of growth factors for “good” bacteria that support a healthy gut. They also prevent the overgrowth of “bad” bacteria in his hindgut. “Bad” bacteria can cause problems such as hindgut acidosis and laminitis.

In addition to helping balance the hindgut, the inclusion of alternate fiber sources in the concentrate portion of the horse’s diet also decreases the amount of easily digested starches supplied by grains. Multiple research trials have demonstrated that when a portion of the starchy grain is replaced with a high-quality fiber source, parameters such as glycemic response are lowered. Controlling spikes in blood sugar can help maintain a healthier horse. Horses suffering from metabolic disorders benefit significantly from a slower and lower spike in blood sugar.

Limit the starches and sugars.

Simple sugars and starches are digested in the foregut (mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine). The resulting glucose is absorbed in the small intestine and used as instant energy. Because of limited enzyme availability and acid production, it is important to note that the foregut has a limited capacity for digesting sugars and starches. When large amounts are fed, the excess sugars and starches are passed into the hindgut (cecum and large intestine), where they can cause digestive upset or laminitis. Carefully controlling the amount of simple sugars and starches fed to sensitive horses is a key management consideration.

Where are simple sugars and starches found?

Plants produce sugars and starch to meet their own energy requirements. Plants store excess sugars and starches in seeds and other plant tissues. Grains, which are seeds of plants, are high in these types of carbohydrates.

Grains are a good way to increase calories in the diet, and when they are fortified, can provide a source of vitamins and minerals to your horse. The key is not to overdo it by providing large amounts of grain at one time. You can limit the amount of sugar and starch your horse is eating by keeping grain meals small. Nutritionists recommend feeding no more than 4 lbs of grain per meal. If your horse requires grain to maintain body condition, consider splitting the grain ration into several small meals throughout the day. Much will depend on how sensitive your horse is: some can’t tolerate any grain at all. An alternative source of low starch/sugar calories is fat. Fats are a very good source of energy for horses. They are easy to digest, don’t cause glucose spikes, and reduce the risk of imbalances in the hindgut. Fats are also energy-dense, providing 2.25 times as much energy as the same amount of carbohydrates, so you can reduce your horse’s meal size and lower the risk of grain overload.

Grass and hay also contain these simple carbohydrates, but not to the extent of plain grains and grain concentrates. The content of simple sugars and starches in grasses can vary, depending on growth stage and seasonal temperatures. Hay, once baled, contains about 4% to 5% less starch and sugar than fresh grass. Have your hay tested for sugar content and choose hays with lower amounts of sugar. Soaking hay can leach out sugars, so just don’t let your horse drink the water the hay was soaked in!

Tips to provide adequate nutrition for starch/sugar sensitive horses:

Feed at least 1.5% to 2% of your horse’s body weight in fiber each day (15 to 20 lbs for a 1,000 lb horse). When necessary, choose a hay with a low sugar content.
Limit amounts of concentrates (sweet feed or pellets) that are high in starch/sugar. If necessary, cut them out completely.
Offer multiple small meals a day to keep nutrients consistently flowing through the digestive tract.
Provide a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement to fill in nutritional gaps when feeding no concentrates or less-than- recommended amounts.
Replace starch/sugar-laden concentrates with fibers, such as hay, beet pulp, and soybean hulls.
Restrict grazing on grasses rich in fructan (a type of sugar).
Support a balanced digestive tract by providing a complete digestive supplement with probiotics and prebiotics.
Supplement with natural vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids if grazing on green grass is limited.
When additional calories are needed, add a high-fat supplement.
When giving treats, feed carrots instead of sugary hard candies.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.

Preparing your feed room and hayloft for the winter

Becky — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:15:01 +0000

Here are five tips to make sure your feed room and hayloft are ready for winter.

1. Clean out your feed room.

A clean feed room will help to reduce feed losses due to insect and rodent damage. It will also give you more room to store and properly manage your feed, hay, and supplements.

Toss any feed or supplements that are out of date, moldy or that rodents or insects have damaged.
Clean up any spilled feed that may attract hungry rodents.
Inspect storage containers and bins to be sure they are clean and rodent-proof.
Remove nesting materials like old feedbags, papers, rags, etc., that mice and rats can turn into their winter homes.
Set out bait stations or traps to catch rodents as they move in for the winter.
Seal cracks in doors and windows to reduce cold drafts and moisture.

2. Stockpile concentrates (sweet feed and pellets).

There is nothing worse than running out of feed in the middle of a winter storm. Planning ahead and keeping enough feed on hand will reduce the number of times you have to venture to the feed store on treacherous roads, or beg your farm store to send a truck out in dangerous weather.

Calculate how much feed you need to last at least a week (two, if you live way out or frequently experience bad storms). Keep that amount on hand at all times.
Devise a storage system that makes it easy to rotate your feed so that you are always using up the older feed first. This will help reduce losses due to spoilage and ensure you are always feeding fresh feed.
Store bagged feed away from doors where snow drifts or blowing rain can soak bags and ruin feed.
Store bagged feed off the ground on pallets to them protect from moisture.
Clean under your pallets regularly to reduce rodent infestation.

3. Fill your hayloft with good quality fiber.

The best way to keep your horse warm in the cold weather is to offer him or her plenty of good quality forage. Having an adequate supply stashed away for the winter is optimal, but if you can’t store enough to last the season, be sure you have a reliable source lined up so you don’t run out.

Clean out your hay storage area and discard any hay that is moldy or has been damaged by raccoons or possums. Spray or remove any bee or wasp nests you discover.
Store as much good quality hay as you can.
Test hay as it comes in so you know it’s nutritional value. Keep “same with same” and when changing from one load to the next, do so over 5 to 7 days.
When possible, store hay on pallets to increase air flow under your stacks. This will reduce molding due to lack of circulation and moisture buildup.
Keep bales out of direct sunlight that can leach out nutrients.
Secure doors and window to reduce moisture damage from blowing rain or snow.
Hay cubes or pellets can supply a portion of your horse’s fiber needs and can often be easier to source and store. If you are storing forage in bags, put them on pallets and protect them from moisture.
If you choose to supplement with cubes or pellets, introduce them slowly into your horse’s diet over 7 to 10 days.

4. Take a supplement inventory.

What supplements do you need to maintain your horse during the winter? Some horses require additional vitamins and minerals when pasture grasses are no longer available. Other horses need additional energy and digestive support during cold winter months. Take an inventory and order what you need so you have it on hand when your horse needs it.

Check the expiration dates on the supplements you have on hand. Discard all expired supplements.
Be sure you have the appropriate scoop for each supplement. If you are missing a scoop, contact the supplement company for a replacement.
Make sure supplement lids are clean and closed tightly to protect freshness.
Be sure to keep at least a 2-week supply of each supplement on hand at all times so you don’t run out at inopportune times.
Review storage instructions on supplements, especially liquids. When necessary, protect them from freezing temperatures.
Store supplements off the ground, on shelves or pallets, to reduce exposure to dirt and moisture.
If a supplement container isn’t rodent-proof, then put it in a container that is. Mice and rats like supplements too!
Don’t store supplements in direct sunlight or in your vehicle.

5. Protect medications.

We all have an assortment of equine medications in our feed rooms. You are not going to have a good day when you reach for a medication only to find it is expired or frozen. You also don’t want to run out at a crucial time. Inclement weather can stress horses and cause an uptick in injuries and illness, so be prepared!

Review all your medications and toss those that are expired or damaged.
Replace the medications you need and keep a reasonable supply on hand.
Read storage directions and follow them. Some medications may need to be stored in a climate-controlled area or refrigerator.
Don’t store medications in direct sunlight or in your vehicle.

Keeping horses healthy in cold winter weather is always challenging. A little smart planning can ease the stress to both you and your horse.

Do you have additional tips you would like to share? We would love to hear them. Simply post them below!

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Equi-Jewel, a high-fat, heat-stabilized rice bran; excellent source of safe calories that support proper muscle function, and by EndurExtra, a concentrated source of calories from fat with additional antioxidants and digestive aids.

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Building a strong immune system in mares and foals

Becky — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:50:25 +0000

Natural vitamin E supplementation of broodmares during late gestation and early lactation can give foals a leg up in building a strong immune system. Researchers have recently investigated the value of vitamin E in mares. When supplemented with vitamin E, mares show increased passive transfer of antibodies to foals, which ensures the strength of the neonatal immune system. Foals that do not consume enough colostrum or receive only poor-quality colostrum often have failure of passive transfer (FPT), where an inadequate immunoglobulin intake can lead to illness and death.

In one study, pregnant mares were supplemented with 2,500 IU of water-soluble, natural vitamin E from the last month of pregnancy into the first few days of lactation. Bondo and Jensen (2010) reported mares supplemented with the water-soluble, natural vitamin E had higher levels of vitamin E, IgG and IgM in their colostrums and milk. Subsequently, higher blood levels of IgM and vitamin E were reported in the foals of the supplemented mares.

Providing natural vitamin E to pregnant mares will reduce the incidence of failure of passive transfer and will offer the foal an opportunity to receive more antibodies during the critical first moments of life, promoting a healthier immune system.

Source matters.

Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin E

There are physiological differences in the absorption, utilization, and tissue retention between synthetic and natural vitamin E. In fact, the body preferentially transports and incorporates natural vitamin E into tissues. Current research in several species, including horses, shows that natural vitamin E is two to three times more potent than synthetic.

Many feeds and supplements contain synthetic vitamin E which is noted in the ingredient list as dl-alpha-tocopherol or “vitamin E supplement.” When supplementing with vitamin E, be sure you choose a natural vitamin. When reviewing the ingredient listing on your feed or supplement, look for the little “d” in front of the name: d-alpha-tocopherol. It may be written out as “natural vitamin E.”

Kentucky Performance Products, LLC offers two natural vitamin E products to choose from: Elevate W.S. and Elevate Maintenance Powder.

Elevate W.S.’s unique formula is the most bioavailable source of natural vitamin E on the market today. Developed to increase circulating blood levels quickly, Elevate W.S. has become the product of choice for veterinarians managing horses and foals with neurological and muscular disorders, compromised immune response, or low fertility rate. Elevate W.S. begins raising blood vitamin E levels within 3 days. Choose Elevate W.S. when a quick response is required.

Recommended Use Rates of Elevate W.S.

Stallions (breeding season)	6-10 ml/day (3,000-5,000 IU/day)
Mares (late gestation and early lactation)	6 ml/day(3,000 IU/day)
Mares (maintenance)	2-4 ml/day (1,000-2,000 IU/day)
Foals	6 ml/day (3,000 IU/day)

Elevate Maintenance Powder was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E in an easy-to-feed form for long-term supplementation. As with water soluble vitamin E, it supports a strong immune system in mare and foals. Elevate Maintenance Powder begins to raise vitamin E levels in the blood in a matter of weeks. Choose Elevate Maintenance Powder as a follow-up to Elevate W.S. or when a slow, steady increase in vitamin E levels is appropriate.

Recommended Use Rates of Elevate Maintenance Powder

Type of Horse	IU per day	Scoops/Day
Maintenance	1,000	1
Stalled horses or horses maintained on poor pasture	1,000-2,000	1-2
Intense training	3,000-5,000	3-5
Pregnant and lactating mares	3,000	3
Foals	3,000	3
Stallions	3,000	3
*For daily levels above 5,000 IU, consult with your veterinarian.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

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Managing RER (a form of tying-up) with dietary changes

Becky — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:59:11 +0000

“Tying-up” is one of the more common muscle disorders found in horses. In fact, we now know that there are several forms of tying-up and that RER or recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis is just one of them (another one is PSSM, but more on that in another article).

Horses suffering from RER are unable to properly regulate the calcium ions that control normal muscle contraction and relaxation. When a horse has an episode of RER, the gluteal muscles “tie-up” or become hard. The horse becomes stiff and movement becomes painful. Horses often refuse to walk and will sweat profusely. The exact causes of RER are unclear and still under investigation, but what is understood thus far is that dietary deficiencies, exercise, high grain diets and/or excitement triggers the problem.

Horses suffering from RER are generally racehorses or event horses and can be a variety of breeds, including Thoroughbred, Arabian, or Standardbred. Research at the University of Minnesota Equine Center has revealed that horses may inherit a predisposition to RER; however, the condition may not become obvious unless the horse is exposed to the appropriate stress factors. Measuring protein levels in the blood and looking at muscle biopsies are some of the tools used to diagnose RER. The results of these tests coupled with a history of tying-up and other clinical findings confirm the presence of the disorder.

Managing horses suffering from muscle disorders requires simple but thoughtful changes to their daily nutrition. Good quality fiber should be the basis of the diet. Horses struggling with RER do better on grass or oat hay. If alfalfa is fed then it should be mixed with grass or oat hay. Feeding grains and feedstuffs high in sugar or starch can lead to a spike in blood glucose that triggers excitability and nervous activity in many horses. Fat supplements like rice bran and fermentable fiber such as beet pulp provide a source of low starch/sugar energy. Therefore, offering RER horses feeds that minimize the glucose spike and reduce the degree of excitability may prevent or decrease the occurrences of tying-up and muscle damage.

Additional vitamin E and selenium are beneficial to the RER horse; however, selenium can be toxic if overfed. Most commercial feeds and vitamin/mineral supplements already contain some selenium. It is vital that you know how much selenium is in your horse’s current diet before you add more. Work with your veterinarian or nutritionist to determine the appropriate selenium level for your horse and adjust his/her diet accordingly.

On the other hand, vitamin E can be fed at levels as high as 10,000 IU per day for horses suffering from neurological and muscular diseases. Nutritionists recommend 3,000 IU to 5,000 IU of natural vitamin E be provided daily to hardworking horses. When muscle issues arise the levels prescribed by your veterinarian can be higher. Hay and other dried fiber sources do not contain much vitamin E. Commercial feeds might provide some vitamin E, but typically only maintenance amounts or less. Supplements contain varying levels of vitamin E and some may mix vitamin E with other vitamins or minerals. When feeding vitamin E levels above maintenance (1,000 IU to 2,000 IU per day) it is probably best to pick a plain natural vitamin E supplement. This reduces the risk of over-feeding other nutrients that might be found in a “combo” supplement.

If the feed or supplement you use contains vitamin E make sure it is “natural vitamin E” (listed as d-alpha-tocopherol or natural vitamin E) not synthetic vitamin E (listed as dl-alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E supplement). Synthetic vitamin E is petroleum-based and not readily absorbed by the horse, while natural vitamin E is plant-based and more easily absorbed and retained in the tissues. Work with your veterinarian to determine the level of vitamin E needed to suit your horse’s situation.

RER horses should always have free-choice access to a block salt, or you can provide 1 to 3 tablespoons of iodized salt per day in the feed. When your horse is working hard enough to sweat, a balanced electrolyte should be provided. As with all horses, a continuous supply of fresh, clean water is essential.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Equi-Jewel, a high-fat, heat-stabilized rice bran; an excellent source of safe calories that support proper muscle function.

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Natural vitamin E supplement recommended for breeding stallions

Becky — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:36:03 +0000

Don’t wait until you are in the middle of breeding season to support optimal fertility in your breeding stallion. Subfertility and infertility in stallions are usually caused by abnormal sperm production or function.

One major source of these problems is oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which are potentially damaging byproducts of the body’s metabolism. Studies have implicated free radicals in numerous equine disease states, including arthritis, connective tissue disorders, aging, infection, and inflammation. More recent studies indicate that free radicals might damage spermatozoa, rendering them incapable of fertilizing eggs.

Because equine spermatozoa membranes are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, they are extremely vulnerable to damage caused by free radicals. How does this affect stallions? Under everyday conditions, a stallion’s antioxidant defense mechanism can sufficiently fend off free radical attacks on reproductive tissues, keeping immature and mature spermatozoa safe. During stressful periods, however, the body’s normal defenses are compromised and are unlikely to be strong enough to thwart free radical damage, leading to oxidative stress.

Breeding season is invariably a stressful time for most stallions, both physically and psychologically. As the pressures of the breeding season escalate, fertility often plummets due to oxidative stress. To counteract the effects of oxidative stress, fortification of the antioxidant defense is vital. One way to do this is by supplementing breeding stallions with a natural vitamin E such as Elevate.

Vitamin E is the most powerful antioxidant in the body. When a stallion maintains optimal levels of circulating vitamin E, he is better able to handle the stressful effects of breeding season. Spermatozoa that are being cooled or frozen and shipped are also under stress. In these circumstances research has shown that stallions supplemented with vitamin E produce sperm that withstand freezing and cooling better.

Not all vitamin E is the same. The natural vitamin E in Elevate is more highly bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E and is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Nutritionists recommend supplementing stallions with 3,000 to 5,000 IU of natural vitamin E daily. Vitamin E should be started 30 days prior to the beginning of the breeding season for stallions with access to fresh pasture. Stallions that are grazing on dormant winter pastures should begin supplementation when green grass goes dormant. If no pasture is available, year-round supplementation is suggested.

Q U I C K T I P:

The reproductive terms subfertile and infertile are not synonyms. Subfertility is defined as reduced fertility, and infertility implies sterility.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

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Choosing supplements for senior horses that have trouble maintaining weight

Becky — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:56:19 +0000

Horses 18 years of age and older are considered geriatric or senior horses. Some horses, like some humans, age more gracefully than others. Frequently, older horses struggle to maintain a healthy body weight.

The reduced ability to absorb nutrients from the diet

As horses age, the wear and tear of a lifetime of exposure to parasites and other damaging events negatively affect the efficiency of their gastrointestinal tract. Even horses on stringent deworming schedules can have some damage from parasites. Combine that with worn teeth and aging digestive tissues, and you have a horse that can no longer maintain his or her weight. In this case, addressing dental problems, maintaining healthy digestive tract tissues, and adding easy-to-digest, energy-dense calories to the diet are your goal.

First things first

If your horse starts to lose weight, it is best to call your veterinarian and arrange for a complete physical to rule out any medical conditions that need to be addressed. Have your equine dentist or veterinarian check your horse’s teeth and remedy any issues that affect his ability to chew food properly. If dental issues are severe, you may need to incorporate easy-to-chew feedstuffs into the diet.

Fiber, the foundation of your horse’s diet

If your horse has a dental problem that makes chewing hay difficult, you can provide fiber alternatives such as chopped hay, soaked hay cubes, or pellets. Including additional easy-to-digest fiber sources like beet pulp and soybean hulls will improve the health of your horse’s digestive tract and add energy to the diet. These ingredients are often found in good quality senior feeds. Beware of “high fiber” feeds that include rice hulls, oat hulls, peanut hulls, or cottonseed hulls, as these sources of fiber are indigestible and will not add calories. Your horse’s digestive tract requires a certain amount of “long” fiber to remain healthy, so continue to offer good quality hay. Less mature cuttings should be easier to chew. Fresh pasture is ideal, if available, for horses that can still graze.

Concentrated energy

Offering energy-dense feed sources is an excellent strategy to help put and keep weight on an older horse. Supplements containing high-fat stabilized rice bran that have a balanced Ca:P ratio (Equi-Jewel is a good example) are ideal for adding calories to the diet without the risk of mineral imbalances or grain overload. Rice bran is rich in fat, which provides 2.25 times as much energy as grains. Rice bran supplements can help reduce the amount of sugar and starch in the diet. Blended fat supplements, (EndurExtra, for example) supply a mix of fats that provide additional benefits. For instance, fat from flax adds valuable omega-3 fatty acids to the diet. Blended fats can often be fed in relatively small amounts because they contain higher fat levels and are packed with much-needed calories. A good quality commercial feed offered at recommended levels and supplemented with a high-fat product reduces the risk of colic, laminitis, and metabolic syndrome, while still supplying adequate energy, vitamin, and mineral support.

Digestive tract support

Supplements that provide a combination of stomach protection and ingredients that support healthy GI tract tissues and microbial populations—the way Neigh-Lox Advanced does— enhance the digestibility of the entire diet and stimulate the appetite. This translates into better “gas mileage” from each pound of feed your horse consumes. A healthy population of microbes in the horse’s gut synthesize vitamins more efficiently and digest fiber more effectively. Keeping the level of inflammation in the digestive tract low and nourishing the GI tract tissues go a long way toward reducing the incidence of colic, diarrhea, and laminitis that can plague older horses.

Additional nutrients that support healthy systems

Older horses than don’t have long-term, daily access to fresh green grass (because it isn’t available or they can’t tolerate it) will need additional natural vitamin E, such as Elevate Maintenance Powder. Vitamin E is quickly leached out of grass when it is cut for hay. Most concentrates contain insufficient levels of natural vitamin E or they contain synthetic vitamin E which is poorly absorbed. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports normal nerve and muscle function and plays a role in a strong immune system.

Many equine diets are lacking in omega-3 fatty acids. Older horses benefit from omega-3s because they support lower levels of inflammation throughout the body. A well-balanced omgea-3 fatty acid supplement (Contribute) will help maintain healthier systems so seniors feel better overall.

Living longer with improved management

Due to improved management, medical care and nutrition, horses are living longer. Properly accessing and managing the challenges facing your senior horse can increase both the length and quality of his or her life.

Article written by KPP staff.

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Vitamin E and the Performance Horse – A Winning Combination

Becky — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:29:34 +0000

Vitamin E is essential for the performance horse

Vitamin E, the major lipid-soluble antioxidant defense in cells, plays an important role in preserving cell membrane integrity. It also helps maintain normal muscle function, prevent muscular disease, and protect enzymes and other intracellular components from oxidation-induced damage.

Vitamin E interrupts the production of harmful free radicals at the initial stage of peroxidative damage. The more active the cell (skeletal and involuntary muscle cells), the greater the risk of tissue damage if vitamin E stores are insufficient. Exercise-induced muscle damage is a common problem in performance horses. If vitamin E levels in muscle tissue are inadequate, the risk of exercise-induced muscle damage is increased.

Evaluation of exercise-induced muscle damage in the horse

Plasma enzyme activity, specifically that of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), is used as an indicator of muscle damage during exercise. In addition to enzyme activity, various assays are employed to assess oxidative stress by measuring free radical markers. When a fatty acid is peroxidized, it is broken down into aldehydes, which are eventually excreted. Aldehydes such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) are widely accepted as general markers of free radical production.

A case for vitamin E supplementation in the performance horse

A study by McMeniman and Hintz (1992) reported TBARS increased with exercise in all horses, but even more so in horses with low plasma vitamin E. This suggests that horses with inadequate access to vitamin E will have lower tolerance to exercise.

Recent work conducted at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University showed that a higher vitamin E intake is associated with less oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant status in horses throughout an endurance ride (Williams, 2003). The research team found that horses undergoing heavy exercise would have improved welfare and possibly performance if they were supplemented with vitamin E.

Hoffman and coworkers (2001) researched the effects of supplemental vitamin E on nutritional and oxidative status of polo ponies, equine athletes subjected to short bursts of intense work. Based on blood values taken throughout exercise tests that simulated polo play, the horses benefited from consumption of supplemental vitamin E, especially late in the competitive season when overtraining may have been an issue.

Natural vs. synthetic vitamin E

The most common source of vitamin E used in animal feeds is synthetic dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Made from petrochemicals, synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) is not as biologically potent as natural vitamin E. An alternative, natural form of stable vitamin E is d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. There are physiological differences in the absorption, utilization, and tissue retention of synthetic and natural vitamin E. In fact, the body preferentially transports and incorporates natural vitamin E. Current research in several species, including horses, shows that natural vitamin E is two to three times more potent than synthetic.

The bottom line

Performance horses are susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage. Research has shown decreased muscle enzyme activity and oxidative stress in performance horses supplemented with vitamin E. Until now, horse owners had no choice but to supplement with synthetic vitamin E. With the introduction of Elevate into the equine nutrition marketplace, there now is a more bioavailable alternative.

References

Hoffman, R. M., Morgan, K. L., Phillips, A., Dinger, J. E., Zinn, S. A., & Faustman, C. 2001. Dietary vitamin E and ascorbic acid influence nutritional status of exercising polo ponies. In: Proc. 17th Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society, Lexington, Kentucky. pp. 129-130.

McMeniman, N. P., & Hintz, H. F. 1992. Effect of vitamin E status on lipid peroxidation in exercised horses. Equine Vet. J. 24:482-484.

Williams, C. A., Kronfeld, D. S., Hess, T. M., Waldron, J. E., Saker, K. E., Hoffman, R. M., & Harris, P. A. 2003. Vitamin E intake and oxidative stress in endurance horses. In: Proc. 18th Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society, East Lansing, Michigan. pp. 134-135.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

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Influence of Source and Quantity of Supplemental Vitamin E on Equine Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid a-Tocopherol and Its Implication for Neurologic Diseases

Becky — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:01:34 +0000

Two studies were conducted at the University of California, Davis to measure effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-tocopherol levels.

The ﬁrst study was conducted to determine if there were differences in serum and CSF α-tocopherol levels between two groups of horses supplemented with two levels of vitamin E as water-soluble natural d-alpha-tocopherol. These results showed that daily administration of 10,000 IU of vitamin E, as water -soluble d-α-tocopherol, was able to cross the blood-brain barrier in healthy horses. This allowed for vitamin E to reach the target site, the brain and spinal cord, and be potentially beneﬁcial for horses with neurologic disease.

The second study was conducted to determine if there were differences in plasma and CSF α-tocopherol levels when horses were supplemented with natural versus synthetic vitamin E. It was concluded that vitamin E supplemented as water-soluble natural d-alpha-tocopherol was transferred across the blood-brain barrier more effectively than an equal IU quantity of synthetic vitamin E.

Read the full article here.

Article written by Ed Kane, PhD; Robert L. Stuart, PhD; and Nicola Pusterla, DMV, DMV Habil

Article sponsored by Elevate W.S.; fast-acting, water-soluble, natural vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant when you need to raise blood tocopherol (vitamin E) levels quickly, or when high dose administration is required.

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Ensure Reproductive Efficiency

Becky — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:36:21 +0000

Elevate® and the Breeding Horse

Vitamin E is an essential component of body-wide antioxidant defenses. These defenses play a vital role in ensuring healthy immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive function in the horse. As increased demands are placed on horses during breeding season, one can justify the added benefit of supplemental vitamin E to the mare, foal, and stallion.

Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin E

There are physiological differences in the absorption, utilization, and tissue retention between synthetic and natural vitamin E. In fact, the body preferentially transports and incorporates into tissues natural vitamin E. Current research in several species, including horses, shows that natural vitamin E is two to three times more potent than synthetic.

Natural Vitamin E, Two Options to Choose From

The Elevate family of products was developed to meet your horse’s

individual needs. Elevate W.S. liquid can raise your horse’s vitamin E status to the desired level quickly and efficiently. The new Elevate Maintenance Powder ensures, in an easy-to-feed and affordable manner, that vitamin E levels remain where you need them to be. Elevate W.S. is sold through veterinarians only. Elevate Maintenance Powder is available at retail stores in your area or in our online store.

Water-Soluble Vitamin E is Most Effective

The vitamin E in Elevate W.S. is water soluble, which allows it to be absorbed efficiently from the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this rapid absorption, vitamin E is readily dispersed into the blood and to outlying tissues. When other forms of vitamin E are fed (e.g., oil-based or emulsified forms), the digestive system must break down the vitamin E before it can be used, thus delaying absorption.

Assessment of vitamin E status is accomplished by measuring levels in plasma. Kentucky Equine Research compared the vitamin E levels of horses consuming three types of vitamin E: synthetic vitamin E acetate, natural vitamin E acetate, and natural, water-soluble vitamin E. Dramatic increases were noted in horses fed natural, water-soluble vitamin E. From baseline values, blood levels rose an astonishing 207% when horses were given 8,000 IU. This study also showed that plasma levels fell slightly when horses were fed synthetic vitamin E.

Elevate® for the Broodmare and Foal

Researchers have recently investigated the value of vitamin E in mares. When supplemented with vitamin E, mares show increased passive transfer of antibodies to foals, which ensures the strength of the neonatal immune system. Foals that do not consume enough colostrum or receive only poor-quality colostrum often have failure of passive transfer, where an inadequate immunoglobulin intake can lead to sickness and death.

In a study conducted at the University of Connecticut, scientists showed an advantage of feeding vitamin E to late pregnant and early lactating mares. Serum and colostrum antibodies were greater in mares that received higher levels of vitamin E. After nursing, the foals from mares fed more vitamin E had higher serum levels of antibodies, which was reflective of their dams’ colostrum.

According to a study, mares supplemented with Elevate W.S. before foaling exhibited higher vitamin E levels, as did their foals, at 12 to 36 hours after birth. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin E supplementation may boost fertility in mares. Supplementation will increase circulating levels of vitamin E and may positively affect fertility, especially in mares with reduced uterine defense mechanisms.

A similar study in Sweden showed that gestating mares supplemented with 1,500 IU of water-soluble natural vitamin E per day for 21 days before foaling had higher plasma alpha-tocopherol at foaling. Foals from these mares had higher vitamin E status at 12 to 36 hours after birth. The higher plasma tocopherol levels in foals nursing supplemented mares was attributed to higher colostrum transfer of vitamin E.

Elevate® for the Stallion

Vitamin E has been linked with increased libido and semen quality in stallions. In addition to these characteristics, one of the most important functions of vitamin E in stallions is cell membrane protection. The lipids in cell membranes are vulnerable to attack from harmful compounds known as free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced in the mitochondria of cells. The body’s defense mechanisms against free radicals and ROS are enzymes and nutrients referred to as antioxidants. Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, reacts with free radicals and ROS to protect cell membranes.

Research has suggested that fatty acids in sperm cell membranes are crucial to fertilizing capacity, so the nutrients that protect the fatty acids are just as important. Sperm motility is commonly used as an indicator of oxidative stress. Practices such as chilling, freezing, and shipping semen increase oxidative stress.

Under normal conditions, sufficient vitamin E is found in fresh forages and feeds. However, breeding places increased nutritional demands on the stallion and vitamin E requirements may not be met by common feeding practices. During the breeding season, supplemental vitamin E provides the stallion with higher circulating levels of antioxidants, thus creating an environment for sperm to remain strong and viable.

Increasing Line of Defense

Research has shown the benefits of supplemental vitamin E for the mare, foal, and stallion. With the introduction of Elevate to the equine marketplace, breeding farms now have the opportunity to provide the most bioavailable form of vitamin E to increase antioxidant protection and ensure maximal reproductive performance.

Recommended Use Rates of Elevate W.S.

Stallions (breeding season)	6-10 ml/day (3,000-5,000 IU/day)
Mares (late gestation and early lactation)	6 ml/day(3,000 IU/day)
Mares (maintenance)	2-4 ml/day (1,000-2,000 IU/day)
Foals	6 ml/day (3,000 IU/day)

Recommended Use Rates of Elevate Maintenance Powder

Type of Horse	IU per day	Scoops/Day
Maintenance	1,000	1
Stalled horses or horses maintained on poor pasture	1,000-2,000	1-2
Intense training	3,000-5,000	3-5
Pregnant and lactating mares	3,000	3
Foals	3,000	3
Stallions	3,000	3
*For daily levels above 5,000 IU, consult with your veterinarian.

References:

Hoffman, R.M., Morgan, K.L., Lynch, M.P., Zinn, S.A., Faustman, C., & Harris, P.A. Dietary vitamin E supplementation in the periparturient period influences immunoglobulins in equine colostrum and passive transfer in foals. Proceedings of the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Symposium, June 2-5, 1999, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Article written by KPP staff.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Think “E” for Excellent Nutrition

Becky — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:35:41 +0000

Vitamins are often clumped together as a single entity, and the contributions of individual ones are sometimes overlooked. In recent years, scientists have been taking a closer look at vitamin E. Though the nutrient was first discovered more than 80 years ago, the scientific community continues to find new uses for this much-heralded vitamin.

The far-reaching effects of vitamin E in equine nutrition are well known. Vitamin E plays imperative roles in immune, cardiovascular, circulatory, neuromuscular, and reproductive functions.

All Vitamin E Created Equal?

The vitamin E family is extensive. Eight compounds have been identified; they are categorized as either tocopherols or tocotrienols. Fresh forages and grains consumed by horses usually include the eight compounds in sufficient quantities to maintain health; supplements, however, typically contain just one, alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol is the most familiar of the octet because of its abundance in the horse’s body.

Natural and synthetic alpha-tocopherol are not molecularly identical. Each molecule in natural vitamin E is alike, whereas synthetic vitamin E contains a mixture of eight molecules. Only one of these is identical to the natural form. The other seven do not exist in nature and thus are purely man-made.

Natural alpha-tocopherol is extracted from a byproduct of vegetable oil processing. One of the final steps of refining food-grade vegetable oil is deodorization, a process that strips the oil of undesirable flavors. The byproduct, called deodorizer distillate, is collected from soy oil, corn oil, and canola oil purification procedures. The amount of natural alpha-tocopherol harvested from distillates depends largely on the raw product.

A Superior Source

Aside from structural differences, there is a disparity in the potency of natural and synthetic alpha-tocopherol. Natural forms of alpha-tocopherol have superior bioavailability, being more highly digestible and preferentially metabolized by horses. Moreover, natural alpha-tocopherol is retained in tissues for longer periods of time, creating a reservoir that allows it to be instantly available when horses need it most, namely in times of stress or during periods of confinement.

How does a savvy shopper differentiate between natural and synthetic alpha-tocopherol when looking at the labels of nutritional supplements? Natural alpha tocopherol is designated by a d (d-alpha-tocopherol) on labels, and synthetic is designated by a dl (dl-alpha-tocopherol). In some instances, a product may not have a designation. If this is the case, assume that the alpha tocopherol therein is synthetic. Because natural alpha-tocopherol is more expensive than synthetic, manufacturers will usually tout the inclusion of natural alpha-tocopherol on the packaging.

If natural alpha-tocopherol is superior to synthetic, why would manufacturers bother with the latter? Supply and demand dictate the production of natural alpha-tocoperol; there is only so much deodorizer distillate from which to extract the product. No such constraints surround synthetic alpha-tocopherol production.

Water-Soluble Is Best

Vitamin E supplementation is of little value if the nutrient is not transferred efficiently from the gastrointestinal tract to the target organs. Most vitamin E supplements are powders or granules that are top-dressed onto grain meals. When issued in this way, the gastrointestinal tract must first break down the vitamin E before it can be absorbed and carried by the bloodstream to its final destination. Absorption can be accelerated if a water-soluble product is used.

For Which Horses?

Because of vitamin E’s influence on nearly all body processes, horses of all ages can benefit from supplementation, particularly if they do not have regular access to fresh pasture.

HORSES AT MAINTENANCE

Vitamin E supplementation is essential for horses that are not allowed to graze. The vitamin E content of dried forages such as hay is severely diminished, with forages often losing 75% or more of their vitamin content upon harvesting and storing. Therefore, supplementation with vitamin E is most crucial during the winter when horses are fed diets almost exclusively composed of preserved forages. Inadequate fortification of textured feeds or the feeding of straight grains (oats, for example) may also contribute to vitamin E deprivation.

Supplementation may be indicated year-round for racehorses and show horses that are confined to stalls.

PERFORMANCE HORSES

Vitamin E is an essential component to body-wide antioxidant defenses, with one of its most important duties being cell membrane maintenance. Cell membranes are composed largely of unsaturated lipids and are therefore vulnerable to assault by free radicals, compounds that can irreparably damage cell membranes.

As athletic effort increases, free radical production flourishes and natural stores of antioxidants have difficulty providing sufficient protection against the flood of free radicals generated. Supplementation is therefore necessary to help ward off the ill effects of mass-produced free radicals associated with intense exercise. Horses with an inadequate reserve of vitamin E may experience muscle soreness or stiffness during an exercise bout and prolonged recovery following strenuous work.

BROODMARES AND FOALS

Recent research has lauded the use of vitamin E on breeding farms. Mares supplemented with vitamin E have shown increased passive transfer of antibodies to foals, which ensures the strength of the neonatal immune system. Failure of passive transfer leaves foals susceptible to septicemia and bacterial infections. In a study conducted at the University of Connecticut, researchers found that mares supplemented with vitamin E had higher antibody concentrations in blood and colostrum than control mares. The concentrations of foals reflected those of their dams, with foals from supplemented mares having increased levels of antibodies.

There is also increasing evidence that vitamin E supplementation may increase fertility in mares. Due to modern management practices, including winter breeding dates, mares may not be receiving adequate vitamin E nutrition through rations composed solely of hay and grain. Supplementation will increase circulating levels of vitamin E and may positively affect fertility.

In addition, in some areas of the United States vitamin E is customarily given to all newborn foals to stave off white muscle disease, a serious malady caused by deficiencies of vitamin E and/or selenium.

HORSES WITH NEUROLOGICAL AND MUSCULAR DISEASE

Over the past several years, researchers have been studying the effectiveness of megadoses of vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases such as equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM), equine motor neuron disease (EMND), and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).

EDM affects the brain stem and spinal cord. The disease occurs principally in young horses, and the primary sign is progressive ataxia or incoordination. Researchers have determined that EDM is not a congenital disease, though a horse may have a genetic predisposition to it.

Scientists linked vitamin E deficiency with EDM more than a decade ago. Of particular interest is research conducted at the University of Florida, where scientists worked with EDM-affected get of two Standardbred stallions. The mares bred to these stallions and the resulting foals were given 1,500 IU of vitamin E per day. A year after supplementation began, only 10% of the foals were affected. Further offspring of the stallion were not diseased.

Cornell University first identified EMND. Although the cause of the syndrome is unknown, a commonality among affected horses is reduced exposure to green grass for more than a year and availability of poor-quality hay during that time. Dramatic clinical improvement was documented in horses that were allowed unrestricted access to lush pasture and vitamin E supplementation. Vitamin E is often prescribed for horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), to be used concomitantly with antiprotozoal medications. It’s not unusual, for instance, for horses to be supplemented with up to 8,000 IU of vitamin E per day during convalescence.

Article written by KPP staff.

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