Macro & Micro Minerals
Certain types of horses are at higher risk of developing vitamin deficiencies than others. It may be because they are unable to eat adequate amounts of fortified concentrates or consume enough green grass. Sometimes age plays a role too. At-risk horses will benefit from a balanced, low-calorie vitamin and mineral supplement. Who is at risk? Easy keepers eating a handful or two of grain a day and/or those on restricted pasture Horses and ponies in... Read More »
Category : Macro & Micro Minerals | Tips and Topics | Valuable Nutrients
Selenium is an essential trace mineral. It is necessary to maintain good health but is needed only in small amounts. Selenium naturally occurs in the soil and is absorbed by both the forages and grains we feed to our horses. Since the selenium content of soils varies around the world, feeds grown in different areas will contain different selenium levels. In the U.S., for example, the northwest, southeast and Great Lakes areas are known to be... Read More »
Category : Macro & Micro Minerals | Nutritional Minutes | Tips and Topics
FDA sets safe level for average horse The FDA has set a daily recommended level of selenium for an “average” horse at a total of 3 mg per day. This is a very safe level of selenium consumption and well below the maximum tolerable or poisonous limits. (See Nutritional Minute, Part I – Selenium.) When determining if your horse’s diet contains adequate selenium, you can use this average as a good reference point but since each horse is an... Read More »
Category : Macro & Micro Minerals | Nutritional Minutes | Tips and Topics
Minerals are inorganic compounds that serve both as components in body tissue and as catalysts for various body processes. They play a critical role in a horse’s health and well-being. Minerals are broken down into two categories: macrominerals and microminerals. Macrominerals are those required by the horse in larger quantities. They are measured in the diet in grams per kilogram (g/kg). Microminerals are required in smaller quantities and are... Read More »
Category : Macro & Micro Minerals | Nutritional Minutes | Tips and Topics
Minerals are inorganic compounds that serve both as components in body tissue and as catalysts for various body processes. Calcium and phosphorus are perhaps the most recognizable macrominerals. As with all minerals, they are vital to your horse’s well-being. Calcium (Ca): Makes up 35% of bone structure Supports proper muscle contractions Plays a role in blood clotting Phosphorus (P): Makes up 14% to 17% of bone structure Supports... Read More »
Category : Macro & Micro Minerals | Nutritional Minutes | Tips and Topics
