Technical Issues: Vitamins and their functions in the horse
Indications:
Irrespective of the quality of the feed ration or environment, the
intake of essential dietary nutrients is likely to be deficient.
Supplementation is essential for both;
(a) optimum growth, development and reproduction
(b) to ensure maximum body function and athletic efficiency
Nutrient deficiencies in the horse, occur as a result of adverse growing conditions,
poor or depleted soils, the effects of sun and poor storage practices,
and even processing of finished feeds.
Stabled horses are particularly prone to nutrient deficiencies
(vitamins, minerals and trace elements), but paddocked, pregnant and
growing animals are all highly susceptible, depending on pasture and
feed quality, season, and environment.
Huge increases in daily requirements for essential nutrients are imposed
by hard work.
Racehorses in training and competition require supplementation simply to
meet the increased nutritional demands imposed by strenuous work, plus
the increased need for tissue repair and maintenance.
If any essential nutrient is not available at the time it is required,
all tissue repair, growth, energy production and performance cease until
the essential nutrient is obtained. In the case of performance
nutrition, prevention is better than cure.
Some essential nutrients are required on a daily basis.
The B group vitamins, for example, are water soluble and not stored in
the body. They must be taken in on a daily basis. If any of the B group
vitamins are deficient then energy production processes will suffer
significantly – a common cause of poor performance.
Other essential nutrients are critical components of structure and
function
Vitamin A is essential for all growth processes, including vision, bone
remodeling in growing horses, tendon strength, mucous membrane
integrity. Vitamin A is not manufactured by the horse – it must come
from the diet.
Vitamin D deficiency can occur in horses stabled for long periods with
little or no natural sunlight. A deficiency depresses calcium uptake,
leading to stiffness, lameness, weak bones and swollen joints.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which preserves cell membranes and
protects from free radical damage during work. It is also essential for
optimum fertility and breeding performance in mares and stallions.
Vitamin B1 is critically involved in carbohydrate metabolism to produce
energy. Heavy sweating and work increase the demands for Vitamin B1.
Required on a daily basis.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is also critical for energy production from
carbohydrates, growth, and efficient feed utilisation. Required on a
daily basis.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), in association with niacin, is critical for
energy production and blood cell formation. Required on a daily basis,
and often deficient in feeds.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is involved in protein, carbohydrate and
fat metabolism, as well as working in conjunction with folic acid to
maintain red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 contains the essential
mineral cobalt.
Niacin is another water soluble B group vitamin required on a daily
basis and used in metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and amino acids.
Pantothenic acid is a B group vitamin involved in carbohydrate, proteins
and fat conversion into energy. Cereal grains are deficient in this
vitamin, so it is essential when horses are fed high grain diets.
Folic acid is a B group vitamin which operates in conjunction with
Vitamin B12 in red blood cell formation.
Choline is a B group vitamin essential in building and maintaining cell
structures and in nerve impulse transmission. It is also critical to
normal liver function and in fat metabolism for energy.
Selenium works with Vitamin E as a potent antioxidant. A deficiency can
predispose horses to Tying Up. The chelated or organic form maximises
bioavailability and absorption of this trace mineral.
Copper is essential for bone development, joint cartilage, connective
tissue and the uptake and utilisation of iron. Mare’s milk is low in
copper and abnormal bone development can occur in deficient foals
Zinc is a mineral essential for normal bone, cartilage and hoof
development
Iodine can be deficient in late pregnant mares, and foals are either
born dead or too weak to stand and suckle.
Cobalt is critical for the formation of the oxygen carrying component of
red blood cells, and is an essential component of Vitamin B12 deficiency
results in anaemia.
Yeast provides fermentation products which are digestive enzymes for
optimum feed utilisation.
Summary
Supplementing with a scientifically formulated product complements a
well balanced diet by providing an adequate intake of essential
nutrients. Higher daily requirements for these essential nutrients are
found in horses subjected to the physical stress of hard racing and
training, especially under normal stable conditions where high grain
diets are normally fed and access to fresh green feed is often limited.
It also assists in providing adequate essential nutrients when diets may
be deficient in the essential nutrients required on a daily basis.
Supplementary vitamins and minerals are often required when absorption
is impaired, as with diarrhoea or gastrointestinal upset, and certain
liver conditions, while kidney conditions and lactation often cause
increased vitamin excretion.