Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system and helps neutralize free radicals, which are damaging byproducts of normal cellular activity. It's considered an essential nutrient because horses cannot synthesize it themselves. While fresh grass naturally supplies Vitamin E, its concentration decreases as plants mature, and its potency declines rapidly once forages are harvested and dried. In fact, between 30% and 80% of Vitamin E activity is lost between cutting and baling forage, with further losses occurring during storage.
Research indicates that horses are not efficient at storing Vitamin E. Deficiencies are often observed in horses that do not have continuous access to fresh green grass, as well as those grazing on winter pasture.
Certain horses have an increased need for higher levels of Vitamin E in their diets due to elevated oxidative stress. This includes performance horses, those with heavy workloads, growing horses, pregnant mares, senior horses, and sick horses.
Researchers are continuing to examine the role of vitamin E in horse health. Linda L. Blythe, DVM, PhD says: “Our research shows you need about 2,000 IU a day to prevent neurologic dysfunction and 6,000-9,000 IU a day for treating a disease process that damages the nervous system such as EPM, EMND, or EDM”
Uses:
- Foals or aged horses.
- Horses without access to green pastures/ on poor pasture or not allowed sufficient grazing time.
- Horses fed on hay or pelleted feed.
- Unwell or stressed horses, especially those with issues affecting the immune system.
- Broodmares in late gestation/Lactating mares.
- Horses in intense training or competition.
