Mad Barn Omneity P Pellets - 20 kg

The Philosophy Behind Omneity P

Omneity P has been thoughtfully crafted and perfected over many years to enhance equine nutrition on the basis of four key pillars:

Balance:

Absolute amounts of nutrients are important, but so is the ratio of those nutrients. Omneity P was formulated by a professional equine nutritionist. Using data from thousands of forage samples, Omneity P brings the majority of equine diets into balance and provides optimum, complete nutrition.

As Nature Intended:

Omneity P utilizes trace minerals in the same form they are found in nature: attached to amino acids or peptides. This means your horse is better able to assimilate these critical nutrients and there is less risk of digestive upset.

Unlike equine ration balancers that provide minerals in inorganic forms, Omneity P is guaranteed not to be contaminated with PCB’s and dioxins that can have a detrimental effect on your horse.

Simplicity:

Why not simplify your life and your horse’s nutrition program? In an analysis of over 200 horse diets, ranging from the pasture pet to high-performance athlete, over 95% were deficient in one or more critical nutrients. All were adequate in protein and energy, but deficient in trace minerals and vitamins.

If your feed room contains more than one mineral and vitamin supplement, look to the one product that will meet all of your needs – Omneity P.

Affordability:

Omneity P was designed by horse enthusiasts looking for a way to provide a complete mineral and vitamin solution with high-quality ingredients that did not break the bank. Our feed balancer pellets costs 40% less than the next leading competitor and a 20 kg bag of Omneity P will last 100 days.

Beware of lower-cost supplements, they often contain inferior ingredients or inadequate nutrient levels.

An All-In-One Nutritional Solution For Your Horse

Mad Barn’s Omneity P is a complete vitamin and mineral formula for your horse that has been expertly formulated to provide everything needed to balance a forage-only diet. No other mineral and vitamin supplements are needed if your equine companion is taking Omneity P daily.

Are you feeding less than 4 kg (9 lbs) of commercial complete feed per day? Omneity P may be required to balance the minerals and vitamins and prevent deficiencies in key nutrients.

You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program.

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Directions for use must be carefully followed. Feeding vitamins other than vitamins A, D, E, riboflavin, pyridoine and thiamine to horses may not have a beneficial effect.

12 months from date of manufacture.

CFIA Reg: 840136

 

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GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Contain added selenium at 12 mg/kg. No added iron. Per 200 gram serving
Nutrients		Values	Units	Per 200 G
Crude Protein	(min)	9	%	18	g
Lysine	(min)	19	% CP	3.3	g
Methionine	(min)	6	% CP	1	g
Threonine	(min)	7	% CP	1.3	g
Calcium	(act)	5.0	%	10	g
Phosphorus	(act)	2.8	%	5.6	g
Salt	(act)	7	%	14	g
Sodium	(act)	3.0	%	6	g
Magnesium	(act)	2.6	%	5.2	g
Potassium	(act)	0.5	%	1	g
Iron	(max)	590	mg/kg	118	mg
Selenium	(act)	12	mg/kg	2.4	mg
Zinc	(act)	2,400	mg/kg	480	mg
Copper	(act)	600	mg/kg	120	mg
Manganese	(act)	1,200	mg/kg	240	mg
Cobalt	(act)	19	mg/kg	3.8	mg
Iodine	(act)	24	mg/kg	4.8	mg
Vitamin A	(min)	145	KIU/kg	29	KIU
Vitamin D	(min)	35	KIU/kg	7	KIU
Vitamin E	(min)	4,900	IU/kg	980	IU
Menadione (K3)	(min)	5	mg/kg	1	mg
Thiamine	(min)	250	mg/kg	50	mg
Riboflavin	(min)	220	mg/kg	44	mg
Biotin	(min)	90	mg/kg	18	mg
Folic Acid	(min)	55	mg/kg	11	mg
Niacin	(min)	1,200	mg/kg	240	mg
Pantothetic Acid	(min)	360	mg/kg	72	mg
Pyridoxine	(min)	140	mg/kg	28	mg
Vitamin B12	(min)	825	ug/kg	165	ug
Choline	(min)	1,375	mg/kg	275	mg
Ascorbic Acid	(min)	1,650	mg/kg	330	mg
Fluorine	(max)	500	mg/kg	100	mg
Total Bacteria and Yeast	(min)	0.13	1x10^9 cfu/g	26	1x10^9 cfu
Total Enzyme Activity	(min)	100	U/kg	20	U

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Ingredients: Oat Hulls, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, Whey, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Yea-Sacc1026™, Bioplex Zinc™, Vitamin E, Biochrome™, Potassium Chloride, Sel-Plex™, Bioplex Manganese™, Lysine, Ascorbic Acid, Bioplex Copper™, Allzyme SSF™, Choline, Biotin, Niacin, Methionine, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Pyridoxine, Vitamin B12, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Menadione.

 

Allzyme® SSF

Allzyme® SSF is an enzyme complex supplement created by Alltech. It is produced using a technology called solid-state fermentation, which uses a fungus called Aspergillus niger to produce a combination of enzymes. Enzymes work directly in the gastrointestinal tract to help break down feed components. Allzyme® SSF, in particular, helps release greater amounts of sugar, starches, protein and fibre from feeds.

Digestibility studies involving different livestock species have proven Allzyme® SSF’s ability to increase feed efficiency to maximize feed potential.

In horses, supplemental enzymes may be an effective way to maximize nutrient release from feeds, reducing feed costs and increasing performance. In studies using horses, enzyme-supplemented diets increased the digestibility of all nutrients, especially fibre, and also improved fecal gas production. Allzyme® SSF has the potential to be especially beneficial for horses that have trouble holding weight, are prone to having digestive upsets, or lactating mares that need extra nutrients to support milk production.

Ascorbic Acid (VItamin C)

Ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin that assists in the regeneration of vitamin E, neutralizes free radical damage and is needed for the conversion of vitamin D3 to calcitriol. It is also a cofactor of hydroxylating enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine and norepinephrine.

Plants are an excellent source of ascorbic acid, especially green grass; however, hay contains almost none due to ascorbic acid’s oxidative instability. Grains are not at all high in ascorbic acid, however, the concentration increases exponentially upon sprouting.

Horses are able to produce up to 72 mg per day of ascorbic acid in the liver from glucose using the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase. Since horses can produce it endogenously, an ascorbic acid deficiency is very rare, however, some researchers believe that supplementation may be beneficial during hot weather, stressful periods, rapid growth, high-level performance and any interference with hepatic synthesis.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble B-vitamin that plays an important role as an enzymatic cofactor in metabolism. Most notably, biotin is involved in the enzymatic reactions that synthesize keratin, which is a component of skin, hair and hooves.

Horses are not capable of synthesizing biotin, and so it must be obtained from the diet. Outright deficiency is rare as biotin is found in most common feedstuffs. Dietary sources of biotin vary, with fresh pasture and alfalfa being the top sources, followed by oats, barley, soybean meal, corn and molasses.

Because it is present in such small quantities in most feedstuffs, the supplementation of biotin is recommended for horses, especially those with dry, cracked or brittle hooves, horses that pull shoes often or horses with chronic laminitis.

Adding biotin to a well-balanced diet can improve hoof health by producing strong keratin. Biotin supplementation has been shown to improve conditions such as brittle hoof horn and chipped hooves. In addition, it contributes to a healthy coat.

Research on the supplementation of pure biotin in equine diets has resulted in mostly positive results, mainly when looking at hoof growth rates, and it is widely advised that biotin be supplemented at 20 mg per day in order to see substantial improvements in hoof growth.

Calcium

Calcium is a macromineral with well described roles in bones and teeth development in horses. Calcium and phosphorus are usually discussed together because bones store them in a 2:1 ratio of calcium-to-phosphorus. This ratio should also be attained in the diet.

While most of the calcium found in the horse’s body is in bone tissue, this mineral is also involved in certain enzymatic functions, cell membrane function, muscle contractions and blood coagulation. Calcium ions mobilized from bone are also important for transmitting nerve impulses.

Young horses, growing horses, lactating mares and late-gestation broodmares all have higher calcium requirements than typical adult horses. Severe calcium deficiency in horses causing noticeable symptoms such as “big head” is less common today than in the past. However, deficiency may occur when horses consume certain subtropical grasses that are high in oxalate which restricts calcium absorption.

Choline

Choline is an important nutrient for nerve function, fat metabolism, liver health and for maintaining reproductive health. In addition to serving as a building block for cell membranes, choline is also a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which regulates motor movements and cognitive function.

This nutrient is closely related to the vitamin B family. It is a constituent of lecithin which is a type of fatty substance known as a phospholipid. Deficiency in choline is unlikely and it has an established Recommended Dietary Concentration of 50 mg/kg of dry matter intake.

Choline supplementation is recommended for horses to support neurological health and to promote normal liver function. It plays an essential role in fat metabolism in the liver and helps to prevent excess accumulation of lipids.

Chromium

Chromium is a micromineral that is widely used in horses with metabolic dysfunction because it has been shown to potentiate the effects of insulin. Mad Barn uses Biochrome in its supplements, which contains this mineral in the form of chromium polynicotinate. The chromium is surrounded by several niacin molecules which increase absorption.

Chromium helps horses maintain healthy blood glucose levels by increasing insulin’s ability to bind to its cellular receptor. This means that insulin can more effectively move glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells where it can serve as a source of energy.

Chromium supplementation has been shown to improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in horses. This is particularly important for overweight or obese horses who are at higher risk for insulin resistance. In addition, chromium helps regulate fat and protein metabolism and contributes to overall good metabolic health.

Chromium has also been shown to benefit performance horses by decreasing lactate levels during exercise.

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin with important roles in the nervous system, liver function, energy metabolism and red blood cell maturation. As a dietary supplement, it is sometimes given to horses to fight symptoms of fatigue and stress or to address digestive problems.

The horse needs cobalamin to ensure normal production of red blood cells in bone marrow, to maintain a healthy reproductive system and to support myelination of nerve pathways. Vitamin B12 is also involved in the metabolism of lipids (fats) and amino acids. This vitamin is said to improve physical stamina and to stimulate the appetite in horses.

Unlike other B-Complex vitamins, B12 is not produced naturally within plants and cannot be gained through the horse’s diet. Instead, it must be synthesized within the horse’s hindgut through bacterial fermentation from the mineral cobalt. While deficiency is rare, there may be times when providing additional Cobalamin by way of supplements can improve well-being.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a micromineral that is required within the horse’s hindgut to synthesize the vitamin cobalamin (Vitamin B12). Microbes present in the hindgut convert cobalt into its active form cyanocobalamin by way of fermentation.

Cyanocobalamin is required for red blood cell formation, protein synthesis, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, reproductive function, cardiovascular health and the methylation of homocysteine to methionine. Racehorses will sometimes supplement with additional sources of Cobalamin for a purported boost in athletic performance.

The essential trace mineral Cobalt is found naturally in horse feeds and there have not been any reported cases of deficiency. Signs of inadequate intake can include loss of appetite, anemia, poor growth, lethargy and other symptoms associated with low vitamin B12 consumption.

Some sources report that supplementation is necessary in regions where the soil does not naturally contain adequate amounts such as Florida, New England, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. As a supplement, it is commonly provided in the form of Vitamin B12 or cobalt carbonate and it has a Max Tolerable Level of 25 mg/kg total dietary concentration.

Copper

Copper is a micromineral that is required by the horse for proper nervous system function, antioxidant defense, cardiac function, bone development, cellular respiration, keratinization, tissue pigmentation and the formation of connective tissue. It is a catalytic co-factor for many important enzymes, meaning that it is required for these enzyme’s activity as a catalyst.

If copper levels are not adequate in the horse’s diet, it can lead to pigmentation abnormalities, sensitive skin, sluggishness, bone demineralization, osteoporosis, arthritis, liver problems, digestive problems, anemia, neutropenia, or leukopenia. Deficiency may be common in certain geographic regions where soil content is naturally low in copper.

Absorption of this mineral from the gastrointestinal tract is between 5 to 10% in adults and may be reduced during times of disease or if the horse is consuming a diet high in phytates or competing minerals. To increase levels, a highly bioavailable form of this mineral like Bioplex Copper (copper proteinate) is recommended.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Folic Acid (folate, Vitamin B9) is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in DNA synthesis, methionine production and cellular growth and development. It is particularly important for supporting cell turnover during periods of rapid growth such as fetal development, tissue repair and regeneration of cells lining the intestinal wall.

Folic acid is sometimes given to horses to improve hemoglobin levels because of its role in maintaining healthy red blood cells. Deficiency in folate can manifest as megaloblastic anemia, but this has only ever been reported in other species and not in horses.

Folic acid is generally supplied in adequate amounts in the horse’s diet, especially for animals on pasture or those with access to fresh forage, alfalfa, timothy hay and cereal grains. Horses fed hay tend to have lower levels of this vitamin in their blood.

Horses currently being treated with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine for EPM may require supplemental folic acid because these medications interfere with the absorption of this vitamin from the gastrointestinal tract.

Iodine

Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for normal thyroid function and metabolism in the horse. Iodine is require to synthesize the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which regulate metabolism in every cell in the body.

Horses that do not obtain enough of this mineral from their diet are at risk of developing goiter or an enlarged thyroid gland. Other signs of low iodine include hypothyroid symptoms such as hair loss or rough coat, flaky skin, retarded growth, muscle weakness, low temperature, lethargy and brittle hooves.

Iodine content in the diet varies across geographic regions depending on how much of this mineral is naturally found in the soil. The 2007 Nutrient Requirements of Horses guidelines published by the NRC stipulate that horses need at least 3.5-4.5 mg of dietary iodine per day, although some horses with heavy work loads or breeding or lactating mares may require more. Iodized salt blocks are typically used to supplement levels of this mineral in horses. Kelp and other seaweeds are also good sources.

Iron

Iron is a micro mineral that is primarily found in the horse’s body as a component of hemoglobin, which is the protein molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen. Low iron levels can contribute to fatigue, listlessness, heart palpitations and impaired immune function.

While this mineral is essential to the horse’s diet, it is not recommended to supplement with additional sources of iron, unless instructed to do so under the supervision of a veterinarian. Excess consumption is more likely to cause problems for horses including liver issues, increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Supplemental iron can also interfere with the absorption of other minerals from the diet.

Most nutritional products for your horse will contain some amount of natural iron because this mineral is found abundantly in nature. What is important is to avoid products with supplemental forms of iron including ferrous sulfate or iron oxide.

Lysine

L-Lysine is the essential amino acid that is most commonly deficient in the horse’s diet. Because it cannot be produced naturally within the body, it must be obtained through feed or supplements. When dietary consumption of this amino acid is inadequate, it can impair the utilization of other proteins.

L-Lysine has a wide range of roles in the horse including supporting immune function, tissue repair, and the production of various antibodies, hormones and enzymes. It aids in maintaining nitrogen balance and calcium absoprtion. It also forms a component of muscle tissue, collagens and elastins found in skin, tendons and bone and keratin – a protein required for healthy hair and hoofs.

Low levels of Lysine can contribute to body tissue loss, impaired growth, poor topline quality, decreased feed intake and decreased stamina and performance. Supplementing with this amino acid may be particularly important for horses who are undergoing any level of work and young and developing horses.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a macro-mineral that plays an important role in regulating nerve impulse transmission, protein synthesis, energy metabolism and enzyme activity. It is involved in over 300 different enzyme reactions in the horse’s body.

60% of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones and 40% is found in extracellular fluids and soft tissues. If a horse is deficient in magnesium, it can lead to abnormal behaviour and mood problems, jumpiness, excitability, growth failure, muscle weakness, intermittent muscle spasms (tetany), sensitive skin and back pain. It may also be involved in equine metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in horses.

As a supplement, it is best given in the form of inorganic magnesium oxide which has an absorption rate of approximately 50% and does not cause the same gastrointestinal side effects as magnesium sulfate (epsom salt).

Manganese

Manganese is a trace mineral that is required by horses to form chondroitin sulfate – a component of cartilage. It is essential for bone development, reproductive function, digestion of fats and carbohydrates, disease resistance and for normal enzyme activity.

It is recommended for horses to consume 40 ppm of this mineral in their diet. Though rare, deficiency can cause serious problems for a horse. Horses that do not get enough Manganese may experience bone abnormalities, lameness, bowed tendons, inhibited growth and impaired fertility.

Manganese is also required to form the natural endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase. It has been researched for its potential use as an antioxidant agent in equine animals.

Menadione (Vitamin K3)

Menadione is a form of Vitamin K3 that is commonly used in equine feed and supplements. Vitamin K is involved in normal blood coagulation (formation of blood clots) and helps to support healthy bone density and cardiovascular function.

Research in humans and other species suggests that supplementing with this vitamin may increase bone formation and decrease resorption or breakdown, promoting the formation of stronger bones. Menadione works by first getting converted to Menaquinone-4 in horses. It is the best form of Vitamin K for raising plasma levels of Menaquinone-4 in horses.

Horses generally obtain adequate levels of this vitamin from their diets, but may benefit from supplementation in certain cases. A number of conditions can inhibit proper production or absorption of this vitamin from the gut, such as colic, diarrhea, ulcers or use of antibiotics.

Methionine

DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that acts as a building block for proteins involved in metabolism, growth, liver function and more. Research suggests that it is the second-most likely amino acid for a horse to be deficient in, due to low natural amounts supplied by commonly fed grains. This compound cannot be synthesized internally and must be supplied by feed or supplementation.

Methionine is an important component of hoof and hair tissue because it is required for keratin synthesis. It plays a role in central nervous system function and is involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is also necessary for detoxification pathways, is required to produce creatine, and supports the integrity of joints, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues. Furthermore, Methionine is a precursor for Taurine, L-Carnitine and the sulfur-containing amino acid Cysteine.

Methionine is a common limiting factor in the horse’s diet. If a horse lacks adequate amounts of any amino acid from its diet, the remaining aminos cannot be fully utilized and are broken down by the body. The NRC’s Nutrient Requirements of Horses recommends daily intake of 5,000 mg. Alfalfa, flax, beet pulp and sunflower seeds are common sources of plant proteins to add to the diet.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin (Vitamin B3, nicotinic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in a wide range of activities within the horse’s body. It has been shown to influence nutrient metabolism, digestion, nerve function, blood circulation, skin health and more.

Horses typically require 35mg of Vitamin B3 per day and deficiency is not a problem in most parts of the world. However, horses may benefit from supplementation with this vitamin in certain cases.

Niacin can be synthesized in the horse’s liver from tryptophan and is products in the cecum by certain species of bacteria. It is also found in alfalfa, soybean meal and timothy hay, but only unbound forms of this vitamin can be utilized by the body.

When supplementing with higher levels of protein, Niacin requirements may be increased. Horses engaged in light to heavy work also require more, 60mg and 100mg respectively.

Oat Bran

Oat bran is made from the outer layer of the oat grain, just beneath the inedible husk and is used as a very palatable pellet binder and source of soluble fiber. Oat bran is low in starch and contains a high concentration of beta-glucan, which is a form of soluble fiber that has many benefits for horses.

Beta-glucan has beneficial prebiotic qualities in the hindgut where it helps nourish beneficial bacteria, promoting a healthy immune system.

Oat bran also creates a gel-like substance when mixed with water, which reduces the rate at which simple sugars move through the intestines. This substance thereby enhances the digestion and absorption of these sugars so that they are less likely to reach the hindgut. This process also slows down the release of sugars into the bloodstream, providing a more regulated release of glucose.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5, pantothenate) is a water-soluble vitamin that is critical for normal metabolic function in the horse. Pantothenic Acid forms a part of co-enzyme A (CoA) which is involved in energy production, fatty acid synthesis, production of steroid hormones, formation of neurotransmitters and regulation of other enzymatic reactions.

Low dietary intake of Pantothenic Acid can result in fatigue, but true deficiency is rare. Horses typically obtain adequate amounts of this vitamin from their forage and grain. It can also be produced through fermentation by bacteria in the gut.

Performance horses and animals that experience gastrointestinal upset or those using antibiotics may benefit from additional supplementation with Vitamin B5. The recommended dietary concentration is 13 mg/kg of dry matter intake.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that is an important component of cell membranes (Phoshoplipids), bone structure and reactions requiring cellular energy (ATP/Adenosine TriPhosphate). Phosphorus also helps form the backbone of DNA and contributes to pH and electrolyte balance in bodily fluids.

Dietary Phosphorus can be obtained from many different feeds, including forages, oats and soybean meal. Feeds with particularly high Phosphorus concentrations include wheat bran and rice bran.

The Phosphorus found naturally in grains and forages is considered organic, and is often bound inside molecules called Phytates. Feed manufacturers, however, often add inorganic Phosphorus, which comes from mining and processing phosphate from rocks, into commercial horse feeds. Inorganic Phosphorus sources are often listed on feed labels as monosodium phosphate; mono-, di-, and tri-calcium phosphate; and defluorinated phosphate.

Inorganic Phosphorus is a non-renewable resource, as it is mined from the earth. It is well known that inorganic Phosphorus is released from animal waste into the environment at high levels and can cause environmental harm. Today, research is focused on striking a balance between feeding enough Phosphorus for optimal horse health and production (growth, lactation, reproduction, performance, etc.) without overfeeding it, thus reducing the environmental footprint of feeding horses. It has also been concluded that both growing and mature horses can effectively utilize the majority of Phosphorus bound in plant Phytate and might not need inorganic Phosphorus added to their feed to meet their Phosphorus requirements.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential macro mineral that functions as an electrolyte in the horse’s body. It is the most important intracellular cation, is essential for maintaining the contractility of smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle, and also plays a role in regulating pH balance.

Horses fed a diet with adequate forage typically do not need to supplement with additional potassium as forage typically contains high amounts of this mineral. Diets that contain mostly grain may not supply adequate amounts.

A deficiency in this electrolyte can develop under conditions of profuse sweating, in endurance horses, in horses using diuretics like Lasix (furosemide) or in horses experiencing diarrhea. Low levels of potassium can lead to reduced appetite, decreased water intake, muscle weakness, mental apathy, cardiac arrhythmias, adrenal hypertrophy and a decreased growth rate.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is a water-soluble vitamin that is required for proper metabolic function in the horse. It plays a role in blood sugar regulation, muscle development, mood regulation, hormone production and joint health.

Pyridoxine is necessary for over 150 different enzyme reactions in mammals. It is essential for helping the body to process lipids, carbohydrates and proteins from food. Vitamin B6 also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and can influence the nervous system and immune function.

Supplementing with B Vitamins may be particularly beneficial for horses primarily eating grain and not forage, undergoing intense physical exertion, high stress environments, young or old horses, and those taking antibiotic medications. Horses with certain forms of digestive upset such as diarrhea or dysbiosis that impede absorption of nutrients may also benefit from taking additional Pyridoxine.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for converting macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy. It is a precursor for the synthesis of enzymes involved in ATP production and lipid metabolism.

Riboflavin is present in all cells of the body and is used to make two very important coenzymes, flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide. Coenzymes are molecules that assist enzymes by delivering molecules that the enzymes need to perform a reaction.

Riboflavin is naturally present in the horse’s diet, most abundantly in legumes such as alfalfa and clover and slightly lower in grass hays. Riboflavin is also produced by fermentation in the hindgut. Like most B vitamins, riboflavin deficiency and toxicity are very rare and have not been reported in horses.

The microbes in a horse’s gastrointestinal tract are able to synthesize Vitamin B2, and requirements are easily met with the addition of hay and grain. Symptomatic riboflavin deficiency is so rare, that signs are not reported in horses even when fed diets that are lacking in this vitamin.

The supplementation of riboflavin and other B vitamins can help to supply optimal levels and allow the horse to perform at its full potential, especially in certain situations. Horses consuming low-quality hay, those under high stress, on antibiotics or have any health condition that compromises hindgut bacterial production is recommended to receive a B-vitamin supplement.

Salt

Selenium

Selenium is a micromineral that is important for immune function, cardiovascular health, thyroid function and muscle development. Horses also require this mineral to prevent white muscle disease. More recently, its been shown to be a key component of antioxidants that are present in all cells of the body and help protect from oxidative stress.

Selenium is a unique mineral as it is a part of two amino acids, seleno-methionine and seleno-cysteine that are precisely incorporated into antioxidant proteins. These seleno-amino acids are stored in the liver and transported to other cells as needed. Selenium is required to synthesize 30-35 different selenoproteins with a wide range of functions in cellular reactions.

Concentrations of this mineral in the soil vary significantly throughout different regions of the world. Selenium supplementation of your horse’s diet is particularly important in areas where the soil Se content is low, including most coastal areas of North America.

Sodium

Sodium is a macro mineral that is the most recognizable electrolyte in the horse’s body. It plays a role in nerve impulse transmission, regulation of muscle contractions, maintenance of blood pressure, skeletal integrity, blood volume regulation and thirst regulation.

The daily sodium requirement for a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse is approximately 10 grams. Higher intake is required in hot climates or for horses undergoing heavy physical exercise which lose greater amounts of electrolytes through sweat. Horses naturally seek out salt when levels of this mineral fall too low. They should be provided with free choice loose salt to ensure electrolyte balance is maintained.

If a horse does not get adequate amounts of sodium to replace that which is lost through sweat and urine, the thirst response will be diminished. This is why horses will sometimes avoid drinking water even on a hot day when they are sweating. Additional signs of deficiency can include abnormal licking of soil or other objects, anorexia, lethargy, unsteady gait or loss of skin vitality.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine is one of the B vitamins and is also known as vitamin B1. This very important vitamin is crucial for the enzymes that carry out carbohydrate metabolism and the functioning of the nervous system. Horses are able to synthesize thiamine with the help of microbes in the hindgut, and so it is generally not necessary as a supplement.

Levels of thiamine are highest in brewer’s yeast and rice bran, with the lowest concentrations found in forages.

Some research has found that thiamine is still required in the diet due to reports of inadequate synthesis, despite it being produced in the hindgut. Studies suggest that exercising horses, especially, may require double what a horse at maintenance needs to support increased carbohydrate metabolism. Positive effects have been seen with the supplementation of thiamine on markers of carbohydrate metabolism and thiamine status of exercising horses, so it may be beneficial to supplement performance horses with thiamine.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble, essential vitamin with a number of vital functions. For one, it regulates gene expression during cell differentiation, which is a very important step in the creation of an embryo. It also maintains epithelial membranes in cells.

Vitamin A is also a crucial substance that is needed for vision. One form of vitamin A combines with opsin to produce rhodopsin, which is the visual pigment that produces the nervous system signal that allows horses to see.

Vitamin A is present in feeds as beta-carotene and is broken down into vitamin A once it reaches the small intestine. Fresh grass pasture is one of the best sources of beta-carotene. Since beta-carotene is susceptible to oxidation, mature grass hays contain much lower concentrations due to UV light damage.

Deficiencies in vitamin A can present as night blindness and reports have been made of impaired growth in growing ponies deprived of vitamin A. Although deficiencies are possible, vitamin A requirements are usually covered with pasture access and/or good quality hay. If horses do not have access to pasture or they are in heavy work, however, NRC requirements increase and have been changed as a result of research findings involving performance horses.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D refers to a group of five fat-soluble steroid hormones that have a wide range of biological effects in the horse’s body. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the most important form of this vitamin in horses, followed by Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

Vitamin D plays critical roles in the metabolism and utilization of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium from the gastrointestinal tract. This vitamin also regulates bone mineral metabolism, cell growth and differentiation as well as kidney function.

Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin with exposure to sunlight. It can also be obtained in small amounts through dietary sources. Horses that do not get adequate time outside during periods of daylight may be at risk for sub-optimal levels of this vitamin. Vitamin D status can also change during winter months. Deficiency can lead to rickets or osteomalacia in the horse.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the shared name for eight different fat-soluble, naturally-occurring compounds: a, b, g, and d-tocopherol and a, b, g, and d-tocotrienol. These compounds all have vitamin E activity and are comprised of a chromanol ring with differing phytyl side chains. The compound most commonly referred to as vitamin E is a-tocopherol and is widely considered to be the most biologically active form of all the vitamin E constituents.

The most natural form of alpha-tocopherol is d-alpha-tocopherol, and is only synthesized in plants so it must be obtained through the diet. Fresh, grass pasture contains the highest concentrations of d-alpha-tocopherol, however, a large number of horses do not have year-round access to grass pasture and their diets consist mostly of hay, so alpha-tocopherol is often added to most commercial feed formulations or top-dressed as a supplement.

Vitamin E functions as a powerful antioxidant, meaning it protects the body tissue from damage caused by free radicals.  Free radicals are produced during normal cellular metabolism and can harm cells, tissues, and organs if not kept in balance with proper antioxidant levels.

Other functions of Vitamin E:

• Immune function – important for defense against viruses and bacteria
• Formation of red blood cells
• Helps widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting inside them
• Used in cellular communication, used to carry out many important functions.

Research confirms that the different forms of vitamin E available to be supplemented can have a significant impact on vitamin E levels in the blood. The most bioavailable forms of vitamin E should only be used in order to properly formulate balanced equine diets, to treat vitamin E deficiency and its associated conditions and aid in exercise recovery.

Yea-Sacc 1026

Yea-Sacc 1026 is a yeast culture developed by Alltech that is based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026. This strain of yeast was specifically selected for its influence on digestibility in animals. Many years of research in multiple animal species have clarified Yea-Sacc 1026's efficacy as a probiotic for enhancing digestibility.

The addition of probiotic substances in the equine diet has a multitude of benefits to the horse. Yea-Sacc 1026 promotes greater digestion efficiency of feed and stabilizes hindgut pH, preventing digestive upset associated with stress, training, performance and transport. More efficient digestion means that energy uptake is also enhanced, along with other important nutrients.

Providing yeast in the horse’s diet also enhances phosphorus and calcium availability, contributing to greater bone strength. Yea-Sacc 1026  has also been proven to stimulate milk production and enhance milk quality in lactating mares, resulting in healthier foals.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is required by horses for the immune system, tissue repair, growth, fertility and fetal development. It is involved in over 100 different enzymatic reactions in the body that affect hormone metabolism, energy synthesis, protein synthesis, collagen and keratin formation, blood clotting, insulin production and more.

Zinc is found most abundantly in the eyes and prostate gland followed by bone, skin and muscle tissue. Low levels of zinc in the diet can contribute to subnormal growth, fatigue, problems with hair, hoof and skin quality, impaired wound healing, loss of appetite, anemia and high frequency of colds and other diseases.

According to the NRC’s Nutrient Requirements of Horses, a 500 kg (1,100-pound) mature horse requires 400 mg per day of Zinc. Requirements are higher for horses that are lactating or undergoing heavy work. Many horses do not obtain optimal amounts of this mineral from their forage and could benefit from supplementation.

Zinc is commonly supplemented in balance with Copper because the two minerals compete for the same absorption pathway in the gastrointestinal tract.