Horses have a theoretical need for each vitamin, depending on their size, age, reproductive status, gender, temperament and work-load. Unfortunately, there are no perfect hays or grains that have the correct vitamin concentrations for horses. And, vitamin concentrations decline with storage of feeds.

Providing supplemental vitamins is an economical way of making sure requirements are met. Today, virtually all commercial animal feeds are fortified with vitamins. There is no longer discussion about whether they are needed, but rather in what amounts. In fact, the routine addition of vitamins and minerals to horse feeds has dramatically reduced the incidence of deficiency diseases in the last half of the 20th Century.

Unfortunately, feeding vitamins and minerals as part of grain-based concentrates is not always the answer. Grain-based concentrates can only be made with correct amounts of vitamins and minerals for one feeding rate. For example, a feed manufacturer might formulate a feed for a 6 pounds per day feeding rate. If horse owners feed two pounds or ten pounds of that concentrate daily, they underfeed or overfeed the vitamins and minerals. Also, many horses need supplemental vitamins and minerals, but become overweight if fed grain mixes on a regular basis.

An alternative to fortified grain mixes is complete vitamin/mineral supplements formulated for horses. These supplements provide vitamins in amounts that will prevent deficiency when used with poor feed and forage sources and approach or supply optimum amounts for performance, growth, and reproduction when fed with good feed and forage sources. Additional calories from grains can then be fed only when necessary. There are also supplements available that can be fed on a free-choice basis to horses on pasture, greatly reducing management time.

For More Information e-mail at AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com

or call toll free
EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE
1-800-680-8254
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ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155