Is vitamin E good for horses?

Vitamin E helps keep a horse's muscles, nerves and all his internal workings functioning smoothly. And if he's not getting it naturally in a green pasture, then you'll need to find a way to add it to his diet. Here's a look at what vitamin E does and what you can do to make sure your horse gets enough—but not too much.

How much vitamin E do horses need?

Current National Research Council (NRC) daily recommendations for vitamin E in horses are 1 -2 IU/kg body weight, however, these NRC recommendations do not discriminate between natural or synthetic sources.

Is vitamin E toxic to horses?

Vitamin E supplements in high amounts are not toxic to horses. However, large doses (> 5,000 IU/day) should be carefully monitored as they may interact with other nutrients in the diet, like beta-carotene.

Do horses need vitamin E supplement?

Even idle horses need a steady supply of vitamin E for routine tissue maintenance and healthy immune status. Horses grazing fresh pasture usually take in enough of this vital nutrient to meet day-to-day requirements, but vitamin E is quickly lost as forage becomes dormant or is dried and stored as hay.

How do I add vitamin E to my horse?

“A cup of vegetable oil is equivalent to 240 ml, give or take a bit. Based on the recommendation of 1-1.5 IU of vitamin E per ml of oil offered, a horse fed one cup of oil should receive 240-360 IU of vitamin E per day above its normal requirement for added antioxidant protection,” explained Crandell.

Ask the Vet - Why do horses need Vitamin E?

How long does it take for vitamin E to work in horses?

Treatment: EMND is treated with 5000-7000 IU alpha-tocopherol per day. This is reported to produce clinical improvement in about 40% of cases within 6 weeks. Some horses may appear normal within 3 months of this treatment.

What are the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in horses?

When should I give my horse vitamin E?

From additional sources*, vitamin E recommendations include supplementing 3,000-5,000 IU per 1,100 lb (500 kg) horse six to 12 hours prior to competition or a stressful event, 5,000 IU/day to support horses diagnosed with EPM, and 2,000-3,000 IU/day for horses with muscle myopathies.

Is alfalfa high in vitamin E?

The vitamin E content of the alfalfa leaf meal, as estimated by chemical analysis, was 55 I.U. per pound.

Do horses need vitamin E and selenium?

Horses who have increased time stalled or in a dry lot are especially prone to low levels of vitamin E and Selenium. Since these nutrients protect the muscle cells from damage and aid in healing, the higher and more intense the exercise program, the greater the requirements.

Is there vitamin E in hay?

About 30 to 80 percent of the vitamin E in hay can be dissipated during the drying for harvest and during storage. If horses are stuck in a stall and not on pasture, they are relying on us to supply most of their vitamin E.

Does grass have vitamin E?

The grass is greener and packed with vitamin E

Happily, for most horses, there is ample vitamin E provided in the diet. Green grass is a great source of vitamin E—most things that are green have a good bit of it. Those horses lucky enough to have access to green grass also get lots of vitamin E.

Does alfalfa pellets have vitamin E?

High quality, green pasture and alfalfa hay are good sources of Vitamin E.

How much vitamin E does a horse with EPM need?

The nutrient that is most commonly focused on for horses with EPM is Vitamin E. Supplementation with high levels of natural Vitamin E are often encouraged, as Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that supports nerve function and the immune system. Levels of 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day are recommended during treatment.

How do you test for vitamin E deficiency in horses?

What does vitamin E do for muscles?

Even though vitamin E may not improve physical achievements in sports competitions, as shown in several swimming experiments, it is important for the health of skeletal muscle: in its role as the major lipid-soluble chainbreaking antioxidant in lipid cell membranes, vitamin E protects muscle tissue in aerobic exercise, ...

Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?

Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses.

What happens if a horse eats too much alfalfa?

Alfalfa hay can cause diarrhea in a horse that overeats it because the hay is rich and full of nutrients. Overeating alfalfa can also cause a horse to have excess gas, develop laminitis, and founder.

Can too much alfalfa cause laminitis?

Because alfalfa hay is more nutrient dense than typical grass hay, more care needs to be taken when feeding alfalfa. Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed.

What happens if a horse gets too much vitamin E?

Over-supplementation of vitamin E (the most commonly supplemented antioxidant in horses) can lead to lower systemic beta-carotene levels, potentially causing a vitamin A deficiency if the horse doesn't have regular access to fresh, green grass.

What is the most nutritious hay for horses?

Legume Hay for Horses

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

What are the symptoms of low selenium in horses?

Signs of Selenium deficiency may include muscle disease and wasting (frequently perceived as weight loss), impaired movement or difficulty getting up, difficulty swallowing, coughing when eating, respiratory distress and impaired heart function.

Are vitamin E and selenium the same thing?

Both selenium and vitamin E protect cells from the detrimental effects of oxidation but they do so in different ways. Vitamin E, an antioxidant present in the cell membrane, prevents the formation of harmful free radicals. Selenium functions throughout the cell to destroy peroxides, another harmful compound.

Does my horse need a selenium supplement?

Selenium is required for equine muscle development and growth. Along with Vitamin E, it is a component of proteins that prevent muscule conditions such as tying up (nutritional myopathy or exertional rhabdomyolysis). This essential mineral is also important for reproductive health.

Does alfalfa hay contain selenium?

Calculated Se intake from alfalfa hay was 0.4, 5.3, 8.7, and 18.2 mg Se/head/d for calves consuming hay with Se concentrations of 0.07, 0.95, 1.55, and 3.26 mg Se/kg dry matter. The measured Se concentration of the grain concentrate was 1.41 mg Se/kg dry matter.