Winter can be a challenging season for horses and their caretakers. The drop in temperatures, reduced grazing opportunities, and changes in activity levels can all impact the health and well-being of your equine. One crucial aspect of winter care is ensuring that horses receive adequate nutrition, particularly vitamins and minerals that might be lacking due to changes in their diet. Among these, Vitamin E stands out as a vital nutrient that plays several essential roles in maintaining the health of horses, especially during the winter months. As we scroll, we will explore the importance of Vitamin E supplement for horses, especially in winter.
Why should you feed vitamin E supplements to horses in winter?
You may have heard that Vitamin E supplements for horses are necessary during the wintertime. Why is supplementation important, especially in the winter?
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, meaning is it not possible to be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet. The primary source of vitamin E for horses comes from fresh, green grass. Unfortunately, during the winter, most horses do not have access to fresh pasture, putting them at a greater risk of being vitamin E deficient.
On average, hay has 85% less vitamin E than fresh grass. This means your horses need to obtain their vitamin E from another source.
Another major reason to supplement your horse with vitamin E is the reduced immunity during winter. Cold weather can cause stress in horses, suppressing their immunity. Once the immunity is compromised, your horse may be more susceptible to infections and other health conditions. Vitamin E, known for its immune-building properties, can help your horse maintain healthy immunity during this time.
Other reasons to supplement vitamin E to horses
Winter is not the only time when your horse needs vitamin E supplements in their diet. There are various factors that need to be considered before starting vitamin E supplements for horses.
It is important to ensure your horse is receiving enough vitamin E when your horse is-
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On a predominantly or entirely hay-based diet
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On moderate to heavy work
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On a high polyunsaturated fat diet
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Diagnosed with a neurological or muscular disorder
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Breeding stock and growing horses
It is important to consult a veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist before adding any supplement to your equine’s diet.
In most cases, your horse will benefit more from being on a complete mineral and vitamin supplement than from feeding Vitamin E alone.
Even horse weight gain supplement may contain vitamin E as it helps support muscle health, prevent oxidative stress, and help improve overall immunity in horses.
Why is there an increased need for vitamin E supplementation during winter?
During winter, several factors contribute to the increased need for Vitamin E supplementation in horses:
Reduced grazing: As pastures become dormant and grass is no longer available, horses rely more on hay and other stored forages, which typically contain lower levels of Vitamin E compared to fresh grass.
Increased stall time: Horses may spend more time in stalls during the winter to stay warm, leading to less access to any remaining forage that might be available outdoors.
Higher energy requirements: Cold weather increases a horse’s energy needs to maintain body heat, which can lead to a higher metabolic rate and greater oxidative stress. Adequate Vitamin E helps mitigate this stress.
Weaker immune systems: The stress of colder temperatures, combined with potential changes in social dynamics and feeding routines, can weaken a horse’s immune system, making them more prone to illness. Vitamin E can help bolster immune defenses during this time.
