The Balanced Bucket

12/08/2023

This post is a fun way to clear up some common misconceptions about electrolytes!

The correct answer is b., sodium and chloride. They are two components of table salt but neither mineral is naturally abundant in your horse’s usual food sources.

Why should you care? Having a basic understanding of equine nutrition and being able to identify sources of essential vitamins and minerals in a horse’s diet is in the best interest of every horse owner. Dietary deficiencies and excesses can both cause health issues and affect performance, and this becomes even more important for the care and management of horses with disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).

Want to put your knowledge of vitamins and minerals further to the test? Take the rest of the quiz developed by our friendsEquus Magazine —>https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTcxODUxMTk3MDA5ODk2Nzcw/equus-extra-nutrition-.pdf

21/04/2023

Soapbox #2

Alfalfa only diets. Alfalfa can be a great forage and can be managed to be the primary/ only forage in a diet.

Many people may want to feed it because it’s what’s available in their region, is at a better cost, and may arguably fit some programs better. I already have a post about why alfalfa can be tricky to feed as the only forage in a horse’s diet. So it’s important to note that if alfalfa is the primary/ only forage certain precautions must be taken.

Alfalfa tends to be high in calcium and magnesium. Which if you read last week’s post, you probably know that my suggestion will be to find an alfalfa specific ration balancer.

Some horses may be sensitive to alfalfa and in turn experience some upset stomach/ colic symptoms. It can also stress the digestive tract of some horses because of the high protein content. Supplying a horse with too many excess calories and excess nitrogen can lead to joint swelling (inflammation) and lameness (this applies to anything they eat).

Horses with liver/ kidneys problems and HYPP, should steer clear of an all alfalfa diet because of its nutrient profile. On the other side of the medical coin, some horses may benefit from the lower sugar/starch content of alfalfa.

Nutritional content of alfalfa can vary widely. Dairy cattle quality alfalfa can be very dangerous for horses, especially in high doses; however, “lower quality” alfalfa, with more stem and less leaf, would likely be better for use as a primary forage.

Suggesting it because that’s what you have always done and rejecting the nutritional implications of feeding alfalfa only diets is not beneficial to other horse owners.

Personally, all alfalfa diets are not my first choice. Yet, fed responsibly (balancing the whole diet) it would be a perfectly suitable choice for primary forage for many horses under the right conditions.

When in doubt have a nutritionist sort it out.

📸Joanne O Keefe

14/04/2023

“Forage only diet” has become a popular phrase in the horse world. I do agree forage should always be the primary food source for horses, it can be heavily misleading and vilify people that are not on an only forage diet for a myriad of legit reasons.

ALL forages will be deficient in something, in many cases, many things. Low in protein, vitamins, and several minerals. Regardless if you feed alfalfa, Bermuda, timothy, oat, etc, EVERYTHING is deficient in something, especially if it’s baled. Some are high things. Alfalfa is high in calcium, which affects proper mineral ratios (also affects ration balancer choice).

Numerous “forage only” comments that I see, happen on performance horse pages. Without supplementing a ration/mineral balancer at minimum, the diet is leaving something, probably many things, to be desired. Performance horses, bold the last sentence. “Forage first” or “forage based” diet would be far more appropriate colloquialism.

I don’t know that people that say “forage only” are neglecting these nutrient requirements, but that means, other people don’t either.

In the wild horses aren't eating 1 type of grass, restricted to a small area, or receiving optimal nutrition. Then consider the other physically and stressful demands put on captive horses.

There is no reason to shame someone that adds grain to the diet if it makes the most sense for the horse’s welfare. Reasons to add a concentrate feed to the horses rations:
• Forage quality
• Forage availability
• Forage maneuverability and storability (tractors and big sheds)
• Horse medical conditions
• Horse age
• Horse activity level and nutrient requirement
• Palatability

I am all for reducing concentrate feeds and using them consciously, but horse welfare must come before fads in the industry. Instead of suggesting “go forage only”, let’s talk about what exactly that means. “I switched to free choice Bermuda and reduced my grain to 1lb of a ration balancer”. Or insert any nutritionally balanced diet above.

When in doubt have a nutritionist sort it out.

📸Josephine Paysen

31/03/2023

Green-lipped Mussel

Is commonly used as a joint supplement. It has anti-inflammatory benefits from its fatty acid profile, including, but not limited to, ETA, EPA and DHA. When used together EPA and DHA have been proven to reduce inflammation not only in the joints, but in other areas of the body as well. Green lipped mussel works well with supplements that contain forms of chondroitin and glucosamine because the mussel contains its own glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Green lipped mussel has a little research behind a gastro-protective benefit, by working with gut flora inflammation of the stomach lining can be reduced. EPA and DHA can benefit horses with respiratory conditions, by reducing inflammation that interferes with breathing.

Research (LARGELY in osteoarthritis) seems to err on the side of offering benefit, but dosage, combinations (of ingredients), and results do vary. 4-49 mg/kg/day was used for many species, resulting in varying success. The most promising results seemed to be when the dose was in the 20-25mg/kg/day range to see improvement.

Ex: 4 mg/kg/day is about 2000 mg/day for an 1100lb horse,
25 mg/kg/day is 12500 mg/day for an 1100lb horse.

Cost on these products can quickly become a barrier for horses.

Stay tuned for next week’s follow-up of my personal experience with green-lipped mussel-related supplements.

P.S. There is a company that markets a DHA-only supplement. It’s important to note that when used without the addition of EPA, the anti-inflammatory benefits were greatly reduced.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024869/ -Many species
-This source has good citations of other literature
https://tinyurl.com/bdebyncf -Horse
https://tinyurl.com/py6pxfcv -Airway
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10787-012-0146-4 -Gastro effects in rats
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10787-012-0128-6 -Gastro effects in rats

24/03/2023

Jiaogulan
Known for being a vasodilator (opening blood vessels), anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant. This can lead to benefits in respiration (breathing), hoof health, muscle function, and more. It is also believed to regulate cortisol (primary stress hormone) levels.

Many of the active ingredients in Jiaogulan are also found in many other plants. Saponins, found in the seeds and leaves of the plant are the main active ingredient in the plant, found in different plants in varying structures. It also has quercetin (anti-inflammatory/ anti-histamine).

Recommended serving size is 2-4 grams daily. Correcting dosing can be confirmed by evaluating the horse’s gums. Pinker gums suggest improved blood flow and that correct dose is being administered. This is another supplement that has the potential to impact medication effects, including, but not limited to, bute. Work with a veterinarian if you’re horse is on medication.

One study reported that Jiaogulan stimulated nitric oxide release to stimulate vasorelaxation. Which does suggest that gypenosides (a specific saponin) in Jiaogulan have a therapeutic effect. This was the only study I could find with information on this topic. More research is needed but the basis seems to be there.

Personally, I am skeptical of the benefits of this particular supplement. Most user testimonials specify using spirulina (view my other post) or an amino acid supplement in addition to this product. I hope that further research is conducted.

Who has tried this supplement and what are your thoughts?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1089860399902458?via%3Dihub
https://europepmc.org/article/med/7539493 -Info on nitric oxide

📸Matt Bradford

17/03/2023

🍀 Beer for my horses 🍻

Perhaps a bit unconventional, but there is some merit to giving a horse beer. Beers are high in B vitamins and other trace minerals, but at only 12 oz or so it would constitute a very small portion of the horses diet. Speaking of diet, many horses savor the flavor of beer making it a good option to enhance the palatability of feed for a picky eater. The yeast in beer is also thought to offer gastrointestinal support. It is commonly said that beer can be a treatment for anhidrosis (inability to sweat), but I cannot find any research to back this claim.

Granted, I cannot find research to back many of these claims. Veterinarians have been my primary source of this information. There is some industry interest in using beer/wine as a feed additive to many animal feeds (including horses).
https://landreclamationjournal.usamv.ro/pdf/2019/Art26.pdf

Because of their large body size, intoxication is not of concern. If for some reason, you bought a keg for your big buddy, it is still not likely the horse would get drunk. Their liver is extremely efficient at managing alcohol and converting it to energy. This is because horses have a fermentation process in their intestines naturally that uses alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.

Not saying that you should but… For the most part, many horses will not experience negative effects from a beer now and then. Some may even find some benefit, which I find really interesting.

User Beware: Some horses may have allergic reactions to the ingredients in beer. Remember to always be safe and not give your horse any glass or tin metals. If you do decide to offer your horse a cold one, opt to put it in a bucket instead. And always contact your veterinarian with any questions and concerns.

Fun fact: Doctors used to prescribe Guinness to pregnant women to supplement their vitamins until the effects of alcohol on a fetus were realized.

10/03/2023

Spirulina- Personal Thoughts

I wanted to add a little more to my spirulina post, specifically in which situations I would personally use it. Everything seems to be anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant as far as supplements go and I know that it has me scratching my head. This is very much a post with my personal opinion with the level of knowledge I have so far, so here goes…

Case 1: Post antibiotic administration. For the purpose of adding B vitamins back into the horse’s diet, while the B vitamin producing gut bacteria bounce back. It typically takes about 3-6 months for these bacteria to recover, that’s how long I would add it for.

Case 2: Allergies. Research in other species supports that spirulina has positive immune-modulating effects. Ex: bug bites, add spirulina for the months that reactions are noticeable. If there's no reduction in insect irritation in 3 weeks, then no luck unfortunately. Ex 2: performance horse that has EIPH (bleeding) during allergy season, confirm with a vet that can scope the airway.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002432051830016X
https://europepmc.org/article/med/15871200

I have considered this for joint support and staving off arthritis. Some preliminary studies in mice show promise, but I will stick to what I have for now.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2002/687526/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10787-009-0004-1

I am in no way a nutritionist, just my thoughts on spirulina. Always work with a vet/ nutritionist to determine your horse’s diet.

Feel free to drop your uses for spirulina and what you think of it down below. ⬇️

📸Mona Eendra

26/02/2023

Really good information from an independent researcher:

In this episode, Dr David Marlin looks closer at Sugar and Starch – Are they always bad for horses? Sugar and starch are everywhere in our horse’s diets. Even grass can be a source of sugar and starch. And in fact, our horses might struggle on a ZERO sugar and ZERO starch diet, which is

24/02/2023

Spirulina

Known for its anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and, anti-inflammatory properties, this dried algae product is commonly used to support respiratory and metabolic health in horses. Phycocyanin, a protein-bound pigment in spirulina, responsible for its color, is a main contributor to its medical benefits. It is also involved in a lot of cancer fighting research.

Supplies essential amino acids necessary in a horses diet as well as vitamin A, E, B2, B3, B6, Folic Acid (B9), B12, and a couple of minerals. The fatty acid strains in spirulina are low, but are comprised mostly of omega-6 fatty acids (GLA), which has its own benefits to the body.

Some manufactures recommend a dose of 20-40g a day. One research study in people suggests that human consumption is around 3-10g per day (which has also been FDA approved) to see changes to blood concentrations. Guessing 4g for a 150lb human, would mean that 150lbs*7 =1050lbs, 4g*7= 28g, assuming similar absorption checks out. Research conducted in horses supports that 40g daily impacted the horses tested.

Spirulina has the potential for toxic matter (heavy metals and microcystin, a toxic bacteria) in the spirulina from the growth/ harvest practices. Therefor procurement and proper testing should be verified.

P.S. Commonly fed with jiaogulan, this duo is believed to support healthy lungs and airways. Keep an eye out for jiaogulan post in the future!

📸Marko Blazevic

Many of these studies refer to human medicine and should be taken with a grain of salt in application to horse health.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879233/
https://revistas.javeriana.edu.co/index.php/scientarium/article/view/4842/3722
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2700476 -TURKISH
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128007761000194
https://bmcchem.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13065-021-00746-1
https://www.naturalhorsetrim.com/EQUINE_CONGRESS_-_INVITED_SPEAKER_SESSION.doc
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5371831/pdf/toxins-09-00076.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879233/

10/02/2023

Devils Claw

Known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relief) effects, devils claw root is commonly used to treat arthritis, muscle pain, headaches, and improve digestion. It is also thought that there is a bacterial/fungal management benefit that reduce gastro-intestinal inflammation, to help prevent ulcers.

Devils claw active ingredients (iridoid glycosides) have rapid absorption. To see consistent benefit devils claw would need to be administered multiple times per day due to its short half-life. Devils claw can be detected up to 24 hours in urine, but only 9 hours in the blood plasma.

Toxicity of the devils claw herb can lead to low blood glucose, high inflammation (limbs, heart, etc), poor locomotion, alopecia (hair loss), and declined kidney function (common for medicinal plants). Pregnant animals are susceptible to fetal toxicity resulting in damaged kidneys, livers, and lungs in the fetus. Many humans experience gastric disturbances after taking devils claw, though horse studies have suggested there to be little risk of gastric ulcers.

Research is limited, particularly in long term use of the substance. Information on effective levels and toxic levels in horses is unavailable. Equine research focuses on a specific level of harpagoslide (an iridoid glycosides) versus devils claw administration specifically. Human dosages are consistently in the 2-4 gram range.

P.S. Devils claw is a banned substance in many competition organizations including FEI and AQHA. According to AQHA rules, first time rule breakers can expect a hefty monetary fine, disqualification, and a 3 month suspension period.

📸Laura Roberts

Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvp.12716
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/11/3637
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7379497/
https://www.publish.csiro.au/hc/pdf/HC09238

28/01/2023

Turmeric

Is chosen for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Turmeric is thought to improve metabolic health, joint health, gastric ulcers, and respiratory health. Curcumin is an active compound within turmeric that is the main source of its medicinal properties.

Safe/ effective levels of consumption in horses is not particularly known. Oral bioavailability is thought to be about 1% in rats. That means that 1% of the approximately 2% of the total amount of turmeric administered is curcumin and being absorbed. It is thought that horses may have better absorption rates due to microbial activity in the gut, though there’s no research to support this.

Excessive supplementation has not been recorded in horses due to a lack of research. In other species, toxicity results in anemia, kidneys stones (uroliths), inhibits absorption of NSAIDs, and gut microbe death. Many turmeric suppliers, recommend avoiding supplements that have high levels of curcumin (95%), suggesting there are health implications to giving horses large quantities of curcumin.

There’s no research to suggest that adequate levels of turmeric (as the sole ingredient) can be fed to horses to see any benefit safely. I would personally pass on this as a supplement for my horses until better research is conducted.

Fun fact: A popular supplement company has a Simple Turmeric Pellet that it claims is backed by research. They do not link the research but claim it backs the pelleted product. Below is a link to the research. Note the research was conducted on a product with numerous other ingredients, aside from turmeric, failing to show that turmeric itself is the beneficial ingredient.
https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/3/txaa150/5896560

📸Thomas Tucker

16/01/2023

Vitamin C

Functions as an anti-oxidant, anti-histamine, and is involved in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine (fatty acid transport), and norepinephrine (hormone involved in fight/flight).

Horses with healthy livers have the ability to synthesize vitamin C, making deficiency unusual. Signs that a horse is low in the vitamin include slow wound healing, poor coat, and depressed immune system. Toxicity of vitamin C can present as an allergic response, though it is unclear what a toxic level is.

Fresh pasture grass is abundant in vitamin C. Oral vitamin C supplementation commonly has absorption rates that are extremely low. Studies show that 3+ grams of Supplementation of vitamin C has the potential to stop the body from producing the enzyme that synthesizes vitamin C. Because of this, it is important to wean slowly off vitamin C supplementation, so that the enzymes can slowly be reproduced.

Supplementation of vitamin C has its place in high stress situations and for certain medical conditions, but this is another vitamin to consult your vet/ nutritionist about prior to supplementing. Supplementation needs to be done at a minimum of 3 grams per day to see changes in blood serum levels in horses.

📸Red Charlie

18/11/2022

B Vitamins!

Others: Pantothenic acid (B5), Cobalamin (B12), and Pyridoxine (B6) requirements are unknown and thought to synthesize within the horse.

B12 is not present in plants and requires cobalt from the horse’s diet to be synthesized by the horse. Used for energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. No evidence of deficiency and is the only B vitamin that can stored in the body.

B5 is involved in the metabolic pathways for carbs, proteins, lipids, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, porphyrins and hemoglobin. No signs of deficiency.

B6 important for building muscle and otherwise serves a very similar purpose to B5.

These 3 are a bit lack luster, but I have included them in the case that owners are looking to supplement them, particularly in the case of compromised gut bacteria or horses undergoing extreme stress. It is recommended to work with a vet/ nutritionist if you suspect a deficiency of these vitamins.
📸Radek Homola

11/11/2022

B Vitamins!
Folate (B9): Required for many reactions necessary for DNA, purine, and methionine synthesis. Important for rapid cell growth and turn over. Think pregnancy. Found in feedstuffs as folic acid. Best found in fresh forage, but is also produced by microbial synthesis. Can be low in a horse’s blood if only consuming baled hay. Supplementation does have the potential to increase bloody oxygen supply for horses not receiving enough folate.

Folate absorption is negatively affected by the antimicrobial drugs sulfadiazine and pyrrimethamine (commonly used to treat EPM). And is typically the only cause for deficiency in horses, particularly in pregnant mares.
📸Annie Spratt

05/11/2022

B Vitamins!
Biotin (B7): Involved with fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis (glucose creation), amino acid metabolism, gene expression, and cell proliferation (tissue growth). It is a sulfur containing vitamin that is relatively high in alfalfa, but occurs in most feedstuffs. The majority of the horse’s biotin is synthesized by hindgut microbes. There is speculation how much biotin can be absorbed in the hindgut since digestion/absorption primarily happens in the foregut. Research shows that there may be some benefit to biotin supplementation, but is not required in most situations. Signs of deficiency include dermatitis and poor hoof quality (new growth).

P.S. Biotin is not the most important nutrient for hoof health. A horse that has healthy feet may benefit from biotin for tougher new growth, but biotin is not a cure-all if your horse is having serious hoof health difficulties.

📸Aaron Anz

28/10/2022

B Vitamins!
Niacin (B3): Involved with ADP transfer (DNA processing), cell differentiation, and calcium mobilization. It is also known for increasing blood flow and circulation.

Niacin can be identified on feed labels as nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Niacin is in most foods in the diet, but varies in dietary availability.

For example, niacin in cereal grains is in a bound form, meaning the horse can only absorb about 5% of what is present. Fear not, as dietary sources are not the only source of niacin. It is produced in two ways by the body: 1. Microbial fermentation in the horse’s gut 2. Synthesis from tryptophan (amino acid) in the horse’s hepatic (liver) tissues.

High protein diets can interfere with niacin synthesis because leucine interferes with niacin production in the liver. No deficiencies/toxicities are officially reported in horses. Though it is thought that grass sickness may be linked to niacin deficiency. High absorption rates of supplemented niacin in mares suggest there may be a benefit to mare fertility with additional supplementation, but more research is required.

📸Soledad Lorieto

24/10/2022

B Vitamins!

Riboflavin (B2): Essential for ATP synthesis by metabolizing drugs, lipids, carbs, and proteins. Also plays a role in antioxidant defense. High in legumes (like alfalfa). Some B2 can be synthesized, via microbial fermentation, in the horse, but requires some external supplementation (hay/grain). Deficiency/ toxicity has not been seen in horses.
📸Eberhard Grossgasteiger

17/10/2022

B Vitamins!

Thiamin (B1): Helps with carbohydrate metabolism (ATP) and transmission of nerve pulses. It's relatively high in cereal grains and fresh pasture. Can be supplemented as thiamin hydrochloride or mononitrate. Deficiency is induced by consumption of certain plants, most notably bracken fern, but is rare in horses otherwise.

Supplementation of thiamine is thought to have a calming effect on nervous horses. While there may be some benefit for horses in high stress, high work environments, dietary requirements are likely being met if the horse is receiving adequate amounts of forage/ grain and would therefore not provide a benefit from additional supplementation.

📸Jill Dimond

07/10/2022

Silicon- the second most common element in the Earth’s crust

Involved in new bone formation and is important for connective tissue, hyaluronic acid, and cartilage.

Many grains are high in silicon content. Naturally occurring silicon, silica or natural zeolite, is not easily absorbed by the horse. However, deficiency is difficult to achieve since there is an abundance of the mineral. Ironically, environmental toxicity is unlikely due to low absorption of naturally occurring silicon.

Young pasture grasses, early hay cuttings, and feeds high in soluble fiber (like beet pulp) are the best sources of silicon in the average horse’s diet.

Sodium zeolite A, a synthetic form of silicon, is converted by the stomach into a form that is more readily absorbed. Research in race horses suggest that horses supplemented with bioavailable silicon have more endurance and reduced chance of injury. This is thought to be because of silicon’s effect on the body to retain more of its calcium. It’s important to note that sodium zeolite contains a fairly high amount of aluminum and is also referred to as aluminum silicate.

Horses on a balanced diet, receiving plenty of forage (high in calcium), will likely not see huge differences with silicon supplementation. More research is needed on bioavailable silicon forms and their effects on the equine body.

📸 Kura Tregenza

04/10/2022

Chromium

Chromium is responsible for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and enhances insulin activity.

Supplementation is not thought to be required, considering that horses most likely get the full amount required from natural diets. There is no evidence of a deficiency and toxicity is unlikely.

Several studies have been conducted on horses with chromium supplementation and exercise. There is evidence to support that peak lactic acid concentrations were lower, potentially better fat mobilization, and better glucose utilization in horses supplemented 4-5 mg/day. This could be beneficial in performance recovery. It is important to bear in mind that negative effects of chromium supplementation have been documented at a rate of 8 mg per day.

Chromium supplementation is of concern in horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy type 1 (PSSM type 1) as it may negatively impact the horse and worsen the symptoms of this condition.

When considering adding additional chromium to the equine diet, working closely with a veterinarian or nutritionist would be best practice.

📸 Taylor Brandon

19/09/2022

Cobalt

This blue tinted mineral is responsible for B12 synthesis in the cecum and colon. Cobalt also works together with iron and copper in blood cell formation.

A cobalt deficiency would result in a vitamin B12 deficiency, however there are no known cases of a cobalt deficiency in horses. Consumption of normal feedstuff should provide adequate amounts of cobalt for the average equine. Areas that could potentially benefit from supplementation, due to low quantities in the soil, are Florida, New England, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and east Africa.

Cobalt values can be measured in the blood. This is important because cobalt is used as a doping agent in some sports. Blood tests allow veterinarians to monitor horses in competition to make sure they are not receiving excessive cobalt for perceived performance enhancing results. Aggressive cobalt supplementation can lead to hypertension, tachycardia, impaired thyroid function, and other physiologic effects.

Fun fact: The name cobalt originates from a German word for a demonic goblin.
📸Vincent Botta

10/09/2022

Iodine… the unexpectedly difficult mineral

Most of the body’s iodine is found in the thyroid gland. Iodine works with selenium and can negatively impact the thyroid if there is an imbalance in the intake of either mineral.

Deficiency and toxicity result in improper thyroid function. In an attempt to balance the thyroid excess hormones are released and can result in a condition known as a goiter. Coat abnormalities, muscle weakness, and infertility are also symptoms of an iodine imbalance. Maximum iodine tolerance, according to the NRC, is 40 mg per day. Horses may be more susceptible to infectious diseases with over supplementation.

Plant (forage) concentration of iodine varies upon the soil composition. Sea plants like kelp and other seaweeds tend to be high in iodine content. Most forage analysis do not provide iodine content. Most forage only diets for horses WILL be deficient in iodine! Ration balancers likely offer enough iodine for the horse’s diet, though it may not be mentioned in the guaranteed analysis. as it is not required on feed labels. Look for ethylenediamine dihydriodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodate, kelp meal, or iodized salt in the ingredients list as they all are sources of iodine.

Maintenance horses require 3.5 mg/day of iodine. The tricky part is understanding how much iodine is in the diet. The most common method of iodine supplementation, when necessary, is feeding iodized salt. 1 tablespoon of iodized salt offers approximately .67 mg of iodine.

Pregnant mares require more attention when it comes to iodine intake as proper intake is crucial to the health of the mare and foal. Best course of action if there are concerns over a horse’s iodine intake, pregnant or not, is to consult a vet. Blood levels of thyroid hormone or urine samples can be evaluated to help assess iodine status and create a course of action if necessary.

Goiter reference: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/endocrine-system/the-thyroid-gland/goiter-in-animals
📸Doruk Yemenici

03/09/2022

Manganese

Manganese, not to be confused with magnesium, is essential for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and for the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate (cartilage formation).

Forages typically contain 40-140 mg of manganese per kilogram and most concentrates contain 15-45 mg of Mn/kg. Even on the low end of forage manganese content, 40 mg/kg, Horus the 1100lb maintenance horse would still receive the full 400 mg necessary to satisfy NRC requirements, assuming he’s consuming the recommended 2% of his body weight.
Deficiency, though rare, can result in abnormal cartilage development, enlarged joints, and crooked limbs. No known instances of manganese toxicities that I could find, but large quantities can interfere with phosphorus absorption. Though research is lacking, what little evidence is available suggests an upper limit of 400 ppm or 400 mg/kg of feed to prevent this phosphorus interference.

Manganese should be of little concern to the horse owner as it is something normally managed by the average horse’s diet. Exceptions are the case of abnormally low/high manganese content in forage and are easily managed.