b'NUTRITIONVitamin E Deficiencies Whether a horse develops disease appears to depend on: The age of the horse when the deficiency occurs;In her laboratory at the University of California, Davis, School of The duration of deficiency;Veterinary Medicine, associate professor of veterinary genetics Carrie The horses genetic makeup; andFinno, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, studies the fat-soluble vitamin E and its Other concurrent dietary deficiencies or excesses. role in equine health and neurodegeneration (deterioration of brainMany horses dont show outward signs of a vitamin E deficiency neurons). In young, growing horses vitamin E deficiencies can result inand, thus, neuromuscular disease. neuromuscular disorders such as nutritional myodegeneration, equineWe are also evaluating how vitamin E is metabolized in the horse neuroaxonal dystrophy, and equine degenerative myeloencephalopa- by measuring vitamin E isoforms (which are functionally similar but thy. In adult horses inadequate vitamin E can cause a vitamin E defi- slightly structurally different forms of vitamin E; each isoform might cient myopathy (a muscle disorder) or equine motor neuron diseaseaffect inflammation differently) and metabolites in collaboration with (EMND, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the spinal cord).Dr. Birgit Puschner at Michigan State University. Even if a vitamin E deficiency exists in an entire herd of horses, onlyAdditionally, Finno and her lab are evaluating an injectable form of certain horses demonstrate clinical signs of neuromuscular disease,the isoform alpha-tocopherol in horses, because some horses dont such as weakness, trembling, incoordination, and/or muscle atrophy.appear to absorb the oral formulations normally.Kristen Janicki, MSFood Sciences, in Lexington.recommendations (listed by class andminerals work together as a whole, in Having your forage tested and work- weight of horsee.g., a performancecareful balance with each other. Supply-ing with a nutritionist simplifies thesehorse weighing 1,100 poundsfor eaching adequate macrominerals without also supplementation decisions, she says.quantity), will meet most mineral require- supporting the microminerals will affect A ration balancer pellet is a simplements. Depending on your objective, youthe utopian atmosphere in horses bodies option, designed to meet the mineralmight use other forages as supplementaland potentially the way they perform, requirements of horses kept on a forage- sources of minerals, says Holder.reproduce, or grow. only diet, she adds.In the case of the growing horse or When manufacturers produce commer- lactating mare, some breeders chooseVitaminscial concentrates, they take into consid- to add good-quality alfalfa hay for theVitamins are essential organic (contain-eration the mineral content an averagesupplemental calcium benefits thating carbon) micronutrients needed for grass or legume delivers and design a spe- legumes provide, in addition to other nu- a diverse range of metabolic functions. cific blend of minerals to complement it.trients, like digestible fiber and protein,They fall into two categories depending Commercial concentrates, whenshe says. on their solubility: fat-soluble or water-fed according to the manufacturersIts important to understand thatsoluble. Table 1Macrominerals Table 2MicromineralsMINERAL FUNCTION COMMON DIETARY SOURCE MINERAL FUNCTION COMMON DIETARY SOURCEPart of hemoglobin (a protein in Sodium Component of acid-base balance Supplemental salt Iron red blood cells) ForagesPromotes nerve and muscle function Aids muscle and enzyme functionComponent of acid-base balance Component of many enzymesChloride Supplemental salt Zinc Aids protein synthesisForages and cereal grainsMineral in gastric acidComponent of acid-base balancePotassium Promotes nerve and muscle function Forages Iodine Component of thyroid hormone Forages and cereal grainsMajor component of bone and teethFacilitates muscle function Selenium An antioxidant Forages and cereal grainsForages, especially Calcium Plays a role in blood pressure and legumes (alfalfa, clover)clottingSupports immune system Component of connective tissuesCopper Vital to iron metabolism Forages and cereal grainsComponent of cellular enzymesPhosphorus Component of bone and teeth and Cereal grainsof acid-base balanceComponent of enzymes for Component of bone and teeth Manganese metabolism Forages and cereal grainsFacilitates protein synthesisMagnesium Forages and cereal grains Facilitates cartilage formation Aids nerve and muscle functionSupports the immune systemSulfur Aids protein synthesis Forages and cereal grains Cobalt Supports B-vitamin synthesis Forages and cereal grains24September 2019The Horse | TheHorse.com'