Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

All too often I encounter horses that are on way too many vitamin and mineral supplements that they just don’t need. Don’t forget, vitamin and mineral products were originally intended for horses with low protein needs and who have specific concerns. This is not most horses! In fact, vitamin and mineral supplements were originally used for horses that had metabolic disease and had to lose 100 pounds while not in work.

If you look at what most feed is made out of today, most horses can have their vitamin and mineral supplement needs met without supplementation. But, there are absolutely situations where supplementing is merited and beneficial. A horse’s activity level, medical history, hay intake, and feeding program all factor in when making these decisions. Read more about smart supplement shopping for additional guidance on making the right choices for your horse.

Looking for a deeper dive into what minerals your horse needs and recommendations? The University of Minnesota’s Extension office has a great resource for you!

As a general rule, I would not recommend supplementing your horse without the guidance of a nutrition advisor. This is even more true if you are trying to get your horse to gain or lose weight while maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.

Far too often I see horse owners who try this and are spending a substantial amount of money each month that they simply don’t need to be. Not sure if you are managing your horse’s vitamin intake correctly? Or just want confirmation? Reach out for a review of their diet today!