ingredientinfo

Calcium/Phosphorus ratio - for every gram of phosphorus ingested in the diet, the body must match another gram of calcium before the phosphorus can be absorbed. If the required calcium is not available in the diet, the body will take it from wherever it can such as from the storage depots in the bones, therefore removing it from and decreasing bone integrity. This is where the calcium/phosphorus ratio comes in. A deficiency of calcium may contribute to a decrease in bone density, as well as decrease calcium availability for muscle contraction during exercise. Cereal grains are deficient in calcium and high in phosphorus, so a horse being feed grass hay and a large amount of grain could easily have an inverted calcium/phosphorus ratio (less calcium than phosphorus). Everyday this ration is feed, calcium is being removed from the storage depots in the body.

Salt - (sodium and chloride) together make salt. Salt is a crucial part of the equine diet. It is responsible for the regulations of all the horse's body fluids, as well as the condition of electrical impulses in nerves and muscles. Also the most important of the minerals known as electrolytes (minerals which are lost in the sweat and urine during exercise stress). Salt deficiency can result in dehydration, constipation, appetite loss and weakness. Salt and water help horses develop cravings for the nutrients they require.

Sodium - is needed to make salt. A lack of sodium decreases milk production and sweating. Decreased sweating results in a higher body temperature and poorer performance.

Chlorine - critical for life processes in plants and animals, it's ion is used as an electrolyte. Chlorine is extremely important in digestion and helps regulate pH in the body. This vital element also helps muscles flex and relax.

Sulfur - an important mineral because it is an essential constituent of several amino acids as well as the B vitamins biotin and thiamin, and a number of other important molecules such as insulin, taurine, and chondroitin, a component of cartilage, bone, tendons and blood vessels.

Potassium - needed to maintain the body's acid/base balance. Also considered an electrolyte, and is another major mineral horsemen need to replace when a horse is working hard. Without sufficient potassium, horses are prone to fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased water and feed intake.

Magnesium - is an essential element in animal nutrition. About 60% of the body's store of magnesium is in the skeletal structure. It is also an important activator of many enzymes.

Iodine - is a specialist. Unlike some minerals, which fulfill numerous functions, iodine's role in the diet is to help regulate basal metabolism. Horses can become iodine deficient on a normal diet, depending on the soil feed is grown on. Deficiencies can result in a goiter - swelling of the thyroid gland. Other symptoms of an iodine imbalance are a dry lusterless coat, hair loss, and decreased growth and bone calcification in young horses.

Cobalt - is needed to synthesize vitamin B12. A cobalt deficiency results in a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Copper - a component of several enzymes involved in the synthesis and maintenance of elastic connective tissue and is involved in bone collagen stabilization. Deficiencies may result in developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) in young horses and ruptures of the aorta or uterine arteries in aged foaling mares.

Zinc - is an essential mineral found in almost every cell. It stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes. Zinc is considered to play a role in growth and prevention of DOD by supporting normal growth and development during gestation and lactation. Also important in developing hoof, skin and hair.

Manganese - carbohydrate metabolism depends on manganese. This mineral is also essential for cartilage formation in reproduction and growth.

Iron - most of us are familiar with iron's role in hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells which enables them to transport oxygen throughout the cells of the body. Approximately 60% of the body's iron is involved in this task, with another 40% incorporated in muscle myoglobin, storage forms and various enzymes.

Selenium - important in muscle growth and development. Selenium and vitamin E function in a partnership which helps protect body tissues from free-radical damage which occurs during oxidation (the conversion of food stuffs into energy). They act as a defense mechanism against damage to cell membranes and enzymes.

Vitamin A - is important for proper eye development and the maintenance of good vision, particularly at night. It is also an important factor in bone and muscle growth of young horses, in reproduction, and in healthy skin. Signs of a vitamin A deficiency include depressed appetite, dull hair coat, night blindness, excessive tearing of the eyes, anemia and even seizures. Long term deficiencies might cause abortion in broodmares and stallions might suffer libido and soft flabby testicles.

Vitamin D - increases intestinal calcium and phosphorous absorption and bone mineralization.

Vitamin E - enhances immune function. Is essential for cellular respiration, is involved in DNA synthesis, and improves absorption and storage of vitamin A. Most importantly, vitamin E and the mineral selenium are partners in protecting the horse's body tissues from damaging effects of oxidation. Inadequate amounts of either one in the horse's system assure that there will be considerable free-radical damage to the tissues. A classic deficiency of vitamin E is white muscle disease in foals and probably the most common cause of wobbler disease. Researchers are consistently showing the importance of vitamin E to a stronger immune system. Studies are also showing higher levels of vitamin E enhance the immune system during stress. Halter breaking, transporting, and weaning are periods when higher levels can prove beneficial. Studies are also proving higher levels of vitamin E are needed during the last trimester of a mare's pregnancy and during lactation, thus helping improve the foals immune system. Without supplementation a horse's vitamin E intake is unpredictable. It is especially low if a horse is stalled. Grains are a poor source of vitamin E and pasture grass and hay vary considerably in their content. Vitamin E content decreases with forage maturity. All grasses lose about 30-60% of vitamin E content just during drying. When subject to rain, sunlight, or barn storage, hay can lose even more.

Biotin - not only plays a crucial role in hoof quality, it is also one of the B-complex vitamins. It's primary role is a coenzyme in reactions related to metabolism.

Vitamin B-12 - required for utilization of propionate, a major source of energy derived from carbohydrates. It is also required for methionine synthesis and folate entry into cells and is necessary for DNA synthesis. Anemia will occur with a deficiency of either of these vitamins.

Menadione (Vitamin K) - essential for the activation of several blood clotting factors. A number of other proteins also require vitamin K for their activation. A vitamin K deficiency decreases blood coagulation and thus increases susceptibility to hemorrhage.

Choline - an organic compound related to vitamins in it's activity. It is important in metabolism as a component of the lipids that make up cell membranes. It is also important as a source of chemical raw materials for cells and in transport of fats from the liver.

Folic Acid - part of vitamin B-complex. Essential to growth and health and needed by bacteria as a growth factor.

Niacine - is considered a B vitamin. It shares qualities of other B vitamins, but is important in cell respiration and digestion of carbohydrates, fat and protein.

d-Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-3) - required for carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) - it's main function is amino acid metabolism. It is also involved in glycogen utilization, in the synthesis of adrenaline, and in the metabolism of fats.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) - oxidative energy metabolism depends on riboflavin. Deficiencies compromise the tissues most in need of oxygen during strenuous exercise. Signs of deficiency can include decreased feed intake, scaly skin and dull hair coat, lack of heat periods in mares and rear-end muscle weakness.

Thiamine (Vitamin B-1) - helps combat hyperactivity by helping to reduce anxiety. It also plays an important role in carbohydrate utilization and in nerve transmission and stimulation. Assists in maintaining proper muscle cordination. A deficiency can decrease growth rate, cause incordination, muscle twitching, tremors or stiffness.

Arginine - an amino acid which improves immune responses to bacteria, viruses and tumor cells; promotes wound healing and regeneration of the liver. It also causes the release of growth hormones, and is crucial for optimal growth and tissue repair.

Glycine - an amino acid that helps release oxygen to the energy requiring cell making process; important in the manufacturing of hormones responsible for a strong immune system.

Histidine - an amino acid that is found abundantly in hemoglobin. Has been used in the treatment of arthritis and anemia.

Leucine & Isoleucine - both essential amino acids. They improve ingredients for the manufacturing of other essential biochemical components in the body, some of which are for the production of energy.

Phenylalanine - an essential amino acid present in many proteins that help metabolism.

Lysine & Methionine - two essential amino acids that are often deficient in horse feeds. Both of these ingredients should be added to improve the overall amino acid profile. Lysine also insures the adequate absorption of calcium. It helps form collagen (which makes up bone cartilage and connective tissue), aids in the production of antibodies, hormones and enzymes.

Cystine - an amino acid that functions as an antioxidant and deactivates free radicals, neutralizes toxins, aids in protein synthesis and presents cellular change. It is necessary for the formation of skin, which aids in the recovery of wounds.

Threonine - an essential amino acid. Helps to prevent fat build-up in the liver, helps the digestive and intestinal tracks function more smoothly, and assists in metabolism and assimilation.

Tryptophan - an essential amino acid not manufactured by the horse's body, so it must be obtained in adequate quantities through feed. The presence of tryptophan is essential for the body to convert down different vitamins. Uses for this supplementation are: stimulates production of growth hormones, decreases aggressive behavior, pain, and depression.

Valine - an essential amino acid. It helps to promote muscle coordination.

Lactic Acid Bacteria (Stabilized Lactobacillus Acidophilus) - beneficial bacteria, Probiotics. "Friendly" bugs that normally exist in the GI tract. However, this microbial population is not a stable one. Even everyday stresses can affect the population, and to maintain maximum digestive efficiency, the bug population should be kept on an even keel. By adding small amounts to the existing population, you are filling in the gaps from everyday stress and avoiding major shifts in the population that can decrease efficiency. These friendly bugs release enzymes that increase phosphorous utilization, benefiting the quality of developing bones. Study has shown supplemented horses maintained or gained weight better without additional food. Probiotics also have a positive affect on the immune system.

Protein - Of all the components in a horse's diet, protein is probably the most misunderstood. Long assumed to function as an energy source for the body, protein's main role is to provide amino acids (the building blocks of bones, muscles, and soft tissues) for growth and repair. When a horse digests protein, the chain of amino acids is broken up in the digestive tract by enzymes and acids. The position and number of amino acids in a single protein make up it's "amino acid profile". The amino acid profile is the only way protein quality can be determined. It is important to know, if a horse's body has an insufficient amount of important amino acids, such as lysine and methionine, the body will have difficulty using any of the other amino acids available.

Molasses - is one of the best sources of fermentable energy. It stimulates microbial activity, improves appetite, increases dry matter intake, and enhances digestion. It also provides the balance of ammonia and carbohydrates microbial bacteria need.

Calcium - best know for it's role in bone structure and repair. It is essential for proper bone development, muscle function, and reproduction. Calcium makes up about 35% of the horse's bone structure. It is also involved in other functions - including muscle contraction, cell membrane integrity, glandular secretion, temperature regulation, and blood clotting mechanisms.

Phosphorus - a partner to calcium. Also essential to the growth and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, as well as to energy metabolism and numerous cellular functions.