Vitamin E is essential for equine immune function, cardiovascular health, muscle function, exercise recovery and neurological health. Vitamin E is best known for its role as an antioxidant in horses, protecting all cells and tissues from oxidative damage. Our Natural Vitamin E supplement provides this nutrient in a form that is most efficiently absorbed and utilized in tissues.
Mad Barn’s Natural Vitamin E is convenient to add to any horse’s feeding program, ensuring they meet their nutritional requirements and benefit from optimal antioxidant protection.
Unlike competitor products, our pure Vitamin E powder contains no fillers and is highly concentrated, providing 600,000 IU/kg of d-alpha-tocopherol. Known as natural Vitamin E, d-alpha-tocopherol has significantly higher bioavailability than synthetic Vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol).
Our bulk natural Vitamin E also offers exceptional value, with an easy-to-feed formulation that can be adjusted to provide your horse with the exact dosage they need. At a typical feeding rate of 1.67 grams (1000 IU) per day, a 500 gram package will last approximately 300 days.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that binds free radicals which are unstable molecules that can damage DNA, cell membranes and other structures within cells. Vitamin E supports the health and function of cells by neutralizing free radicals before they can cause damage.
Oxidative damage in horses due to low vitamin E status may present itself as muscle soreness or slow recovery from exercise and illness.
Vitamin E must be included in the horse’s diet, as their bodies cannot synthesize it internally. A mature horse weighing 500 kg / 1,100 lb requires a minimum of 500 IU of vitamin E daily.
However, senior horses and those affected by illnesses or certain neurological conditions may benefit from higher levels. Equine athletes engaging in high-intensity exercise have elevated vitamin E requirements to support their demanding physical activity.
Grazing pasture is generally a good source of Vitamin E for horses because this vitamin is abundant in fresh grasses and legumes. However, once the plant is cut to make hay, the Vitamin E content begins to degrade.
Over time, the vitamin E content in stored hay continues to decline, resulting in nutritional deficiency among most horses on a hay-only diet. If your horse predominantly eats hay, they will need vitamin E supplementation to ensure optimal levels.
Vitamin E works together with the antioxidant mineral selenium to protect horses from free radical damage. For horses that prefer pelleted supplements, consider our all-in-one Natural E/Organic Se pellets.
Always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complimentary review.