Vitamin and mineral supplements for horses

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Everyone - both humans, animals and plants - needs a sufficient amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that contribute to the normal growth, development and functioning of the body. But these substances can not always be obtained from the products we use, the more difficult it is for animals to get them, because they do not themselves control their diet. That is why horse feeding is an important and integral part of horse care.

Horse feed

Top dressing in the form of vitamin complexes or just individual preparations is needed for horses at almost any period of their life: in childhood, old age, young age, during reproduction or during muscle mass gains for competitions. For all these cases, there is a specific menu that allows you to regulate the concentration of various substances, necessary and unnecessary, in the animal's body.

When should horses need to be fed

Feeding for horses is different. They differ in their appearance, in the concentration of various elements and in the case in which the introduction of additional substances in the horse's body is required. By their type, feeding can be:

1. By injection. They are injected subcutaneously for better absorption of the drug by animals.
2. In the form of special vitamin complexes. As part of such a top dressing, you can find many grains (granules) and instructions for use. Such complexes are developed by nutritionists and veterinarians.

In pursuit of the countless number of artificially created vitamin and mineral complexes, one should not forget that grass for horses is also a vitamin.

It is necessary to give pets the opportunity to walk freely in the summer. The mares should have access to fresh green grass. In winter, this need can be compensated for with hay and various additives. When do you need to give your horses supplements?

• during the period of active growth and development of young animals (it is at this time that the skeleton is formed, muscle growth and development, body weight gain during growth, etc.);
• when preparing for races or other competitions to strengthen muscles;
• to strengthen the joints;
• during pregnancy and postpartum recovery (horses need extra nutrients that cannot always be obtained from grass);
• in mature and old age to restore the mineral balance of the body;
• for general prophylaxis according to the indications of a veterinarian;
• if it is impossible to provide the herd with free range during the warm season.

The dosage of the drugs is different for mares and males of different breeds. It is also different for young animals. The condition for the normal functioning of the animal is the balance of nutrients in the body. Also, water plays an important role, the required amount of which must always be at the disposal of the horse.

At the first signs of a lack of vitamins (fatigue and lethargy), you should call a veterinarian who can examine the sick animal and prescribe the necessary course of treatment.

Vitamins for horses are sold in veterinary pharmacies in the form of whole complexes or, if they are injections, in ordinary pharmacies in the form of ampoules.

How to feed your horses properly

The well-known phrase "We are what we eat" applies not only to humanity. The health of our smaller brothers also depends on the quality and quantity of food consumed. But vitamins for horses cannot be overused. The animal ration should not completely consist of chemical additives, ordinary grass is also important, rich in the mass of elements necessary for the mare, and the availability of ordinary, clean, fresh and better quality drinking water in sufficient quantities.

Vitamin deficiency is a serious problem. It is easy for a farmer who closely monitors his livestock to notice the first signs of this disease, so it is always necessary to closely monitor the condition of his horses. Signs of vitamin deficiency or hypovitaminosis may be:

• insufficient joint mobility;
• delayed molting period;
• abortion or stillborn offspring in mares;
• weak newborn calves with reduced vitality;
• foals are stunted and have eye problems.

With insufficient care and a small amount of attention given to the disease, vitamin deficiency can take on a global character and cause high mortality of animals due to overwork and infectious diseases that are added to vitamin deficiency through a weakened immunity of the body. For example, vitamin C is important for horses: it improves the immunity of horses, promotes the production of collagen.

Minerals and vitamins for horses, as well as for any other creature on our planet, play a very important role, which is difficult to overestimate. The majority (about 85%) of farmers at least once in their lives added additional feeding (most often, according to the survey, it was vitamin C for the agility of horses) to the diet of their wards, and only the remaining 15% consider this an unnecessary and empty activity.

What minerals and vitamins should be given

It is possible and necessary to include complexes of minerals and vitamins for horses in the daily ration of animals. But the farmer may be confused: among the abundance of synthesized substances, which ones are advisable to add as top dressing for the horse? More about everything. First, it is worthwhile to understand that there are vitamins and minerals (this includes macro- and microelements). Vitamins to be included in the horse menu:

• beta carotene;
• vitamins A, D, H, K, C vitamins for horses and B vitamins.

The next group is minerals. Essential micronutrients:

• iron;
• copper;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• cobalt;
• selenium;
• iodine.

Nearby is the next subgroup - these are macronutrients. This includes:

• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• sodium.

It is worth noting that it is better for farmers to adhere to the principle of the golden mean: do not overdo it, but also do not overlook in caring for their wards. Minerals and vitamins can be given to horses in the form of injections or granules from specially formulated vitamin complexes.

In addition to feeding, horses need a sufficient amount of drinking water and a properly selected balanced feed. An excellent opportunity is access to free range and green fresh grass, which contains vitamin C.

Conclusion

Novice horse breeders do not need to worry about how to choose the right food for their horses. The answer to this question can be provided by a qualified veterinarian.

He will also help, if necessary, choose the right complex of vitamins and minerals for the mare, and will also give recommendations on the introduction of these additives in the animal's menu. Do not be afraid and take care of your animals, because the main thing in this business is love and care!