Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
Mineral and vitamin supplements provide your horse with the nutrients needed to keep him healthy and strong.
Mineral supplements are available in a variety of forms, including chews, pelleted feed or tablets. Mineral powders are very popular because they are easy to administer, but some horses may have digestive problems if they eat too much of them.

Vitamin supplements can come in the form of pellets (vitamins) or tablets (minerals). Pellets are easy for horse owners to administer, but some horses may have trouble chewing them or swallowing large amounts of them without getting indigestion. Also, some horses do not like the taste of pellets and refuse to eat them.
Minerals
Vitamin A:
Stimulates good eyesight and immune system.
Supports growth and development.
Promotes healthy skin, hair coat, and general wellness of horses.
Vitamin B12:
Helps maintain energy levels, memory, and mental alertness.
Supports red blood cell production and hemoglobin synthesis.
Vitamin C:
Supports the immune system, maintains healthy gums and teeth, and supports collagen formation in connective tissues.
Vitamin E:
A powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radical damage (oxidation). Supports healthy skin health by preventing dryness, cracking and peeling. Helps maintain a normal lipid level in the blood (triglycerides), which is essential for proper functioning of all cells in the body including muscles, nerves and brain cells! It also helps reduce inflammation throughout the body which is important in maintaining healthy joints.
Horses are herbivores, which means they eat plants. Horse owners need to know what kind of plants their horses will eat and how much they should be feeding them. The main mineral that horses need is calcium, and they also need phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sulfur.
Vitamin A is an important nutrient for adult horses because it helps the immune system function properly. Vitamin A deficiency in horses can cause blindness and other health problems. Horses also need vitamin D to absorb calcium from foods and bones into their bodies. Horses don’t get much vitamin D from sunlight or grass; so supplemental sources of this vitamin are very important for healthy horses.
Minerals are the building blocks of all the body’s systems. Minerals are needed in small amounts, but too much can lead to deficiencies. Vitamins help the body use minerals and carbohydrates, which are essential for growth and repair.
Minerals:
Calcium (Ca) – helps build strong bones, teeth and blood vessels; also important for normal biochemical reactions in muscles, nerves and glands; helps regulate muscle contractions; helps form bone matrix, which is a major component of bone tissue; promotes blood clotting; promotes normal growth and development
Chloride (Cl) – regulates fluid balance in the body; important for normal function of nerves, muscles, brain and glands; helps maintain acid-base balance in the body by controlling secretion of stomach acid
Minerals and vitamins for horses
Sulfur (S) – important for normal function of enzymes that break down amino acids to release energy from food; feeds worn out red blood cells and provides energy for cellular functions; prevents diseases related to sulfur deficiency such as aflatoxin poisoning from moldy grains and legumes
I am an owner of a farm where I raise horses and have one myself. And when you have to keep the animal in a good shape, you have to be aware of what the horse needs – not just food, but other products such as vitamins and minerals that are important for it.
As an animal lover you should know that by giving your horse these supplements you are helping it to lead a healthier and longer life. Now that you have so much information of the advantages of doing so, why don’t you visit a local store or go online and purchase some supplements for your horse. Soon you will be seeing many other positive results.
A first step in mineral supplementation is the determination of an appropriate program for the individual horse, including an evaluation of his body condition score. Complete feeding and supplementation recommendations are based upon specific feeding programs.
In the end, horse owners have a wealth of options available to provide their animals with the best possible nutrition. They needn’t be afraid to look for bargains or alternate sources for this vital care, because there is no substitute for high-quality ingredients. Ultimately, any source of good nutrition can work, but that means research and caution should be applied whenever they’re considering new options.
If there is a breeding goal, one could feed in advance of the breeding date using a product that contains the needed vitamins. Pregnant mares, which are normally kept on low-grade diets to help minimize weight gain, would live on alfalfa, mineral and vitamin supplements alone as early as 60 days prior to foaling.