Vitamin E is an important vitamin for horses and dogs
CdGE is a 100% natural vitamin E complementary feed for horses and dogs.
Vitamin E, i.e. alpha-tocopherol, is one of the fat-soluble vitamins needed by a horse’s/dog’s body. Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant in the body, protecting cells and fatty acids from the harmful effects of free radicals produced during metabolism. Vitamin E is the only fat-soluble vitamin with protective antioxidant effects.
Free radicals enter body tissues through breathing air and normal metabolism. The formation of free radicals in the body cannot be prevented. They are also part of the immune system, because they destroy harmful bacteria. They become a problem if there are too many and the body cannot repair the damage they cause quickly enough.
A horse’s/dog’s muscles develop through appropriate exertion. During long-term and demanding exertion, free radicals form in muscles. These are chemical compounds that can damage and destroy muscle cells if they are not neutralized by antioxidants. A rise in lactic acid levels in muscles can lead to muscle fatigue and stiffness as well as other muscle problems.
Outside the grazing season, vitamin E is a good supplement for all horses
Horses or dogs cannot produce vitamin E in their bodies themselves; it must be obtained from the diet. Vitamin E requirements vary between individuals. They depend, among other things, on size, the amount and type of work, and the animal’s geographic location (variations in soil).
A high oil content in the diet increases vitamin E requirements. In horses, the need always increases during the winter feeding season. If a horse does not graze at all, vitamin E must be replaced through other feeding year-round.
Hard exertion and competition increase the body’s need for vitamin E. Breeding animals, pregnant animals, and lactating animals also have increased requirements. Vitamin E is also recommended for older horses and dogs to support immune function. Feeding recommendations vary, but the current rule of thumb is around 750–1000 mg per day for leisure horses and as much as 1000–3000 mg per day for competition horses. In dogs, the corresponding need is about 150–750 mg.
Deficiency symptoms
Vitamin E deficiency is often difficult to detect, but it is associated with, among other things, reduced immune function, muscle and performance problems, neurological problems such as reduced balance or coordination, and reproductive problems such as poor conception rates and low-quality semen. Too low vitamin E intake may also be associated with a higher risk of muscle damage or tears, or damage to the retina. Symptoms can also include anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle tightness. Symptoms occur mainly in late winter, because vitamin E evaporates from hay over time. Thus, the vitamin E content of hay is lower in late winter than in freshly cut hay. For this reason, it is especially important to ensure adequate vitamin E intake for horses in late winter/early spring.
Adequate vitamin E intake ensures better muscle growth and development, prevention of muscle damage, and faster recovery from hard exertion.
Although vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, overdosing generally does not cause symptoms. Repeated overdosing is still never recommended.
CdGE is a trademark of Chia de Gracia.
