Vitamin E is one of the most important fat-soluble vitamins for horses. It acts as an antioxidant in the body and protects cells from oxidative stress, which occurs especially with heavy exertion, aging, and illness.
Why is vitamin E important?
Muscles and performance – Exercise increases oxidative stress in the horse’s body. Studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation reduces exercise-induced cellular damage and supports recovery (Fagan et al., 2020).
Nervous system health – Vitamin E deficiency has been linked to several neuromuscular diseases, such as equine motor neuron disease (EMND) and vitamin E deficient myopathy (Finno et al., 2012). Adequate intake is an important preventive factor.
Immune defense – Vitamin E may improve immune function and strengthen vaccine response, especially in older horses (Petersson et al., 2010).
Natural vs. synthetic
Vitamin E is available in both synthetic and natural forms. Research suggests that natural vitamin E (RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate) is absorbed more than twice as efficiently as synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate), making it a clearly more effective option for equine feeding (Finno et al., 2012).
Practical considerations
Horses naturally obtain vitamin E from pasture grass, but levels drop quickly in dried hay during storage. For this reason, supplementation is often needed, especially in winter, for sport horses, and for older individuals.
Summary: Vitamin E supports the horse’s muscles, nervous system, and immune resilience. The natural form is absorbed best and provides reliable support for the horse’s well-being year-round.
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