This is such a loaded topic because to ask this one question, Do horses really need supplements? I have to ask you the following questions to help you determine if supplementation is needed based on your horse’s food/diet and exercise.

So, lets start with:

1) What is the Body Condition of your horse?

Knowing where your horse falls on the Henneke Equine Body Condition Scoring System is so important not only in selecting an appropriate diet, but also in determining if supplements are needed. Compare your horse to the body types below using a scale of 1 (extremely poor condition) to 9 (extremely overweight), and palpating (touch with some pressure) the six areas shown in the Fat Deposits image below. Ideally, your horse should scale out within the Moderate #5 and Moderately Fleshy #6 range as seen in the condition scale images.

Location and order of accumulation of Location and order of accumulattion of FAT DEPOSITS in a horse: This horse is in moderate condition without significant fat deposits, scoring a body condition of about 5 or 6. The little bit of bulk is actually from the end-of-winter coat.

The coordinating numbers on this image are showing where fat deposits accumulate on horses, for use in the Henneke Horse Body Condition Scoring System. Although there are exceptions, fat is usually first stored internally around major organs, and then accumulates fairly predictably in the following order: 1. Behind the elbow/scapula 2. Between the ribs 3. Beside the tail head 4. Along the back 5. Over the withers 6. In the neck

The Henneke Equine Body Condition Scoring System

Now that you have placed your horse on the scale of 1 to 9, you have to pay close attention on the nutritional balance of your hay/pasture/forage and feed ration.

Before we start with a lengthy explanation of why your horse is in a certain condition and your horse’s diet, there is one supplement all horses need at every age, regardless of breed or activity level: SALT  ...  iodized sodium chloride. You can regulate the amount to encourage your horse to drink their recommended 10 to 20 gallons of water per day, depending on their activity level. Water will reduce instances of tying-up and many of the types of colic, no matter the time of year or the temperature outside. A couple of tablespoons per day of loose salt in the feed ration is a money-saving and horse-saving supplement.

2) What is the Nutritional Balance of your horse meal?

Forage is, without a doubt, the foundation of any feeding plan. The average horse consumes 17 to 22 pounds of feed per day, most of which should come from hay or pasture. In a perfect world, horses would be out on pasture grazing on live orchard and fescue grass. This is a luxury for most horses and horse owners in this day and age, but not all horses need free-choice forage, especially now that fresh pasture could be the catalyst for laminitis and any of the metabolic syndromes that have plagued horses in the last 10 years.

If your horse falls on the condition scale of 7, 8 or 9, you will have to consider your choices for a low, under 12% sugar (NSC - non structural carbohydrate) hay. This hay will have more fibre, less carbohydrate, but will also have a significantly lower nutrient value and will need a  ration balancing supplement or feed concentrate to bring up the calcium and phosphorus. 

Why? The following symptoms are very visible if the nutritional balance is not quite right for a healthy, well-functioning horse:

• Top-line has lost good muscle along the spine, rump and withers.
• Belly looks like it has dropped or is heavy on the bottom.
• Hooves may easily chip or crack, shoes are always needed, and the sole is flat around the frog.
• Your horse is not with you physically or mentally during the ride, but rather listless, lazy, or fighting you. 
• The coat is a bit dull in the summer and longer than others in the winter.
• The crest of the top of neck is enlarging and thick. 
• Arthritis may have slowed the movement and back to front step is inside tracking. 
  • This may also be due to skeletal misalignment and an equine chiropractor or physio-therapist should be able to help you. 

FYI - ABOUT VITAMINS & MINERALS:

FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS

The fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your horse’s body and used as needed. Hard-working horses or horses under stress can deplete stores of fat-soluble vitamins leading to deficiencies.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a role in digestion, respiration, reproduction, and vision. In growing horses vitamin A is important to proper bone development. Vitamin A is not found in nature; instead, it is synthesized from carotenes in the small intestine. Green grass is an excellent natural source of beta-carotene, which is metabolized into vitamin A. When green grass is lacking in the diet it is particularly important that vitamin A be supplemented.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a major role in the absorption of calcium in the small intestine. Once absorbed, vitamin D aids in the transportation to and the accumulation of calcium in the bone and other tissues.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E cannot be synthesized by the horse; therefore, it is considered an essential nutrient and a powerful antioxidant that limits the damage caused by oxidative stress and the actions of free radicals. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve function and supports a strong immune system in horses of all ages.

The best source of vitamin E is fresh green grass; however, the potency of vitamin E declines very quickly once forages are harvested and dried. Multiple research studies have shown that vitamin E is often deficient in the diets of horses that do not have access to continual grazing on fresh green grass, or those grazing on winter pasture. Note about synthetic (dl-alpha-tocopherol) and the natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol), studies do show that natural vitamin E is two to three times more potent than synthetic. This formula allows for that ratio to be an effective antioxidant.

WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in your horse’s body, so they need to be provided in the proper amounts in the diet. Horses that are working hard or are stressed may need additional supplementation.

Thiamine, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid

These vitamins play a role in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Riboflavin

Also known as B2, riboflavin influences energy production and growth.

Folic Acid

Folic acid, or B9, is important for red blood cell development.

Vitamin B12

Cobalamin, B12, plays a role in energy metabolism and maintaining the manufacturing of red blood cells.

Choline

Choline supports cellular functions in multiple ways. It is a component of lipids and plays an important role in normal cell structure and activity. It contributes to normal fat metabolism in the liver, increasing fatty acid utilization. As a precursor of acetylcholine, it supports the transmission of nerve impulses. Choline is thought to have an impact on concentration, memory and muscle performance, and prevents fat buildup in the liver.

MINERALS

Minerals are inorganic compounds that serve both as components in body tissue and as catalysts for various body processes. The trace minerals in our PUREFORM All-In-One Ration Balancing Supplements, like MetaBoost or Support One, are chelated, which increases digestibility and absorption.

Calcium

A main building block of your horse’s skeleton, calcium also supports proper muscle contractions and plays a role in blood clotting.

Phosphorus

Essential to healthy bones and energy transfer reactions, phosphorus also plays a role in the synthesis of certain proteins. Calcium and phosphorus must be provided in the appropriate ratio range of 2:1 to 1:1.

Copper

Copper is necessary for healthy connective tissue, cartilage, and bone. Other important functions of copper include red blood cell formation, hoof wall formation, and hair pigmentation.

Selenium

Selenium works in concert with vitamin E to defend the body’s cells from damaging oxidative by-products known as free radicals. Selenium is a component of a beneficial enzyme that prevents free radicals from forming. Free radicals are released during normal energy production. Horses use energy to fuel bodily functions and movement.

Zinc

Zinc plays a role in healthy hooves and coat, bone development, and reproduction. It is also critical to proper immune function. Zinc is a trace mineral vital to proper enzyme function in protein metabolism. MetaBOOST contains zinc proteinate, the form of zinc most easily digested by horses.

YEAST CULTURES

Research has shown that high-quality yeast cultures help horses maintain a healthy digestive tract and increase the digestibility of nutrients by stimulating the activity of the good microorganisms in the hindgut. A healthy microbial population will also reduce the incidence of digestive upset and contribute to a healthy immune system.