Vitamin, amino acid and mineral

supplements for horses

Dr Finola McConaghy, BVSc, DipVetClinStud, PhD
Technical Manager at Ceva Animal Health

Nutritional supplements are indicated for horses coenzyme A. Coenzyme A is essential in the metabolism
where the daily nutritional requirements of an animal of carbohydrates, protein and fat.
are not being met due to stress, illness, parasitism
or otherwise. Indications also include inappetence, Biotin is another B complex vitamin. It forms part of two
dietary insufficiency and low blood count. enzymes essential for formulation of glucose and fatty
acid synthesis as well as helping maintain hoof growth.
Many athletic animals are slightly anaemic which means Inositol is a B complex vitamin required for proper
they have a low red blood cell count. Less red blood cells formation of cell.
means less oxygen going to the muscles which means
they cannot perform at their maximum level. Milk is low V.A.M. contains inositol, biotin, nicotinamide and the
in iron, so young animals can suffer from “nutritional B vitamins B2, B5, B6 and B12 to help replace these
anaemia” due to an exclusive milk diet. essential vitamins which are used up at increased rates
during times of stress.
Parasites are a major cause of
iron deficiency. Demand for iron A number of amino acids are involved in
is increased substantially in the energy metabolism and are recommended
pregnant and lactating animal. Iron for supplementation to promote optimal
loss may also be initiated by anti- health. Glycine is an amino acid involved in
inflammatory drugs like aspirin the production of proteins in the body.
and ibuprofen via gastrointestinal
bleeding. Glycine has several important functions in
the body, including helping to regulate blood
The primary sign of iron deficiency sugars. Choline is an essential component of
is anaemia. Signs of mild iron deficiency include all cell membranes, and is involved in energy metabolism
reduced feed intake and pale mucous membranes. and in various other metabolic processes.
Supplementation is recommended for iron deficiency
– the iron level in V.A.M will help maintain an adequate Lysine is an amino acid which is involved in cellular
supply of iron without the risk of toxicity. metabolism and structure. Methionine is an amino acid
which supplies sulphur and other compounds required
B vitamins are often recommended for stress. for normal growth and metabolism. V.A.M. supplies the
Nicotinamide is a vitamin B compound which is essential amino acids glycine, choline, lysing and methionine.
to the production of energy in the body as well as the
regulation of blood sugar, anti-oxidant mechanisms and Cobalt is an integral part of Vitamin B12 which is a nutrient
detoxification reactions. required for red blood cell production. Copper is a mineral
that aids in the formation of bone, haemoglobin and red
Cyanocobalamin is also known as vitamin B12, an enzyme blood cells. Supplementation of the co-factors cobalt and
co-factor, and forms part of the coenzymes essential for copper will support the production of red blood cells.
all cells, particularly rapid cell turnover. These include red
blood cells, the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract and Supplementing a range of nutrients, B vitamins, amino
bone marrow cells. Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2 acids and key minerals, such as with V.A.M. will
and is essential for the utilisation of energy from food. support the athletic animal during times of stress
as well as provide support for recovery from
Pyridoxine is also known as vitamin B6. This vitamin is illness, parasitism and anaemia.
involved in the formation of body proteins and structural
compounds, chemical transmitters in the nervous
system, red blood cells and prostaglandins. D-Panthenol
is also known as vitamin B5 and is a component of

Ceva Animal Health Pty Ltd Ceva Equine

PO Box 147, Glenorie NSW Australia 2157. Ph 02 9652 7000 Fax 02 9652 7001 www.ceva.com.au Email: info.australia@ceva.com Committed to Equine Health
EQ0098 CEVA 08/2016 P1