{"id":278,"date":"2017-04-27T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T15:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/?p=278"},"modified":"2023-02-01T15:38:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T15:38:17","slug":"formulating-your-horses-diet-part-1-vitamins-minerals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/2017\/04\/27\/formulating-your-horses-diet-part-1-vitamins-minerals\/","title":{"rendered":"Formulating Your Horse\u2019s Diet: Part 1 \u2013 Vitamins & Minerals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nutrition is a fundamental part of your horse\u2019s health, wellbeing and performance. In this new series, we discuss the components of correct nutrition to help you formulate a healthy, well-balanced diet for your performance horse or pony.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Part 1, we examine two of the most commonly overlooked ingredients that are vital to sustaining performance \u2013 vitamins and minerals.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamins and minerals play a critical role in growth, immune and reproductive function for all horses. Without an adequate daily intake of vitamins and
minerals, deficiencies can rapidly deplete your horse\u2019s health and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, what exactly are vitamins and minerals? And, why are they so important?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of vitamins \u2013 those that are fat-soluble and those that are water-soluble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As their name suggests, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fatty deposits of the body. The main fat-soluble vitamins found in your horse\u2019s diet are
vitamins A, D and E. These are responsible for vision, calcium absorption and regulation, and antioxidant protection for cells, including muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water-soluble vitamins are often referred to as B-vitamins and these include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin and folic acid. B-vitamins are involved
in nearly every chemical reaction in the body, and are vital for growth, metabolism and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minerals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadly speaking, minerals can be divided into two classifications \u2013 macro and micro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macro-minerals are required in large amounts in your horse\u2019s diet. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n