Question 1

What are organic trace minerals for horses?

Accepted Answer

Organic trace minerals for horses are trace minerals that are chemically bound to amino acids or other organic molecules, which improves mineral stability and absorption in the digestive tract. These forms are often called chelated trace minerals.

Trace minerals such as copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium support critical physiological processes including hoof growth, connective tissue formation, immune function, antioxidant defense, and metabolic regulation.

Supplements such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® and AminoTrace+ provide 100% organic trace minerals formulated to help balance forage-based diets and support optimal mineral nutrition in horses.

Question 2

Are organic trace minerals better than inorganic minerals for horses?

Accepted Answer

Organic trace minerals are often absorbed more efficiently by horses than many inorganic mineral sources because the mineral is bound to an amino acid or organic compound, forming what is commonly called a chelated mineral.

This structure allows the mineral to remain stable in the digestive tract and be transported across the intestinal wall using amino acid absorption pathways. In contrast, inorganic minerals such as sulfates or oxides can bind to dietary antagonists like iron, fiber, or phytates in the gut, which can reduce how much of the mineral is ultimately absorbed.

By improving mineral stability and uptake, organic trace minerals help support connective tissue development, hoof integrity, enzyme function, immune defense, and antioxidant protection. Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides organic trace minerals designed to support consistent mineral absorption and balanced micronutrient nutrition.

Question 3

Do horses need organic trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

Horses need trace minerals to maintain normal health, but they do not strictly require organic forms if the diet already provides adequate and bioavailable mineral sources.

However, organic trace minerals are often preferred in equine nutrition because they are typically absorbed more efficiently than many inorganic mineral sources. In forage-based diets that contain relatively high iron and lower copper and zinc levels, organic forms can help improve mineral utilization and support connective tissue development, hoof strength, immune function, and metabolic balance.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides 100% organic trace minerals along with vitamins and amino acids commonly lacking in hay and pasture diets, helping maintain balanced micronutrient nutrition.

Question 4

Do horses on hay-only diets need organic trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, horses on hay-only diets typically benefit from trace mineral supplementation because hay rarely provides balanced levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and iodine required for optimal health.

Hay provides energy and fiber but often lacks sufficient micronutrients to support hoof growth, immune function, connective tissue integrity, and metabolic processes.

A supplement such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® helps balance forage-based diets by supplying organic trace minerals, vitamins, and amino acids commonly lacking in hay and pasture.

Question 5

Do horses absorb organic trace minerals better?

Accepted Answer

Horses can often absorb organic trace minerals more efficiently than many inorganic forms because the mineral is bound to an amino acid or organic ligand, forming what is commonly called a chelated mineral.

This structure helps the mineral remain stable as it moves through the digestive tract and allows it to be absorbed using amino acid transport pathways in the small intestine. Inorganic minerals such as sulfates or oxides are more likely to bind with dietary antagonists such as iron, fiber, or phytates in the gut, which can reduce how much of the mineral is ultimately absorbed.

By improving mineral uptake, organic trace minerals help support connective tissue formation, hoof integrity, enzyme activity, immune defense, and antioxidant protection. Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ provides organic trace minerals designed to support consistent mineral absorption and balanced micronutrient nutrition.

Question 6

Can organic trace minerals improve hoof quality in horses?

Accepted Answer

Organic trace minerals can improve hoof quality in horses when the diet is low in key nutrients such as copper and zinc. These minerals are required for collagen cross-linking and keratin production, which form the structural framework of the hoof wall.

When copper and zinc intake is insufficient, or when high dietary iron interferes with their absorption, horses may develop weak hoof horn, brittle walls, cracks, and slower hoof growth. Correcting these mineral imbalances helps support stronger connective tissue and healthier hoof structure.

Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ provides elevated copper and zinc levels in organic forms along with biotin and amino acids to support keratin formation and improve hoof integrity in horses with higher trace mineral requirements.

Question 7

Can organic trace minerals support metabolic health in horses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, organic trace minerals can support metabolic health in horses by helping correct common copper and zinc deficiencies that affect insulin regulation, connective tissue integrity, and antioxidant defense.

Many horses with metabolic concerns such as insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), or laminitis risk consume forage that contains relatively high iron but lower copper and zinc levels. Excess iron competes with copper and zinc for absorption in the intestine, which can worsen trace mineral imbalances and affect metabolic function.

Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ provides elevated copper and zinc levels in organic forms to help restore more appropriate mineral ratios and support metabolic balance in horses consuming high-iron forage.

Question 8

Should I feed organic trace minerals or a mineral block?

Accepted Answer

Most horses receive more reliable mineral nutrition from a measured vitamin and mineral supplement than from a trace mineral block. Mineral blocks were originally developed for cattle, which have rough tongues that allow them to consume hard blocks efficiently. Horses have softer tongues and typically lick blocks slowly, which leads to inconsistent and often inadequate mineral intake.

Trace mineral blocks are also based on the assumption that horses will instinctively consume the minerals they need. While horses do show a natural appetite for salt, there is little evidence that they regulate their intake of individual trace minerals such as copper or zinc. As a result, some horses may consume very little from a block, while others may overconsume certain minerals.

In addition, many trace mineral blocks contain added iron even though most forage already supplies more iron than horses require. Excess iron can interfere with copper and zinc absorption, potentially worsening trace mineral imbalances.

Feeding a measured supplement such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® allows horse owners to provide consistent daily levels of organic trace minerals formulated to balance the deficiencies commonly found in hay and pasture diets.

Question 9

Which horses benefit most from organic trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

Many horses benefit from organic trace minerals, but they are particularly important for horses whose diets create higher demands or mineral imbalances. This includes horses eating primarily hay or pasture, horses consuming forage with high iron levels, laminitic or insulin-resistant horses, growing horses, broodmares, performance horses, and senior horses.

These horses often require adequate copper, zinc, selenium, and other trace minerals to support connective tissue formation, hoof integrity, immune function, antioxidant protection, and metabolic regulation. High iron intake from forage or water can further increase the need for copper and zinc because iron competes with these minerals for absorption in the digestive tract.

A balanced supplement such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides organic trace minerals formulated to help maintain proper mineral ratios and support the nutritional needs of horses across different life stages and management conditions.

Question 10

What is the best organic trace mineral supplement for horses?

Accepted Answer

The best organic trace mineral supplement for most horses is Mad Barn’s Omneity®. Omneity is formulated to balance forage-based diets by supplying essential vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids that are commonly lacking in hay and pasture.

Trace minerals such as copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese support connective tissue development, hoof integrity, immune function, enzyme activity, and metabolic regulation. Providing these nutrients in organic forms helps support reliable mineral absorption and balanced micronutrient nutrition.

Horses with higher trace mineral demands—such as those with hoof problems, metabolic concerns, laminitis risk, or diets high in iron—may benefit more from AminoTrace+, which provides elevated copper and zinc levels to help restore proper mineral balance.

Because forage mineral content varies widely, the most reliable way to determine the best supplementation strategy is to evaluate the complete feeding program. Mad Barn offers free ration balancing by qualified equine nutritionists who can review your horse’s forage and diet to recommend the most appropriate supplement.

Question 11

What organic trace mineral supplement should I feed to a metabolic horse?

Accepted Answer

The best organic trace mineral supplement for horses with metabolic concerns is Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+. AminoTrace+ provides elevated levels of copper and zinc along with antioxidants and amino acids that support metabolic health and connective tissue integrity.

Many metabolic horses consume forage that contains relatively high iron levels. Excess iron can interfere with the absorption of copper and zinc, which are important for maintaining hoof strength, metabolic balance, and normal insulin regulation. AminoTrace+ is formulated with higher levels of these trace minerals to help restore proper mineral ratios.

If you are unsure whether your horse’s diet contains excess iron or trace mineral imbalances, Mad Barn nutritionists can review the forage and feeding program through free ration balancing to help determine the most appropriate supplementation plan.

Question 12

What’s the best source of organic trace minerals for horses with hoof issues?

Accepted Answer

The best source of organic trace minerals for horses with hoof issues is Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+. AminoTrace+ provides elevated copper and zinc along with biotin and essential amino acids that support keratin formation and connective tissue strength in the hoof wall.

Copper and zinc are essential for collagen production and hoof horn development. When these nutrients are deficient or out of balance—particularly in diets high in iron—horses may develop brittle hoof walls, cracks, slow hoof growth, or poor hoof quality.

Correcting trace mineral balance is often the most important nutritional step for improving hoof integrity. Mad Barn’s free ration balancing service allows qualified equine nutritionists to review your horse’s forage and feeding program to determine whether trace mineral imbalances may be contributing to hoof problems.

Question 13

How can I tell if a horse feed uses organic or inorganic trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

You can usually identify organic trace minerals by reading the ingredient list on the supplement label. Organic minerals are typically listed as compounds such as copper proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper amino acid chelate, or zinc amino acid chelate. These names indicate that the mineral is bound to an amino acid or organic ligand, which can improve stability and absorption in the digestive tract.

In contrast, inorganic trace minerals are commonly listed as mineral salts such as copper sulfate, zinc oxide, manganese oxide, or sodium selenite. Some supplements list both organic and inorganic forms of the same mineral. In these cases, it may be unclear how much of the nutrient is actually provided by the organic source because labels do not always indicate the proportion contributed by each ingredient.

Supplements such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® and AminoTrace+ provide 100% organic trace minerals so the entire copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium supply comes from organic sources rather than a mixture of inorganic and organic ingredients.

Feed Name	Brand	ID	Availability	Format	Protein	Fat	ADF	NDF	NSC	DE	Lysine	Calcium	Phosphorus	Magnesium	Potassium	Sodium	Chloride	Iron	Zinc	Copper	Selenium	Biotin	Vitamin E
12.5% Exactor Lite - Texturized	Masterfeeds	71732		--	13.89%	7.78%	13.2%	16.5%	46.15%	4.36 mcal/kg	4.64%	0.83%	0.56%	0.22%	1.5%	0.39%	0.57 ppm	600 ppm	111.11 ppm	44.44 ppm	0.5 ppm	1.28 ppm	277.78 KIU
13% Hi Fat & Fibre Horse Ration Pellet	Floradale Feed Mill Ltd	71826		Pelleted	14.73%	6.77%	26.41%	36%	30.82%	3.02 mcal/kg	4.3%	0.83%	0.41%	0.25%	1%	0.39%	0.58 ppm	400 ppm	150 ppm	45 ppm	0.4 ppm	0.75 ppm	235 KIU
All-4-Feet	Dunstan	1001603	--	Pelleted	16.67%	5%	33.8%	43.8%	10%	2.39 mcal/kg	5.93%	1.22%	0.67%	1.33%	1.44%	0.67%	1 ppm	333.33 ppm	144.44 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.44 ppm	6.57 ppm	413.89 KIU
Alltrack (Textured)	Masterfeeds	386540		--	14.44%	11.1%	20.15%	36.04%	14.41%	3.52 mcal/kg	3.8%	1.1%	0.7%	0.3%	1.35%	0.5%	0.79 ppm	244.4 ppm	166.7 ppm	55.6 ppm	0.69 ppm	1.6 ppm	272.2 KIU
Breed & Grow	Dunstan	990515	--	Pelleted	16.67%	5.5%	18.8%	28.8%	--	3.11 mcal/kg	6.67%	1.67%	0.83%	0.28%	1.33%	0.44%	0.67 ppm	222.22 ppm	155.56 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.56 ppm	0.25 ppm	372.5 KIU
Caliber Complete Horse Ration	Co-op	401531		--	13.33%	2.22%	22%	--	--	2.03 mcal/kg	5.09%	0.83%	0.5%	0.33%	1%	0.44%	--	--	333.33 ppm	94.44 ppm	0.33 ppm	8.22 ppm	333.33 KIU
Caliber Mare & Foal Ration	Co-op	401534	--	--	17.78%	6.11%	16.5%	--	--	2.35 mcal/kg	5.62%	1.11%	0.83%	0.33%	0.89%	0.44%	--	--	366.67 ppm	66.67 ppm	0.67 ppm	6.22 ppm	377.78 KIU
Caliber Performance Horse Ration	Co-op	401533		--	15.56%	5.56%	24.75%	--	--	3.54 mcal/kg	6.07%	1.11%	0.67%	0.33%	0.78%	0.67%	--	--	305.56 ppm	83.33 ppm	0.67 ppm	6 ppm	444.44 KIU
Caliber Senior & Special Care Horse Ration	Co-op	401532		Pelleted	15.56%	7.78%	24.75%	--	--	3.11 mcal/kg	5.14%	1.11%	0.67%	0.33%	1.33%	0.39%	--	--	488.89 ppm	83.33 ppm	0.55 ppm	6.22 ppm	555.56 KIU
Caliber Working Horse Ration	CO-OP	401301		--	17.78%	7.78%	16.26%	34%	--	3 mcal/kg	9.37%	2.17%	1.44%	0.33%	1.33%	0.44%	--	--	555.56 ppm	111.11 ppm	1.5 ppm	12.22 ppm	1111 KIU
CFS Select ABF 30%	Clarence Farm Services Limited	386532		Pelleted	33.71%	3.37%	10.3%	18.73%	--	3.2 mcal/kg	6.88%	3.93%	1.97%	1.12%	1.69%	1.69%	--	955 ppm	562 ppm	198 ppm	1.69 ppm	5.28 ppm	786.5 KIU
Competition Mix	Dunstan	990622	--	Textured	12.22%	7.5%	12.4%	39.6%	--	3.35 mcal/kg	--	1.11%	0.44%	0.22%	1.11%	0.44%	0.89 ppm	244.44 ppm	144.44 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.44 ppm	0.1 ppm	186.25 KIU
Cool Crunch	Pegasus	529793		--	17.8%	2.2%	25%	31.3%	--	2.89 mcal/kg	--	1.1%	0.78%	--	--	0.39%	--	--	--	--	0.67 ppm	--	166.7 KIU
Coolfeed	Dunstan	990632	--	Textured	16.44%	6%	15.6%	50%	6.67%	2.8 mcal/kg	4.73%	1.33%	0.67%	0.83%	1.11%	0.67%	0.89 ppm	333.33 ppm	177.78 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.44 ppm	0.1 ppm	372.5 KIU
Coolmax	Pegasus	529756		--	14.4%	5.6%	16.5%	45.51%	--	3.05 mcal/kg	4.6%	1.1%	0.7%	0.6%	--	0.4%	0.7 ppm	333.3 ppm	200 ppm	66.7 ppm	1.1 ppm	0.33 ppm	305.6 KIU
DeStress Equine	Hoffman's Horse Products	781536	--	Pelleted	17.4%	4.7%	25%	35%	--	0.9 mcal/kg	--	0.74%	0.53%	--	--	0.4%	--	--	--	--	0.33 ppm	--	421.1 KIU
Eezy Mix	Dunstan	990643	--	Extruded	14.44%	6%	5.6%	18%	--	3.46 mcal/kg	--	1%	0.5%	0.33%	0.89%	0.28%	0.5 ppm	155.56 ppm	155.56 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.44 ppm	0.1 ppm	186.25 KIU
Enhancer	Brooks Feeds	71792		Pelleted	13.2%	2.22%	18%	45%	22.07%	2.79 mcal/kg	4.02%	3.3%	2.2%	0.55%	1.1%	1.33%	1.98 ppm	328 ppm	644.44 ppm	227.78 ppm	2.22 ppm	0.7 ppm	1277.78 KIU
Equibalance	Pegasus	529759		--	19.4%	8.9%	12.5%	40%	--	3.58 mcal/kg	5.1%	1.65%	0.66%	0.33%	--	0.66%	0.99 ppm	355.6 ppm	266.7 ppm	94.4 ppm	1.65 ppm	0.56 ppm	555.6 KIU
Equilibra Feed Balancer	GWF Nutrition	529957		Pelleted	18.89%	9.44%	16.5%	26.5%	18.33%	3.3 mcal/kg	4.71%	1.56%	0.56%	0.44%	--	0.39%	--	55.56 ppm	344.44 ppm	111.11 ppm	1.11 ppm	1.33 ppm	1316.75 KIU
Farrier's Aid	GWF Nutrition	529965		Pelleted	17.78%	8.9%	17.88%	27.88%	24.45%	3.35 mcal/kg	--	0.66%	0.44%	0.22%	--	0.11%	--	--	622.22 ppm	240 ppm	--	111.11 ppm	--
Farrier's Choice	Advanced Biological Concepts	776058	--	Pelleted	--	--	--	--	--	1.82 mcal/kg	--	--	--	1.2%	--	--	--	--	1368.4 ppm	726.3 ppm	--	--	210.5 KIU
Fat 'N' Fibre (pellet)	Masterfeeds	401649		Pelleted	13.33%	5.56%	20.63%	31%	21.02%	3.13 mcal/kg	3.67%	1.11%	0.67%	0.28%	1.16%	0.44%	0.46 ppm	265.08 ppm	105.56 ppm	27.78 ppm	1.07 ppm	0.78 ppm	127.78 KIU
Finishing Touch	Masterfeeds	71723		--	15.6%	20.05%	14.05%	32.75%	25.27%	4.12 mcal/kg	4.5%	1.11%	0.67%	0.39%	0.91%	0.45%	0.6 ppm	153.11 ppm	128.11 ppm	33.42 ppm	0.51 ppm	1.11 ppm	445.58 KIU
Immune Aid	GWF Nutrition	529963		Pelleted	16.67%	8.9%	19.25%	29.25%	27.78%	3.17 mcal/kg	--	2.22%	0.56%	0.22%	--	0.11%	--	--	--	--	1.11 ppm	--	1683.25 KIU
Joint Aid Plus	GWF Nutrition	529961		Pelleted	15.56%	8.33%	17.88%	27.88%	26.11%	3.34 mcal/kg	--	0.56%	0.44%	0.22%	--	0.11%	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Krunch Cubes	Masterfeeds	71718		Cubes	17.8%	2.78%	10%	32%	50.96%	3.1 mcal/kg	4.4%	1.2%	1%	0.3%	1.5%	0.39%	0.66 ppm	600 ppm	138.9 ppm	38.9 ppm	0.5 ppm	1.1 ppm	222.2 KIU
Liberty	Pegasus	529755		--	14.4%	8.8%	31.3%	38.9%	7.8%	3.13 mcal/kg	4.67%	1.1%	0.6%	0.6%	1.3%	0.4%	0.7 ppm	333.3 ppm	194.4 ppm	66.7 ppm	1.1 ppm	0.33 ppm	400 KIU
Muscle Maintenance	GWF Nutrition	529962		Pelleted	38.9%	9.44%	17.88%	27.88%	26.67%	3.04 mcal/kg	4.86%	1.11%	0.22%	0.33%	--	0.22%	--	--	--	--	1.78 ppm	--	41459.37 KIU
Old Horse	Dunstan	991197	--	--	14.44%	5.5%	27%	37%	10%	2.86 mcal/kg	7.69%	1%	0.67%	0.89%	--	0.44%	0.67 ppm	333.33 ppm	144.44 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.56 ppm	0.1 ppm	558.75 KIU
Peformax	Pegasus	529757		--	14.4%	6.7%	13.8%	44%	--	3.45 mcal/kg	4.61%	0.11%	0.6%	0.33%	--	0.52%	0.79 ppm	255.6 ppm	144.4 ppm	50 ppm	0.9 ppm	0.33 ppm	305.6 KIU
Pro24 Supplement	Hoffman’s Horse Products	611721		Pelleted	25.26%	4.74%	15%	48%	12%	2.73 mcal/kg	9.23%	2.63%	1.47%	0.63%	1.68%	1.16%	--	368.42 ppm	863.16 ppm	189.5 ppm	2.84 ppm	12.63 ppm	1578.95 KIU
RX Roughage Pellet/Cube	Masterfeeds	71700		Cubes, Pelleted	13.3%	2.8%	23.6%	46.9%	19%	2.73 mcal/kg	4.6%	0.89%	0.56%	0.28%	1.1%	0.39%	0.58 ppm	222 ppm	94.4 ppm	27.8 ppm	0.33 ppm	0.8 ppm	127.8 KIU
Senior	Brooks Feeds	71872		Pelleted, Textured	15.73%	8.99%	27.5%	35%	21%	3.16 mcal/kg	6.43%	1.01%	0.62%	--	--	0.45%	--	168.54 ppm	191.01 ppm	56.18 ppm	0.56 ppm	0.39 ppm	387.64 KIU
Studmaster	Pegasus	529758		--	18.9%	4.4%	13.75%	37.93%	--	3.32 mcal/kg	4.7%	1.3%	0.83%	1.1%	--	0.4%	0.7 ppm	255.6 ppm	155.6 ppm	53.3 ppm	1.3 ppm	0.33 ppm	222.2 KIU
Suspensory Saver	Figuerola Laboratories	1191403	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	0 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Sweet Mix	Dunstan	1001570	--	Textured	12.22%	7.5%	5.6%	18%	--	3.47 mcal/kg	6.57%	1.11%	0.56%	0.44%	1%	0.56%	1 ppm	155.56 ppm	155.56 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.39 ppm	0.11 ppm	223.5 KIU
Sweetmax	Pegasus	529754		--	16.7%	8.9%	15.13%	41.72%	--	3.71 mcal/kg	4.7%	1%	0.61%	0.38%	--	0.4%	0.7 ppm	288.9 ppm	144.4 ppm	50 ppm	0.9 ppm	0.22 ppm	388.9 KIU
Synergy	Thunderbrook	683622		Powdered	22.2%	21.51%	23.47%	64.7%	10.19%	4.1 mcal/kg	--	1.05%	0.63%	0.79%	--	--	--	--	421.05 ppm	105.2 ppm	0.78 ppm	15.78 ppm	526.3 KIU
VTM 20 Pellet	Masterfeeds	71699		Pelleted	22.2%	3.3%	13.11%	28.09%	19.3%	2.48 mcal/kg	4.5%	3.1%	1.66%	0.4%	1.29%	1.1%	1.5 ppm	733 ppm	333 ppm	105.6 ppm	1.9 ppm	3.8 ppm	666.7 KIU

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Organic Trace Minerals - Feed Ingredient

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Organic Trace Minerals - Feed Ingredient

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