Question 1

What are chelated minerals for horses?

Accepted Answer

Chelated minerals for horses are trace minerals that are bound to amino acids or similar organic ligands, which helps keep the mineral stable in the digestive tract and improves absorption. Common examples include copper proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, and amino acid chelates of copper or zinc.

This matters because trace minerals such as copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium are required for hoof horn formation, connective tissue strength, enzyme activity, immune defense, and antioxidant protection. In practical terms, chelated minerals help more of the nutrient reach the tissues that need it instead of being tied up in the gut by antagonists such as excess iron or fiber.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® and AminoTrace+ both provide 100% chelated trace minerals to support balanced mineral nutrition in forage-based diets.

Question 2

Why are chelated trace minerals easier for horses to absorb?

Accepted Answer

Chelated trace minerals are easier for horses to absorb because the mineral is attached to an amino acid or peptide that helps it stay stable as it moves through the digestive tract. This reduces the chance that the mineral will bind with antagonists such as iron, fiber, or phytates before it reaches absorption sites in the small intestine.

Once there, the chelated mineral can be absorbed using amino acid transport pathways rather than competing only as a free mineral salt. That means more usable copper, zinc, manganese, or selenium is available for hoof growth, connective tissue repair, immune function, and antioxidant defense.

This is one reason Mad Barn uses chelated trace minerals in both Omneity® and AminoTrace+.

Question 3

Are chelated minerals better than inorganic minerals for horses?

Accepted Answer

Chelated trace minerals are often a better choice than inorganic minerals for horses because the form of the mineral affects how much of it is actually absorbed and used by the body. Horses still require the same essential trace minerals, such as copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium, but chelated forms are generally less likely to bind to other compounds in the digestive tract before they reach absorption sites in the small intestine.

This can matter in both forage-based and grain-based feeding programs. For example, high dietary iron, high-fiber diets, and some feed ingredients can reduce the availability of inorganic mineral salts such as oxides or sulfates. When trace minerals are supplied in chelated forms, more of the nutrient may remain available to support hoof quality, connective tissue development, immune function, antioxidant defense, and normal metabolic processes.

In practical terms, chelated trace minerals can help improve the consistency and reliability of mineral nutrition, particularly when the base diet is unbalanced or when the horse has higher nutritional demands. Mad Barn uses 100% chelated trace minerals in its vitamin and mineral supplements such as Omneity® and AminoTrace+ to support more effective trace mineral absorption and utilization.

Question 4

Do horses eating hay need chelated trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, horses eating mostly hay or pasture often benefit from chelated trace minerals because forage rarely provides balanced levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and iodine. Hay can meet calorie and fiber needs while still leaving important micronutrient gaps that affect hoof quality, connective tissue strength, immune function, and metabolic balance.

Many hays are also relatively high in iron, which can further reduce copper and zinc availability. That means a horse may appear to be eating a simple adequate diet while still not receiving enough usable trace minerals to support long-term health and performance.

For most hay-fed horses, Mad Barn’s Omneity® is the best starting point because it is designed to balance common forage deficiencies. Horses with higher trace mineral demands may be better suited to AminoTrace+.

Question 5

How does high iron in forage affect copper and zinc absorption in horses?

Accepted Answer

High iron in forage can reduce copper and zinc absorption because these minerals can compete with iron for uptake in the digestive tract. When iron intake is disproportionately high, less copper and zinc may be absorbed and delivered to tissues, even when the diet appears to contain adequate amounts on paper.

This is a common issue in hay-based diets because many forages contain far more iron than the horse actually requires. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to brittle hooves, poor coat quality, weaker connective tissue, and difficulty maintaining proper trace mineral balance.

Chelated copper and zinc are useful in these situations because the mineral is bound to an amino acid or similar organic ligand, which helps keep it more stable in the gut and reduces its tendency to interact with iron before absorption occurs. Because chelated minerals can use amino acid-linked absorption pathways rather than relying entirely on the same mineral transport processes as free inorganic salts, they are often less affected by high dietary iron. Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ is specifically formulated for these situations, providing elevated copper and zinc levels in chelated forms to help restore more appropriate mineral ratios when iron intake is high.

Question 6

Can chelated copper and zinc improve hoof growth in horses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, chelated copper and zinc can improve hoof growth and hoof quality when poor hoof horn is linked to inadequate trace mineral intake or poor mineral balance. Copper is required for collagen cross-linking, which helps build strong connective tissue within the hoof, while zinc is required for keratin production, which forms the structural protein of the hoof wall.

When copper and zinc intake is too low, or when high iron interferes with their absorption, horses may develop brittle hoof walls, cracks, thin horn, slow hoof growth, or poor hoof quality despite otherwise adequate calories and protein.

Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ is the better choice for horses with hoof issues because it provides elevated copper and zinc levels in chelated forms along with biotin and methionine, two nutrients that are also important for hoof growth and keratin formation. The formula also supplies additional amino acids to support stronger hoof walls, improved hoof growth, and better long-term hoof integrity.

Question 7

Which horses benefit most from chelated minerals?

Accepted Answer

All horses can benefit from chelated trace minerals because the form of the mineral affects how efficiently it is absorbed and used by the body. Chelated minerals are especially important for horses that already have a trace mineral deficiency or for horses with higher trace mineral requirements than the average maintenance horse.

This includes horses eating primarily hay or pasture, horses on high-iron forage, horses with poor hoof quality, growing horses, broodmares, performance horses, senior horses, and horses with metabolic concerns such as insulin resistance or laminitis risk. These horses are more likely to need higher levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese to support hoof growth, connective tissue formation, immune function, antioxidant protection, and normal metabolic regulation.

For most horses, Omneity® provides balanced chelated trace mineral nutrition to help fill the common gaps in forage-based diets. Horses with higher copper and zinc demands, current deficiencies, hoof issues, metabolic concerns, or diets high in iron often do better on AminoTrace+, which provides elevated levels of these trace minerals in chelated forms.

Question 8

What is the best chelated trace mineral supplement for horses?

Accepted Answer

The best chelated trace mineral supplement for most horses is Mad Barn’s Omneity®. Omneity is a complete vitamin and mineral supplement designed to balance forage-based diets, and it uses 100% chelated trace minerals rather than a mixture of chelated and inorganic sources.

Omneity provides chelated forms of key trace minerals including copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium to support more reliable absorption and utilization in the horse’s body. These nutrients are important for hoof quality, connective tissue strength, immune function, antioxidant protection, and overall metabolic health.

For most horses, the main nutritional goal is to correct the broad deficiencies commonly found in hay and pasture, including trace minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids, without adding excess calories or starch. Horses with higher copper and zinc demands, high-iron forage, poor hoof quality, metabolic concerns, or laminitis risk often benefit more from AminoTrace+, which provides elevated copper and zinc levels in chelated forms. Mad Barn also offers free ration balancing by qualified equine nutritionists to help determine which supplement best fits your horse’s diet.

Question 9

How can I tell if a horse supplement contains chelated minerals?

Accepted Answer

You can usually tell whether a horse supplement contains chelated trace minerals by reading the ingredient list. Chelated minerals are typically listed as copper proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, or similar names that indicate the mineral is bound to an amino acid or organic ligand.

In contrast, inorganic minerals are listed as copper sulfate, zinc oxide, manganese oxide, sodium selenite, or other mineral salts. Some companies include both chelated and inorganic sources in the same formula. When that happens, the label may not tell you what proportion of the total copper, zinc, or manganese actually comes from the chelated source.

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

Question 10

How do I know if my horse’s diet is deficient in trace minerals?

Accepted Answer

The best way to determine whether a horse’s diet is deficient in trace minerals is to evaluate the forage and the complete feeding program. Visible signs such as weak hoof walls, poor coat quality, slower recovery, or reduced topline can suggest a problem, but they do not identify which mineral is deficient or how severe the imbalance is.

Hay and pasture mineral content vary widely depending on soil conditions, plant species, and harvest practices. Bloodwork may reflect recent intake, but it does not always provide a clear picture of long-term trace mineral balance in forage-based diets.

Mad Barn offers free ration balancing by qualified equine nutritionists who can review hay analysis and the full feeding program to identify likely deficiencies in copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and other key nutrients and recommend the most appropriate supplementation strategy.

Question 11

What horse feeds use chelated trace minerals in their ingredients?

Accepted Answer

Horse feeds and supplements that use chelated trace minerals will usually list ingredient names such as copper proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper amino acid chelate, or zinc amino acid chelate on the label. These names indicate that the mineral is bound to an amino acid or similar organic ligand rather than supplied as an inorganic salt such as copper sulfate or zinc oxide.

Some products include both chelated and inorganic mineral sources. In those cases, the label often does not show how much of the total copper, zinc, manganese, or selenium is actually coming from the chelated source, which makes it difficult to judge how much of the mineral supply is coming from the more bioavailable form.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® and AminoTrace+ use 100% chelated trace minerals, so the copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium are supplied from chelated sources rather than a mixture of chelated and inorganic ingredients. If you are unsure how to compare labels, Mad Barn offers free ration balancing by qualified equine nutritionists to help identify the best fit for your horse’s diet.

Question 12

What are the benefits of chelated minerals for horses?

Accepted Answer

The main benefit of chelated minerals for horses is improved mineral absorption and utilization. Because the mineral is bound to an amino acid or similar organic ligand, it is less likely to react with antagonists such as iron, fiber, or phytates in the digestive tract before it reaches absorption sites in the small intestine.

This can improve the horse’s ability to use copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium for hoof horn formation, connective tissue development, immune function, antioxidant protection, and normal metabolic regulation. Chelated minerals are especially useful in hay-based diets, diets high in iron, and horses with higher trace mineral demands such as growing horses, broodmares, performance horses, and horses with hoof or metabolic concerns.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides broad daily nutritional support with 100% chelated trace minerals, while AminoTrace+ provides elevated copper and zinc levels in chelated forms for horses with higher trace mineral requirements.

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% Fat 'n' Fibre (Pellet)	Masterfeeds	71927		Pelleted	13.33%	5.56%	21.49%	36.96%	21.02%	3.02 mcal/kg	3.67%	1.1%	0.67%	0.28%	1.16%	0.44%	0.46 ppm	250 ppm	100 ppm	27.78 ppm	0.33 ppm	0.8 ppm	127.78 KIU
13% Sweet Horse Ration (Equiline)	Hi Pro	430277		Textured	14.44%	5%	9.4%	29.54%	50%	3.35 mcal/kg	4.3%	0.89%	0.67%	0.25%	1%	0.44%	0.99 ppm	400 ppm	150 ppm	45 ppm	0.33 ppm	0 ppm	222.22 KIU
Athlete Plus	Mitavite	998348	--	--	24.44%	13.33%	12.5%	40%	11.1%	3.32 mcal/kg	5.91%	1.89%	1%	0.67%	2.22%	1.44%	3.33 ppm	200 ppm	477.78 ppm	228.89 ppm	1.33 ppm	1.44 ppm	911.11 KIU
Equiline Armour Performance Ration	Shur-Gain	499902		--	13.3%	8.9%	18.75%	45%	15.5%	3.3 mcal/kg	5.87%	0.9%	0.7%	--	--	0.6%	--	100 ppm	--	--	0.44 ppm	0 ppm	333.3 KIU
Equiline Fat N Fibre	Equiline	408878		--	14.61%	7.87%	14.72%	33.5%	21.27%	2.85 mcal/kg	4.3%	0.9%	0.67%	0.36%	1.08%	0.45%	0.99 ppm	412.67 ppm	91.91 ppm	21.55 ppm	0.34 ppm	--	247.25 KIU
Equiline Pelleted Senior Care Ration	Shur-Gain	499952		Pelleted	16.7%	5.6%	23.38%	33.38%	--	2.97 mcal/kg	--	0.8%	0.6%	--	--	0.44%	--	--	--	--	0.33 ppm	--	244.4 KIU
Equiline Shine	Shur-gain	386527		--	14.4%	20%	19.25%	39.6%	15.5%	3.98 mcal/kg	5.87%	1.1%	0.94%	0.39%	0.99%	0.44%	0.65 ppm	44.4 ppm	55.56 ppm	22.2 ppm	0.33 ppm	0 ppm	444.4 KIU
Formula 3	Mitavite	998291	--	--	16.67%	11.11%	--	--	33.33%	3.52 mcal/kg	4.13%	0.78%	0.44%	0.33%	1.33%	0.78%	1.67 ppm	122.22 ppm	143.33 ppm	64.44 ppm	0.56 ppm	1.33 ppm	555.56 KIU
Golden Oldies	Keyflow Feeds	529829		Textured	29.4%	8.9%	15.6%	25.6%	10%	3.32 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Horseman's Omega Complete Performance	Danco forage	1039262	--	Cubes	15.56%	4.44%	44.44%	54.44%	--	2.33 mcal/kg	--	1.78%	0.74%	--	--	0.67%	--	--	--	--	0.22 ppm	--	88.89 KIU
Horseman's Omega Plus	Danco Forage	1039151	--	Cubes	15.6%	4.4%	40%	50%	--	2.46 mcal/kg	--	1.8%	0.7%	--	--	0.7%	--	--	--	--	--	--	88.9 KIU
Maestro	Keyflow Feeds	529833		--	15.6%	8.1%	18.1%	28.1%	25.4%	3.28 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Nurture	Keyflow Feeds	529835		--	18.3%	8.3%	--	--	16.9%	3.18 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Nurture PRO	Keyflow Feeds	529836		Extruded	33.3%	9.4%	--	--	17.7%	3.58 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Omnis Plus Complete Performance	Danco Forage	1039033	--	Cubes	15.6%	3.3%	40%	50%	--	2.2 mcal/kg	--	1.9%	0.9%	--	--	0.8%	--	--	--	--	--	--	88.9 KIU
One Scoop	Keyflow Feeds	1179220	--	--	13.3%	11.1%	30.6%	40.6%	16.9%	3.18 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Perfect Balance	Keyflow Feeds	529832		--	24.4%	7.8%	--	--	19.5%	3.5 mcal/kg	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Performance Vits & Mins	Dengie	529629		Premix	9.3%	0.6%	0.99%	2.73%	--	0.14 mcal/kg	37.4%	18.46%	4.4%	4.4%	--	7.94%	12.16 ppm	--	6666.7 ppm	1333.3 ppm	26.7 ppm	277.8 ppm	34533.3 KIU
Podium Cool Energy -Pellet	Masterfeeds	71717		Pelleted	13.33%	8.89%	24.14%	42.52%	14.63%	3.1 mcal/kg	4.6%	0.89%	0.67%	0.33%	1.11%	0.39%	0.64 ppm	333.3 ppm	133.3 ppm	38.9 ppm	0.56 ppm	1.2 ppm	444.44 KIU
Promita	Mitavite	997815	--	Extruded	27.8%	8.9%	12.5%	40%	9.44%	3.19 mcal/kg	8%	3.33%	1.67%	0.67%	1.28%	0.69%	1.06 ppm	388.89 ppm	666.67 ppm	277.78 ppm	2.78 ppm	4.44 ppm	1666.67 KIU
Sensi-Care	Keyflow Feeds	768278	--	--	16.44%	10%	29.17%	39.17%	13.11%	3.21 mcal/kg	12.9%	1.4%	0.6%	0.3%	1.1%	0.2%	0.2 ppm	171.1 ppm	195.4 ppm	70.7 ppm	0.9 ppm	1 ppm	546.3 KIU
Sport Horse	Dunstan	992554	--	--	10%	8.9%	9.4%	30%	--	3.59 mcal/kg	--	1%	0.44%	0.18%	0.44%	0.67%	1.11 ppm	155.56 ppm	144.44 ppm	55.56 ppm	0.39 ppm	0.11 ppm	206.94 KIU
Stay Cool	Keyflow Feeds	529831		Extruded	13.3%	7.8%	18.1%	28.1%	19.5%	3.25 mcal/kg	--	0.9%	0.46%	0.1%	0.3%	1.3%	0.5 ppm	116.7 ppm	11.2 ppm	44.1 ppm	0.6 ppm	0.7 ppm	359.5 KIU
Sustaina	Mitavite	997850	--	--	13.33%	10%	--	--	42.22%	3.59 mcal/kg	4.17%	0.78%	0.44%	0.33%	1.11%	0.67%	1.44 ppm	133.33 ppm	166.67 ppm	62.22 ppm	0.56 ppm	1.11 ppm	322.22 KIU
Turbo Racing	Mitavite	997825	--	--	14.4%	11.1%	10%	32%	34.4%	3.72 mcal/kg	4.61%	0.78%	0.44%	0.33%	1.22%	0.78%	1.67 ppm	166.67 ppm	150 ppm	63.33 ppm	0.33 ppm	0.61 ppm	300 KIU
XLR8	Mitavite	997862	--	--	17.78%	11.11%	10%	32%	31.11%	3.59 mcal/kg	5.62%	0.89%	0.56%	0.33%	1.78%	0.89%	2.22 ppm	166.67 ppm	171.11 ppm	77.78 ppm	0.33 ppm	0.67 ppm	444.44 KIU

Find The Right Product For Your Horse

Backed By Science

Nutrition Consult

We're Here to Help

My Horses

Chelated Minerals - Feed Ingredient

Related Ingredients

Chelated Minerals - Feed Ingredient

Related Ingredients

Feed Database

Omneity® Pellets

Visceral+

w-3 Oil

Omneity® Pellets

Omneity® Premix

AminoTrace+

Visceral+

Optimum Digestive Health

Optimum Probiotic

Omneity® Pellets

AminoTrace+

Biotin

MSM

w-3 Oil

Biotin

w-3 Oil

Omneity® Pellets

3:1 Zinc Copper

AminoTrace+

Chasteberry

MagneChrome

Chasteberry

Magnesium Oxide

Visceral+

Visceral+

NOCR

Three Amigos

Three Amigos

Magnesium Oxide

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

NOCR

w-3 Oil

Spirulina