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Organic Trace Minerals - Feed Ingredient

Organic trace minerals refer to trace elements that are bound to organic molecules, typically amino acids or other carbon-containing compounds, to enhance their absorption and bioavailability in animals. Common examples include chelated or proteinated forms of minerals such as zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. These differ from inorganic trace minerals, which are typically presented as sulfates, oxides, or chlorides.

In equine nutrition, organic trace minerals are often included in feed formulations to improve the efficiency of mineral uptake, particularly in situations where mineral interactions or gut conditions may hinder absorption. Organic forms are thought to be more stable in the digestive tract and less reactive with antagonistic compounds, resulting in increased systemic availability. This can be especially relevant when feeding horses under stress, growth, or intense workload, where mineral demands may be elevated.

Manufacturing of organic trace minerals generally involves chelation, where a trace element is chemically bound to an organic ligand such as an amino acid (e.g., methionine, glycine) or a hydrolyzed protein. The specific chelation process and the choice of ligands impact the stability and solubility of the resulting compound.

The following equine feeds, supplements and products contain Organic Trace Minerals as an ingredient.

Feeds, Supplements & Products
12.5% Exactor Lite – Texturized (Masterfeeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
ExerciseExercise
PerformancePerformance
Masterfeeds 12.5% Exactor Lite is a texturized horse feed formulated for race horses. It is marketed as a palatable corn-free formula with added fiber, shredded beet pulp and molasses. This feed features 100% organic trace minerals.
13% Hi Fat & Fibre Horse Ration Pellet (Floradale Feed Mill Ltd)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FatFat
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
Floradale (FFM) 13% Hi Fat/Hi Fibre Horse Ration is a pelleted complete feed providing 30% NSC (sugar and starch), 6% fat and 14% protein.
All-4-Feet (Dunstan)
FiberFiber
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
All-4-feet Dunstan is a low-starch, protein, high fibre formulation, designed to meet the nutrition requirements of horses that benefit from a low starch/low sugar diet due to various health conditions.
Alltrack (Textured) (Masterfeeds)
Gut HealthGut Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
MuscleMuscle
PerformancePerformance
Alltrack (Textured) by Masterfeeds is a textured complete feed intended to support digestive and muscle health in high performance horses.
Breed & Grow (Dunstan)
BroodmareBroodmare
FiberFiber
FoalFoal
GrowthGrowth
Breed & Grow by Dunstan is a high fibre pellet intended to provide nutrients to pregnant and lactating mares and young horses.
Caliber Complete Horse Ration (Co-op)
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Caliber Complete Horse Ration is an all-in-one feed intended for horses at any life stage. It contains moderate protein (13%) and low fat (2%).
Caliber Mare & Foal Ration (Co-op)
BroodmareBroodmare
GrowthGrowth
LactationLactation
NutritionNutrition
Caliber Mare & Foal Ration is a high protein feed intended for broodmares and growing foals. It is designed with higher nutrient density to meet the needs of gestating and lactating mares.
Caliber Performance Horse Ration (Co-op)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
EnergyEnergy
ExerciseExercise
ProteinProtein
Caliber Performance is a high energy textured feed intended for mature performance horses. It provides high protein (15.5%) and moderate fat (5.5%) content.
Caliber Senior & Special Care Horse Ration (Co-op)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
NutritionNutrition
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
SeniorSenior
Caliber Senior & Special Care Horse Ration is formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of senior horses, hard keepers or horses with dental issues. It is designed to provide energy from fat and digestible fibre sources and has a higher feeding rate.
Caliber Working Horse Ration (CO-OP)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
ExerciseExercise
Gut HealthGut Health
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
Caliber Working Horse Ration is a complete pelleted feed formulated to meet the needs of working horses. It is an energy-dense feed with a lower feeding rate.
CFS Select ABF 30% (Clarence Farm Services Limited)
FoalFoal
GrowthGrowth
LactationLactation
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
CFS Select ABF 30% is an essential vitamin and mineral supplement with 30% protein content. It is intended for lactating mares and foals to support growth and development.
Competition Mix (Dunstan)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
EnergyEnergy
ExerciseExercise
PerformancePerformance
Competition Mix by Dunstan is a medium energy textured feed intended for performance horses. It contains extruded cereal grains and protein materials for the provision of medium energy to competing horses.
Cool Crunch (Pegasus)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
HindgutHindgut
Cool Crunch by Pegasus is a feed that contains highly digestible fiber to support gut health and minimize glycemic response in horses and ponies.
Coolfeed (Dunstan)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
FiberFiber
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
NutritionNutrition
Coolfeed by Dunstan is a highly palatable, high-fibre textured feed intended for horses in light work that do not require a calorie dense feed.
Coolmax (Pegasus)
CalmingCalming
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
PerformancePerformance
Coolmax from Pegasus is an oat-free feed intended for pleasure, show, and sport horses and ponies. This feed is designed to support coat condition, calming effects, and glucose metabolism.
DeStress Equine (Hoffman’s Horse Products)
MuscleMuscle
NutrientsNutrients
StressStress
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
DeStress Equine from Hoffman's Horse Products is a pelleted supplement that is meant to help with the stress of being handling or transported. It contains electrolytes, amino acids, and aims to reduce weight and increase muscle development.
Eezy Mix (Dunstan)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
EnergyEnergy
ExerciseExercise
PerformancePerformance
Eezy Mix by Dunstan is an extruded cereal and protein-based complete feed intended to provide medium energy to all sport and leisure horses.
Enhancer (Brooks Feeds)
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
Brooks Enhancer is a low-calorie pelleted ration balancer formulated to provide vitamins and minerals required in the equine diet. It contains a mix of organic and inorganic minerals and has a low NSC content ideal for horses prone to laminitis.
Equibalance (Pegasus)
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
PerformancePerformance
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
Equibalance from Pegasus is a pelleted ration balancer that is intended for performance or for easy keeper horses and ponies. This ration balancer is oat free and contains essential proteins, fats, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in a concentrated form.
Equilibra Feed Balancer (GWF Nutrition)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
FiberFiber
NutrientsNutrients
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
Equilibra Feed Balancer by GWF Nutrition is a pelleted ration balancer that contains vitamins and minerals intended to balance the high fibre diet of all horses and ponies.
Farrier’s Aid (GWF Nutrition)
FlavorFlavor
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
VitaminsVitamins
Farrier's Aid by GWF Nutrition is a pelleted hoof supplement made with biotin, sulphur and zinc to help improve hoof quality. Farrier's Aid is intended to help maintain hoof integrity and support normal growth.
Farrier’s Choice (Advanced Biological Concepts)
DigestionDigestion
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
VitaminsVitamins
Farrier's Choice from Advanced Biological Concepts is a pelleted vitamin and mineral supplement. This supplement can contribute to proper digestion and hoof health and growth.
Fat ‘N’ Fibre (pellet) (Masterfeeds)
ExerciseExercise
FatFat
FiberFiber
HealthHealth
Fat 'N' Fibre from Masterfeeds is a pelleted feed that is higher in fat and fibre. It is formulated for idle horses to horses in light work. Fat 'N' Fibre contains 12% protein, 5% fat, and 15% fiber.
Finishing Touch (Masterfeeds)
Coat QualityCoat Quality
EnergyEnergy
FatFat
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Masterfeeds Finishing Touch is a high-fat pelleted horse supplement that is used to promote weight gain or to provide fat as an energy source. It can be top-dressed on feed to increase the calorie density of the diet.
Formula 2 Equine Supplement (Dr. Reeds) – [Discontinued]
HealthHealth
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutrientsNutrients
VitaminsVitamins
Dr. Reeds Formula 2 is a now-discontinued vitamin/mineral supplement for horses with higher NSC content than Formula 1. This supplement used a combination of organic and inorganic trace minerals and contained wheat and molasses.
Immune Aid (GWF Nutrition)
AntioxidantAntioxidant
HealthHealth
ImmunityImmunity
NutrientsNutrients
Immune Aid by GWF Nutrition is a pelleted supplement with turmeric for horses designed to support the body's normal defences. It contains curcumin and piperine as a source of antioxidants.
Joint Aid Plus (GWF Nutrition)
JointsJoints
NutrientsNutrients
PerformancePerformance
SeniorSenior
Joint Aid Plus is a pelleted joint supplement that is intended to maintain joints regardless of age, size, and level of workload. It is meant for horses and ponies.
Krunch Cubes (Masterfeeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
GrowthGrowth
ToplineTopline
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Masterfeeds Krunch is an equine feed that comes in cube form. Krunch is used as a treat or to add calories and protein to the diet for horses that need to gain weight and improve topline.
Liberty (Pegasus)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
PerformancePerformance
Liberty from Pegasus is a high-fat, high-fiber, low-starch feed intended for pleasure and performance horses. This feed is designed to support hindgut function, muscle function, and immunity.
Muscle Maintenance (GWF Nutrition)
HealthHealth
MuscleMuscle
ProteinProtein
ToplineTopline
Muscle Maintenance by GWF Nutrition is a pelleted supplement to assist in muscle replenishment, minimize muscle fatigue and tissue breakdown. It is suitable for horses and ponies.
Old Horse (Dunstan)
FiberFiber
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
NutrientsNutrients
Old Horse by Dunstan is a high fibre feed intended for older horses at increased risk of metabolic disorders.
Peformax (Pegasus)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
EnergyEnergy
PerformancePerformance
Peformax from Pegasus contains a palatable blend of grains designed to provide high energy to performance and competition horses. This feed contains added fat for a slow release of energy and possible topline development.
Podium Cool Energy – Pellet (Masterfeeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
PerformancePerformance
UlcersUlcers
Podium Cool Energy is a controlled NSC performance feed that utilizes energy from carbohydrates and moderate levels of fat and protein. It is targeted at standardbred racehorses, eventers, and other equine athletes.
Pro24 Supplement (Hoffman’s Horse Products)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
Feed EfficiencyFeed Efficiency
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
Pro24 Supplement from Hoffman's is a concentrated protein, vitamin, and mineral supplement to support horses over 1 year of age. Pro24 Supplement is intended to be fed with good quality forages and contains no added sugars or starches.
RX Roughage – Pellet/Cube (Masterfeeds)
DentalDental
FiberFiber
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
SeniorSenior
Masterfeeds Rx Roughage is a high fibre horse feed that comes in the form of pellets or cubes. It is used to add bulk to the diet as a hay stretcher or can be soaked for horses with dental issues such as seniors.
Senior (Brooks Feeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FiberFiber
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
SeniorSenior
Brooks Senior is a complete textured feed for geriatric horses. It contains elevated levels of fat and protein, digestible fibre sources, and can be soaked for senior horses with dental issues.
Studmaster (Pegasus)
BroodmareBroodmare
Complete FeedComplete Feed
GrowthGrowth
StallionStallion
Studmaster from Pegasus is intended for stallions, broodmares, and growing horses. This feed contains amino acids to support growth, buffered mineral complex to support bone development and vitamins.
Suspensory Saver (Figuerola Laboratories)
AntioxidantAntioxidant
HerbHerb
JointsJoints
RecoveryRecovery
Suspensory Saver by Figuerola Laboratories is a natural supplement designed to support tendon and ligament health. Formulated with collagen, MSM, and vitamin C, it helps promote cellular integrity and supports recovery.
Sweet Mix (Dunstan)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
PerformancePerformance
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Sweet Mix by Dunstan is a highly palatable oat free textured feed that contains molasses. It is formulated to be a medium-energy feed intended for working horses or those requiring additional calories for weight gain.
Sweetmax (Pegasus)
Amino AcidAmino Acid
GrainsGrains
MuscleMuscle
YeastYeast
Sweetmax from Pegasus is a sweet feed that contains electrolytes to support hydration, amino acids to support muscle growth and recovery, and yeast to support gut health. This feed is intended for any horse or pony at all work levels.
Synergy (Thunderbrook)
Gut HealthGut Health
HealthHealth
HerbHerb
ImmunityImmunity
Synergy from Thunderbrook is a concentrated feed intended for all types of horses. Synergy contains prebiotics, herbs, and botanicals intended to support gut health.
VTM 20 – Pellet (Masterfeeds)
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
ProteinProtein
VitaminsVitamins
Masterfeeds VTM 20 is a pelleted high protein vitamin-mineral supplement that can be fed alone or in conjunction with complete feeds. It is formulated for horses fed lower protein hay or those in moderate to high-intensity work.

Related Ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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