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Vitamins - Feed Ingredient

Vitamins are organic compounds required in small amounts to support various physiological functions in horses. They are classified into two categories: fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble vitamins (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C). Each vitamin plays a distinct role in metabolism, growth, immune function, and overall health.

Horses typically obtain vitamins from fresh forages, but they are often added to feeds and supplement formulations to ensure adequate intake when horses are consuming preserved forages such as hay.

The following equine feeds, supplements and products contain Vitamins as an ingredient.

Feeds, Supplements & Products
AminoTrace+ Vitamin and Mineral Supplement (Mad Barn)
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
VitaminsVitamins
AminoTrace+ by Mad Barn is a complete, balanced equine mineral and vitamin supplement designed for horses with metabolic concerns. It is ideal for horses with IR, PPID, or high iron in the diet.
B-Vitamin Pak (Mad Barn)
CalmingCalming
ExerciseExercise
StressStress
VitaminsVitamins
B-Vitamin Pak is a comprehensive B-vitamin supplement in powder form. It provides a balanced profile of the B-Complex vitamins and may be beneficial for horses during times of heavy work, stress, or illness.
Biotin (Mad Barn)
Hoof HealthHoof Health
IngredientIngredient
MuscleMuscle
NutritionNutrition
Biotin Powder from Mad Barn provides 20 mg of biotin per serving support hoof growth and quality, as well as skin and coat health. Biotin is a B vitamin which supports strong hooves and connective tissues such as tendons. Biotin is highly palatable and easy to feed.
Natural E/Organic Se (Mad Barn)
AntioxidantAntioxidant
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
RecoveryRecovery
VitaminsVitamins
Natural E/Organic Se is a pelleted supplement providing organic Selenium yeast and natural Vitamin E. These two nutrients are important antioxidants that support muscle function and anti-inflammatory pathways.
Natural Vitamin E (Mad Barn)
AntioxidantAntioxidant
HealthHealth
MuscleMuscle
VitaminsVitamins
Natural Vitamin E from Mad Barn is a powdered Vitamin E supplement for horses. Vitamin E is essential for immune function, exercise recovery, neurological health and cardiovascular health in horses.
Omneity P – Pellets – Vitamin & Mineral Supplement (Mad Barn)
Gut HealthGut Health
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
Omneity Pellets is a balanced mineral and vitamin supplement for horses in a palatable pellet form. It provides 100% organic trace minerals, complete B-vitamin fortification, added Vitamin E, yeast and digestive enzymes.
Omneity Premix – Vitamin & Mineral Supplement (Mad Barn)
Hoof HealthHoof Health
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
VitaminsVitamins
Omneity Premix is a balanced mineral and vitamin supplement for horses providing 100% organic trace minerals, complete B-vitamin fortification, added Vitamin E, yeast, and digestive enzymes.
Performance XL: Electrolytes (Mad Barn)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
ElectrolyteElectrolyte
PerformancePerformance
StaminaStamina
Performance XL: Electrolytes by Mad Barn is a scientifically formulated equine electrolyte supplement designed to support athletic performance and workout recovery. It contains an ideal blend of natural minerals and vitamins to promote hydration status and muscle function.
Visceral+ (Mad Barn)
DigestionDigestion
Gut HealthGut Health
ImmunityImmunity
ProbioticProbiotic
UlcersUlcers
YeastYeast
Visceral+ by Mad Barn is a pelleted supplement to be used for horses with gastric health concerns. It is designed to maintain stomach and hindgut health and to support the immune system.
w-3 Oil (Mad Barn)
Coat QualityCoat Quality
FatFat
JointsJoints
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
w-3 Oil by Mad Barn is an essential fatty acid supplement fortified with the omega-3 DHA and natural Vitamin E. W-3 Oil helps to support joint health, coat quality, cardiovascular health and weight maintenance.
1:1 Free Choice (Dynamite)
HealthHealth
ImmunityImmunity
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
VitaminsVitamins
1:1 Free Choice from Dynamite is a free choice vitamin and mineral supplement for horses. This supplement contains a ration of one part calcium to one part phosphorus, intended for horses consuming legume hay.
101 Diet Balancer (Stride Animal Health)
Amino AcidAmino Acid
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
101 Diet Balancer is a vitamin and mineral supplement intended to balance forage- and grain-based diets. This concentrated supplement has a lower NSC content and contains organic trace minerals, yeast, and digestive enzymes.
1093 – Track Star 3 (Lone Star)
BroodmareBroodmare
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FoalFoal
StallionStallion
Track Star 3 by Lone Star is a sweet feed fortified with vitamins, it is intended for broodmares, stallions and foals.
11% Sweet Pellets (Manna Pro)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FlavorFlavor
NutritionNutrition
11% Sweet Pellets from Manna Pro is a fortified pelleted feed for horses, cattle, and goats at maintenance. 11% Sweet Pellets contains 11% crude protein, 3% crude fat, and 24% crude fibre.
12-12 Performance Horse (Matrix)
ExerciseExercise
FatFat
PerformancePerformance
ProteinProtein
12-12 Performance Horse by Matrix is a textured feed that provides high fat (12%) and moderate protein (12%) intended for performance horses.
12-5 Horse Pellet (Thomas Moore Feed)
EnergyEnergy
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
ProteinProtein
VitaminsVitamins
12-5 Horse Pellet from Thomas Moore Feed is a pelleted ration that provides energy and protein. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and fat.
12-8 Hi Fat Horse Pellet (Bryant Grain)
FatFat
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
12-8 Hi Fat Horse Pellet from Bryant Grain is a pelleted feed intended for performance horses. This feed contains 12% crude protein and 8% fat.
12-8 Ultimate Dry (Thomas Moore Feed)
EnergyEnergy
HealthHealth
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutrientsNutrients
12-8 Ultimate Dry from Thomas Moore Feed is a feed meant for any class of horse. It is intended to provide energy, micronutrients, and assist with overall health.
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.
12/8 Horse Pellets (West Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
ProteinProtein
StaminaStamina
12/8 Horse Pellets by West Feeds is a feed for horses requiring a higher energy diet with 12% protein and 8% fat content. This feed also includes inorganic vitamin and mineral additives and some added soybean oil.
12% All Stock (Sweet Country Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
12% All Stock by Sweet Country Feeds is a textured feed intended for horses at maintenance, cattle, sheep, and goats. It is a grain-based feed that does not contain added copper.
12% Fat ‘n’ Fibre (Pellet) (Masterfeeds)
FatFat
FiberFiber
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
Masterfeeds Fat 'n' Fibre pellet is a complete feed intended for light performance and maintenance horses. It provides 5% fat, which is low compared to other fat-based feeds. This is a controlled starch budget-friendly feed.
12% Horse & Mule (Thomas Moore Feed)
EnergyEnergy
GrainsGrains
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
12% Horse & Mule from Thomas Moore Feed is a textured feed containing molasses. It is a feed with multi-grains and is a source of energy for any class of horse.
12% Horse Feed (Producer’s Pride)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
HealthHealth
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
12% Horse Feed by Producer’s Pride is a complete pelleted feed intended for adult horses. It contains 12% protein and 2.5% fat with wheat middlings, corn and peanut hulls as the main ingredients.
12% Horse Pellet (Bryant Grain)
BroodmareBroodmare
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
12% Horse Pellet from Bryant Grains is a pelleted feed intended for mature performance horses and broodmares. This feed is 12% crude protein and 10.50% crude fibre. 12% Horse Pellet contains added vitamins and minerals.
12% House Blend Textured (Minor Bros)
HealthHealth
ImmunityImmunity
NutrientsNutrients
NutritionNutrition
12% House Blend is a textured horse feed intended for horses in light to moderate work. This feed contains 12.53% crude protein and 3% fat.
12% Light Performance Pellet (Masterfeeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Masterfeeds 12% Light Performance (pellet) is a horse feed intended for maintenance and light performance horses. It is a basic ration with low fat and moderate fibre content.
12% Light Performance Texturized (Masterfeeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
FlavorFlavor
NutritionNutrition
Masterfeeds 12% Light Performance (Texturized) is a horse feed intended for maintenance and light performance horses. It is an oat-based sweet feed with high palatability.
12% Maintain Horse Pellet (Minor Bros)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
HealthHealth
NutrientsNutrients
NutritionNutrition
12% Maintain Horse Pellet from Minor Bros is a pelleted feed containing 12% crude protein. This feed is intended for easy keepers or horses who are in light to moderate work.
12% Max Performance (Quality Feeds)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
GrowthGrowth
HealthHealth
PerformancePerformance
12% Max Performance by Quality Feeds is a textured sweet feed intended to support growth and performance in maintenance, light work and breeding horses.
12% NP Hi-Fat Pellets (Lone Star)
EnergyEnergy
FatFat
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
VitaminsVitamins
12% NP Hi-Fat Pellets from Lone Star is a pelleted supplement that is meant for mature, maintenance horses. It contains added fat, vitamins and minerals which is intended to provide energy.
12% Pellet (Sweet Country Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
12% Pellet by Sweet Country Feeds is a grain-based feed that provides 12% protein and 4% fat. It contains added inorganic trace minerals and vitamins.
12% Pleasure Horse (Sweet Country Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
GrainsGrains
NutritionNutrition
Sweet Country 12% Pleasure Horse is a textured feed intended for mature horses. It provides 12% crude protein in a grain-based formula containing corn, oats, wheat middlings and soybean meal.
12% Select Horse (Sweet Country Feeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
12% Select Horse by Sweet Country Feeds is a grain-based feed that provides 12% protein and 4% fat. It contains added vitamins, as well as inorganic and organic trace minerals.
12% Stockman Pellets (M-G)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
12% Stockman Pellets contains roughage and grain products, with 12% protein. This feed is suitable for mature horses at maintenance.
12% Sweet Feed (Producer’s Pride)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
Producer’s Pride 12% sweet feed is a textured feed intended for horses and ruminants. It provides 12% protein and a high-inclusion of molasses to encourage palatability.
12% Sweet Performance Ration (Bryant Grain)
DigestionDigestion
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
SeniorSenior
12% Sweet Performance Ration from Bryant Grain contains a blend of corn, barley and oats. This feed is intended for mature horses at maintenance.
12% Textured (Sweet Country Feeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FlavorFlavor
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
12% Textured by Sweet Country Feeds is designed to be a palatable feed that provides 12% protein and 2.5% fat. It contains added vitamins and a blend of organic and inorganic minerals.
120-6 Horse Pellet (Bartlett Milling) [Discontinued]
ExerciseExercise
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
120-6 Horse Pellet is a 12% protein and 6% fat feed that is formulated with wheat, corn, alfalfa and soy products. It is intended for light to moderate working horses.
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.
13% NRG Multi-Particle (Masterfeeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
Masterfeeds 13% NRG is a multi-particle feed containing oil-coated pellets and extruded components. It provides higher calorie density intended for working horses with additional energy requirements. It is designed for horses in intense work.
13% Sweet Horse Ration (Equiline – Hi Pro)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FlavorFlavor
NutritionNutrition
Equiline 13% Sweet Horse Ration is a textured feed designed for growing horses over 300kg/660lbs and working horses. It is higher in non-structural carbohydrates with the addition of molasses for palatability.
14% Complete Horse Pellet (Top Shelf Feeds)
FiberFiber
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Top Shelf Feeds 14% Complete Horse Pellets is a pelleted feed providing 14% protein content. It is intended for horses with higher protein requirements.
14% Equine Developer Pellet (Masterfeeds)
BroodmareBroodmare
FoalFoal
GrowthGrowth
LactationLactation
Masterfeeds 14% Developer is a pelleted equine feed intended for pregnant and lactating mares as well as yearlings. It is designed to support healthy development and contains 100% organic trace minerals.
14% Hi-Fat Sweet (Bryant Grain)
FatFat
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
14% Hi-Fat Sweet from Bryant Grain is a textured feed intended for performance horses. This feed contains a blend of oats, corn, barley and soybean oil. 14% Hi-Fat Sweet contains 14% crude protein and 7% crude fat.
14% Max Performance (Quality Feeds)
EnergyEnergy
FoalFoal
PerformancePerformance
StallionStallion
14% Max Performance by Quality Feeds is a textured sweet feed containing oats, corn oil and soybean oil. It is intended for foals, mares, stallions and performance horses.
14% Performance (Running Horse)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
GrowthGrowth
LactationLactation
PerformancePerformance
Running Horse Performance is a texturized 14% protein and 6% fat feed formulated for performance, breeding and growing horses. It provides a higher energy density for equine athletes.
14% Performance Formula (Triple Crown) – [Discontinued]
ExerciseExercise
FlavorFlavor
PerformancePerformance
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Triple Crown 14% Racing Formula is a discontinued feed which was a high-fat, high-energy feed containing a blend of grains and fat sources. It was designed for young performance horses, broodmares, breeding stallions, yearlings and weanlings.
14% Racing Formula (Triple Crown)-[Discontinued]
EnergyEnergy
ExerciseExercise
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
Triple Crown 14% Racing Formula is a high calorie textured feed containing a blend of grains with soybean meal and molasses. It is intended for young performance horses, broodmares, breeding stallions and growing foals.
14% Senior Textured (Tribute)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FatFat
NutritionNutrition
SeniorSenior
Tribute 14% Senior Textured is a complete feed for mature horses composed of steam-rolled oats, barley, dried beet pulp, extruded whole soybeans, and dehydrated alfalfa meal.
14% Soy-Free All Stock Pellet (Non-GMO) (Sweet Country Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Complete FeedComplete Feed
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
14% Soy-Free All Stock Pellet by Sweet Country Feeds is a pelleted feed with 14% crude protein, 4% fat, and 15% crude fiber. The main ingredients include wheat middlings, alfalfa meal, flaxseed, and molasses.
16-10 Liberty (Nature Belisle)
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutrientsNutrients
NutritionNutrition
VitaminsVitamins
Liberty 16-10 is a vitamin/mineral supplement intended for horses at maintenance or in training, broodmares and growing foals. It contains organic selenium, 16% calcium, and 10% phosphorus.
16% All Stock Pellet (Sweet Country Feeds)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutritionNutrition
VitaminsVitamins
16% All Stock Pellet by Sweet Country Feeds is a pelleted feed intended for multiple species including horses. It does not contain added copper and is safe for sheep.
16% Mare & Foal (Bryant Grain)
GrowthGrowth
HealthHealth
MareMare
NutritionNutrition
16% Mare & Foal from Bryant Grain is a pelleted feed intended for mares, weanlings and yearlings. This feed contains 16% crude protein and 5% fat.
16% ProFat Horse Ration (Hoffman’s Horse Products)
FatFat
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
SeniorSenior
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Hoffman's 16% ProFat Horse Ration is a pelleted feed with 18% fat, 16% protein and 12% fibre. It is intended to support weight management in horses requiring improved body condition.
18% A/N (Agassiz Feeds)
HealthHealth
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutritionNutrition
VitaminsVitamins
18% AN by Agassiz Feeds is a protein, energy, mineral, and vitamin lick designed for beef cattle on a forage-based diet. It is a molasses-based lick that contains a minimum of 30% protein.
2x Bio Plus 60 Double Strength Horse Supplement (Pennwoods Equine)
DigestionDigestion
Hoof HealthHoof Health
VitaminsVitamins
YeastYeast
2x Bio Plus 60 Double Strength Horse Supplement is a powdered hoof supplement that contains 15 mg of biotin per serving. It includes vitamins, minerals, and yeast that intends to improve absorption.
3 Wire Horse (Hay & Grain) Pellets (Kelley’s Feed)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
FlavorFlavor
NutritionNutrition
Kelley's 3 Wire Horse is an alfalfa-based pelleted feed with ground grain as well as added molasses, vitamins, and minerals. This hay and grain pellet contains 12.5% protein and 1.5% fat.
3-In-1 Block (Kalmbach Feeds)
ElectrolyteElectrolyte
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutritionNutrition
VitaminsVitamins
3-In-1 Block by Kalmbach Feeds is a source of salt, vitamins and trace minerals in block form. It can be used to supplement beef cattle and horses on pasture grass.
30% Ration Balancer (Equine Advantage)
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
ProteinProtein
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
30% Ration Balancer is intended to be fed alongside pasture or hay. It contains essential nutrients to support normal gut health, healthy hooves and coats.

Related Ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

Horses need vitamins in their diet to support normal metabolism, immune function, reproduction, tissue maintenance, and nerve and muscle function. Vitamins do not provide calories, but they are required for the body to use energy, build and repair tissues, and maintain normal health. Horses get some vitamins from fresh forage and can produce some B-vitamins in the hindgut, but intake is not always adequate. This becomes more important when horses are eating stored hay, have limited pasture access, or are not getting enough fortified feed to balance the diet. For many horses, a product such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides comprehensive daily support by combining vitamins with trace minerals and other nutrients commonly lacking in the diet.

Forage provides some of the vitamins required by horses, but it does not always supply everything a horse needs in optimal amounts. Fresh grass is a rich source of vitamin E and beta-carotene, which the horse converts to vitamin A. Once forage is cut and stored as hay, these compounds begin to break down through exposure to oxygen, light, heat, and time in storage, so the hay contains less vitamin E and less beta-carotene than the original fresh forage. That means horses eating mostly hay usually get less vitamin E and vitamin A activity from forage than horses grazing fresh pasture. Even horses on good pasture may not get optimal amounts of all B-vitamins, especially in situations involving hard work, stress, illness, or impaired hindgut function. Biotin is one example, since horses often benefit from 20 mg of supplemental biotin to support hoof health even though there is no NRC requirement for biotin. Forage should remain the foundation of the diet, but vitamin supplementation is often needed to fully balance the ration.

The vitamins most often worth supplementing in a horse’s diet are vitamin E, vitamin A when pasture access is limited, and B-vitamins in horses with higher demands or impaired hindgut function. Vitamin E is especially important to assess because fresh pasture is the horse’s main natural source, and levels drop substantially once grass is cut and stored as hay. Vitamin A can also become limiting when horses have no access to fresh pasture for long periods because beta-carotene declines over time in stored forage. Horses in hard work, under stress, after illness, or with digestive disruption may also benefit from added B-vitamins to support energy metabolism, appetite, and overall health. Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a complete equine vitamin and mineral supplement that ensures your horse gets everything needed to balance the diet.

The difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins for horses is how they are absorbed, stored, and excreted. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fat and can be stored in the body, which means deficiencies may take longer to develop but oversupplementation is also more likely to cause toxicity over time. Water-soluble vitamins include the B-vitamins and vitamin C. These are not stored to the same extent and excess amounts are more readily excreted, so horses need a more consistent supply from the diet or supplementation to maintain adequate intake, especially when demand is increased or hindgut production is compromised.

Yes, a horse can get too many vitamins in the diet, especially fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A and D. Because these vitamins can be stored in the body, feeding excessive amounts over time increases the risk of oversupplementation and toxicity. This is one reason it is important to evaluate the full ration, including forage, fortified feeds, and supplements, rather than layering multiple products without checking what each one provides. Water-soluble vitamins are less likely to accumulate to harmful levels, but they should still be fed appropriately as part of a balanced diet.

The best complete vitamin supplement for horses is one that provides broad nutritional support in a concentrated form and helps fill common gaps in the diet. A useful product should suppy essential vitamins such as vitamin E and B-vitamins, along with trace minerals and other nutrients required for overall health. This is especially important for horses eating mostly forage or small amounts of fortified feed, since those diets do not always provide enough micronutrients to fully balance the ration. For many horses, Mad Barn’s Omneity® is recommended by nutritionists because it provides 1,000 IU of vitamin E, 20 mg of biotin, full B-vitamin fortification, and balanced trace minerals in one concentrated supplement.

A high quality vitamin supplement for horses should provide adequate amounts of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E, full B-vitamin fortification, and enough biotin to support hoof health. It should also include trace minerals, because vitamins and minerals work together to support metabolism, immune function, hoof growth, coat quality, and overall health. Ingredient form matters as well, since some forms are more bioavailable than others. For example, higher quality supplements such as Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ use natural vitamin E, which is more bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E. Mad Barn’s Omneity® is another example of a complete daily formula, providing 1,000 IU of vitamin E, 20 mg of biotin, full B-vitamin fortification, and balanced trace minerals in one product.

A horse supplement should contain enough vitamin E to make a real contribution to daily intake, typically at least 1,000 IU per day for an adult horse. This matters most for horses on hay with little or no pasture access because fresh grass is the main natural source of vitamin E. Horses in work, breeding horses, and horses with muscle or neurological concerns may need more than this depending on the rest of the diet. Mad Barn’s Omneity® provides 1,000 IU of vitamin E per serving as part of a complete daily balancing formula.

To support hoof health, a horse supplement should provide 20 mg of biotin per day, along with other nutrients that are important for hoof health. This is the level of biotin supplementation that has been shown in research to improve hoof growth and hoof horn quality when fed consistently over time. Because hooves grow slowly, supplementation usually needs to be maintained for several months before the full benefit is visible. Mad Barn’s Omneity® and AminoTrace+ both provide 20 mg of biotin per serving, alongside copper, zinc, methionine, and other nutrients that are important for building strong, healthy hooves.

The best vitamin supplement for horses with metabolic issues is one that provides concentrated nutrition without adding excess energy, sugar, or starch. These horses still need adequate vitamins, trace minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, but those nutrients have to be supplied within a diet that keeps non-structural carbohydrates low. For horses with insulin dysregulation or other metabolic concerns, the total diet is often formulated to contain less than 10% NSC on a dry matter basis to reduce post-feeding glucose and insulin responses. Vitamin E is also important in these horses because it helps support antioxidant status, particularly when pasture access is limited and the diet relies heavily on stored forage. For horses with metabolic concerns, Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ is the best supplement because it provides concentrated vitamin and mineral support in a low-calorie pellet.

Horses in work need a supplement that supports the higher nutritional demands of training, competition, and recovery. Exercise increases the need for antioxidants and B-vitamins, and sweat losses also increase the need for electrolyte replacement to support hydration, muscle function, and post-exercise recovery. Vitamin E is especially important because it helps protect muscle cells from oxidative stress, while B-vitamins support energy metabolism. For many horses in work, Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a good choice because it provides full B-vitamin fortification, 1,000 IU of vitamin E, 20 mg of biotin, and balanced trace minerals in one concentrated formula. Horses in moderate to heavy work may also need a separate electrolyte supplement.

Many horses on commercial feed still need additional vitamin and mineral support because fortified feeds are only designed to balance the diet when fed at the recommended rate. Many horses are fed much less than the recommended amount of complete feeds, especially easy keepers, horses on restricted diets, or horses getting grain only as a carrier for supplements. When feed is underfed, the horse may not receive meaningful amounts of the vitamins and minerals listed on the tag. A concentrated product such as Mad Barn’s Omneity® can help fill those gaps without adding excess calories or starch.

This statement appears on many horse supplements because it is part of Canadian feed labelling guidance for horse feeds and supplements that guarantee vitamins beyond A, D, and E. CFIA’s labelling guidance specifically uses this note for horse products with guarantees for additional vitamins such as riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamine.

It does not mean those other vitamins are useless or should never be fed. It means the benefit of adding extra vitamins beyond that group may be less predictable, more dependent on the horse’s overall diet and hindgut function, and not always clearly demonstrated under all feeding conditions. This is especially relevant for B-vitamins, because horses can synthesize some of them in the hindgut, but intake may still be worth supporting in horses under stress, in hard work, after illness, or with impaired digestive function.

From a practical feeding standpoint, this label statement should not be interpreted to mean that vitamin supplementation is unimportant. Horses on stored forage can still fall short in key vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin A activity, and some horses benefit from additional B-vitamin support for hoof quality, energy metabolism, or overall health. The more useful question is whether the supplement helps balance the full ration at the intended feeding rate and supports the horse’s individual needs.

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