Zinc is an essential trace mineral that supports skin, coat, hoof, and immune health in horses. It plays a key role in enzyme activity, energy metabolism, nervous system function, and protein synthesis. Our organic zinc proteinate powder offers a highly bioavailable form of this mineral.
Supports metabolic function, growth and the immune system
Required for keratin production to maintain hoof and coat quality
Plays a role in normal wound healing and tissue repair
Helps balance mineral ratios in diets with high-iron forages
I put her on the Zinc from MadBarn and it cleared up here scratches in no time! It has since kept her scratches free, too. Definitely a great product!
Rhiannon Sepke
Verified Customer
So far very pleased with the results, skin is healthy and no scabs. Hopefully when the weather gets worse skin will continue to be good.
Lisa Wood
Verified Customer
Very pleased with the zinc helping my horse with her immune system and I like the bags used no containers to trash
patricia fischer
Verified Customer
I think this has been an important product for my horse that has Cushing disease ! He is looking much better with this added to our immune system boost products
Debra Trean
Verified Customer
It works perfectly to help balance my hay. The horses eat it readily.
Linda Headley
Verified Customer
Your products are so easy to use. I am switching to you from a supplier I have used over 20 years. Easy for me and horses like it too.
Nancy Leja
Verified Customer
Horse likes it. Mad Barn is awesome in customer service. Cheaper to order directly from Mad Barn online than buy in store! :)
Danielle Daigle
Verified Customer
This has been an easy way to balance my horse's mineral ratios without having to completely change everything else he's eating...
Dawn Abbe
Verified Customer
I love madbarn! Great supplements! There website has very educational information. Customer Service is great.
Nicole Anaya
Verified Customer
We stand behind our products to provide the best nutrition for your horse. No fillers, just research-backed ingredients. If your horse doesn't love this product, our Customer Happiness team is here to help or give you a refund guaranteed.
Zinc Proteinate
Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for numerous enzymatic processes involved in metabolism, tissue repair, immune defense, and antioxidant protection. It supports normal hoof growth and integrity, skin and coat condition, joint health, and reproductive function in horses.
In the body, zinc participates in more than 300 enzymatic reactions related to protein synthesis, collagen formation, and insulin regulation. Adequate zinc status contributes to normal glucose metabolism, muscle recovery, and wound healing, while deficiency can impair growth, immunity, and integumentary tissue quality.
Zinc proteinate is an organic, chelated form in which zinc is bound to amino acids or small peptides, improving intestinal absorption and bioavailability compared with inorganic forms such as zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. This form helps ensure more consistent mineral uptake under dietary or physiological stress and supports optimal trace mineral balance when fed alongside copper and manganese.
A scale should be used with all individual ingredients to ensure accurate dosing.
For equine use only. Not for use in horses intended for food.
Keep out of reach of children.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Per gram serving
Nutrient
Concentration
Per 5 g
Zinc (Zn)
150,000 mg/kg
750
mg
Ingredients: Zinc Proteinate
Recommended Use: Helps maintain healthy skin, coat and hooves.
Register & manufactured by: Mad Barn Inc., Petersburg, ON, Canada.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
1 kg (2.2 lb): SKU 628055182108
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* Recommended serving size of 1 grams per 100 kg (220 lb) of body weight
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Disclaimer: Recommended feeding rate varies depending on your horse's condition and current diet. Consult with a nutritionist to determine the appropriate inclusion rate for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for hoof growth, skin and coat health, immune function, reproduction, and enzyme activity. Adequate zinc is especially important for growing horses, broodmares, and performance horses with higher metabolic demands. Deficiency can contribute to poor hoof quality, dull coat, slow wound healing, and reduced immunity. Supplementing zinc helps ensure balanced mineral ratios in the diet, particularly when feeding forages that are high in iron or low in zinc.
Signs of zinc deficiency may include poor hoof quality, cracks or slow growth, dull or sun-bleached coat, skin issues, reduced fertility, or delayed wound healing. Some horses may also show a weakened immune response. Because these signs can overlap with other deficiencies, the most reliable way to detect zinc deficiency is through forage testing and diet analysis.
The best way to determine if your horse requires additional zinc is to evaluate the diet through ration analysis and, if possible, forage testing. Horses on high-iron diets or with unbalanced copper-to-zinc ratios are often at risk. If your horse is already receiving a complete vitamin and mineral supplement such as Omneity or AminoTrace+, they are likely getting sufficient zinc, and additional supplementation is usually only needed to correct specific imbalances.
Organic zinc supplements, such as Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate, use chelated forms bound to amino acids. This increases stability and enhances absorption in the gastrointestinal tract compared to inorganic sources such as zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. Organic forms are less likely to interfere with other minerals in the digestive tract and are typically more bioavailable, meaning the horse can absorb and utilize more of the zinc per dose. For horses with hoof, coat, or skin concerns, organic zinc is often preferred to help correct dietary imbalances.
The recommended zinc-to-copper ratio in equine diets is typically between 3:1 and 5:1. Mad Barn’s 3:1 Zinc Copper supplement provides these minerals in a 3:1 ratio, ideal for balancing high-iron forages or correcting common trace mineral imbalances. In contrast, our pure Zinc Proteinate is best used when horses specifically need additional zinc without copper. Maintaining the correct balance is important because oversupplementation of one can interfere with the absorption of the other.
Yes, Zinc is required in the equine diet and safe when fed at appropriate levels. It supports normal hoof growth, coat condition, immune function, and tissue repair. However, excessive zinc can create imbalances, particularly with copper. The NRC (2007) lists the tolerable upper intake level for zinc in horses at 500 mg/kg of diet dry matter, which is roughly equivalent to 5 grams per day for a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse. This is much higher than the amounts provided in supplements. For example, a typical serving of Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate provides 750 mg of zinc, well below the upper tolerable intake level. Always measure accurately and avoid free-choice feeding.
Single-ingredient zinc supplements should only be used when diet analysis indicates a need for this trace mineral. Oversupplementing zinc without balancing copper can create mineral imbalances. In most cases, a complete vitamin and mineral program such as Omneity or AminoTrace+ is the best option to ensure all nutrient requirements are met. A pure zinc supplement is most appropriate when a forage analysis shows low zinc or high iron levels that require correction.
Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate powder contains 18% elemental zinc, meaning each 5-gram serving provides 750 mg of zinc. The correct feeding rate depends on your horse’s body weight, diet, and specific needs. The NRC (2007) recommends a minimum of 400 mg/day for a 500 kg horse at maintenance, though higher levels may be needed in growing, breeding, or performance horses, or when correcting high dietary iron. For personalized guidance, submit a free diet evaluation with our nutritionists.
Yes. Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate uses a chelated (organic) form of zinc bound to amino acids for improved stability and absorption in the small intestine. Inorganic forms such as zinc oxide are less efficiently absorbed and can interfere with other nutrients. Chelated zinc helps ensure your horse receives maximum benefit from supplementation.
No, this is a pure zinc supplement and does not contain copper. If you are looking for a balanced source of both zinc and copper, we recommend our 3:1 Zinc Copper supplement, which provides these minerals in the correct ratio for optimal absorption and balance.
Zinc and copper should always be balanced in your horse’s diet. Feeding zinc without copper can create imbalances, as the two minerals interact closely in the body. If both are needed, Mad Barn’s 3:1 Zinc Copper supplement provides them in the proper ratio. Always adjust individual minerals with guidance from a nutritionist.
Yes, Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate is safe for broodmares when fed at the recommended rate. Zinc is essential for reproduction, immune support, and foal development. However, zinc should be fed as part of a balanced program with all vitamins, minerals, and amino acids considered.
Yes. Zinc is safe for horses with Cushing’s (PPID), insulin resistance (IR), EMS, or laminitis. It contains only zinc with no sugars or fillers, making it appropriate for sensitive horses.
Yes, there are no known interactions between zinc and common equine medications.
Yes, Zinc is competition-legal and contains no prohibited substances, making it safe for performance horses across all disciplines. Regulations may change, so always confirm with your sport’s governing organization.
Yes, Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate powder is palatable for most horses. Many owners report their horses accept it readily when mixed with feed. Mad Barn also offers a 100% Customer Happiness Guarantee to ensure your horse loves our products. If your horse is a picky eater, introduce the supplement gradually or mix with soaked feed for improved acceptance.
Zinc can be top-dressed on feed or mixed into soaked hay pellets, beet pulp, or grains. It can be fed dry or soaked depending on your horse’s preference. For best results, feed as part of a balanced vitamin and mineral program that meets all nutrient requirements.
Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate is provided in powdered form for easy mixing. Each container includes a 5 gram scoop for convenient measuring.
No, Zinc supplements should not be offered free-choice. Horses may overconsume trace minerals if not measured, which can lead to imbalances or toxicity. Always use the provided scoop or a gram scale to measure accurately.
No, Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate contains no fillers. The zinc is bound to amino acids (proteinate form) to improve stability and absorption. It does not contain yeast, distillers dried grains, or other carriers. This ensures your horse receives a pure, highly bioavailable source of zinc.
Blood tests are not always a reliable indicator of zinc status, since most zinc is stored in tissues such as the skin, hair, and hooves. If your horse’s diet is already balanced and provides adequate zinc, additional supplementation may not be required. If bloodwork consistently shows low zinc or signs of deficiency are present, consult your veterinarian and consider a free diet evaluation with our nutritionists to assess the full diet before adjusting the feeding rate.
Zinc Proteinate has a guaranteed shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture, which is printed on the label. Store in a cool, dry place with the container tightly sealed to preserve potency.
Ask A Question
Have a question about this product? Ask below and our nutritionists will be happy to assist.
Zinc Supports:
Hoof Strength and Growth
Joints and Connective Tissue
Coat Quality and Skin Health
Reproductive Function
Neurological Health
Mineral Balance
Immune Function
Intense Exercise
Metabolic Health
Resistance to Stress
Mad Barn’s Zinc Proteinate is a bulk powder mineral supplement that provides zinc bound to amino acids to ensure it is easily absorbed and readily metabolized.
Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of over 100 enzymes involved in a wide range of functions including the transmission of nerve impulses, reproductive health, and protein synthesis.
The recommended zinc intake for horses is 400 mg per day for a mature, 500 kg horse that is lightly exercised. For horses that are lactating, the requirement is increased to 500 mg per day.
Horses also lose a significant amount of zinc through perspiration, measured at a rate of approximately 20 mg/L. Performance horses and horses engaged in heavy work require 500 mg per day to meet the minimum requirement.
Severe zinc deficiency is rare, however suboptimal levels may appear as slow wound healing or poor appetite and developmental orthopedic diseases. Dull coat, and brittle hooves may also be attributed to low zinc.
Zinc is sometimes supplemented in IR horses to counteract high iron levels in hay. Research shows that low levels of this mineral are linked to metabolic issues such as decreased insulin levels and insulin resistance.
Foals may show deficiency signs such as low feed intake, reduced growth, dandruff, hair loss and abnormal bone growth. Excess zinc is generally well tolerated in horses up to 700 ppm and is only likely to occur in industrial areas where soil levels of this mineral are high.
Zinc and copper are absorbed by the gut through the same mechanisms and should be considered together when formulating equine diets to maximize absorption of both. Zinc should be provided at three- to five-times higher levels than copper.
Mad Barn’s mineral/vitamin premixes Omneity and AminoTrace+ are formulated to provide zinc and copper in a 4:1 ratio to optimize absorption of both minerals.
You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.
This product should be used under the supervision of a veterinarian or other qualified equine health professional.
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English
3:1 Zinc Copper 
AminoTrace+ 
Omneity® Pellets 
Omneity® Premix 
Trace Mineral Pak 
Zinc 
Hoof Strength and Growth
Joints and Connective Tissue
Coat Quality and Skin Health
Reproductive Function
Neurological Health
Mineral Balance
Immune Function
Intense Exercise
Metabolic Health
Resistance to Stress
