Equine Nutrition/Minerals

Equine Nutrition by Jo-Anne Murray

Minerals
• Required for various functions – Growth – Co‐factors to enzymes – Involved in transport of energy

• Mineral digestion: – Majority absorbed in Small Intestine – Majority of Phosphorus absorbed in Large Intestine

• Two categories of minerals: – Macro‐minerals – Micro minerals/Trace minerals

• Macro‐minerals: – Required in relatively large quantities (g/day)

• Micro‐minerals: – Needed in very small quantities (mg/day)

• Amounts are important as well as the ratios of minerals are important (e.g. ca:p ratio)

• Two categories of minerals:

The NRC recommended a mature 500 kg. horse at maintenance receive the above daily mineral amounts;Remember that the requirements will vary based on horse's age, weight, and use. http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh/