Skip to content
Search Library
thumbnail

A conscientious exercise regime often leads to work of high intensity, the culmination of which includes incredible feats of athleticism by horses: the low-slung, catlike couching of cutting horses, the sudden acceleration of quarter-mile sprinters, or the meticulous technique of a five-star show jumper. On a cellular level, oxidative stress is a consequence of high-intensity exercise, no matter the sport.

One way horsemen combat oxidative stress is through the use of antioxidants, like vitamin E and coenzyme Q10. Kentucky Equine Research and other well-respected research groups have investigated vitamin E extensively in the past, and another group of researchers recently looked closely at how supplementation with natural and synthetic vitamin E affected measures of oxidative stress, muscle damage, cytokine gene expression, and stride parameters.*

Eighteen horses were fed a hay and grain diet deficient in vitamin E for two weeks. The horses were divided into three groups and fed the control diet plus: (1) 1,000 IU synthetic vitamin E; (2) 4,000 IU synthetic vitamin E, or (3) 4,000 IU of natural vitamin E. A week after supplementation began, horses started a six-week exercise program. Venous blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 29, and 49.

The researchers summarized their findings in three key points:

  • Natural vitamin E was superior to synthetic in raising and maintaining blood levels.
  • Horses supplemented with natural vitamin E exhibited less oxidative and inflammatory response following exercise.
  • Increasing the level of synthetic vitamin E came with few advantages.

In choosing a vitamin E product for any high-performance horse, select a natural-source product with optimal bioavailability. In this instance, bioavailability refers to the proportion of vitamin E that enters circulation once it has been consumed and produces a desired effect. Nano-E, a product developed by Kentucky Equine Research, features nanodispersion technology for peak bioavailability.

Learn more about vitamin E, including the advantages of feeding a natural source, by reviewing studies conducted at Kentucky Equine Research.

*Fagan, M.M., P. Harris, A. Adams, R. Pazdro, A. Krotky, J. Call, and K.J. Duberstein. 2020. Form of vitamin E supplementation affects oxidative and inflammatory response in exercising horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 91:103103.

X

Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free now!