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: Macro‐minerals: Required in g/day Micro‐minerals: Required in mg/day Calcium (Ca) 20Cobalt (Co) 0.5 Phosphorus (P) 14 Copper (Cu) 100.0 Sodium (Na) 10.0 Molybdenum (Mo) Potassium (K) 25.0 Zinc (Zn) 400.0 Magnesium (Mg) 7.50 Maganese (Mn) 400.0 Sulphur (S) 15.0 Iron (Fe) 400.0 Chloride (Cl) 40.0 Chromium (Cr) Floride (F) Iodine (I) 3.5 Selenium (Se) 1.00 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/