Product Overview
There are certain times when a B complex vitamin supplement may be beneficial due to a diminished supply from both internal and external sources. These include:
B vitamins are complex and essential to a horse’s health- First Place Feeds have designed a formula to help address the following:
1. Horses on high grain, low forage diets, or those on very poor quality forage.
2. Horses in high stress situations or during extreme exertion (endurance, traveling, racing)
3. Horses with reduced appetite and general poor thrift due to illness or stress.
4. Horses on broad spectrum antibiotics where hindgut bacteria will be compromised.
5. Horses that have poor digestive health such as diarrhea or extreme parasite burden.
6. Very young horses with incomplete gut microflora populations.
7. Geriatric horses with diminished digestive efficacy.
B complex vitamin supplements have shown good results in the field for the performance horse and as an aid to the stress of travel and competition. Seeming to give the horse a natural lift, these supplements have a great following among experienced horse people. Some B vitamins have been studied more than others, and beneficial effects of feeding supplemental sources of these vitamins have been reported both in the academic press and in the field.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism; a co-enzyme which supports the change of nutrients into energy. Deficiencies in Vitamin B1 can lead to in-appetence and nervousness
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Supports energy metabolism and production of immune cells
Vitamin B3 (Niacin or Nicotinamide)
Energy transfer in the body
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Breakdown of fat and protein synthesis
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Involved in amino acid metabolism, plays a role in haemoglobin production and is an essential factor in energy production
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Supports cell integrity
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Cell division and growth. Red blood cell production
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Promotes red blood cell production; involved in protein metabolism and in the metabolism of fats
![d1-alpha tocopherol Alpha-tocopherol Antioxidants like vitamin E protect cells from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from other molecules to become stable, causing the other molecules, like DNA and cell membranes, to become unstable.
Free radicals are naturally produced when horses metabolize carbohydrates, fat, or protein to make energy. Free radicals are not completely bad. A small amount are needed to help cells respond to signals in the body.
However, too much free radical damage, called oxidative stress, damages cells often to the point of cell death. This will cause organs and tissues like the liver and muscles to not function properly and negatively impact the horse’s health, resulting in premature aging.
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals before they cause damage. Antioxidants come in many forms. Vitamins (vitamin E and C), minerals (selenium) and enzymes (glutathione peroxidase) all work together to provide optimal antioxidant protection.
Vitamin E eases muscle soreness and stiffness in exercising horses, helping them sustain high levels of activity.
Having adequate intake of this vitamin will help muscles recover after exercise which can support athletic performance. [1]
Horses with adequate vitamin E intake are less likely to experience chronic tying up (defences rhabdomyolysis).
Vitamin E boosts the immune response, enhancing the bacteria killing capacity of immune cells. This helps horses recover from illness quickly. [2]
Vitamin E can help horses with insulin resistance. According to Dr. Nicholas Frank at the University of Tennessee, daily intake of 1000 IU could help improve insulin sensitivity.
Having adequate antioxidant defences can minimize stress and health issues related to travel and competition, helping your horses stay healthy and ready to compete. [4]
It can prevent or minimize the effects of neurological disorders like equine motor neurone disease (EMND) and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) from developing. [3]
Horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), also known as equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) have a higher burden of oxidative stress. Vitamin E could help horses with this muscular disorder.](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-texcm/images/stencil/500x659/products/229/536/Vitamin_E_product_photo__81922.1649274718.jpg?c=2 "d1-alpha tocopherol Alpha-tocopherol Antioxidants like vitamin E protect cells from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from other molecules to become stable, causing the other molecules, like DNA and cell membranes, to become unstable.
Free radicals are naturally produced when horses metabolize carbohydrates, fat, or protein to make energy. Free radicals are not completely bad. A small amount are needed to help cells respond to signals in the body.
However, too much free radical damage, called oxidative stress, damages cells often to the point of cell death. This will cause organs and tissues like the liver and muscles to not function properly and negatively impact the horse’s health, resulting in premature aging.
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals before they cause damage. Antioxidants come in many forms. Vitamins (vitamin E and C), minerals (selenium) and enzymes (glutathione peroxidase) all work together to provide optimal antioxidant protection.
Vitamin E eases muscle soreness and stiffness in exercising horses, helping them sustain high levels of activity.
Having adequate intake of this vitamin will help muscles recover after exercise which can support athletic performance. [1]
Horses with adequate vitamin E intake are less likely to experience chronic tying up (defences rhabdomyolysis).
Vitamin E boosts the immune response, enhancing the bacteria killing capacity of immune cells. This helps horses recover from illness quickly. [2]
Vitamin E can help horses with insulin resistance. According to Dr. Nicholas Frank at the University of Tennessee, daily intake of 1000 IU could help improve insulin sensitivity.
Having adequate antioxidant defences can minimize stress and health issues related to travel and competition, helping your horses stay healthy and ready to compete. [4]
It can prevent or minimize the effects of neurological disorders like equine motor neurone disease (EMND) and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) from developing. [3]
Horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), also known as equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) have a higher burden of oxidative stress. Vitamin E could help horses with this muscular disorder.")
