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Neuro-Natural General |
Natural Energy |
Neuro Natural General |
Science has long established that many brain and nervous system disorders are a direct result of long-term nutrient deficiencies... |
The stresses of a modern life, natural depletion of essential nutrients from your diet, a decrease in your immunity and the subsequent vulnerability... |
The ‘standard’ medical solution for high cholesterol is to prescribe a statin drug. Whereas these are generally effective in lowering cholesterol… |
Vitamin A for Horses
Just like humans, animals also need an adequate supply of vitamins to maintain good health. A horse needs vitamin A for various functions of its body. One of the most important areas where vitamin A for horses plays a vital role of course is vision. Vitamin A is used to produce rhodopsin, which is a pigment on the retina that helps the horse to perceive light. These pigments are extremely sensitive to light and can help the horse to see even when the light levels are quite low. Rhodopsin converts the incident light into signals that are then relayed to the brain. The brain then interprets these signals and gives the sensation of sight to the animal.
Vitamin A for horses is also important for the process of cell differentiation, which is an extremely important function during reproduction. An adequate supply of vitamin A helps in the healthy creation and growth of the embryo. The vitamin also helps in the upkeep of the immune system and aids the animal in fighting or resisting infection.
Horses that graze for food on their own instinctively know which grasses or leaves to eat to get all the nutrients they need for their body. Domestic horses that are fed indoors however need to be supplied with all the necessary nutrients through their diet. Forages, plant proteins and cereal grains that form the traditional feeds given to horses are usually low on retinol. However, they are more abundantly present in carotenoids, which are vitamin A compounds. As Beta-carotene is one of the best carotenoids, it is found in most horse fed foods. They are present more in forages than in cereal grains. Green pasture contains the highest level of carotenoids whereas their levels are quite low in grass hays.
Vitamin A contained in hay dissipates after a while. When stored over a period of six months, the hay loses almost its entire quantity of vitamin A. When a horse is fed hay that is of poor quality or hay that has been stored for more than six months, it is essential to feed the horse with supplements especially if it has not been receiving any green forage. About 30 IU/kg BW of vitamin A is recommended by he NRC's Nutrient Requirements for Horses. It is also estimated that horses need 45 IU/kg BW for growth and 60 IU/kg BW for female horses for breeding, gestation and for lactation. Therefore care needs to be taken to see that a horse receives an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals to keep it in good health.