Sources of Vitamin E for Horses

Vitamin E is crucial for a healthy horse, providing important antioxidants and leading to better health. If the horse is not receiving enough vitamin E through diet, a supplement may be used to enhance its feed. According to Horses and Horse Information, the fat-soluble supplements should be fed with a high-fat feed and are shown to help horses that tie up or have wobblers.
  1. Forage

    • Quality forage is important for proper equine nutrition and development. For a horse to gain all of its daily vitamins through feed, there should be ample amounts of grass and hay available. According to Vitaflex.com, forage has the highest levels of vitamin E before it is cut and in young growth. Alfalfa is a good source of vitamin E, but the hay loses some vitamin E once it is cut and dried. The hay continues to loses its vitamin E quality the longer it is stored, especially at high heat levels.

    Grain

    • Different grains will offer varying levels of vitamin E depending on their quality and purpose. A feed should be chosen to complement a horse's daily work levels, current health, and forage intake. According to MyHorse.com, whole-grain natural feeds contain higher levels of vitamin E than do processed grain. Using whole-grain feed gives the owner more control over the quality of grain consumed by the horse; he may customize the grain for each horse's needs. Using a fresh grain source will also ensure a higher vitamin E content rather than will using processed feeds.

    Supplements

    • Supplements are available to add vitamin E to a horse's diet when grain and forage are not enough. It comes in varying forms, including liquids, powders, and pellets. The vitamin is usually mixed into a supplement with other nutrients, often selenium. There are many general vitamin supplement choices that offer ample amounts of vitamin E, along with other vital minerals that will benefit the horse's overall health. However, be careful not to add too much selenium to a horse's diet--it may cause a toxic reaction.