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FAQs

How does EVM fit into a best feeding practice?

The Equine Vit&Min feeding system tops up and balances a diet that provides all the necessary roughage for gut health. It inputs the vitamins and minerals independently of protein and energy (calories). This means you can rest assured your horses are getting all their vitamin and mineral needs even when you don’t need to feed large quantities of fortified hard feeds.

Why doesn’t EVM include amino acids?

Simply because most horses don’t need them, and we don’t think you should pay for ingredients you don’t need. Most adult horses get all the protein they need, including the most limiting amino acids lysine, methionine and threonine, from their roughage and energy sources. Breeding and growing horses have higher protein requirements which can be easily met through the addition of a quality protein feed source such as lucerne or full fat soybean meal.

Why doesn’t EVM include salt or electrolytes?

Not every horse needs extra salt added to their diet as many get all the salt they need from bagged feeds. The actual amount of salt required can vary from day to day as well – their requirements are higher during very hot weather or following periods of heavy sweating. high performance horses need to have their electrolytes balanced very finely, and their riders prefer to manage the salt intake independently of the vitamin and mineral intake.

Does EVM contain organic minerals?

Equine Vit&Min does contain some organically chelated zinc, copper and selenium. However, in a study of scientific literature, Frape (2010) concluded that “there is minimal, or no, difference in biologic use, or animal performance with trace minerals compared to organic sources. Since organic chelates and proteinates bypass the body’s “feedback loops” for mineral absorption, organic minerals should be limited to 20 – 30% of the total micromineral content of the additive to avoid the risk of toxicity. In other words, because the microminerals are being snuck in the ‘back door’ in disguise as proteins when in chelated form, the body’s normal ability to monitor how much to let in is compromised. There is probably merit in providing a small proportion of microminerals (such as copper, zinc and selenium) in quality horse supplements in both organic and inorganic forms.

Will EVM make my horse silly?

Equine Vit&Min does not add any energy or calories to the horse’s diet. However, it might make a horse feel better and its body may use the calories it eats more efficiently as its body functions become optimised. This is called feed use efficiency, which can mean a horse needs less caloric intake each day to perform the same work (and that can mean a smaller feed bill). It’s a bit like a car’s engine doing more kilometres per litre when fuelled with a higher quality fuel that allows the engine to perform more efficiently.

Why doesn’t EVM contain 50 – 60 different nutrients like some competitors?

NRC (2007) states that “further elements are, in principle accepted as essential constituents in a mammalian diet (e.g. boron, nickel and vanadium). Based on the current status of knowledge, their natural occurrence is sufficient to ensure the required very small amounts of these elements. The supplementation of these elements, including the rare earth elements, is not based on scientifically elaborated, valid data and has the potential to be dangerous to horses.”

Nutrient Analysis (per 60g serve)

Calcium: 6.4g
Phosphorus: 3.6g
Magnesium: 11.8g
Copper: 245mg
Zinc: 710mg
Manganese: 300mg
Cobalt: 0.9mg
Chromium: 3.0mg
Iodine: 4.0mg
Selenium: 1.3mg
Vitamin A: 22,500IU
Vitamin D: 3,000IU
Vitamin E: 720mg
Vitamin K: 3.0mg
B Group Vitamins:
B1: 42.0mg
B2: 28.8mg
B3: 60.0mg
B5: 72.0mg
B6: 9.0mg
B12: 0.045mg
Folate: 15.0mg
Biotin: 15.0mg
Probiotics: Recommended daily serve of live yeast ‘Saccharomyces cerevisiae’