How much vitamin E is in hay? The advice and information platform for all horse and dog enthusiasts.

The degradation of vitamin E from drying hay is very rapid. Often half of it has disappeared after two weeks. You can imagine that the vitamin E content has become very low by the end of winter. Your horse cannot meet its vitamin E needs in that period with just hay.

Why is vitamin E important for horses?

Horses need vitamin E as an antioxidant, for the proper function of their muscles, and for the immune system. Vitamin E is also important for the nervous system. All horses need daily vitamin E for various processes in the body. But especially sport horses, broodmares, breeding stallions, horses sensitive to sugar, and horses with PSSM have an increased need for vitamin E.

When to give vitamin E?

Horses cannot produce the necessary vitamin E themselves. They get vitamin E from fresh greens and store it in their fat tissue. When they have an increased vitamin E need, for example because they are in sports, the supply of vitamin E depletes rapidly. The deficiency needs to be supplemented through food. Providing vitamin E is really necessary in the winter or when your horse is in a paddock. We have listed it for you:

If the horse does not get fresh grass
During intensive training
With muscle disorders such as PSSM
With muscle stiffness, weakness, or tremors
In cases of overweight
During pregnancy and lactation
With a high-fat diet

Which type of vitamin E is needed?

Commercial feed and balancers often contain some vitamin E, but it is not always sufficient or in an absorbable form. Horses are a bit tricky when it comes to vitamin E. While other mammals, like humans, absorb vitamin E much more easily, horses are quite inefficient in this regard. There are also individual differences in horses. Some (cheaper) forms of vitamin E are not absorbed well by horses. The most absorbable compound from the vitamin E complex is α-tocopherol, and this substance is often used in supplements. It is naturally abundant in wheat germ oil. Synthetic forms of vitamin E are usually poorly absorbed by horses. An example of such a synthetic form of vitamin E is dl-α-tocopherol acetate. This compound is found in various supplements available in the Netherlands. Natural vitamin E is much better absorbed by horses and is therefore much more beneficial. The isomer RRR-α-tocopherol is the most absorbable.

Conclusion: natural Vitamin E in winter

Hay is a much less good source of vitamin E than fresh grass. Especially in the second half of winter, the levels of vitamin E in hay often become very low. Additionally, the vitamin E reserves of horses are depleted during this period. It is often wise to give horses some extra vitamin E during this period, especially if your horse is engaged in substantial work, is sensitive to sugar, has PSSM, or is used for breeding. Make sure to provide a supplement with natural or ‘natural-like’ vitamin E, preferably in the form of RRR-α-tocopherol, for optimal absorption and results.