A horse needs energy, building blocks, vitamins, and minerals for its daily functioning. If an animal does not get enough energy, this is usually quite easy to see: the horse will lose weight. You can easily solve this by providing more roughage or adding some oil to the diet. Of course, weight loss can also be caused by certain diseases, dental problems, or a worm infestation. If adding energy to the diet does not help, consult your veterinarian.

Self-produced or from feed?

Your horse produces some of the vitamins it needs daily on its own, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. So, in principle, you don’t have to worry about this unless your horse is sick or old, in which case its natural production may decrease. Deficiencies in various B vitamins, which must come from the diet, can lead to diarrhea, skin problems, and even neurological disorders.

Deficiency or overdose?

A deficiency of, for example, vitamin E or magnesium can be harmful to your horse, but for certain vitamins and minerals, you also need to be cautious about overdosing. For example, iodine is important for fertility, but it quickly becomes toxic for horses. Selenium also plays a role in the horse's body, but in excessive amounts, it is toxic. Similarly, vitamins A and D should not be supplemented carelessly, as too much can have negative side effects.

Blood profile

In eventing and among professional riders, it is quite common to take blood samples occasionally to check for deficiencies in the blood profile. This can be a useful tool for detecting certain problems early. The status of iron, for example, which is important for oxygen transport, can be well assessed in the blood. However, the blood levels of some other substances do not provide much information. This is because horses have reserves for certain vitamins and minerals. Vitamin E, for instance, is stored in the liver, and when a deficiency threatens in the cells, the liver releases it. Only when the liver itself runs out of reserves do problems become apparent. A vitamin E deficiency can lead to liver disease, reduced immunity, and fertility issues. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium are also stored in your horse’s bones and can be released if needed elsewhere in the body. However, this means the bone density decreases, which can lead to fractures! It is therefore better to ensure that bone-building minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and silicon are sufficiently present in the diet.

Sport horse?

Balancers and concentrates are often designed to meet the needs of a horse that is not in work or only lightly exercised. If your sport horse is not building enough muscle and/or fitness despite good training, it may need additional nutrients. This is especially true if the horse does not have access to lush pasture, as grass is an important source of many vitamins, as well as proteins and amino acids. A horse that trains extensively needs additional amino acids such as lysine and minerals for muscle development. Also, keep in mind that a working horse requires more minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium than the basic needs covered by a regular balancer. To meet this extra demand, you can choose individual supplements or a balancer specifically formulated for sport horses. Additionally, a sport horse requires vitamin E for muscle function. Is your horse struggling to develop muscles, feeling stiff, and/or having very tight muscles that are hard to press? Then vitamin E and magnesium are the first nutrients to consider, possibly in combination with essential amino acids and B vitamins. Silicon, which supports the formation of bones, cartilage, and connective tissue, is also a beneficial supplement for sport horses, especially if they have limited access to fresh grass.