Let’s talk about horse nutrition. Can you tell me some of the key minerals necessary to maintain health for a horse?
Yes, there are several key minerals that are important for maintaining good health in horses. Some of the most important ones include calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium for strong bones; sodium, chloride, and potassium for proper fluid balance; and iron, copper, and zinc for healthy red blood cells and proper immune function. It’s also important for horses to get enough selenium and iodine, as well as trace minerals like cobalt, manganese, and molybdenum.
How does a horse absorb the minerals needed?
Horses absorb most minerals from their intestines, with the small intestine being the primary site of absorption. After a horse ingests food, the minerals are broken down by the digestive process and then absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. From there, the minerals are transported to various parts of the body where they are used for various functions. The rate of absorption can vary depending on factors such as the form of the mineral (whether it is inorganic or organic), the presence of other substances in the digestive tract, and the overall health of the horse. In general, organic minerals are more easily absorbed by the body than inorganic ones.
Do enzymes play a part in this process?
Yes, enzymes are important for the digestion and absorption of minerals in horses. Enzymes are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in the body, and they play a key role in the digestive process by breaking down large molecules of food into smaller molecules that can be easily absorbed by the body. In the case of minerals, enzymes help to break down the mineral-containing compounds in food so that they can be more easily absorbed by the small intestine. Enzymes are produced by the body, but they can also be obtained from the diet. For example, horses get some enzymes from the bacteria in their hindgut, which help to break down cellulose and other complex compounds in their food.
Which enzymes are essential for the absorption of iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium?
There are many different enzymes involved in the digestive process and they all work together.
Can anything make it easier or harder for the horse to absorb minerals?
There are several factors that can affect a horse’s ability to absorb minerals from their diet. Some of the most important ones include the form of the mineral (whether it is inorganic or organic), the presence of other substances in the digestive tract, and the overall health of the horse. For example, organic minerals are generally more easily absorbed by the body than inorganic ones. Additionally, the presence of other substances in the digestive tract can affect the absorption of minerals. For example, if a horse eats a lot of fibre, it can decrease the amount of space available in the small intestine for mineral absorption. On the other hand, certain substances, such as citric acid, can increase the solubility of minerals and make them more readily available for absorption. The overall health of the horse can also affect its ability to absorb minerals. For example, if a horse has an underlying health problem or a compromised immune system, it may be less able to absorb minerals from its diet.
What is phytic acid? I’ve heard that this can bind to certain minerals in the form of phytates.
Phytic acid, also known as inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) or inositol hexaphosphate, is a compound found in plant seeds, grains, legumes, and nuts. It is a storage form of phosphorus, and it is often bound to other minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc, in the form of phytates. Phytates can bind to these minerals in the digestive tract and make them less available for absorption. This can lead to deficiencies of these minerals if a horse’s diet is high in phytates and low in other sources of these minerals. However, the effect of phytates on mineral absorption can vary depending on the amount of phytates in the diet and the overall mineral content of the diet. Additionally, some bacteria in the hindgut of horses have the ability to break down phytates, which can increase the availability of minerals.
Do enzymes play a part in breaking down phytates?
Yes, enzymes play a role in breaking down phytates in the digestive tract of horses. Phytates are broken down by enzymes called phytases, which are produced by certain bacteria in the hindgut of horses. These bacteria break down phytates and release the minerals that are bound up in them, making them more available for absorption by the body. Some feed products for horses also contain added phytase to help break down phytates and improve the availability of minerals in the diet. The ability of horses to produce phytase and break down phytates can vary depending on the individual horse and its diet. In general, horses that eat a diet high in grains and other phytate-containing plant foods may benefit from additional phytase in their diet.
EquiNectar is a product which contains phytase. This could be a useful source of phytase for a horse?
Yes, EquiNectar is a product that contains phytase, which is an enzyme that breaks down phytates in the digestive tract. As I mentioned earlier, phytates are compounds found in plant seeds, grains, legumes, and nuts that can bind to minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc and make them less available for absorption. By breaking down phytates, phytase can help to increase the availability of these minerals in the diet. Therefore, using a product like EquiNectar that contains phytase could be a useful way to help horses get the minerals they need from their diet, especially if their diet is high in phytate-containing plant foods.
Which feed is highest in phytates?
Grains and other plant seeds are typically high in phytates. This includes grains such as corn, wheat, barley, and oats, as well as legumes such as soybeans, peas, and beans. Nuts, such as almonds and peanuts, are also high in phytates. The amount of phytates in these foods can vary depending on factors such as the type of grain or seed, the growing conditions, and the processing methods used. In general, whole grains and seeds tend to be higher in phytates than processed grains and seeds, which have had some of the phytates removed during processing. It’s important for horse owners to be aware of the phytate content of their horse’s diet and to consider using a feed product that contains added phytase if their horse’s diet is high in phytate-containing plant foods.
In theory, does the breaking down of phytates by phytase help a horse gain more organic phosphorus from its diet?
Yes, in theory, breaking down phytates with phytase can help a horse gain more organic phosphorus from its diet.
I’ve heard that inorganic phosphorus is considered to be a pollutant?
Inorganic phosphorus is a type of phosphorus that is not bound to carbon atoms. It is commonly found in fertilisers, detergents, and other products, and it can be released into the environment through various means, such as runoff from agricultural fields and the discharge of wastewater from homes and industries. In high concentrations, inorganic phosphorus can cause problems in natural water systems. For example, it can promote the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which can cause oxygen depletion and the death of fish and other aquatic animals. Inorganic phosphorus is considered to be a pollutant because of its potential negative effects on the environment.
So from an environmental point of view, helping a horse absorb more organic phosphorus from its feed would be a better choice than supplementing with inorganic phosphorus?
Yes, from an environmental point of view, it would be better to help a horse absorb more organic phosphorus from its feed rather than supplementing its diet with inorganic phosphorus.
In addition to phytase, which you’ve explained in detail, EquiNectar also contains amylase, cellulase, fructanase and xylanase. It is naturally derived from malted barley via a special process that preserves the live enzymes. It seems to offer a lot of benefits to a horse, could you please describe some of these benefits?
Yes, EquiNectar is a product that contains several enzymes that can provide various benefits to horses. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates, such as starch, into simpler sugars that can be easily absorbed by the body. Cellulase breaks down cellulose, which is a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls. Fructanase breaks down fructans, which are complex sugars found in plants. Xylanase breaks down xylans, which are complex carbohydrates found in plant cell walls.
The benefits of these enzymes to horses include improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, increased energy and endurance and of course, improved gut health.
By breaking down complex carbohydrates and releasing the nutrients bound up in them, these enzymes can help horses to get more energy and nutrients from their food. This can be especially beneficial for horses that are on a high-fibre or a high starch diet – so really, it offers potential benefits to all horses!
Additionally, the live enzymes in EquiNectar can help to support the healthy bacteria in the hindgut. This is an effect we’ve seen conclusively with the microbiome testing we’ve conducted on horses before and after using EquiNectar.
