What Does It Do?
B12 is vital for enzyme function and for fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. B12 is also required for the formation of blood cells and amino acids.
Category Archives: General Nutrition
B6 PYRIDOZINE IN THE EQUINE DIET
What Does It Do?
B6 is essential for energy production, nervous system activity and for blood production.
B6 is actually three compounds, phosphorylation, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine (PALP) which are found in various enzyme systems for their functions in the equine body.
Although research has been very extensive, the multiple functions of vitamin B6 through PALP are still not yet fully understood; but over fifty enzymes are known which depend on it.
Nutritional Requirements:
Many factors such as age, performance, and protein uptake effects a horses’ need for vitamin B6. Although deficiency symptoms have not been identified, all the evidence suggests that the amount of vitamin B6 in feeds may not be sufficient for optimum performance at any age.
Active horses appear to require a minimum dietary level of B6 greater than 2.5 mg/kg. The aim should be a supplement of about 3 mg per kg of feed which therefore supplies an active, performance horse with 30 mg/day, a resting adult with 18 mg/day, mares and stallions with 12 mg/day and foals and yearlings with 3 to10 mg/day.
Where Does My Horse Get It?
B3 NIACIN IN THE EQUINE DIET
What Does It Do?
B3 is one of those vitamins that is essential to almost everything your horse does. B3 is a water soluble B group vitamin required on a daily basis and used in metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and amino acids. It also supports healthy skin and digestion.
Niacin has been known it’s ability to increase blood flow to the extremities. Therefore, B3 supplementation has been used successfully to promote improved blood circulation.
B2 RIBOFLAVIN IN THE EQUINE DIET
What Does It Do?
B2 is vital for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Riboflavin is a precursor to two coenzymes. Coenzymes are molecules that carry chemical compounds between two enzymes which transport many substances in the body. Being a precursor simply means that the equine body uses B2 to make the coenzymes. B2 also appears to have a role in fat metabolism.
There is a specific site in an area of the small intestine where dietary B2 is absorbed. It binds to a carrier protein and then is transported to the liver, the adrenals, and other sites where it is built into the enzymes.
As with all water soluble vitamins excess B2 is withdrawn by the kidneys and excreted via the urine.
B1 THIAMIN IN THE EQUINE DIET
What Does It Do?
The main function of thiamine is the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein. Thiamin, known as B1 is required for fat metabolism as well.
There are three enzymes that require B1, they have big technical names that I won’t include here but they do have an important role in carbohydrate digestion, so I will mention them.
The Equine Nutrition Nerd 
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