Methionine: Methionine is an essential amino acid required in your horse’s diet because it cannot be made in the body. Amino acids are the molecular building blocks of proteins. Proteins are the building blocks for muscles.

Every protein starts with the amino acid methionine. The first part of each gene tells the cell to start assembling the protein beginning with methionine..

Lysine: Lysine is typically considered the first rate-limiting amino acid in equine diets. It is the amino acid that is most commonly deficient to the point of limiting protein synthesis in the horse.

Roles:

• Is converted to carnitine, a vitamin-like compound that supports key enzymes involved in breaking down fat for energy.
• Has been seen to increase calcium levels in the body by increasing calcium absorption and minimizing calcium loss in urine.
• Is involved in making collagen and elastin, important proteins found in high levels in the skin and connective tissue including tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
• Lysine is a critical component of the muscle proteins actin and myosin that interact to facilitate muscle contraction.
  

Selenium: Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant mineral that is necessary for the horse’s diet. Horses derive selenium by consuming hay or grasses that grow in soils that contain this trace mineral. However, if you live in a region with low selenium levels in the soil, your horse’s forage may be deficient in this essential mineral.

Not getting enough selenium in the diet can contribute to a wide range of health problems for your equine companion. It can impair muscle function, heart health, immune function, growth and energy levels in your horse.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E (antioxidant) is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an important antioxidant for horses. It helps maintain a healthy immune system and supports normal nerve and muscle function. Horses need vitamin E in their diet because they cannot synthesize it endogenously in their body. Vitamin E deficiency in horses can cause them to be more likely to tie up after exercise. They might be sick with frequent coughs and colds and recover slowly.

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 (antioxidant), also known as Cobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin with important roles in the nervous system and liver. It is involved in energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. The horse needs cobalamin to ensure the normal production of red blood cells in bone marrow, to maintain a healthy reproductive system and to support the myelination of nerves.

Vitamin B12 is also involved in the metabolism of fats and amino acids for energy. This vitamin is said to improve physical stamina and stimulate appetite in horses.

Niacin: Vitamin B3 (antioxidant), also known as niacin, supports healthy digestion and skin. Proper digestive functions enable your horse to process nutrients from his feed, maximizing the energy he acquires so he can perform his best. Niacin is most well known for its ability to increase blood flow and improve circulation.