Can I Give My Horse Vitamin D?

Supplementation with 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D per kg of dry diet has been found to be adequate to prevent deficiency symptoms in growing horses.

How much vitamin D does a horse need?

Horses do best when they receive at least 6.6 IU of vitamin D per kilogram of body weight. For an 1100 pound (500 kilogram) horse, this translates into 3300 IU/day.

What are signs of vitamin D deficiency in horses?

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency in Horses

• Poor Appetite.
• Growth plate problems in young horses.
• Rickets.
• Stress Fractures.
• Poor Muscle Contraction.

How do horses get vit D?

Horses can obtain vitamin D both through endogenous synthesis in the skin during sunlight exposure and through dietary sources either from synthetic vitamin D supplements or the natural vitamin D content of roughages.

Is there vitamin D in hay?

Alfalfa hay probably varies between 300 and 1,000 Interna tional Units of vitamin D per pound, averaging about 500 to 600 units. Alfalfa varies from time to time in the amount and rate of vitamin D development induced by sunshine exposure.

What happens if a horse has too much vitamin D?

Outward signs of vitamin D toxicosis are depression, decreased appetite with weight loss, and limb stiffness. One study found that when young ponies were fed 14,000 IU vitamin D per kg body weight daily, acute toxicity and severe calcification of the lungs, heart, kidney and other organs occurred within 10 days.

Can you give a horse too much vitamin?

Most vitamins have a large safety margin and, if overfed, do not result in toxicity. However, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) can be a problem if fed in massive amounts (quite rare). Mineral toxicity.

What is the fastest way to cure vitamin D deficiency?

1. Spend time in sunlight. Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient.
2. Consume fatty fish and seafood.
3. Eat more mushrooms.
4. Include egg yolks in your diet.
5. Eat fortified foods.
6. Take a supplement.
7. Try a UV lamp.

How do you bring up a vitamin D deficiency?

Today, with more time spent indoors and increased use of sunscreen, higher basal intakes of 1,000 to 2,000 IU/d from supplements are recommended to avoid vitamin D deficiency. Multiple vitamins generally contain 400 IU of vitamin D, and calcium supplements provide 200 to 400 IU of vitamin D.

Do horses get vitamin D from sunlight?

Horses derive vitamin D through the feedstuffs they ingest, but horses can also synthesize vitamin D when their skin is exposed to sunlight. Under natural conditions, grazing horses are exposed to many hours of sunlight every day, theoretically producing enough vitamin D to meet their needs.

How do animals get vitamin D with fur?

So in these cases, the creatures’ skin secrete oils or waxes which coat and impregnate its fur or feathers. Sunlight then interacts with the oil and produces vitamin D, which is then ingested by the animal or bird when it grooms itself.

What vitamins should I give my horse?

Horses need vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K for optimal health. The quantities needed are small, but the effects are important. For some vitamins, too much in the horse’s diet is just as bad as too little.

What is vitamin D3 good for in horses?

The main function of both Vitamin D2 and D3 in horses, as well as in humans, is to control the absorption, transport and deposition of calcium and phosphorus. Research indicates that without Vitamin D, horses have difficulty absorbing calcium.

What are 4 good sources of vitamin D?

Food Sources

• Cod liver oil.
• Salmon.
• Swordfish.
• Tuna fish.
• Orange juice fortified with vitamin D.
• Dairy and plant milks fortified with vitamin D.
• Sardines.
• Beef liver.

Does alfalfa have vitamin D?

Sun-cured, field-grown alfalfa contained vitamin D2 at a concentration of 48 ng/g (1920 IU/kg) and vitamin D3 at 0.63 ng/g (25 IU/kg).

What plant has high vitamin D?

Mushrooms
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are the only plant-based sources of vitamin D found in nature. They have a compound which when exposed to sunlight converts into vitamin D2. The FDA has even approved UV-treated mushrooms as an additive to other foods to increase vitamin D intake.

How much vitamin D per day is toxic?

The safe upper limit of intake is set at 4,000 IU per day. Intake in the range of 40,000–100,000 IU per day (10–25 times the recommended upper limit) has been linked with toxicity in humans.

Are horse supplements a waste of money?

Are horse joint supplements a waste of money? If you buy the wrong supplements, they might not provide any relief to your horse and, worse, could cause nutritional imbalances in the animal. This can result in a waste of money!

Can too much vitamin D be toxic?

In addition, taking a supplement that contains too much vitamin D can be toxic in rare cases. It can lead to hypercalcemia, a condition in which too much calcium builds up in the blood, potentially forming deposits in the arteries or soft tissues. It may also predispose people to painful kidney stones.

What feed is the best source of most vitamins for horses?

hay
Some cases where a horse would need a vitamin supplement include when feeding a high-grain diet, or low-quality hay, if a horse is under stress (traveling, showing, racing, etc.), prolonged strenuous activity, or not eating well (sick, after surgery, etc.). Most of the vitamins are found in green, leafy forages.

How can I boost my horses immune system?

An equine supplement that combines zinc, lysine and a blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3 essential fatty acids, can be fed to optimize health and support immunity in horses at risk of viral exposure.