BioMineral Total is an easily absorbed mineral supplement for horses, containing both macro and micro minerals. This supplement is ideally used when the diet does not meet the mineral requirements.
Minerals play a significant role in organ functions and the body's chemistry. They are needed for the development of the skeleton and muscles, as well as the function of joints and many other bodily functions.
Minerals are typically divided into macro minerals and micro minerals, also known as trace elements, and in BioMineral Total, you will find both types.
Macro Minerals
Macro minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and silicon.
- Calcium and phosphorus are needed for building the skeleton, and it's essential not only to provide these minerals to the horse but also to ensure that the ratio between them is correct. This is called the Ca/P ratio, and it is crucial to monitor. The ratio should be between 1.2-1.8 in the diet.
- Magnesium is primarily found in the skeleton and muscles. It is needed for various chemical reactions and plays a role in both blood vessels and the nervous system.
- Silicon contributes to healthy hooves and hair and also promotes strong joints.
Micro Minerals
This group includes iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, and selenium.
- About 60% of iron is found in hemoglobin. The molecule in red blood cells transports oxygen to the body's cells.
- The body needs iodine, among other things, for the production of hormones in the thyroid gland.
- Copper is involved in several body enzymes that are part of various syntheses. It is also necessary for the formation of elastic connective tissue, as well as for hemoglobin formation and oxygen transport in the horse's body. Additionally, copper plays a role in the production of the pigment melanin and works to stabilize collagen in the skin, bones, and tendons.
- The absorption of copper in the gut is influenced by levels of other micro minerals such as zinc, iron, and molybdenum.
- Manganese aids in cartilage formation in joints and is also essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
- Like copper, zinc is involved in various enzymes needed for carbohydrate and protein metabolism in the body. It is also required for the formation of creatine in the skin, coat, and hooves.
- Selenium is part of the enzyme that neutralizes free radicals, substances formed during the body's oxygen consumption. Free radicals have a detrimental effect on the body's tissues and are responsible for aging. Selenium helps slow down this aging process. Selenium also plays a vital role in the immune system, and it is necessary for white blood cells to effectively combat bacteria and other microorganisms. Selenium interacts with vitamin E, and they complement and enhance each other's effects. In most places in Sweden, the soil lacks selenium. Therefore, most Swedish feed ingredients are deficient in this substance. This deficiency has long been known, but recent analyses show that other micro minerals are also deficient in our soils, and thus, supplementation to forage is needed for all horses.
Usage
All horses need minerals periodically to function correctly and maintain good health. BioMineral is used as a daily supplement to the horse's forage to meet their needs. Don't forget to provide mineral supplements to horses on pasture. Grass and sun usually provide horses with all the vitamins they need, but they do not cover the mineral intake. Be consistent with mineral intake even during the summer to avoid nutrient deficiencies during and after the grazing season.
Signs of mineral deficiency may include:
Recurring issues like mud fever, eczema, tail itching, or other itching. Decreased appetite, reduced fertility, rickets, fragile skeletal tissue, bone fragility, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, muscle problems, cramps, and reduced hoof and coat quality.
Over or under-supply of energy and protein is usually detected relatively quickly. If mineral needs are not met, this is usually not visible until the deficiencies are very severe.
Dosage
1-2 scoops daily, mixed well into concentrated feed.
1 scoop = 20 g provides 4 g calcium, 1.25 g phosphorus, 0.5 g magnesium, 1 g silicon, 10 mg iron, 0.6 mg iodine, 40 mg copper, 75 mg manganese, 110 mg zinc, 0.5 mg selenium
Ca/P ratio: 3.2