VITAMINS
Do we need more focus on B vitamins?
?
The B group vitamins including thiamine B1, Riboflavin B2, Pantothenic acid, and nicotinic acid, among others, are intimately involved in energy generation and other aspects of metabolism including mood and behaviour. B vitamins are therefore of acute relevance to horses in race training. A range of B vitamins and vitamin K (a further fatsoluble vitamin) can be synthesised by some bacterial resident in the horse’s hindgut. However, the microbial balance in racehorses can be compromised by increased acidity occurring as a consequence of a high-starch, low-forage diet. In addition, researchers have questioned the efficiency of absorption of B vitamins from the hindgut. Supplementation with a broad range of B vitamins can therefore be advantageous. Being water-soluble is a great advantage, as excessive supplementation is unlikely to be deleterious due to their excretion in the urine. Biotin is a B vitamin that has been shown to have a positive effect on hoof horn quality, although it has less impact on hoof growth rate. Certainly in horses in training with defects in horn structure, additional biotin is a benefit. The intake required (1020mg / day) is significantly higher than the normal basic requirement present in most racing feeds.
Vitamin D is a new thrust in human sports nutrition Vitamin D is very scientifically fashionable at the moment. It is involved in many aspects of metabolism and has a central role in the transport and metabolism of calcium. In this context, it is intimately involved in muscle function and bone metabolism.
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