When doctors, dietitians, and even cereal boxes emphasise “essential” vitamins, they don’t mean essential as in 'pretty important.' They mean essential as in… 'YOU MUST HAVE THESE TO LIVE!'

These essential nutrients fall into a category known as “micronutrients.” But don’t let the “micro” fool you – micronutrients have profound, far-reaching benefits on health and longevity. From supporting metabolism to regulating the heartbeat, these building blocks are necessary for nearly every vital process in the body.

Here’s the catch: our bodies cannot produce all the vitamins and minerals we need. For us humans this means getting them from a well-balanced diet. For our horses, meanwhile, while we've cracked the code on supplementing missing minerals from forage, vitamins are a different story.

Beyond vitamin E supplementation outside the summer grazing season, a horse’s amazing body produces their vitamins naturally — as long as their gut health is functioning optimally.

How Micronutrients Keep the Body Thriving 

Maintaining adequate micronutrient levels goes beyond preventing deficiencies. It’s about optimizing intake for a longer, more vibrant life.

Here are key ways that these remarkable vitamin micronutrients keep the body functioning at its best:

• Energy Production and Metabolism: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and minerals such as magnesium, act as cofactors in biochemical reactions, turning food into energy to fuel metabolism. This ensures your horse has the stamina for training and getting through the day.
  
  
• Nervous System Support: B vitamins and magnesium (and also omega-3 fatty acids, an essential kind of fat, supplemented via micronised linseed) are crucial for the proper functioning of the nervous system. They help in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, regulate nerve transmission, and support overall brain health, maintaining mental clarity and emotional balance.
  
  
• Immune Function: Vitamins like C and D, along with zinc and selenium, play vital roles in strengthening the immune system. They help fend off infections, reduce inflammation, and support the body’s ability to heal. 
   
  Note: vitamin D is actually a hormone; it’s officially termed as a vitamin as deficiency leads to ‘dis-ease’; however, it acts like a hormone ‘messenger’ in the body, helping regulate calcium levels for strong bones and proper muscle function. The body produces active vitamin D after exposure to sunlight, so wherever there’s the opportunity, turn horses out with rugs.
  
  
• Hormonal Balance: Micronutrients such as iodine, zinc, and magnesium are key players in hormone production and regulation They help balance thyroid function, manage stress hormones like cortisol, and support reproductive health.
  
  
• Bone Health: Magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus (more than adequate levels in our UK grass), work in tandem with vitamin D to maintain strong, resilient bones and teeth.
  
  
• Antioxidant Defence: Vitamins A, C, E, and selenium combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which prevents chronic diseases and slows the aging process.
  
  
• Blood Health: Iron, vitamin B12, and folate are vital for red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body, helping to prevent anemia and keeping both cells and muscles well-nourished.

What exactly does the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) mean?

The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) is based on science to determine the average daily level of nutrient intake that’s sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements in a particular life stage.

It’s important to understand that RDAs are guidelines to avoid deficiencies but may not represent the optimal intake for peak vitality.

Essential vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that are crucial for maintaining health, with 13 vitamins considered essential for the body’s normal functioning. These are divided into two categories based on how they are absorbed and stored in the body:

• Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver. They can remain in the body for longer periods, and the body can draw on these stores when needed.
  
  
• Water-soluble vitamins: These include the eight B-complex vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 –  and vitamin C. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in large amounts and need to be replenished regularly through diet, with any excess amounts excreted through urine.

Each of these essential vitamins play a unique role in supporting the body’s growth, development, and overall health. 

Conclusion

When it comes to your horse's health, foundational nutrition makes all the difference. VitaGreens, with its blend of nutrient-dense superfoods, not only fills the gaps in their diet but supercharges their performance, wellbeing, and longevity.

We know that a healthy horse with optimal gut function will ably produce most of its own vitamins in their appropriate 'activated' form, which is why we repeatedly emphasise in this website that there's no need to rely on synthetic, lab-made vitamins - the liver doesn't recognise them nor knows what to do with them, so sends them straight on our for excretion. VitaGreens isn’t about adding unnecessary extras - it's about assisting the natural nourishment process.

By providing nutrient-dense, natural whole food ingredients, VitaGreens supports the body's ability to maintain a healthy digestion, helping your horse get the most out of the nutrients they already produce and consume.

Whether your horse is in light work or intense training, VitaGreens supplements the essential vitamins, antioxidants, and immune-boosting nutrients in a natural food form, to fortify your horse's vitality, performance, and wellbeing from the inside out. Add VitaGreens to their daily routine and watch your horse flourish with natural, sustained energy and health.