03/10/2026
Vitamin E is one of the most important fat-soluble antioxidants in the horseās body. It plays a critical role in protecting cell membranesāparticularly in muscle and nerve tissueāfrom oxidative damage. Because horses cannot produce Vitamin E themselves, they must obtain it from their diet, primarily from fresh green pasture.
However, many horses today receive most of their diet from stored hay and grain, which contain significantly lower Vitamin E levels. Over time, this can lead to deficiency.
As veterinarians, we often evaluate Vitamin E status when investigating horses with:
⢠Muscle weakness or soreness
⢠Poor topline or unexplained muscle loss
⢠Exercise intolerance or performance decline
⢠Neurologic abnormalities such as ataxia or weakness
Low Vitamin E has been associated with several neurologic and muscle disorders, including:
⢠Equine Motor Neuron Disease
⢠Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy
⢠Vitamin E Deficiency Myopathy
When deficiency is suspected, veterinarians may recommend blood testing to measure serum Vitamin E concentrations. This allows us to determine whether supplementation is needed and to monitor response to treatment.
One supplement frequently used in horses requiring higher levels of Vitamin E is Elevate Vitamin E, which contains natural-source Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol). Natural Vitamin E is generally more bioavailable and more effectively absorbed compared to synthetic forms.
Itās also one of Dr. Barrowās favorite supplements, particularly in horses where we want strong antioxidant and neurologic support.
Vitamin E is especially important for broodmares.
Pregnant maresāparticularly during late gestationāhave increased nutritional demands. Adequate Vitamin E levels help support the mareās immune system and contribute to the development of a healthy foal. Vitamin E is also involved in colostrum quality and antibody transfer, which plays an important role in early immune protection for newborn foals.
Horses that may benefit from Vitamin E supplementation include:
ā Horses with little or no pasture access
ā Performance horses under regular training stress
ā Horses being evaluated for neurologic or muscle disorders
ā Pregnant or lactating broodmares
Because Vitamin E requirements can vary widely between horses, supplementation should always be discussed with your veterinarian to determine appropriate dosing and product selection.
If you have questions about Vitamin E, broodmare nutrition, or whether testing your horseās levels might be beneficial, our team is always happy to help. š“