TropiCAL Blend

FAQs

How does Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL Blend fit into a best practice feeding program?

The Equine Vit&Min feeding system tops up and balances the diet of horses grazing high oxalate pasture. It inputs the minerals lacking independently of protein and energy (calories). This means you can rest assured your horses are getting all their mineral needs (including adequate calcium to balance the ratio with oxalates) even when you don’t need to feed large quantities of fortified hard feeds.

Can Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL Blend be fed free choice?

Although we recommend feeding a controlled daily serve of minerals, the salt levels in TropiCAL blend do allow it to function as a loose lick when mixed in a 1:1 ratio with plain salt. Salt is the only mineral where horses appetite for it actually matches the requirements so when minerals are blended in the correct ratios, horses desire for salt (and ability to stop when they’ve had enough) keeps daily mineral intake within acceptable limits.

Why doesn’t EVM include amino acids?

Simply because most horses don’t need them, and we don’t think you should pay for ingredients you don’t need. Most adult horses get all the protein they need, including the most limiting amino acids lysine, methionine and threonine, from their roughage and energy sources. Breeding and growing horses have higher protein requirements which can be easily met through the addition of a quality protein feed source such as lucerne or full fat soybean meal.

Does EVM contain organic (chelated) minerals?

Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL does contain some organically chelated calcium, zinc, copper and selenium. However, in a study of scientific literature, Frape (2010) concluded that “there is minimal, or no, difference in biologic use, or animal performance with trace minerals compared to organic sources. Since organic chelates and proteinates bypass the body’s “feedback loops” for mineral absorption, organic minerals should be limited to 20 – 30% of the total micromineral content of the additive to avoid the risk of toxicity. In other words, because the microminerals are being snuck in the ‘back door’ in disguise as proteins when in chelated form, the body’s normal ability to monitor how much to let in is compromised. There is probably merit in providing a small proportion of microminerals (such as copper, zinc and selenium) in quality horse supplements in both organic and inorganic forms.

Will EVM make my horse silly?

Equine Vit&Min does not add any energy or calories to the horse’s diet. However, it might make a horse feel better and its body may use the calories it eats more efficiently as its body functions become optimised. This is called feed use efficiency, which can mean a horse needs less caloric intake each day to perform the same work (and that can mean a smaller feed bill). It’s a bit like a car’s engine doing more kilometres per litre when fuelled with a higher quality fuel that allows the engine to perform more efficiently.

Should I switch to Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL-Pro Blend?

Hard working, stressed or hay-fed horses can become vitamin deficient and will benefit from a vitamin and probiotic supplement. Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL-Pro Blend contains a quality mineral blend with extra calcium for high oxalate pastures, and added biotin, broad-spectrum vitamins and a daily serve of a live yeast probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Nutrient Analysis (150g serve)

Calcium: 31.3g
Phosphorus: 3.6g
Magnesium: 11.9g
Copper: 246mg
Zinc: 711mg
Manganese: 300mg
Cobalt: 0.9mg
Chromium: 2.1mg
Iodine: 2.1mg
Selenium: 1.3mg
Salt: 30g
Vitamin E: 720IU
Biotin: 10mg