Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that help the horse battle cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. Common antioxidants include: vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium. Antioxidants are commonly used for support of muscle health, speeding recovery after exercise, support of immune function, and as adjunct therapy for horses with neurological challenges.

If left unchecked, the oxidation that occurs at the cellular level in horses and other mammals can cause muscular fatigue severe enough to compromise performance.

When a horse is exercising strenuously, natural stores of antioxidants have difficulty providing sufficient protection against the cascade of free radicals generated from aerobic metabolism, making it necessary to supplement antioxidants.

Vitamin E contributes most generously to the natural antioxidant defenses of the horse. Vitamin E is often linked with selenium, a micromineral that possesses potent antioxidant properties. Vitamin C, often referred to as ascorbic acid, also plays a pivotal role in neutralizing harmful free radicals.