Vitamins, Minerals, and Water

Question 1

vitamins are essential for what?

Answer 1

normal and healthy bodily functions

Question 2

what are the 2 classifications of vitamins

Answer 2

fat and water soluble

Question 3

explain fat-soluble vitamins and what they do and where they’re stored?

Answer 3

absorption and transport of lipids, requires bile salt, stored in fats

Question 4

explain water-soluble vitamins?

Answer 4

absorbed directly into portal blood stream, not retained for prolonged periods, excreted when blood plasma levels exceed normal (horses can store B12)

Question 5

what B vitamins are not numbered?

Answer 5

4, 8, 10, 11

Question 6

where are water-soluble vitamins synthesized?

Answer 6

hindgut

Question 7

what is the role of Vitamin C

Answer 7

antioxidant, collagen

Question 8

name the fat-soluble vitamins?

Answer 8

A, D, E, K

Question 9

How is Vitamin A provided, where is it stored, what are its functions?

Answer 9

provided as vitamin or carotene, stored in liver, lost over time in forage, useful for vision, bone growth/remodeling, epithelial cell differentiation

Question 10

Vitamin A deficiencies cause what?

Answer 10

night blindness, cell keratinization, poor coat, repro issues, skeletal issues

Question 11

How is Vitamin D produced, what are its functions?

Answer 11

UV light converts sterols to active form (ergosterol and calciferol) functions are regulating blood Ca/P and bone function

Question 12

vitamin D deficiency causes?

Answer 12

calcification of soft tissue (toxicity)
osteomalacia and rickets (bone breakdown and improper formation)

Question 13

Vitamin E functions?

Answer 13

very unstable! functions as an antioxidant, immune function, and antibody production

Question 14

vitamin E relationship with fresh vs. stored forages?

Answer 14

fresh- high in vitamin E
stored- rapidly vanishes

Question 15

vitamin E deficiency causes?

Answer 15

gait issues, poor haircoat, muscle wasting, weakness and trembling

Question 16

how is vitamin K synthesized and what are its functions?

Answer 16

made by hindgut microbes, functions are activating and maturing clotting factors

Question 17

T/F; mineral content of forages and grains is independent of soil comp?

Answer 17

false; highly dependent upon it!

Question 18

can horses self-regulate minerals?

Answer 18

no with exception of salt

Question 19

list the macro-minerals

Answer 19

Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, S, Cl

Question 20

recommended Ca/P ratio?

Answer 20

2:1 (1:1 is lowest and 6:1 is highest)

Question 21

what does calcium do?

Answer 21

skeletal structure, muscle contraction, cell membrane, etc.
think forages

Question 22

what does phosphorus do?

Answer 22

skeletal structure, energy metabolism, nucleic acid syntehsis
think grain

Question 23

what does magnesium do?

Answer 23

skeletal tissue, enzyme activation. muscle contraction

deficiency can cause nervousness, muscle tremors, ataxia

Question 24

how does sulfur have to be provided in the diet?

Answer 24

organic forms

Question 25

what do electrolytes do?

Answer 25

acid/base, fluid balance

Question 26

what does potassium do?

Answer 26

osmotic regulation, excess secreted in urine, watch with HYPP horses

Question 27

salt loss occurs how? too much lost causes what?

Answer 27

lost via sweat, reduced skin elasticity, feed and water intake, anorexia occurs, licking objects

Question 28

name cations and what they do?

Answer 28

buffer lactic acid and raise blood pH, Na, K, Ca, Mg

Question 29

name anions and what they do?

Answer 29

Cl ,S, lower blood pH

Question 30

how does iron affect horses?

Answer 30

long term coat coloration

Question 31

where is manganese found?

Answer 31

joints

Question 32

what does copper do?

Answer 32

connective tissues, Fe mobilization, mitochondria, melanin synthesis

Question 33

issues with selenium?

Answer 33

toxic in large amounts, know your location and forage test often if soil is high in this

Question 34

what is the ideal Fe:Cu:Zn ratio?

Answer 34

4-10:1:3-5

Question 35

what is the most essential nutrient?

Answer 35

water

Question 36

what do horses use water for?

Answer 36

GI tract health, fluid balance, solvent, and transport

Question 37

how is water transported?

Answer 37

cells, plasma, lymph (more than 1/2 of a horses total body water is outside of the cells)

Question 38

how do horses known to drink water?

Answer 38

hormonal response to changes in osmolarity; can be suppressed at onset of exercise (fight or flight)

Question 39

how much do horses drink on average in TNZ?

Answer 39

10-12G

Question 40

explain horse drinking behavior?

Answer 40

drink 2-8 x a day; drink after exercise and eating

Question 41

what happens if water intake is restricted?

Answer 41

reduced feed intake (hay more than grain) dehydration (colic, fatigue)

Question 42

explain how water quality can affect intake?

Answer 42

temp (horses like warm water in cold) TDS (total dissolved solids) horses can have issues with palatability contamination (bacteria and nitrate can be toxic)