THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY

As a general rule, the more green grass a horse eats, the less likely it is that he will become deficient in vitamin E. And the probability that he may not get enough depends, at least in part, on where he lives. “Here in North Carolina we are able to graze pasture nearly year-round, most years,” says Paul Siciliano, PhD, of North Carolina State University. “We’ve found some seasonal changes in mares, but their vitamin E status remains very good without supplementation.” In contrast, horses in northern climates with shorter growing seasons or in desert areas, who are fed more dried forage, may need to have vitamin E added to their diets.