16/06/2026
๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐ญ
Major minerals are required in larger amounts than trace minerals. However, supplying enough of each mineral is only part of the picture. They must also be balanced correctly across the entire diet.
Three important major minerals in equine nutrition are ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ.
๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ
Calcium is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. It also supports muscle contraction, nerve signalling, blood clotting and normal enzyme activity.
While calcium is vital, more is not always better. Excessive calcium can make the overall mineral profile more difficult to balance, particularly in growing horses.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ
Phosphorus works closely with calcium and is essential for bone structure, energy metabolism and normal cellular function.
Calcium and phosphorus must always be considered together because the relationship between them is just as important as the amount of each mineral supplied.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Calcium should always be present in a higher amount than phosphorus in the total ration.
A calcium to phosphorus ratio of approximately 1.2:1 to 1.5:1 is commonly targeted in a balanced diet, although the most appropriate ratio depends on the horseโs age, growth, workload, reproductive status and total mineral intake.
When phosphorus exceeds calcium, calcium absorption and regulation may be disrupted. To maintain normal calcium levels in the blood, the body may begin drawing calcium from the skeleton.
When this imbalance is significant or continues over time, it can contribute to poor bone mineralisation, skeletal weakness and nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.
๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ
Magnesium is important for normal nerve and muscle function, energy metabolism, enzyme activity and bone health.
It helps regulate calcium activity within the body and is involved in the production and use of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which provides energy for normal cellular and muscular function.
Inadequate magnesium may contribute to muscle irritability and disrupted nerve or muscle function.
Magnesium should be assessed alongside calcium and the wider mineral profile. A calcium to magnesium ratio of around 2:1 may be beneficial, but the appropriate intake should be determined from the complete diet wherever possible.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium do not work independently. Their amounts and ratios can influence absorption, metabolism and how effectively the horse uses the nutrients supplied.
Adding an individual mineral without first assessing the complete ration may correct one issue while creating another imbalance.
