AZ Regional Mix

This is the first supplement I formulated for my own horses and had made up by HorseTech, which specializes in flax-based supplements. It's based on NRC guidelines and principles I've learned from Dr. Kellon. It will provide minimum levels of many nutrients which should be supplemented with Southwest hay but will not "balance" your forage - you can only do that with a full hay/pasture analysis.

Arizona Regional Mix Information Sheet 

HorseTech Custom Product CP-082305 

 

 

AZ Regional Mix is a Custom Product supplement made up to my specs by HorseTech to complement “typical” Arizona and Southwest Bermuda hays – especially for those horses on a “hay only” feeding program. You can see HorseTech’s standard supplements on their website at www.horsetech.com to get an idea of the quality of their products. Information on ordering AZ Regional Mix from HorseTech is below. 

 

Typically, our Bermuda hay is high in Iron and Potassium, low in Copper and Magnesium. Manganese tends to run a bit on the high side and is rarely low. Horses benefit from good levels of antioxidants (provided by Omega-3’s from flax, vitamin E, selenium and grape seed extract – a bioflavonoid shown to have good antioxidant activity). 

 

AZ Regional Mix contains per 3 oz Serving: 

 

Flax base     2oz (approx) 

Copper        125mg  

Zinc             360mg  

Cobalt         2mg 

Selenium     2mg 

Biotin          10mg 

Vitamin E    2000IU 

Vitamin A   15,000 IU 

B-complex package  

Grape seed extract 1200mg  

 

The base is stabilized flax – similar to NutraFlax. - and provides the important Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that are quickly lost when hay is cut. 

 

The copper and zinc are ZinPro chelated minerals at basic levels to balance the iron in 18-22 lbs of “typical” Arizona/SW Bermuda hay. They also provide a small amount of additional amino acids. 

 

The B-complex package is similar to a 1 oz serving of HorseTech’s B-Plex. Most healthy horses can synthesize their own B-vitamins but this  can be affected by stress. 

 

The Selenium is on a yeast base at a basic “insurance level”.  If the total amount of supplement fed is increased (even doubled) the selenium will still be at a safe level. 

 

There is also some additional yeast provided in the B-complex package. 

 

Biotin, at 10mg, is five times the estimated minimum requirement. 

 

Vitamin E – this is a level required for good antioxidant activity. Hay loses vitamin E quickly after cutting and this needs to be supplemented. The vitamin E used is a synthetic. While absorption of synthetic vitamin E has been shown to be lower than from natural forms, the natural forms are not as stable unless handled and stored carefully. The amount of vitamin E provided here will ensure stable levels.  

 

Vitamin A – this is a low year round “insurance” level as many Southwest horses do not have access to pasture and hay may be stored for long periods. Preformed vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be toxic at excessive levels – if additional vitamin A is needed it should be in the form of beta carotene. (Note – mares in late pregnancy and lactation may require a higher level of vitamin A than provided.) 

 

Grape seed extract is a bioflavonoid that has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant. We chose to use this instead of vitamin C as vitamin C can enhance iron absorption – our hay is generally quite high in iron, which has been implicated in iron-overload related problems. 

 

There is no soy or other filler – the base is pure stabilized flax - and there is no added iron or manganese. 

 

Vitamin D was not included, as horses in exposed to sunlight have no problem producing their own; supplemented vitamin D (a fat soluble vitamin) can be toxic at excessive levels. (If using this mix in Northern latitudes, you may want to add vitamin D.) 

 

Iodine is provided by adding iodized salt (regular table salt) to the ration.  If a horse does not take in enough iodized salt (1-1/2 to 3 ounces/day) to provide sufficient iodine, an additional source should be added.

 

Major minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) have not been included as the required levels are dependent on what is provided in the basic forage fed. Trying to guess the requirements without hay analysis can alter the calcium-phosphorus balance adversely. Magnesium in amounts greater than 5 grams or so should be added based on the content in the hay and the horse’s response to avoid altering gut pH. 

 

I do not make, sell or “resell” supplements as that only increases the cost.  

AZ Regional Mix can be ordered directly from HorseTech  

• by phone 1-800-831-3309 

• email service@horsetech.com (specify AZ Regional Mix CP-082305)  

• directly from the website www.horsetech.com in the “Popular Custom Product” section at 

the bottom of the home page  

 

The direct link is  

http://www.horsetech.com/popular-customs.htm#Quick%20Links%20to%20Product%20Pages 

 

AZ Regional Mix is available in 6.25lb (33 day), 12.5lb (66 day), and 25lb (133 day) sizes. Order only what you can use in a 3-4 month period, and plan to store in a cool area (room temperature) to preserve freshness. 

 

Because AZ Regional Mix is a custom product made to my specifications and is not one of HorseTech’s “standard” products, any questions about the mix or how to use it should be directed to me at DesertEquineBalance@gmail.com. 

 

If a horse has requirements for higher levels of a specific nutrient, these can be added separately or the AZ Regional Mix can be used as a “base” – then adjusted to include additional nutrients (such as higher levels of copper/zinc, vitamin E, Se, Iodine, lysine, etc. or adding calcium or phosphorus, etc.). This will then no longer be the AZ Regional Mix but your own specific custom mix (with a unique CP-xxx number). 

 

Patti Woodbury Kuvik 

Desert Equine Balance 

Vail AZ 

DesertEquineBalance@gmail.com 

http://DesertEquineBalance.blogspot.com 

 

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