50: Vitamin B6 for Horses: Benefits, Deficiencies, and Dosage

Healing Horses with Elisha

Today, we are exploring the benefits of Vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient for horses and humans, and I use it regularly for various purposes. In this episode, I explain how it functions in the body, the signs and causes of a Vitamin B6 deficiency, and how to use it effectively.

Nutrient Deficiency and Therapeutic Use of B6 in Horses

Vitamin B6 gets used for its therapeutic properties in horses, even without a confirmed deficiency. Many horses are likely deficient in Vitamin B6, especially those on hay diets without access to fresh forage.

Regulatory Minimums in Horse Feeds

In Canada, the CFIA mandates minimum levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) in horse feeds, but B vitamins like B6 are often left out. That can lead to deficiencies, as the commercial feeds might not always meet the nutrient requirements of some horses.

Digestive and Absorption Challenges

Many horses struggle to absorb nutrients from their feed, especially those with digestive issues like ulcers, colic, or diarrhea. Even when given sufficient food, compromised digestion can reduce the effectiveness and compound nutritional deficiencies over time.

Role of B6 in Metabolism and Health

Vitamin B6 is essential for carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, so it is critical for horses with metabolic conditions like insulin resistance. Vitamin B6 also supports magnesium and Vitamin B12 absorption and helps to address those nutrient deficiencies.

B6 for Skin, Immunity, and Inflammation

Vitamin B6 helps with conditions like itchy, flaky skin and hives in horses. It also improves immune health by regulating inflammation and fluid retention, making it particularly useful for horses with metabolic issues.

Neurological and Behavioral Benefits

Vitamin B6 is involved in neurotransmitter production, like serotonin and melatonin, which affect brain health and mood regulation. Horses with anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues may benefit from Vitamin B6 supplementation, as it helps balance the nervous system.

Hormonal Imbalance and Liver Support

Vitamin B6 helps regulate estrogen, making it useful for mares with hormonal issues or insulin-resistant horses with liver stress. It supports liver detoxification, which is crucial for horses with a high toxic load due to poor diet or metabolic conditions.

Sources of B6

Vitamin B6 is in flax and wheat germ, but it is hard to determine the exact amount in horse feed. As such, targeted Vitamin B6 supplementation is often necessary to meet their needs.

Signs of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Deficiency symptoms include hormonal imbalances, weight gain, joint inflammation (often misdiagnosed as arthritis), skin problems, depression, and anxiety. So, horses with these symptoms tend to improve with Vitamin B6 supplementation.

Proper Dosage and Forms

The recommended Vitamin B6 dose for horses is around 750 mg of B6 daily, with up to 1000 mg for a loading dose. The pyridoxine form of B6 is commonly used for horses, while the P5P form is more bioavailable for humans.

Conclusion

Vitamin B6 offers significant benefits, from supporting metabolic health to improving behavioral issues and reducing inflammation. If you are trying Vitamin B6 for your horse, pay attention to any health or mood changes and adjust the dosage as needed.

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