Unlocking the Power of Vitamin E

In the ever-evolving world of equine care, one of the most exciting frontiers is the study of nutrigenomics—how a horse’s genes interact with its diet to affect health and performance. While this might sound like a topic reserved for scientists in lab coats, recent discoveries make it clear that every horse owner can benefit from understanding this field, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as vitamin E.

Let’s take a closer look at the science, real-world implications, and what you can do to ensure your horse gets the vitamin E it needs to stay strong and healthy.

What is Nutrigenomics and Why Should Horse Owners Care?

Nutrigenomics is a fancy word for something pretty intuitive: it’s the science of how nutrients in food interact with genes to influence health. In human medicine, this concept has explained everything from why some people are lactose intolerant to why others can’t handle caffeine. In horses, we’re starting to understand how certain genetic conditions can be managed—or worsened—based on diet. For example:

• HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis): A sodium channel mutation in Quarter Horses makes them prone to muscle tremors. A low-potassium diet helps keep symptoms at bay.

  
  

• PSSM1 (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy): A muscle condition best managed with low-starch, high-fat diets.

Now, researchers are turning their attention to how genetic makeup affects vitamin E absorption and utilization. And it’s more relevant to everyday horse care than you might think.

Why Vitamin E Matters for Your Horse

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. Think of it as a molecular bodyguard, protecting your horse’s muscle and nerve cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. These unstable molecules can damage cells and lead to serious issues, especially in the muscles and nervous system. Vitamin E isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential for:

• Maintaining neuromuscular function

• Preventing muscle degeneration

• Supporting immune health

• Keeping your horse’s skin and coat in top condition

Most importantly, vitamin E deficiency in horses can cause a variety of neuromuscular diseases, including:

• Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (eNAD)

• Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM)

• Vitamin E Responsive Myopathy (VEM)

• Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND)

Hay, Grain, and the Vitamin E Problem

Here’s the kicker: Vitamin E is abundant in fresh pasture. But once grass is cut, dried, and stored as hay, vitamin E levels drop quickly, losing up to 50% each month. Most commercial grains don’t offer much help either. They often include synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol), which is poorly absorbed in horses compared to the natural form (RRR-alpha-tocopherol). If your horse doesn’t have regular access to green pasture, chances are they’re not getting enough vitamin E.

Why Some Horses Need More Vitamin E Than Others

Now here’s where nutrigenomics gets really interesting. Have you ever known a horse that thrives on minimal supplementation while another seems to need bucketloads just to stay healthy? You’re not imagining it. Individual horses vary widely in how efficiently they absorb and use vitamin E, and that variation may be influenced by:

• Dietary Composition. Vitamin E is fat-soluble, meaning it needs dietary fat to be properly absorbed. Horses fed very low-fat diets may struggle with absorption.

  
  

• Gastrointestinal Health. Horses with gastrointestinal inflammation—possibly from ulcers, parasites, or food sensitivities—may have impaired vitamin E absorption. Some horses show no outward signs of GI distress, yet still can’t absorb supplements effectively.

  
  

• Genetics. This is the most cutting-edge area of research. In humans, we know specific genes influence vitamin E absorption and metabolism. Although similar studies haven’t yet been fully conducted in horses, researchers have identified over 200 genetic variants near vitamin E-related genes. Some horses may have a genetic predisposition to inefficient vitamin E metabolism, making them high-maintenance when it comes to supplementation.

  
  

What This Means for You and Your Horse

So, what should the average horse owner take away from all of this?

• Don’t Assume Your Horse is Getting Enough Vitamin E. If your horse is off pasture, test their blood vitamin E levels—especially if they’re showing vague signs like poor muscle tone, weight loss, or reluctance to work.

  
  

• Consider Individual Differences. Just because one horse does well on a certain supplement doesn’t mean another will. Keep an eye on your horse’s response and adjust accordingly.

  
  

• Choose the Right Form of Vitamin E. Look for natural, water-dispersible vitamin E (RRR-alpha-tocopherol). Products like Elevate WS are proven to raise serum levels more effectively than synthetic versions.

  
  

• Verify Vitamin E Supplementation is Working. While it may seem an inconvenience to re-test your horse's Vitamin E levels after you have started supplementing them, it's a worthwhile investment of your time and money to ensure your dosage level is adequate.

  
  

• Know When to Seek Help. If your horse isn’t responding to supplementation or is showing signs of neuromuscular issues, consult with your vet. There could be underlying inflammation or genetic factors at play.

  
  

Look for natural, water-dispersible vitamin E (RRR-alpha-tocopherol) if serum levels do not respond to synthetic forms of vitamin E supplementation.

The Future: Genetic Testing and Personalized Nutrition

Researchers are only beginning to understand the genetic factors that affect vitamin E metabolism in horses. In the future, it may be possible to genetically test horses to determine their individual nutritional needs, just like we do in humans. Until then, smart feeding strategies, regular blood testing, and close collaboration with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist remain your best tools.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Supplement

Vitamin E isn’t just another line item on your supplement bill. It’s a cornerstone of your horse’s muscle and nerve health. Thanks to ongoing research in nutrigenomics, we now understand that one-size-fits-all nutrition doesn’t always work.

Pay attention. Be proactive. And remember—sometimes the key to unlocking your horse’s full potential lies not in what you’re feeding, but in how their body is built to use it.

Reference

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 148 (2025), “How Nutrigenomics Impacts Equine Health: A Case Study of Vitamin E” by Dr. C.J. Finno.