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Why Manganese Matters in Your Horse’s Diet

Why Manganese Matters in Your Horse’s Diet

Manganese is a vital trace mineral that supports multiple essential functions in the horse’s body, including bone development, cartilage formation, and metabolic processes. Like all vitamins and minerals, manganese does not act alone, it works in synergy with other nutrients. That’s why using a balanced multivitamin and mineral supplement is the best way to ensure your horse gets what it needs for optimal health, especially when fed a roughage-based or grain-heavy diet. 

What Does Manganese Do for Horses? 

 Manganese plays a critical role in: 

  •  Bone and cartilage formation – essential for healthy skeletal development, particularly in foals and growing horses 
  •  Chondroitin sulfate production – a key compound in joint cartilage and connective tissue 
  •  Healthy skin and a shiny coat – works alongside zinc to support skin integrity and coat condition 
  •  Reproductive health – supports fertility and proper fetal development 
  •  Carbohydrate and fat metabolism – necessary for converting food into usable energy 
  •  Enzyme function – helps regulate a range of cellular processes 

Where Does Manganese Come From? 

 Horses naturally get manganese through their diet, particularly from grains and forage. However, the levels can vary widely: 

  •  Forages typically contain between 45–140 mg/kg dry matter 
  •  Grains range from 15–45 mg/kg, although corn is much lower at around 10 mg/kg 
 This variability means horses on high-grain or corn-based diets may not be getting enough, especially during periods of rapid growth or increased workload. 

 How Much Manganese Does a Horse Need? 

  •  Adult maintenance horses: ~400 mg/day 
  •  Horses in moderate work: ~500 mg/day 
 Manganese is not stored in large amounts in the body, and the absorption rate is only around 37%, so regular intake is important. 

 While toxicity is rare, excess manganese can interfere with phosphorus absorption, and high calcium or phosphorus levels can lead to a secondary manganese deficiency, especially in young, growing horses. 

When to Be Cautious 

  •  Young horses on grain-heavy diets: Manganese may be too low to support optimal skeletal development 
  •  Foals and yearlings being prepped for sales or performance: May benefit from targeted supplementation 
  •  High-calcium or phosphorus diets: Can unintentionally reduce manganese availability
  •  Horses with poor coat quality or slow recovery: May be showing early signs of imbalance 

The Best Way to Supplement Manganese 

 Because of its interaction with other minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, manganese should not be supplemented in isolation. Instead, choose a complete and balanced mineral and vitamin supplement such as Equilibrium Mineral Mix that provides manganese in the right ratio alongside all other essential nutrients. Support skeletal health, energy metabolism, and overall wellness with a properly balanced diet that includes manganese. Your horse’s health starts with the right nutrition.

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