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Re: [RC] E-SE Redo - Susan GarlinghouseI was advised - my comment about the oxidation of Vit E was not fully correct? The rate of oxidation - and lose of benefit- depends on the type of Vit-E used in the powder mixes. That's true, some forms oxidize faster than others. But your original comment via Sarah Ralston is still more or less true for practical purposes. The more any form of vitamin E is exposed to light, heat and air, the faster it will oxidize and thus be unavailable to the horse as an antioxidant once ingested. I understood ALL forms of VIT-E are' oxidizers" - that is, they function the same. Correct. If Vit-E was 'stable' and did NOT oxidize then it is not working. Does all forms of Vit E have a shelf life when exposed to air? So where is my thinking wrong? You're not, you have the grasp just fine. There are ways during feed processing or manufacture to 'stabilize' the vitamin E content and thus *extend* the shelf life (this is essentially the point of stabilized versus unstabilized rice bran, so they tend to push the issue) but it's like canned food---it ain't an unlimited end point. The problem with vitamin E is that it's pretty much impossible for the average horse owner to determine how oxidized the vitamin E content might be depending on how it was handled and stored before it came into your hands. I started using the Vit E gel caps a few years ago. I think that is a sure fire method. I just toss the WHOLE cap in the feed. They are never left in the bucket. I dont bother to bite off the end. That's what I do, too, and is also, as you've already observed, what both Sarah Ralston and I both recommend. IMO, additional supplementation isn't necessary if the horse is on good, green pasture, and usually isn't necessary if the horse is getting daily stabilized rice bran from a reputable source. On the other hand, I absolutely agree the gel caps are a sure-fire source, worth the very minor cost if bought in bulk at Costco or wherever, and if the end result is that the horse is ingesting 2000 IU a day instead of 1000---so what? It's not a nutrient you're at all likely to cause problems with. IMO, Roger, your thinking is right on the mark. Don't change anything about what you're doing or saying. :-) Susan G =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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