Vitamin E over kill

[Sarah Ralston <ralston@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU>]

I've been getting quite a few private queries like the following (name
removed for anonymity):

am reading the info on ridecamp re:  vit E - and feel that I need to put my
mare on a Vit e supplement -- altho she gets a  vitamin supplement 
daily, think that she may be a little deficient in the Vit e area -- how many 
of the human Vit E caplets do you give?? thanks for your help --

I really think you guys are overreacting a bit. Vitamin E is expensive! 500
to 1000 iu (read the labels) per day won't hurt but why waste money?
I only feed it when Fling is stressed or in really heavy training (and
forget to do it then half the time!). If you are having a problem with
tying up or can only get old hay and no pasture, fine, supplement. But
really, not every horse on hay is deficient (carrots are a good source
too.....)

Sarah and Fling