Trace Minerals

Inorganic Trace Minerals
     · Usually mined from the Earth
     · Processed to change form
     · Ground to increase surface area
     · Processed to increase availability
     · Heated to create Oxides (ZnO)
     · Chemical process to create Sulfates (ZnSO4)

Organic Trace Minerals
Specific Amino Acid Complex

Amino Acid Complex

Amino Acid Chelate

Proteinate

Polysaccharide Complex

Propionate

Trace Mineral Theory of Absorption

The trace mineral enters the body and needs to bind to an amino acid or "complexing agent" in order to be absorbed through the intestinal lining. If the trace mineral binds with something else or does not bind with anything, the trace mineral is flushed through the system unabsorbed.

Why should you consider feeding organic trace minerals?
Relative Bio-availability of Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate and Zinc Methionine

The chart above shows the percent of trace minerals being absorbed in a horse from zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and zinc Methionine. These values can be used to compare the bio-availability of zinc in different horse feeds to find what will give you the most for your money.

What is my horse actually absorbing?

Impact of Trace Mineral Status on Biological Function

The chart above is designed to give a perspective of where we want our horses to be.

The chart above shows where the NRC Requirements are on a scale in comparison with what is optimal for a horse to receive. The blue lines indicate where a horse should be optimally. The green lines indicate in which areas you will see a decrease/increase of immunity and enzyme function, a decrease/increase in reproduction, a decrease/increase in normal reproduction. The red line is where you do not want to be.

Feeding trace mineral complexes may increase fiber digestion in horses

Apparent Fiber Digestibility in Growing Horses Fed Trace Mineral Complexes

In the chart above, ADF stands for acid detergent fiber including mostly indigestible fibers and some digestible fibers. NDF stands for neutral detergent fiber including digestible fibers and the ADF fibers. Fibers can be hay, pasture, beet pulp, grain hulls and other forages.

Summary
You can find what type of trace minerals are in a feed by reading the "fine print" below the basic ingredients. From there you can tell if the company is just trying to make the trace minerals sound good by using big numbers in the guaranteed analysis or if they are actually selling you a quality product as well.