09/02/2025
๐๐จ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ? ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐
Calcium is vital for bones, muscle function, and overall healthโbut too much can do more harm than good. Unlike humans, horses donโt excrete calcium efficiently through urine. Instead, their kidneys take on the excess load, which can create long-term health risks if levels run too high (Meyer & Coenen, Equine Nutrition, 2014).
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๐ Why Excess Calcium is a Problem:
Kidney Stress: Extra calcium can lead to mineral deposits and kidney stones. In humans, high calcium intake is directly linked to kidney stone formation (NIH, 2020; Curhan et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1997). Horses show similar risks when fed prolonged excess calcium, as the kidneys become overloaded (Geor et al., Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition, 2013).
Nutrient Imbalance: Oversupplementation blocks absorption of other key minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus, creating deficiencies even when those nutrients are present (NRC, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007).
Growth Issues: Young horses are especially vulnerableโimbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratios can interfere with proper skeletal development and lead to developmental orthopedic disease (Savage et al., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1993).
Metabolic Burden: More is not better. Excess calcium forces the body to work harder to restore balance, draining energy from other systems (Meyer & Coenen, 2014).
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โ ๏ธ Caution with Synthetics
Many commercial feeds and supplements rely on synthetic calcium sources that are harder for the body to utilize efficiently. These can linger in the system, increasing the risk of overload (Coenen, Equine Nutrition and Feeding, 2008).
๐ฟ Why Natural, Bioavailable Sources Matter
Supplements made with high-quality, natural ingredients provide calcium in a form the body can actually use. When nutrients are delivered in a bioavailable way, they help maintain balance rather than disrupt it (NRC, 2007).
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๐ก Takeaway
Your horse needs calciumโbut in the right amount, and from the right source. Grasses typically provide healthier calcium levels than legumes (Duren, Kentucky Equine Research, 2016). When supplementation is necessary, natural, bioavailable forms are the safest choice.
โ๏ธ Balance over excess. Quality over synthetics. Thatโs the key to long-term equine health.
๐ Thatโs why in our formulas, we only use natural, bioavailable mineral sourcesโwith careful attention to avoiding oversupplementation.
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๐ References:
National Research Council (NRC). Nutrient Requirements of Horses. 6th Revised Edition. 2007.
Meyer H., Coenen M. Equine Nutrition: Nutrition and Feeding of Horses and Ponies. 2014.
Geor R.J., Harris P.A., Coenen M. Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Elsevier, 2013.
Curhan G.C. et al. "Beverage use and risk for kidney stones in women." New England Journal of Medicine. 1997.
Savage C.J. et al. "Effects of calcium and phosphorus supplementation on bone development in young horses." JAVMA. 1993.
Duren, S. โCalcium and Phosphorus Requirements in Horses.โ Kentucky Equine Research, 2016.
Coenen M. Equine Nutrition and Feeding. 2008.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age." 2020.