Sometimes the names used to describe different types of organic minerals can be confusing. The use of organic minerals in equine diets is simple, however. Some new terms have been developed by the manufacturers of organic minerals in an attempt to differentiate their products in the marketplace. Therefore, you now often hear terms in advertisements such as amino acid chelate, mineral proteinate, single amino acid, mineral complex, metal bioplex or polysaccharide mineral complex. Each defines an organic mineral based on its chemical structure and composition.
Organic minerals can offer real benefits.
Often these problems are not the result of dietary mineral deficiencies, but of the horse's inability to properly metabolize minerals in its diet. Organic minerals have the ability to be absorbed into the horse's body and to be metabolized by the muscles and tissues that require them. As a result, your horse's health improves, and his performance level increases. Mature horses with low activity levels show little benefit from organic minerals. However, growing horses, broodmares, breeding stallions, convalescent horses and horses at moderate to high levels of activity show improved condition and performance with organic minerals in their diets.