Antioxidants are your horse's major defense system against oxidative stress and free radicals. Oxidation is a normal metabolic process that allows the horse to break down nutrients and transforms them into energy the body can use. Unfortunately the creation of free radicals is a natural side effect of this oxidation process. When oxidation rates increase (during exercise, stress, growth or pregnancy) it is referred to as oxidative stress, a process that causes the amount of free radicals in the body to also increase.
What type of damage can free radicals cause? Excessive amounts of free radicals lead to fatigue, joint damage, damage of vital tissue such as muscle, nervous tissue and skin and may lead to a decrease in immune function resulting in illness and lameness from destruction in muscle tissue.
Thankfully there are ways to combat the serious damage free radicals can have on the body. Antioxidants such as Vitamins E and C and trace minerals such as selenium, zinc and copper work together to protect the body against this damage by scavenging and converting free radicals into stable compounds.
It's imperative that you pay close attention to your horse's diet in order to reduce the negative effects free radicals may cause. It's important that your horse is getting sufficient nutritional antioxidants if he is being regularly exercised, undergoing any stress, pregnant or lactating. Consider NutriMix as an all-inclusive and all-natural source for the antioxidants your horse requires in his diet for optimal health and performance.