Why I Don’t Use Multi‑Mineral Mixes in Equine Nutrition
One of the most common questions I’m asked is why I don’t recommend commercial multi‑mineral mixes for horses. They’re marketed as “complete,” “balanced,” and “easy,” so it’s understandable that owners gravitate toward them. But after years of clinical work, reviewing bloodwork, studying health profiles, and watching horses heal through individualized nutrition, my conclusion is clear: multi‑mineral mixes are often not biologically appropriate or effective, and not aligned with how horses are designed to thrive.
They’re Built for the Average Horse—Not the Individual
Commercial mixes are formulated to meet minimum requirements, not optimal health. They’re designed for mass use, not for the unique metabolic, digestive, hormonal, or stress‑related needs of the horse standing in front of you. Horses recovering from ulcers, chronic stress, metabolic dysfunction, or immune dysregulation require targeted, intentional support, not a generic blend.
What I See in Practice: Horses on Multi‑Mineral Mixes Are Still Deficient
Over the years, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern:
Hoses on multi‑mineral mixes are rarely getting what they need.
I see this reflected in:
- Their bloodwork
- Their coat, hooves, and topline
- Their stress and nervous system patterns
- Their digestive health
- Their susceptibility to disease and dysfunction
- Their toxic load
If these mixes were effective, we wouldn’t see such widespread deficiency patterns in horses who are supposedly “covered.”
Too Many Ingredients, Too Much Competition
Many mixes contain 20–50+ ingredients, and I’ve counted over 90 in some. The equine digestive system simply cannot process that many minerals and additives at once.
Minerals compete for absorption, and when they’re all thrown together, they interfere with each other. This creates imbalance, digestive irritation, and metabolic stress. Instead of supporting the horse, these mixes often overwhelm the system.
Cheap Ingredients, Not Optimal Health
Most mixes use the cheapest, least bioavailable forms of minerals including oxides, carbonates, and sulfates because they’re inexpensive. These are the nutritional equivalent of Walmart or Costco vitamins: convenient, affordable, and widely available, but not designed to create true health.
Your horse deserves better than the cheapest ingredients.
The Research Is Clear: Bioavailability Matters
Studies consistently show:
- Organic minerals are significantly more digestible and better utilized than inorganic forms.
- Many commercial supplements fail to meet label claims.
- The supplement industry lacks consistent quality control and scientific validation.
This aligns with what I see clinically: horses on generic mixes continue to show signs of deficiency, inflammation, and metabolic strain.
Health Is Not One‑Size‑Fits‑All
Every horse has a unique:
- History
- Stress load
- Forage profile
- Metabolic pattern
- Hormonal rhythm
- Digestive sensitivity
- Environment and workload
- Health profile
- Genetics
A one‑size‑fits‑all mineral mix cannot possibly meet these individualized needs. And the horses themselves are telling us it’s not working, through their behavior, their bodies, and their bloodwork.
Biologically Appropriate Feeding Is the Foundation
Horses are designed to thrive on:
- Quality and appropriate forage with high fiber content
- Large variety of live plants, trees, and dirt
- Targeted, individualized mineral support
- Nutrients added with intention, not convenience
A biologically appropriate diet respects the horse’s physiology, digestive system, and natural mineral acquisition patterns. Multi‑mineral mixes do not.
What I Do Instead
My approach is intentional, evidence‑informed, and centered on the whole horse:
Assess the horse’s full health profile
I look at history, stress load, digestive patterns, metabolic tendencies, and current symptoms.
Evaluate forage and feeding practices
When possible, I use hay testing to understand what's in the forage..
Build mineral support individually
Each mineral is added with purpose, using high‑quality, bioavailable forms.
Monitor for progression and change
We want to know that what we’re doing is working, not just feed something because we feel like we should.
Adjust as the horse evolves
Nutrition is dynamic. As the horse heals, grows, or changes environments, their needs shift.
This approach consistently supports healthier horses with calmer nervous systems, stronger hooves, better digestion, improved toplines, and more resilient immune function.
When People Want Cheap and Easy
What I often find is that people want nutrition to be cheap and easy. My answer is simple: health is not cheap and easy, especially once dysfunction has set in. And it takes time. Healing is a process, not a product. But what I can tell you is this: spending the money now on your horse’s health is far less expensive than the vet bills, medications, and long‑term consequences you’ll face down the road. Prevention and nourishment are always cheaper than crisis management.
For people who don’t want to do a deep dive and prefer a more independent, simplified approach, I offer this guidance:
Provide as much variety in herbs, herb blends, and natural forage as possible. There’s a wonderful book called Herbal Horse Keeping, it’s a great starting point. Offer multiple types of hay when you can and make sure your hay is tested. Do some research on common nutrient deficiencies in horses and see what aligns with your horse’s health profile. A few to get your research started are : magnesium, B12, selenium, vitamin E, calcium, copper, and zinc- and remember, the forms matter!
Riva’s Remedies has an excellent website and catalogue to help guide choices. I especially like their “Happy Horse” blend, which contains over 65 trace minerals. Choose a few herb blends to rotate through and a few nutrients that match your horse’s needs. Then watch for improvement and change. See how they respond.
Don’t keep them on the same program forever. I like to switch things up seasonally or when necessary. Horses are constantly changing, and their nutrition should reflect that.
I’ll be writing another blog post soon on the most common nutrient deficiencies in horses to help guide these decisions even further.
Happy Horsing!
If you want to know more or would like help supporting your horses nutrition- let's work together. You can now book consultations on my website under "Holistic Nutrition"