How much copper should I feed my horse?
According to the National Research Council (NRC), the daily requirement for adult horses at maintenance is estimated at 10 mg copper per kg of dry feed, or approximately 100 mg per day. The estimated upper tolerable limit of copper for horses is 250 mg/kg feed, or 2500 mg per day.
How much zinc and copper do horses need?
The recommended requirements for a 500 kg, mature horse at maintenance consuming 2% of their body weight in dry matter is 100-120 mg of copper per day, and 400-500 mg of zinc per day.
Is too much copper bad for horses?
The maximum tolerable limit for copper fed to horses is estimated to be 250 mg/kg, meaning our 1,100-pound horse eating 2% of his body weight per day or 22 pounds (10 kilograms) can safely consume up to 2,500 mg of copper a day.
How much zinc does a horse need?
Feedstuffs commonly fed to horses contain approximately 15 to 40 mg zinc per kg dry matter. The recommended total dietary zinc intake for a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) mature horse, idle or used for light exercise, is 400 mg per day (National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007).
What does copper and zinc do for horses?
The use of copper and zinc supplementation in modern horse feeds for all classes of horses stems from the possible role of these two nutrients in reducing physitis, osteochondrosis, wobbler syndrome, and other manifestations of developmental orthopedic disease. Of zinc stored in the body, 50 to 60% is in muscle tissue.
What does copper do for a horse?
Copper is a critical element in many important metabolic pathways in horses. Copper is necessary in bone formation, elastin formation, haematopoesis, pigment formation, reproduction and immune system function.
What is a good source of copper?
Oysters and other shellfish, whole grains, beans, nuts, potatoes, and organ meats (kidneys, liver) are good sources of copper. Dark leafy greens, dried fruits such as prunes, cocoa, black pepper, and yeast are also sources of copper in the diet.
How do you fix copper deficiency?
Doctors often recommend a copper supplement as adequate treatment. Copper supplements on the market include copper gluconate, copper sulfate, and copper chloride. Taking about 2 milligrams (mg) of copper per day may help to correct a deficiency, but your doctor will let you know the right dosage for you.
Is Paprika high in copper?
As it happens paprika is a good naturally occurring source of copper. However paprika is also a source of capsaicin, which is a banned substance in competition and best avoided if you and your horse show.
What happens if you get too much copper?
Yes, copper can be harmful if you get too much. Getting too much copper on a regular basis can cause liver damage, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Is 2 mg of copper too much?
When taken by mouth: Copper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts no greater than 10 mg daily. Copper is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts. Adults should avoid using more than 10 mg of copper per day. Kidney failure and death can occur with as little as 1 gram of copper sulfate.
Should I take zinc with copper?
Zinc reduces the amount of copper your body absorbs, and high doses of zinc can cause a copper deficiency. For that reason, many doctors recommend that you take 2 mg of copper along with a zinc supplement.
Is wearing a copper ring bad?
Copper is safe to wear in that it does not harm the skin. That’s because it is an antimicrobial, which means it stops the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Overall, copper also can kill these micro-organisms.