Mineral Metabolism and Balance

Summary:

Horses eat a variety of forages and concentrates that contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which they use for different metabolic processes:

• Carbohydrates and fats provide digestible energy, or source of
calories, for muscular contraction and all metabolic processes,
including cell and tissue growth;
• Dietary protein is broken down into amino acids, which are
used to synthesize new protein or rebuild damaged tissues; and
• Vitamins and minerals are used in many
biochemical reactions.

Minerals, which are inorganic molecules...