Nano-E - Vitamin E antioxidant for horses - KER

Nano-E® is a liquid vitamin E supplement developed by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) that uses nanotechnology to deliver a rapidly absorbable form of natural d-alpha-tocopherol. Unlike conventional powdered or oil-based vitamin E supplements, the nano-sized particles are absorbed significantly faster into the bloodstream.

The key difference is bioavailability. Standard synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) is far less efficiently absorbed than the natural d-alpha form. Nano-E takes this a step further — KER's nanotechnology creates water-soluble micelles that bypass the slower fat-digestion pathway, delivering vitamin E to tissues more quickly and completely.

Each millilitre provides 250 IU of natural d-alpha-tocopherol, making dosing straightforward. For horse owners dealing with stabled horses, competition demands, or neurological concerns, this faster delivery can make a meaningful difference in antioxidant protection.

For a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse, the standard daily dose is 4 to 8 ml, providing 1,000 to 2,000 IU of natural vitamin E. Administer orally using a dosing syringe or mix directly into the grain ration.

Dosing depends on your horse's situation:

• Maintenance (stabled, no pasture access): 4 ml daily (1,000 IU)
• Moderate training or limited turnout: 6 ml daily (1,500 IU)
• Intense training, recovery, or neurological concerns: 8 ml daily (2,000 IU)
• Pre-competition or high-stress events: 12 to 20 ml (3,000–5,000 IU) given 6 to 12 hours before the event

Adjust proportionally for horses above or below 500 kg. For horses with diagnosed deficiency or neuromuscular disease, your veterinarian may recommend higher therapeutic doses. Always consult your vet before exceeding the standard range.

Fresh green pasture is the primary natural source of vitamin E for horses. A horse grazing on quality pasture can easily consume 1,500 to 3,000 IU of vitamin E daily. The problem is that vitamin E degrades rapidly once forage is cut — hay loses up to 75 % of its vitamin E content within just a few weeks of baling.

In Quebec, many horses spend 5 to 6 months indoors over winter with no access to fresh grass. Even during the warmer months, horses kept primarily in stalls or dry lots miss out on this critical nutrient. Commercial grain concentrates contain added vitamin E, but often not enough to meet the full requirement of a horse in moderate to heavy work.

Without adequate vitamin E, horses become vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can lead to muscle soreness, delayed recovery after exercise, weakened immune response, and in severe cases, neurological conditions like equine motor neuron disease (EMND). Supplementation with a bioavailable source like Nano-E bridges the gap that hay and grain alone cannot fill.

Store Nano-E in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, ideally between 10 °C and 25 °C. Do not freeze the product. In Quebec barns, avoid leaving it in an unheated tack room during winter — temperatures below freezing can affect the emulsion's consistency and stability.

Once opened, use the product within the timeframe indicated on the label, and always check the expiration date printed on the bottle. Shake the bottle well before each use, as the nano-emulsion can settle over time. If the liquid appears separated, discoloured, or develops an off smell, discontinue use.

For best results, keep the cap tightly sealed between uses to prevent oxidation. Vitamin E is sensitive to air and light exposure, which gradually reduces its potency. A dedicated spot in a temperature-controlled feed room — rather than a dusty barn shelf — will help maintain the product's effectiveness throughout the season.

Vitamin E deficiency develops gradually and is often missed in its early stages. The most common signs include muscle stiffness, poor performance, and slow recovery after exercise. As deficiency worsens, symptoms become more serious.

Key signs to watch for:

• Muscle problems: unexplained soreness, tying-up episodes, loss of topline, and reluctance to move forward
• Neurological symptoms: incoordination, stumbling, toe-dragging, or a wide-based stance — these can indicate equine motor neuron disease (EMND) or equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM)
• Immune weakness: recurring infections, slow wound healing, or poor response to vaccination
• Poor coat and skin: dull coat, dry skin, or fat deposits under the skin (steatitis)

Horses at highest risk are those without pasture access for extended periods, especially in Quebec's long winters. If you notice any neurological symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately — early intervention with high-dose vitamin E supplementation can improve outcomes significantly.

Yes — pre-competition loading is one of the primary uses of Nano-E. Intense exercise generates a surge of free radicals that cause oxidative damage to muscle cells. Boosting vitamin E levels before a competition provides your horse with additional antioxidant protection during peak physical demand.

The recommended pre-competition dose is 12 to 20 ml (3,000 to 5,000 IU) for a 500 kg horse, administered 6 to 12 hours before the event. The nanotechnology formulation allows for rapid absorption, so your horse benefits from elevated blood levels of vitamin E when it matters most.

This protocol is equally useful before other stressful events — long trailer rides, weaning, veterinary procedures, or farrier visits for anxious horses. The antioxidant support helps reduce the cellular damage associated with both physical and psychological stress.

Important for racehorse trainers: Nano-E is labelled as HISA-compliant, but always confirm compliance with your specific racing jurisdiction's regulations before administering any supplement close to race day.

The difference is significant. Natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol), the form used in Nano-E, is approximately twice as bioavailable as synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol). This means your horse absorbs and retains substantially more usable vitamin E per IU from a natural source.

You can identify the form on any label by looking at the prefix:

• d-alpha = natural (single stereoisomer, biologically active)
• dl-alpha = synthetic (mixture of 8 stereoisomers, only one is biologically identical to natural)

Many low-cost vitamin E supplements use the synthetic dl-alpha form because it is cheaper to manufacture. While synthetic vitamin E does provide some benefit, you would need to feed roughly double the IU to achieve the same blood levels as a natural-source supplement.

For horses with diagnosed deficiency, neurological conditions, or high performance demands, the natural d-alpha form is strongly recommended by equine nutritionists. Nano-E delivers 250 IU of natural d-alpha-tocopherol per ml in a nano-emulsified format for maximum absorption.

It depends on your horse's access to fresh pasture. If your horse is on quality green pasture for 12+ hours daily during Quebec's growing season (typically late May through October), supplementation may not be necessary during those months. Fresh grass is rich in natural vitamin E.

However, year-round supplementation is recommended for horses that:

• Are stabled full-time or have limited turnout, even in summer
• Graze on dry, overgrazed, or dormant pasture
• Are in moderate to heavy work (competition, racing, intensive training)
• Have a diagnosed deficiency or neuromuscular condition
• Are seniors with reduced nutrient absorption

For the many Quebec horse owners whose animals rely primarily on hay from November through April or May, a daily dose of Nano-E fills the nutritional gap left by stored forage. Even well-cured hay from a good first cut will have lost the majority of its vitamin E by mid-winter. A blood test measuring serum alpha-tocopherol can confirm your horse's status.