B Vitamins

Once feed is digested and absorbed, it must be converted into energy to be incorporated into tissue for growth or weight gain or to fuel the body’s various metabolic activities. There is a whole host of biochemical pathways through and most of these depend on B-complex vitamins to operate at maximum efficiency.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) plays an essential role in the interaction of amino acid, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism and the energy producing citric acid cycle. Over 50 enzymes are known to depend on B6 coenzymes. Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to a number of problems including retarded growth, poor appetite, anemia and weight loss.

Thiamine is very important for the normal function of the citric acid cycle. In this cycle, breakdown products of carbohydrates, fats and proteins are brought together for further breakdown and synthesis. High grain diets result in a greater requirement for thiamine. Thiamine deficient animals may be weak with poor appetites, weight loss and incoordination (especially in the hind legs) and exhibit nervousness that contributes to inefficient weight gain. A deficiency in thiamine can result in a number of different nervous disorders and hyper-irritability. Nervous horses are often poor doers. Ensuring that thiamine status is optimal is a key step in improving weight gain.

Folic Acid is required for several important reactions of intermediary metabolism including the biosynthesis of the purine and pyrimidine components of nucleic acids that are needed for cell division. Folic acid is essential for normal immune response and deficient animals may have a reduced number of white blood cells. Folic acid deficiencies may also result in reduced weight gain and anemia.

Pantothenic acid is found in two enzymes, coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, which are involved in many reactions in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. A deficiency of pantothenic acid may lead to loss of appetite, reduced growth rate, poor general condition and reduced feed conversion.

Vitamin B12 is an essential part of several enzyme systems that carry out a number of very basic metabolic functions. A general function of B12 is to promote red blood cell synthesis and to maintain nervous system integrity. A deficiency of B12 will lead to a loss of appetite and reduced weight gain.

FOCUS WT has high levels of added pyridoxine, thiamine, folic acid, pantothenic acid and B12 to improve metabolic efficiency by enhancing the efficient conversion of the digested feed to body tissue for weight gain or to energy for work. FOCUS SR contains high levels of pyridoxine. Please see SOURCE Products: for Horses, for more information.