Vitamin E in Horses: Deficiency Signs, Testing Targets, and Why Liquid Supplementation Matters Dr. Chelsea and vet tech Trish deliver an educational PSA on equine vitamin E, emphasizing that many horses—especially in dry regions like Colorado without lush pasture—are at risk because vitamin E is unstable and largely lost from sun-cured hay. They discuss testing differences (Cornell HPLC targets 300–600 µg/dL; higher targets like 600–800 for symptomatic horses) and suggest annual spring screening with rechecks in 1–2 months. Key conditions linked to deficiency include equine motor neuron disease (often irreversible; only 45% recovery after induced cases), vitamin E–responsive myopathy, and the ENAD/EDM spectrum in young horses with progressive, symmetric ataxia and frequent behavior changes; deficiency may also contribute to penile ataxia/paraphimosis and head shaking. They warn high doses may affect coagulation, advise avoiding injectables, and stress natural d-alpha tocopherol—using liquid (e.g., 5,000 IU/day for 60 days) because powders/pellets can take 8–10 weeks and may not raise levels or CSF vitamin E.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:29 Why Vitamin E Matters

03:19 Pasture Limits and Deficiency Risk

04:46 Testing Targets and Ranges

06:30 Hand Grazing Reality Check

08:41 Sponsor Break

09:15 Deficiency Signs and Safe Dosing

10:28 Equine Motor Neuron Disease

13:48 VEM and Screening Strategy

17:28 Case Study Paraphimosis Link

19:26 Liquid vs Powder Absorption

22:23 Practical Dosing Workarounds

23:07 Liquid vs Powder Dosing

23:42 Testing Surprises and CSF

24:47 Avoid Injectable Vitamin E

25:17 EDM and Vitamin E Link

27:08 EDM Signs and Differentials

28:42 Young Horses and eNAD

30:30 Lab Ranges and Natural Forms

32:30 New Omega Oil Pump

34:27 Barn Practicalities and Storage

36:20 Common Myths and Hay

38:10 Senior Horses and Headshaking

40:10 Wrap Up and Listener Call