When cereals are combined by a variety of manufacturing processes (such as cooking), losses in the content of vitamins and minerals often occur. 

This is the same as with human nutrition where we are advised to eat certain vegetables raw in order to benefit from all their properties.  This therefore means that the pre-prepared feeds that we feed our horses are often deficient in vital vitamins and minerals. 

For optimum equine health, the following minerals are essential:

• Calcium (Ca),
• Phosphorous (P),
• Magnesium (Mg),
• Sodium (Na),
• Chloride and Potassium (K).

(An essential mineral is one that has a metabolic role and the lack of this element can cause deficiency symptoms).

Calcium - is the most abundant mineral in the body of a horse and is mainly located in the skeleton and teeth.  It is needed for bone development, muscle function and coagulation of the blood.

Every kilogram of lean body tissue in a horse contains about 20g of calcium and the required amounts for daily maintenance are: