What happens if a horse gets too much vitamin E?
Horses who eat too much vitamin E are not the only ones at risk of problems with this fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin E is vital to good health in horses, but how much should your horse be getting and what are the dangers of excess amounts? Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is responsible for red blood cells to be flexible enough to pass through capillaries without sticking together. It is also responsible for keeping the lining of the liver clean and preventing gall stones from forming. Vitamin E also contributes to the prevention of cell damage and growth during the healing process and as anti-oxidants.
It can take years for veterinarians to realise that a horse may have developed the early symptoms of fatty liver syndrome (FLS) without knowing why. An equine surgeon at The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, has been trying to help by working on an interesting case - a horse called Ruby who had been found dead suddenly on his farm.
Ruby was a 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with a history of laminitis. He had been showing signs of FLS for months, but was too old to run. His owner told him to rest as much as possible but he showed no response. There were no external signs that might have been causing the signs of his illness and no obvious reason why he should have become unwell. He was referred to an equine surgeon for exploratory surgery after he showed signs of stiffness.
The vet thought Ruby may have been in some pain due to laminitis or he could have got injured. No further tests were done before he was put to sleep. The surgeon discovered numerous dark foci on his liver, indicating fatty deposits which are one of the first signs of an undernourished liver in horses (click here for a more detailed explanation of how to look for FLS).
FLS is very rare in young horses. It has only been identified in about 10% of all cases of acute and fatal liver disease in horses over the past two decades. This makes it very hard for veterinarians to spot in the early stages. It is rarely diagnosed earlier, but usually appears when horses are older than 15 years.
It is most commonly seen in older horses with a history of being starved. It is much less common in horses that don't eat.
What is nano-e?
Nano-e, Nano-E or Nanoe are the terms for subliminal audio, the combination of a subliminal track and one or more binaural headphones.
However, unlike the subliminal (also known as sub-subliminal) methods in use until now, the nano-e (or "nanoe") technique makes it possible to listen to the subliminal messages as part of a complete and natural music experience. For this reason, nano-e is often referred to as auditory immersion, a subliminal technology. It offers the same benefits as the subliminal technology, namely that your subconscious mind will be able to store information more efficiently by storing it while you listen to your chosen sound track.
Using nano-e allows you to experience your chosen subliminal sounds alongside the main message. The first track of the Nano-e package will contain a subliminal audio track, to which it is intended you should be able to "listen" at any point during the music. The second track is usually a choice of one or more other tracks made specially to complement the first sound track and, of course, complement each other. You should only be able to choose one other track.
The package will arrive with everything you need to enjoy it and listen to your chosen subliminal track. There is no special equipment needed; we do not recommend using expensive speakers with large bass ranges. What matters most is that you are aware of the presence of the subtle subliminal program contained within, as this allows you to listen to it consciously. You will be able to hear all of the subliminal information contained within. We have found that small portable speakers such as Apple's AirPods are best for listening; you simply need to use the built-in amplifier with the device.
We want our customers to enjoy their nano-e package, as well as enjoy what's on their chosen tracks, so our products are fully compatible with all mainstream mp3 players and iPods, in addition to smart phones, smart speakers, tablets, laptop computers and desktop computers. This is how a lot of our audience uses it, and we don't expect it to change! There are a few special devices, however, that offer compatibility and convenience we would like to mention specifically: The first Nano-e devices we're offering include models A1/W, A2 and B.
What does nano-e do for horses?
The answers to that question might depend on where you live. Nano-e is a product marketed by several companies as a means of providing dietary supplements for horses. It is claimed to aid horses by aiding their digestion and eliminating toxins, but because horses are herbivores they can't digest the food. There have been several studies of horses fed nano-e and none have shown any conclusive evidence that it helps the horses.
A 2026 study found that nano-e does not affect blood parameters in horses. A 2026 study found that it affects fecal microbiology, but had no effect on serum biochemical parameters or performance. Another study in 2026 reported that it decreased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in the feces of horses. A 2026 study found that nano-e did not change serum biochemistry, blood hematology, or serum VFA concentrations in horses. A 2026 study showed that it decreased fecal VFAs and increased the number of Clostridium in the feces of horses. An abstract published in 2026 presented the results of a study that found that nano-e decreased fecal volatile fatty acid concentrations in horses. It appears that these studies have been performed in the USI haven't been able to find any similar studies done in the UK, or elsewhere. But the studies have been criticised for being insufficiently performed, with some questioning their validity.
There are other studies that seem to show no difference in the effect of nano-e between horses and people. This paper from a conference in 2026 stated: We could not demonstrate any difference between nano-e and placebo in terms of the effects on clinical signs, weight gain, body condition score, or total fat mass. No effect of nano-e on the appetite or feed intake of the horses was observed.
There are claims that nano-e is not dangerous, but this has not been tested in any of the studies mentioned above. Nano-e can cause problems if a horse gets the wrong type of treatment or dosage. In people, nano-e has been known to cause stomach inflammation, kidney stones, increased urination, diarrhea, and even kidney failure.
What does nano-e look like? I have seen several photos online showing the actual product.
What is the best source of vitamin E for horses?
The best source of vitamin E for horses is corn oil.
Corn oil contains a high percentage of alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E most readily utilized by horses. The reason for this is because horses are able to synthesize vitamin E from fat.
Is it safe to feed corn oil to horses? Yes, it is safe to feed corn oil to horses. However, it is recommended that you dilute the oil to reduce the risk of rancidity. Dilution is achieved by adding an equal amount of soybean oil. Soybean oil does not contain any trans-fatty acids and is a natural source of Vitamin E.
Should horses be fed linseed oil? Linseed oil is a highly stable oil with a high smoke point and is often used as a cooking oil in many countries. Horses do not have the enzymes necessary to digest linseed oil and it is passed unchanged through the intestinal tract.
Is it safe to feed vegetable oils? No, vegetable oils are unsuitable for horses. All vegetable oils, including corn oil, contain high levels of saturated fatty acids that can lead to problems such as insulin resistance, laminitis, liver damage and pancreatitis.
Why are vegetable oils unsuitable for horses? Vegetable oils contain high levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA), which are not suitable for horses due to their detrimental effect on insulin resistance, laminitis, liver damage and pancreatitis. What are the health risks of feeding linseed oil? Linseed oil is often used as a cooking oil in many countries due to its high smoke point. It is highly stable and is used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and lubricating oils. However, it is not suitable for horses. Horse have the necessary enzymes to digest linseed oil, but it is passed unchanged through the intestinal tract.
What are the risks of feeding corn oil? Corn oil contains a high percentage of alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E most readily utilized by horses. Unfortunately, this makes the oil highly susceptible to oxidation and rancidity. The oil also contains arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that is highly inflammatory.
Should horses be fed soybean oil?
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