The ABCs of Vitamin Nutrition

Vitamins comprise one of the six general groups of nutrients--the other groups are water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals. Vitamins are organic (carboncontaining) compounds needed in relatively small amounts by the body to support normal metabolism, which involves the breakdown and formation of molecules within the body. Vitamins cannot be synthesized within the body in sufficient amounts; therefore, they must be supplied in the horse's diet.