Betaine Anhydrous for Your Horse

Betaine Anhydrous for Your Horse

Betaine is also known as Trimethylglycine which is an important amino acid for horses. Betaine is commonly found in spinach, fresh legumes, broccoli, beetroots, and forages. It can also be obtained from eggs and fish. The richest source of betaine is beets.

Betaine anhydrous is used for horses as a supplement. It is metabolized in the liver to Dimethylglycine. Betaine is proved very beneficial for horses as a supplement. It reduces the accumulation of lactic acid and ensures the proper utilization of oxygen. The supplementation of Betaine anhydrous in horses before and after physical activity reduces fatigue and helps the speedy recovery of tired horses. It will be surprising for you that it is also used in human sports to enhance athletic performance.

Along with reducing fatigue in horses, betaine also has many other benefits. It stabilizes the water content in cells by acting as an osmoprotectant. It reduces osmotic stress in horses. In the case of heat and water loss, the water diffuses out of the body cells due to a higher concentration of molecules outside the cells than inside. The cell shrinks and may die in this condition. In this condition, betaine acts as an osmolyte and holds water inside the cells to avoid shrinkage. In this way, the cells remain hydrated and protect the horses against heat stress. Betaine maintains the horse’s electrolyte balance.

The enzymes involved in citric acid cycles are also compromised and disturbed in case of high body temperature and dehydration during exercise. The betaine protects those enzymes and helps in the normal functioning of the horse body. Researches have also shown that betaine is also involved in the protection of the liver and acts as a hepatoprotective agent.

Due to three methyl compounds in it, betaine can donate methyl groups for the maintenance of body tissue. Betaine anhydrous is also used as a mouthwash for horses to improve oral health.

Betaine is normally administered 12 to 24 hours before a race or long journey and after the journey or race as well for quick recovery. It can also be administered in stressful conditions and case of poor appetite. It can also be taken in powdered form or the form of a pill. It can be given daily for the balanced and optimum health of the horse because it has no serious side effects.