Thiamine for Horses: Benefits, Deficiency Signs, Dosage & Best Sources

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is one of the most important yet commonly overlooked nutrients in equine nutrition. Whether you manage performance horses, seniors, or easy-keepers, ensuring adequate thiamine intake can have a major impact on your horse’s energy levels, nerve health, and overall well-being.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything horse owners should know about thiamine—its benefits, natural sources, deficiency symptoms, and when supplementation might be needed.

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What Is Thiamine and Why Do Horses Need It?

Thiamine is a water-soluble B-vitamin essential for:

Carbohydrate metabolism

Nervous system function

Muscle performance

Stress response

Appetite regulation

Horses rely on thiamine to convert feed into usable energy, making it especially important for hard-working performance horses and those prone to stress or anxiety.

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Benefits of Thiamine for Horses

1. Supports Energy Production

Thiamine helps break down carbohydrates into glucose, the primary fuel source for equine muscles and the brain. Horses in heavy work or on high-grain diets often need more B1 than a low-workload horse.

2. Promotes a Healthy Nervous System

Adequate B1 levels help maintain:

Calm behavior

Normal nerve function

Reduced excitability

Many owners report that thiamine supplementation helps horses stay more focused and less reactive, especially during training or travel.

3. Enhances Stress Management

Stress from hauling, competition, illness, or diet changes can deplete thiamine stores. Supplementation may help horses cope better during high-stress periods.

4. Supports Muscle Health

Thiamine aids in preventing muscle fatigue and supports proper muscle contraction, which is crucial for performance horses, endurance horses, and older horses.

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Thiamine Deficiency in Horses: Signs to Watch For

Though true thiamine deficiency is uncommon, it can occur in specific circumstances such as high-grain diets, heavy workloads, poor gut health, or consumption of bracken fern or raw soybeans.

Common symptoms of thiamine deficiency include:

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Muscle tremors

Ataxia (loss of coordination)

Nervousness or irritability

Weakness and fatigue

Poor performance

If a horse consumes bracken fern, severe neurological signs can develop—and thiamine therapy is often part of the recovery protocol under veterinary care.

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Natural Sources of Thiamine in a Horse’s Diet

Horses typically get thiamine from:

Fresh pasture

Quality hay

Cereal grains

Brewers yeast

Fermentation in the hindgut

However, horses on low-forage diets, poor-quality hay, or high-grain rations may not get enough. Hindgut dysfunction (ulcers, dysbiosis, antibiotic use) can also reduce natural thiamine production.

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Thiamine Supplementation for Horses

When Supplementation May Help:

Performance and racehorses

Horses under stress

Hard keepers

Horses with metabolic or digestive issues

Nervous or anxious horses

Animals recovering from bracken fern toxicity

Common Forms of Thiamine Supplements

Thiamine mononitrate

Brewers yeast blends

B-complex supplements

Calming supplements containing B vitamins

Typical Thiamine Dosage for Horses

(Always consult a veterinarian for guidance.)

Maintenance dose: ~50–100 mg/day

Performance or stressed horses: 200–500 mg/day

Therapeutic doses: sometimes higher under veterinary supervision

Because it is water-soluble, excess thiamine is generally excreted, making toxicity extremely rare.

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Is Thiamine Good for Nervous or Anxious Horses?

Yes—many horse owners use thiamine as part of a natural calming regimen. While it’s not a sedative, it helps support normal nerve function and reduce excitability in horses prone to tension or anxiety.

For best results, it is often combined with:

Magnesium

Tryptophan

B-complex vitamins

Gut-supporting supplements

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Choosing the Best Thiamine Supplement for Horses

Look for products that offer:

Pure, stable thiamine mononitrate

Transparent ingredient lists

Horse-appropriate dosages

Quality manufacturing standards

If your horse is a picky eater, choose a pelleted or flavored option that blends easily with grain.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Supplement Thiamine for Your Horse?

Most horses receive adequate thiamine through forage and hindgut fermentation. However, horses under stress, in heavy work, or with digestive challenges may benefit from supplementation.

Adding thiamine can support:

Better focus

Improved energy

A calmer nervous system

Stronger muscle performance

When in doubt, consult your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine whether thiamine supplementation could help your horse thrive.

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