Lysine is generally thought to be the most limiting amino acid in the horse’s diet.
Lysine is a precursor for the important amino acid citrulline and crucial for normal protein metabolism in horses. Research has shown that without adequate levels of lysine horses will have impaired growth and metabolism.
This important limiting amino acid can be found in high amounts in forages and soya. All cereals tend to be low in this amino acid.
Foals, young horses (particularly those under three years of age), pregnant mares and lactating mares all have a large requirement for lysine but depending on the health of the soil upon which a forage is grown the lysine levels in the forage may not be enough to cover levels. It is wise to alway supplement lysine to provide good insurance to all classes of horse.
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