Optimize

Linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) are fatty acids that cannot be made by the horse and must be in the diet. These fats play a vital role in a number of biological processes in your horse’s body including regulating inflammation. Many ingredients in the diets of performance horses provide adequate omega-6 but inadequate omega-3. Optimize provides a generous amount of natural omega-3 fatty acids derived from organic flaxseed meal. 

Antioxidants protect your horse from the damaging oxidative effects of free radicals. All horses face the negative effects of oxidative damage but the harder your horse works, the more at risk he is. Optimize may help reduce oxidative damage that occurs during and after exercise thanks to the combined effects of the antioxidant compounds organic selenium, natural vitamin E and vitamin C. Together these compounds help promote post-exercise recovery and support muscle and joint health.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and must be provided in the horse diet. A certain ratio of amino acids is needed for protein synthesis to occur, and when an essential amino acid is provided well below its requirement it can become the limiting factor in protein synthesis. The amino acid lysine is considered to be the most common limiting amino acid in typical horse diets. Optimize provides all nine essential amino acids with generous amounts of lysine, as well as leucine, which is known to be a vital player in the building and recovery of muscle.

Prebiotics act as a food source for the healthy bacteria already existing in your horse’s gut. These beneficial bacteria not only help digest the fiber in your horse’s diet, they also create a protective barrier at the gut lining helping to prevent it from being colonized by pathogens. The prebiotic in Optimize is derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast which may help normalize the gut microflora while enhancing microbial diversity. The result is a healthier gut, improved nutrient absorption and a more robust immune system. 

Minerals are vital to health and play many key roles in your horse’s body. Zinc helps in supporting immune, hoof and skin health. Copper is crucial for collagen formation and coat health. Manganese is necessary for making chondroitin sulfate which in turn is needed for cartilage formation. Optimize utilizes chelated (pronounced key-lated) versions of these minerals; a form that is better absorbed and metabolized than inorganic forms.

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient in the equine diet, meaning horses cannot make it themselves and must consume it in their diets. Research has shown that absorption of synthetic forms of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) is poor. This can lead to vitamin E deficiency, neuromuscular conditions and poor performance. To maximize absorption, Optimize utilizes only natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) which has been shown to significantly increase serum vitamin E levels in horses. 

The majority of glucosamine used in equine joint supplements is derived from shellfish. This source is not sustainable and has a destructive impact on the environment; requiring large amounts of shellfish, water and chemicals to produce. There is also a risk of allergen sensitivity. At Medallion Equine, we believe in doing business ethically. That’s why Optimize uses a premium source of glucosamine created using a new direct fermentation manufacturing technology. The glucosamine in Optimize is plant-based, non-GMO, totally transparent, fully traceable, sustainably produced and, most of all, highly effective. 

The natural wellness properties of Boswellia have been known for thousands of years. This compound, derived from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, contains many bioactive agents identified as having therapeutic value. In particular, Boswellia supports a healthy inflammatory response and promotes joint, respiratory and gastrointestinal health.