Lysine is an essential amino acid – it must be present in the diet, it cannot be synthesized in the horse’s body. Lysine deficiency may cause poor quality hooves and coat, delayed wound healing and poor tolerance to the stress of exercise with little ability to build muscle, poor red blood count and decreased fertility.

	THE NURSING MARE: A LACTATING MARE’S LYSINE REQUIREMENTS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH, UP TO THREE TIMES MAINTENANCE LEVELS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF MILK PRODUCTION.
	THE AGED HORSE: DIGESTION OF MANY NUTRIENTS DECREASES WITH AGE, AND PROTEIN IS NO EXCEPTION. TO ASSIST THE OLDER ANIMAL, UP TO 10G OF LYSINE CAN BE GIVEN PER DAY.