Dietary supplementation with trivalent chromium in horses: literature review

Abstract

Several nutritional supplements are used empirically in horses. Trivalent chromium (Cr) potentiates insulin and sensitizes the tissues where it acts, to be part of chromodulin, optimizing its action in different mammals. However, there are few studies relating to dietary supplementation of horses with Cr. The objective of this review was to highlight from the scientific literature on the possible ergogenic benefits of Cr on performance of this species. Cr has the potential to act as an effective and licit nutritional ergogenic agent in athletic horses of different modalities, especially in prolonged duration, in which the dependence of lipolysis is increased. Keywords: Exercise, glucose, horse, insulin, mineral, nutritional additive.