Understanding the Use of Nanotechnology in Horse Supplements

Have you reached for a supplement bottle lately and found the prefix “nano-” in the description or ingredient list?  Did you wonder what it meant and whether it conferred a true advantage? As it turns out, nanotechnology provides great benefits.

Nanotechnology refers to the branch of science devoted to manipulating atoms and molecules at nanoscale, that is, having one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nanometers (100 millionth of a millimeter) or less.

Wait, exactly how small is a nanometer?

 The prefix “nano” means one-billionth, according to the International System of Units, so one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. Can’t wrap your head around it?

Here are some examples, compliments of the National Nanotechnology Initiative: a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick; there are just over 25 million nanometers in one inch; a single human hair is about 100,000 nanometers wide. This comparison from the same group is equally eye-opening: a sphere with a diameter of 1 nanometer is to a softball as a softball is to Earth. ^*

Describing a nanometer as “teeny” might be an understatement.

Let’s get back to feeding horses. Why is nanotechnology of interest to equine nutritionists?

Many natural nanoparticles exist, including amino acids, antibodies, even some carbohydrates that can combine to form larger functional molecules, such as hormones. Other nanoparticles are manufactured. These minute particles have a larger surface area than their normal-sized counterparts, potentially increasing the amount of a nutrient that can be absorbed by the horse. One scientific review uses coffee grounds as a relatable example: a coarse-ground coffee bean yields a different cup of coffee than a fine-ground bean.^**

Aside from potential for increased nutrient absorption, other significant benefits of nanotechnology include the preservation of nutrients and extension of shelf life.⁺ Some compounds are inherently unstable and break down rather quickly, but nanotechnology can encapsulate the compounds to protect and preserve their viability.

For example, Kentucky Equine Research uses nanotechnology to encapsulate natural vitamin E in its product Nano-E. Each water-soluble vitamin E nanoparticle in Nano-E is encapsulated or surrounded by liposomes, which allows the nanoparticle to mix evenly throughout a water-based environment such as the gastrointestinal tract.

The greatest benefit of this unique delivery system is an increase in the bioavailability of vitamin E. The more vitamin E that is absorbed into the bloodstream, the more available it is for use as a body-wide antioxidant essential for tissue repair and for its imperative roles in various body systems.

Another Example: Coenzyme Q10

Ubiquinone, known commonly as coenzyme Q10, is a fat-soluble molecule that is a powerful antioxidant present in every cell membrane in the body. Coenzyme Q10 increases the production of other antioxidants that help to mitigate cellular damage, improve blood flow, and protect blood vessels.⁺⁺

Like Nano-E, Nano-Q10, a source of coenzyme Q10 for horses, features nanotechnology to make the fat-soluble coenzyme Q10 soluble in water. An early study in horses reported that the concentration of coenzyme Q10 in blood serum is lower compared to humans and some other species, and that supplementation increases the concentration in serum.^•

Kentucky Equine Research in partnership with Michigan State University reported that supplementing coenzyme Q10 plus N-acetylcysteine resulted in an increase in the antioxidant glutathione in intensely exercising Thoroughbreds, which may support muscle recovery post-exercise. Additional research suggested that coenzyme Q10 facilitates energy production in the mitochondria, supporting overall exercise tolerance and endurance.

 Are the descriptors “nanoencapsulated” and “water-soluble” the same? No, not all water-soluble products use nanotechnology. As mentioned earlier, nanotechnology can be used to make fat-soluble molecules water-soluble, but it is not limited to this use.

“In practical, everyday terms, nanotechnology serves to deliver concentrated nutrients to the horse in a way that is easy to administer to and be absorbed by the horse,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research. “It’s exciting technology that puts Kentucky Equine Research at the forefront of equine nutrition.”

Using minuscule particles to increase targeted nutrient absorption maximizes nutritional benefits to horses.

^*National Nanotechnology Initiative. www.nano.gov. Accessed February 12, 2025.

 ^**Nickols-Richardson, S.M. 2007. Nanotechnology: Implications for food and nutrition professionals. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 107(9):1494-1497.

 ⁺Bora, S., V. Revathi, K. Das, V. Katiyar, and T. Ghosh. 2025. Nanotechnology in functional food developments. Advancements in Nanotechnology for Food and Packaging: Micro and Nano Technologies: 133-157.

 ⁺⁺Sood B, P. Patel, and M. Keenaghan. 2024. Coenzyme Q10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.

^•Sinatra, S.T., R.K. Chopra, S. Jankowitz, D.W. Horohov, and H.N. Bhagavan. 2013. Coenzyme Q10 in equine serum: Response to supplementation. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33(2): 71-73.