OKAPI Copper Plus

What is OKAPI Copper Plus?

Copper Plus can be given as a supplement to regular mineral feed in cases of diagnosed copper deficiency in blood tests or if there is a strong suspicion of deficiency based on symptoms. Copper deficiency in adult horses often manifests as pigment loss in the skin and coat, especially around the eyes and mouth. This is also known as “copper mask” and is particularly common in certain breeding lines. In some lines, there seems to be a genetic predisposition for reduced copper absorption ability, although this has not yet been scientifically studied in horses.

Horses that have not received mineral feed for extended periods may also develop copper deficiency if their basic feed lacks sufficient copper. However, the pigment spots that occur with copper deficiency on the horse’s face should not be confused with the typical pigmentation found in Appaloosas, Knabstruppers, and similar coat patterns. In case of doubt, we recommend having a blood test done to check copper levels.

Copper Plus should always be given for a limited period, like any mineral-based supplement, and the antagonists of this mineral (for copper, for example, zinc) should be balanced by regularly providing a good mineral supplement to avoid new imbalances. For broodmares, the copper supply through roughage and concentrate feed, particularly in the last two months of pregnancy, is often insufficient, as the fetus draws more trace elements from the mother’s bloodstream to store them for rapid development in the first weeks after birth. Therefore, we recommend paying special attention to the trace element supply of the broodmare, particularly copper and zinc, during this phase. OKAPI Prenat Plus Type Zn+Cu, specifically developed for breeding mares, supports pregnant mares in the last two months of pregnancy to balance their trace element levels.

Is OKAPI Copper Plus suitable for my horse?

OKAPI Copper Plus is suitable for adult horses of all ages and breeds.

Can I combine OKAPI Copper Plus with other products?

Mineral feed and mineral supplements, such as OKAPI Copper Plus or Zinc Plus, should generally not be fed together in the same meal whenever possible. This is because many minerals can interact or compete during absorption in the gut. This can lead to larger amounts of the mineral being excreted in the manure, which is wasteful and does not contribute to the desired improved nutrition of the horse.

Therefore, we recommend giving the opposing minerals, zinc and copper, only alternately, for example, on a weekly basis. Furthermore, you can support mineral absorption by ensuring that zinc- or copper-rich feed is not given at the same meal as the mineral supplement. In such cases, you can feed the mineral supplement in the morning and offer Zinc Chelate Plus or Copper Chelate Plus in a handful of soaked Hay cobs in the evening. Then, you can alternate between OKAPI Zinc Plus for one week and OKAPI Copper Plus for the following week to avoid competition between these two minerals in the metabolism.