Threonine is an essential amino acid that must be supplied in the equine diet because it cannot be synthesized endogenously. Threonine is important for mucin production in the gut; mucin forms a protective barrier between the gut environment and the cells of the intestinal wall. Threonine supplementation may improve nutrient absorption and help prevent inflammatory conditions in the gut like colitis.

• Threonine is important for supporting a healthy gut and digestive function. In other animals, it has been shown that most dietary threonine (60-90%) is used by the tissues of the gut
• Threonine is crucial for producing mucin proteins which form a protective barrier in the intestine to prevent microbes in the gut from damaging intestinal cells. When dietary threonine is low, it will be prioritized for mucin production, which prevents it from being used for muscle growth or protein synthesis in other tissues
• Horses often face conditions that can impair gut function. For example, high-grain diets in performance horses can cause microbial imbalances that injure the intestinal lining and lead to ulcers
• Providing performance horses supplemental threonine might help them handle high-grain diets and improve nutrient absorption leading to improved overall health and stamina