Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a natural antioxidant and an important co-factor of many processes like collagen-synthesis, carnitine synthesis as well as the production of noradrenalin and bile. Vitamin C is required for the formation and recovery of connective tissue, promotes wound healing is also necessary for remodelling of bones.

Sources

Vitamin C is derived from glucose in several equine tissues.

Daily Requirements

Vitamin C is poorly absorbed from the diet. Horses not undergoing intense exercise programmes do not really need vitamin C from feed as their daily requirements are covered by by endogenous synthesis from glucose. 

Deficiency

Old horses and high-performing horses undergoing high efforts and confronted with high levels of oxidative stress, should be considered to be supplemented with vitamin C due to a lack of intrinsic vitamin C synthesis.

Excess

Has not been observed in horses.

Important to know

It is assumed that there is a relationship between decreased blood ascorbic acid concentrations in horses and several diseases, including post-operative and post-traumatic wound infections, epistaxis, disorders of the upper respiratory tract, and performance insufficiency.

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