Vitamin C is vital for a healthy, well-functioning immune system. Under normal conditions, horses produce enough vitamin C in their own bodies to meet their needs.
Eating green, leafy forage also tops up the horse’s vitamin C levels. However, there are circumstances where supplementing with vitamin C may be recommended. For example when a horse's immune system is depressed, during periods of stress, illness, injury, or intensive exercise, a horse may not be able to synthesize sufficient vitamin C to keep up with demand. During these times supplemental vitamin C can be beneficial.
The source of Vitamin C used is very important. Progressive Earth Vitamin C is in the form of Vitamin C monophosphate which is a highly absorbable form, unlike Ascorbic acid which is poorly absorbed by horses. Benefits of Vitamin C for horses include:
Uses:
- Highly-strung horses that become over-stressed by training
- Horses that are fed mainly Hay or Haylage
- Horses without access to green pastures / on poor pasture or not allowed sufficient grazing time
- Horses fed on hay replacer pelleted feed
- Horses on stall confinement
- Unwell or stressed horses, especially those with issues affecting the immune system
- Elderly horses
- Horses with poor gut microflora
- Horses in intense training or competition or high-stress situations
- Horses fed high cereal diets
- Horses in need of skin support
- Horses in need of lung support
- Horses and ponies in very poor condition
- Foals that exhibit stress during weaning or by stall confinement
- To neutralise free radicals during times of illness, injury, and stress
- Essential in the production of collagen
