January 2003

Vitamin C Is A Good Vitamin

But as is true in most instances, more is definitely not better.

Grass contains vitamin C. However, when a ûhorse is stabled, on a dry lot or during the ûwinter, he may need additional supplements.

Optimal levels of vitamin C are beneficial, especially for older horses. However, you may read elsewhere that horses don’t need supplemental vitamin C or hear on the news that vitamin C can be toxic or damaging. Not true. The fact is it’s extremely high levels of vitamin C supplementation that can cause the vitamin to react abnormally in the body.

Here’s what you need to know:

Minimum isn’t optimal. Horses manufacture enough vitamin C on their own to prevent a true deficiency. However, that level is inadequate for optimal immune function and connective tissue/bone formation. …