Vitamin A
Vitamin A (chemically known as retinol) is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. The provitamin, i.e. the precursor of vitamin A, beta-carotene, is produced by plants. The horse takes in beta-carotene with green fodder and converts it into the active form in the body as needed. It is calculated that 1 mg of beta-carotene provides 400 IU of vitamin A. For the body to be adequately supplied with vitamin A, the horse must also be adequately supplied with zinc.
Vitamin A plays a significant role in eyesight. This so-called “epithelial protection vitamin” also protects all epithelia, in particular the mucous membranes of the airways. Vitamin A has crucial functions in growth, bone formation and hoof horn quality.
The normal requirement for a warmblood is between 16,000 and 18,000 IU per day. Earlier recommendations were many times higher, but this is now considered outdated. With all-day pasture feeding, an adequate supply of beta-carotene and therefore vitamin A is already assumed. Supplementary vitamin A intake is mainly necessary for stable feeding in winter. Additional beta-carotene supplementation for mares can improve fertility and increase the supply to foals via the mare’s milk.
A prolonged deficiency of vitamin A can lead to night blindness and growth delays. However, such deficiency situations are unlikely in practice. Excessive oversupply of vitamin A can lead to bone fragility and developmental orthopaedic disorders. Toxic effects of beta-carotene are not known in horses.
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