Vitamin K
Vitamin K belongs to the fat-soluble vitamins and refers to a group of compounds that are essential for blood clotting and regulate both the permeability of blood vessels and cell growth. Vitamin K also activates bone formation.
A vitamin K deficiency can result in even small wounds leading to the loss of larger amounts of blood (pulmonary bleeding, gastric bleeding, bleeding after foaling, injuries).
In most cases, the horse’s vitamin K requirement is considered to be covered through its own synthesis by the colon microbes. However, in cases of chronic gut disorders or damaged gut flora, supplying vitamin K via the feed can be advisable. Feed is therefore usually supplemented with vitamin K in its synthetic form K3 (menadione).