Glutamine

L-Glutamine

Mechanism

Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in plasma by quantity and serves rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes and immune cells as a preferred energy substrate. As a conditionally essential amino acid it is usually formed by the horse itself in sufficient amounts; a dietary requirement is mostly covered in the healthy animal. The benefit of targeted supplementation (e.g. for the intestinal barrier or immune function) is not clearly demonstrated in the horse.

Cautions

· In a healthy horse the requirement is mostly already covered — additional benefit not clearly demonstrated
· No substitute for veterinary diagnostics in digestive or immune problems

Sources

NRC 2007NRC — Nutrient Requirements of Horses (Proteinstoffwechsel, nicht-essenzielle Aminosäuren)

GfE 2014GfE — Empfehlungen zur Energie- und Nährstoffversorgung von Pferden

PMID:18700072Wu 2009 (Amino Acids) — Glutamin und Darm-/Immunfunktion (Grundlagenreview, speziesübergreifend)

Equiterna Score

59/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7.8/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageno established equine requirement recommendation; study supplements product- and ration-dependent

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyVery safe

Evidenceemerging

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.