Vitamin B2

Mechanism

Riboflavin is the precursor of the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which act as redox carriers in the respiratory chain and in fatty-acid, carbohydrate and amino-acid metabolism. In the horse riboflavin is formed predominantly microbially by the hindgut flora (hindgut fermentation) and is additionally available via forage, so that requirements are usually met with healthy digestion and adequate forage supply. Targeted supplementation can become useful in special situations, such as a disturbed gut flora, very high performance or restricted forage intake. A clinically relevant riboflavin deficiency is rarely documented in the horse under practical conditions.

Cautions

• · With healthy digestion mostly met via microbial synthesis and forage — extra dosing rarely necessary
• · No evidence of a performance-enhancing effect in the requirement-met horse

Sources