Vitamin

Vitamin D3

Cholecalciferol

Mechanism

Vitamin D3 steuert die Calcium- und Phosphor-Homöostase. Pferde bilden Vitamin D über Sonnenlicht und nehmen es über sonnengetrocknetes Raufutter auf; ein Mangel ist bei Weidehaltung selten. Vitamin D hat eine enge therapeutische Breite — Überdosierung führt zu pathologischer Verkalkung.

Cautions

· Geringe therapeutische Breite — Überdosierung gefährlich (Weichteilverkalkung)

Sources

GfE 2014GfE — Vitamin D Pferd

DOI:10.1111/evj.13873Dosi et al. 2023 (EVJ) — Saison, Management, Endokrinopathien und Vitamin-D-Status beim Pferd

NRC 2007NRC — Vitamin-D-Bedarf, Quellen (Sonnenlicht/Heu), Toleranz

Equiterna Score

79/100

high overall

Science7.7/10

Practical experience9/10

Safety7/10

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.

Dosageapprox. 6–10 IU/kg BW/day (GfE)

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidencemoderate

Frequently asked questions

Is Vitamin D3 a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Vitamin D3 as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Vitamin D3 allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Vitamin D3 is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Vitamin D3?

Stated in the profile: approx. 6–10 IU/kg BW/day (GfE). This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Vitamin D3?

The profile cites: GfE 2014, DOI:10.1111/evj.13873, and NRC 2007.

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 source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

← Compound profiles