Vitamin

Vitamin E

α-Tocopherol

Mechanism

α-Tocopherol ist das wichtigste fettlösliche Antioxidans und schützt Zellmembranen vor Lipidperoxidation. Bei Pferden ohne Weidegang (Heufütterung über Winter) sinkt die Versorgung, da der Vitamin-E-Gehalt in konserviertem Raufutter deutlich abnimmt. Diskutiert wird die Bedeutung bei neuromuskulären Erkrankungen.

Cautions

· Bei sehr hoher Gabe Wechselwirkung mit Vitamin-K-Status diskutiert

Sources

PMID:23206211Vitamin E and equine neuromuscular health

PMID:22925200Finno & Valberg 2012 (JVIM) — Review Vitamin E und equine Erkrankungen

PMID:27015868Diez de Castro et al. 2016 (JVIM) — EMND beim Pferd (Vitamin-E-assoziiert)

Equiterna Score

83/100

high overall

Science7.7/10

Practical experience9/10

Safety8.4/10

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. 1–2 IU/kg BW/day; higher need on hay-based rations

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyVery safe

Evidencemoderate

Knowledge connections

Related conditions

Laminitis & Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) →antioxidant under metabolic strain

PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy) →antioxidant for muscle cell membranes

Insulin Dysregulation / Insulin Resistance (ID/IR) →antioxidant under metabolic strain

Hyperlipemia / Fatty Liver →antioxidant under metabolic/hepatic strain

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) →antioxidant for cell membranes under load (adjunctive)

Roaring / Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN) →antioxidant, generally discussed for nerve and muscle cells (adjunctive)

Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate (DDSP) →antioxidant for muscle and mucosal cells (adjunctive)

Pleuropneumonia / Shipping Fever →antioxidant for cell membranes during convalescence (adjunctive)

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1/EHV-4) →antioxidant for nerve and cell membranes (adjunctive, no EHM protection)

Tetanus (Lockjaw, Clostridium tetani) →antioxidant for nerve and muscle cells in the long recovery (adjunctive)

West Nile Virus (West Nile Fever, neurological) →antioxidant for nerve and cell membranes in the long recovery (adjunctive)

Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU / Moon Blindness / Periodic Ophthalmia) →antioxidant; generally discussed under oxidative strain — no proven effect on the diseased eye

Wobbler Syndrome (Cervical Vertebral Malformation, CVM) →antioxidant for nerve and cell membranes; relevant with proven deficiency (adjunctive, no curative role in the stenosis)

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) →antioxidant for nerve cells during the long recovery; relevant with proven deficiency (adjunctive, no substitute for therapy)

Facial Nerve Paralysis →antioxidant for nerve cells; relevant with proven deficiency (adjunctive, no curative role)

Stringhalt →antioxidant for nerve and muscle cells; relevant with proven deficiency (adjunctive)

Shivers (Shivering, neuromuscular movement disorder) →antioxidant for nerve and muscle cells; relevant with proven deficiency (adjunctive, no substitute for therapy)

Pemphigus Foliaceus (autoimmune skin disease) →antioxidant, discussed in supporting autoimmune skin processes (adjunctive, after veterinary clearance)

Myocarditis (Heart Muscle Inflammation) →antioxidant for muscle cells, relevant only in the context of a veterinarily diagnosed selenium/vitamin E deficiency (adjunctive)

Geriatric Weight Loss & Muscle Wasting (Sarcopenia) →antioxidant; discussed in the context of muscle preservation in older horses

Immunosenescence (age-related decline of immune defence) →antioxidant; discussed in the context of immune function in older horses

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (Tying-up, RER) →antioxidant for muscle cell membranes (discussed with proven deficiency)

Overtraining Syndrome (chronic performance decline) →antioxidant for training-related oxidative stress

Anhidrosis (Lack of Sweating / Impaired Thermoregulation) →antioxidant under heat/oxidative strain

Journal articles on this compound

Alt werden ohne alt auszusehen — was beim Senior wirklich zählt →Vitamin E im Winter — warum die Heuration nicht reicht →PSSM und der Muskelstoffwechsel — warum Fett die Stärke ersetzt →Das alte Pferd — Management für gute Jahre →

All sources in the study library →

Frequently asked questions

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

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

Is Vitamin E allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Vitamin E 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 E?

Stated in the profile: approx. 1–2 IU/kg BW/day; higher need on hay-based rations. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Vitamin E?

The profile cites: PMID:23206211, PMID:22925200, and PMID:27015868.

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.