Vitamin C is a vital organic compound within a horse’s body that provides protection against cellular damage. It aids in equine collagen production, iron absorption, hormone synthesis, bone calcification, tissue growth & wound healing whilst simultaneously reducing allergy symptoms and inflammation by counteracting the production of histamines. Additionally, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which neutralises free radicals and acts to strengthen equine immune function and response.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for dogs. Acting as a natural anti-histamine, Vitamin C supplementation may assist to relieve canine allergy symptoms whilst simultaneously supporting immune system function. Vitamin C may also help to neutralise free radicals, protects cells from damage and reduce inflammation to assist with overall improved mobility. Although dogs can naturally produce their own Vitamin C, they produce lower amounts in times of stress or sickness (such as UTIs) and may benefit from a natural supplement.

Horses:

Features

• Competition horses e.g endurance, eventers and racehorses
• Post-operative and post-trauma horses
• Horses suffering from wounds, infections or diseases
• Inflammatory conditions
• Horses with heaves or allergies
• Aged horses with chronic infections or decreased immunity

Dogs:

Features

• Post-operative and post-trauma dogs
• Dogs suffering from wounds, infections or diseases, emotional stress or anxiety
• Competition dogs e.g endurance, sled dogs
• Inflammatory conditions
• Dogs with heaves, allergies or tear stains
• Older dogs with chronic infections or decreased immunity

Benefits

• Immune System: Vitamin C is a natural immune system booster. It helps increase the number of antibodies in your horse’s body responsible for fighting toxins, bacteria, or viruses
• Collagen: Vitamin C helps the production of collagen, a vital tissue that promotes joint and bone health
• Interferon: Vitamin C boosts your Horse’s level of interferon, a natural antibody that helps fight viral infections and cancerous growths
• Absorption: Supplementing Vitamin C has been linked to helping the absorption rate of other nutrients in the diet (or supplement)
• Antioxidant: Vitamin C is a vital antioxidant for horses. They need it to maintain a healthy, lustrous coat. It usually combines with Vitamin E for them to look vibrant
• Allergies: Vitamin C helps relieve allergy symptoms because it acts as an antihistamine, a compound that counteracts histamine and fights inflammation

Why Sodium Ascorbate?

Sodium Ascorbate vs Ascorbic Acid

CEN Vitamin C uses Sodium Ascorbate, a highly effective, more easily absorbed form of Vitamin C. It is pH neutral (pH 7.4) as opposed to acidic Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.0). Therefore Sodium Ascorbate does not irritate the intestinal tract or kidneys. The body easily absorbs sodium ascorbate, and studies have also shown that it stays in the system twice as long as the acid form. Sodium ascorbate is the only form of vitamin C approved by the FDA for intravenous injection in humans.

Vitamin C Feeding Rate for Horses

Bodyweight / Feed Rate

• Up to 450kg: 1000-1500mg (1/2 teaspoon)
• Over 450kg: 2500-3000mg (teaspoon)

Vitamin C Feeding Rate for Dogs

Small Breeds: Small (<15kg) / Med (15-30kg)

• 0-6 mths: 250mg / 500mg
• 6-12 mths (gradually increasing to adult level): 250-500mg / 500-1500mg

Large Breeds: Large (30-50kg) / X-Large (>50kg)

• 0-4 mths (gradually increasing): 500-1000mg / 750-2000mg
• 4-18 mths (gradually increasing to adult level): 1000-3000mg / 2000-6000mg