Vitamin K Supplement

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting, bone metabolism, and other physiological functions. In equine nutrition, vitamin K supplements typically contain either phylloquinone (vitamin K₁), found in green plants, or menaquinones (vitamin K₂), which are produced by gut bacteria. Synthetic menadione (vitamin K₃) is also used in some feed formulations.

Most horses consuming fresh forage or those with a healthy digestive tract do not require additional vitamin K supplementation, as they obtain adequate amounts from their diet and microbial synthesis in the hindgut. However, supplementation may be considered for horses with compromised gut health, prolonged antibiotic use, or limited access to fresh forage.