A haematinic is a nutrient required for the formation of red blood cells in the process of haematopoiesis. Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body and release it to organs and tissues.
Haematinics are given mainly when a horse shows a low haemoglobin result in a blood test. This may be from a high parasitic infection, or a chronic disease that reduces red cell production. A lower level can also result from overwork (Pakula et al., 2023), changes in diet or location, or chronic illness.
The main haematinics are Vitamin B12, folate (Vitamin B9) and iron (Kiełbik & Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, 2025).
As well as helping to restore low haemoglobin levels to a normal level, it can assist a horse with a high workload to maximise their performance.
It does not enhance performance as it cannot increase the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells, it can assist with that level of demand, such as racing.
Normally a horse will create the B vitamins in their gut, but under certain conditions (work, travel, stress) that process is reduced and does have an influence on the horse and its performance.
Vetpro Blud-Boost is a haematinic supplement that provides bioavailable iron with essential B vitamins. They improve the condition and quality of the blood and increase the number of erythrocytes and/or the haemoglobin concentration.
Iron is vital for the production of haemoglobin and Blud-Boost contains a bioavailable iron which is easily absorbed, gentle on the gut and without the risk associated with ferrous fumarate.
Also included is copper to retain the correct ratio with iron and as a cofactor for haemoglobin and Vitamin B12 synthesis.
| Vitamin | Name | Influence |
|---|---|---|
| B2 | Riboflavin | Needed for the production of energy and cellular health. |
| B3 | Niacin | Assists the transfer of energy and digestive process. |
| B5 | Pantothenic Acid | Essential to metabolise Coenzyme-A. |
| B6 | Pyridoxine | Assists in energy production, amino acid metabolism and red blood cell formation. |
| B7 | Biotin | Widely used to support healthy hoof growth and coat integrity. |
| B9 | Folic Acid | Necessary for DNA synthesis, tissue repair and oxygen utilisation in exercising muscle. |
| B12 | Cobalamin | Vital for the formation of red blood cells and optimal cellular metabolism. |
In addition, methionine, glycine and lysine are amino acids that support a haematinic need of a horse:
Blud-Boost can compensate for the reduction in the natural internal production of these B vitamins and so ensure a support mechanism for times of illness, infections, trauma or long-distance travel and hard work.
Ideally a dose of 20 g per day is recommended for 10 days when a blood test shows a lowered haemoglobin level, or for recovery from the situations mentioned above.
It can also be given as a pre-competition or race boost, or a post-event recovery at 20 g per day for 3 days (Rotmensen et al., 2017).
A haematinic is a nutrient required for the formation of red blood cells in the process of haematopoiesis.
Vetpro Blud-Boost can help compensate for the reduction in the natural internal production of B vitamins during times of illness, infections, trauma, long-distance travel and hard work.
It does not enhance performance as it cannot increase the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells. It can assist with that level of demand, such as racing.
Ideally a dose of 20 g per day is recommended for 10 days when a blood test shows a lowered haemoglobin level, or for recovery from the situations mentioned above.
It can be given as a pre-competition or race boost, or as a post-event recovery at 20 g per day for 3 days.
Recommended dose: 20 g per day for 10 days when a blood test shows a lowered haemoglobin level, or for recovery from illness, infections, trauma, long-distance travel or hard work.
Pre-competition or race: 20 g per day for 3 days.
Post-event recovery: 20 g per day for 3 days.
Available sizes: 300 g and 1 kg.
Kiełbik, P., & Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, O. (2025). Iron status in sport horses: Is it important for equine athletes? International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(12), 5653. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125653
Pakula, P. D., Halama, A., Al-Dous, E. K., Johnson, S. J., Filho, S. A., Suhre, K., & Vinardell, T. (2023). Characterization of exercise-induced hemolysis in endurance horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1115776. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1115776
Rotmensen, T., Pagan, J. D., & Jackson, S. G. (2017). The effect of pre-exercise B-vitamin supplementation on metabolic response to exercise in Thoroughbred horses. Kentucky Equine Research. https://www.ker.com/published/the-effect-of-pre-exercise-b-vitamin-supplementation-on-metabolic-response-to-exercise-in-thoroughbred-horses/
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