When you want a healthy horse, there are many natural products available. This is definitely a good thing, but it can also make choosing the best supplements a bit more of a challenge. Our list will help make the best supplements easier to find.

Why Give Your Horse Supplements?

Adding supplements to your horse’s diet can address particular performance, behavioral, or health issues a horse may be having. They can also improve a long list of conditions that horses suffer from, including:

• Digestive problems
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Endurance
• Anxiety
• Hoof problems
• Dull coat

Giving your horse one or more supplements because another horse owner does may seem like a good idea on the surface, but, in reality, every horse has different nutritional needs. So where should you begin with feed supplements?

Consider and Clarify

First, consider what your horse is experiencing. Perhaps they seem stiffer than usual, or they’re losing weight. Maybe you want them to have a shinier coat and more energy.

The more detailed you can be about health goals for your horse, the better, as this’ll help to narrow your choices to those products that can offer specific benefits.

Consult

As effective as supplements can be at supporting horse health, it’s never recommended to diagnose or treat any condition without a veterinarian. That being said, after considering what your horse is experiencing and narrowing your options, consulting with your vet is the next step.

They can help you rule out things that may require medical treatment before beginning supplementation and offer advice on other things you can do that will complement the supplements you’re giving for the most benefit.

Research

After consulting with your vet, it’s time to begin researching supplements. You’ll want to look for products that:

• Contain 100% natural ingredients
• Have ingredients that come from sources of the highest quality
• Were created by horse lovers and owners

What follows is a list of the most commonly chosen equine supplements.

Digestive

Digestive support can mean several things. It can mean ensuring the right balance of beneficial gut bacteria, optimal pH, healing ulcers, improving bowel function, and more. There are many supplements that can provide your horse with digestive support.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera aids in the stimulation of bile secretion and also has a laxative effect. This can aid horses that are constipated. However, pregnant mares should never be given this supplement, as it also stimulates muscle contractions.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help to rebalance the pH of stomach acid in horses, which can be a main cause of digestive issues. Horses who suffer from stones in the intestines can also benefit from ACV, as this natural acid can help to dissolve these stones naturally and without added stress.

Bentonite and Dead Sea Clay

Bentonite clay can be fed internally to address issues such as diarrhea and stomach ulcers. Dead Sea clay assists with improving bowel function, which can be a factor in digestive issues. Because of clay’s absorbent properties, each type can also help absorb any toxins that may be lurking in your horse’s digestive system.

Ginger Root

Ginger is yet another powerful digestive aid for horses. It is an appetite stimulant and is also very effective at reducing nausea. This supplement is also a powerful detoxifier and helps horses absorb nutrients.

Peppermint

Peppermint is an all-around digestive system helper. Its soothing properties eliminate excess gas and relieve indigestion. Peppermint also has antiseptic properties and can support a healthy digestive system.

Hoof Supplements

Unhealthy hooves can lead to many other health problems in your horse, not to mention cause them a lot of pain. These supplements can address all aspects of hoof health, including wound healing.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay’s toxin-absorbing properties are the ideal solution for horses with chronic hoof abscesses. This supplement can be given internally, as well as applied externally as a poultice for this purpose.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains fatty acids, as well as vitamins E and C. All of these can moisturize dry and cracked hooves, give a shiny coat, and can also help with healing hoof abscesses and wounds.

Kelp

Kelp offers a slew of health benefits to horses, thanks to its high trace mineral, amino acid, and vitamin content. Many common hoof issues can be addressed with this superfood, including laminitis, thrush, and cracked hooves. Kelp also supports hoof growth and health.

Glucosamine HCI

This easily absorbed supplement is ideal for hooves, offering the building materials needed for strength, healing, and, ultimately, easier and pain-free walking. This product is also an anti-inflammatory, which can effectively reduce discomfort and pain.

L-Arginine AKG

This particular supplement offers benefits to the entire circulatory system, including the one located in your horse’s hooves. This can inspire new horse growth and the energy needed to maintain long-term hoof health.

Joints

Your horse’s joints are absolutely critical to their overall health and happiness. A horse’s joints must not only support its own weight constantly, but also be able to handle the additional weight of riders and the added stress of working, running and racing. Try the following joint supplements.

Dead Sea Clay

One of Dead Sea clay’s many healing properties includes joint support. This circulation stimulator can provide the blood supply needed to rebuild joints, as well as soothe joint inflammation and pain.

Glucosamine HCI

Glucosamine helps your horse’s body to produce the cartilage that cushions joints, which can be very important for older horses experiencing cartilage breakdown. The ability of glucosamine to inhibit inflammation offers the benefit of decreasing joint pain.

MSM

MSM is a form of sulfur, a crucial ingredient for the production of the chondroitin, glucosamine, and collagen that build cartilage in the joints. When joints are cushioned by cartilage, pain can be reduced and mobility restored.

Turmeric

Horses with joint stiffness may benefit from the curcumin that can be found in turmeric. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These two properties can ease joint stiffness and pain, as well as support healthy joint function.

Performance

Choosing the right performance supplements can result in easier training, without the worry of health risks or side effects. Consider the following to enhance your horse’s performance:

Adrenal Activator

This powerful blend provides a burst of energy by raising adrenal hormone levels. Cordyceps, ashwagandha, spirulina, and other natural energy boosters combine to provide many performance improvements.

Advanced Pre-Race

Performance requires mental focus, as well as circulation and air intake. Advanced Pre-Race’s all-natural blend provides your horse with all of these, as well as calming supplements to ensure they have the best experience possible.

Super Breathe

Oxygenation is crucial for the muscle function needed in top performance. Super Breathe contains important ingredients like licorice, peppermint, and eucalyptus. All help to improve circulation, which increases lung support and keeps inflammation at bay.

Address It All with All-In-One

If you’re looking for a product that can help you care for every aspect of your horse’s health, all you need is All-In-One. This supplement contains no fewer than 20 of the most powerful vitamins and minerals as well  as hyaluronic acid and other ingredients for help with everything from blood quality to pain management..

Created out of a passion for horses, Equi-Herbs is committed to offering the best-quality supplements and horse vitamins, without sugars, fillers, or harsh chemicals. Our ingredients are hand-picked from the best sources so that your horses can live their best and healthiest lives. Visit us online or call 1-800-786-0708 today to learn more.