If you're new to feeding supplements or want to go back to basics, we're looking at what you need to know to confidently get started.Many horse owners use equine supplements to great effect - but with so many options out there, each making different claims, it can be difficult to know where to begin. If you're new to feeding supplements or have tried different things and want to get back to basics, today we're looking at what you need to know to confidently get started.
What are horse supplements?
Horse supplements are complementary nutritional substances that are added to a horse's feed in order to provide an additional source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals or other nutritional components that support their health.
A supplement is an example of a complementary feeding stuff. This means that it is not formulated to be fed in isolation, as it includes a high content of certain ingredients or nutrients with the intention of creating a balanced diet when combined with other feeds.
Horse supplements are used to support overall health and wellbeing, but can also be used to address specific needs or areas such as joints, the immune system, skin and coat, or anxiousness. They can come in various forms, including powders, pellets, liquids and pastes, with some even dissolving in drinking water so that they can be consumed that way.
While horse owners do use supplements to help manage various conditions and symptoms, they are not medication and should not be considered as a replacement for veterinary attention when your horse needs it.
Do supplements actually work for horses?
Just as what we eat impacts us, your horse's diet can have a huge impact on their overall health. Because of this, supplements can work very well for horses, but it's important to choose the right ones.
In part, this is because all horses are different, and what works for one may not necessarily have the same effect for another. It is also because not all supplements are created equal - there are many on the market where the ingredients included are not sufficient, or included at sufficient levels, to have the desired effect.
The 'best' supplements are those created with the expertise of a qualified equine nutritionist, using the right ingredients, with an evidence-based approach and a deep knowledge of horses. It cannot be said that all supplements you might encounter will follow this approach, so it is advisable to check the credentials of the company that you buy from, and take note of the ingredients list. A lack of transparency (such as a company that is unwilling to share the ingredients they use to formulate their supplements) is a good reason to avoid a brand you are researching.
At Feedmark, we’re proud to be at the forefront of equine nutrition; our supplements are formulated with proven ingredients and any updates we make to them are based on experience, research and trials. Our in-house Registered Nutritionist is on hand to answer questions, and we rigorously test our formulations on our own yard of 25 horses of varying ages and types.
Feeding supplements to your horse
What to mix with horse supplements
Horse supplements should be added to your horse's usual feed and are generally either mixed in or added on top. There is not usually a reason to mix anything beyond this with the supplement - unless your horse is reluctant to eat it without an addition. At Feedmark, we don't tend to find that our customers have many issues with palatability.
If they do need some encouragement, you can try adding something sweet to their meal on top of the supplement, such as grated apple, carrot, or something else that you know they find difficult to resist!
How often to feed horse supplements
The vast majority of supplements should be fed daily in order to support the nutritional needs of the horse, as well as support any target areas and issues.
How to introduce supplements to your horse
The simple answer as to how to introduce supplements to your horse is: slowly! Horses can be sensitive to feed changes and you will naturally want to avoid either refusal of the supplement, or any adverse reactions.
When getting started with a new supplement, the best course of action is to introduce it gradually over time to your horse's diet. For example, if the supplement you are introducing is in powder form, begin by adding a pinch at a time. You can then work up gradually to the full recommended serving rate for your horse's weight while monitoring their health and behaviour.
Types of horse supplements and what they can help with
There are many different types of horse supplements to choose from. Some are intended to support a balanced diet for overall health, and others are specifically designed to help with performance or health concerns.
Joint supplements
Joint supplements are some of the most popular on the market and are used to target certain health conditions, as well as to support performance in a sports horse or ensure comfort for an aging one. They primarily contain ingredients that aid flexibility and reduce inflammation, such as Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitex® and Hyaluronic Acid.
Feedmark’s Best-Flex HA® is an example of a joint supplement - probably the best horse joint supplement ever formulated, in fact.
Horse calmers
Calming supplements for horses are formulated to address stress, tension and flightiness. They can often be found in treat as well as powder form. Different types may be designed as an overall calmer, such as in the case of our Steady-Up®.
Digestive supplements
Digestion supplements for horses offer digestive support to reduce the risk of gut issues and ensure overall health. The digestive system of a horse is extremely important for many of the body’s processes and functions, so these are an excellent option for overall wellbeing as well as to target specific issues.
Vitamins and Minerals
Optimal nutrition for horses means ensuring that they get the required vitamins and minerals at the proven, science-backed levels they need them in. Vitamin and mineral-based supplements seek to provide these, although depending on the product they may be found in different combinations and amounts. Some are designed to fulfil the needs of horses on restricted diets, and others offer all-around support.
There are plenty of other types of horse supplements, including others formulated for certain areas such as respiratory, hoof, and skin and coat, and types that are aimed at different life stages or activities, such as weight gain supplements, senior horse supplements, or supplements for performance and musculature.
How long do supplements take to work in horses?
Supplements take different amounts of time to work on different horses. In some cases, your horse may see a benefit very quickly indeed (and we often hear from customers who have seen noticeable results in a short space of time!). For other horses, this takes a little longer - especially as the supplement is being introduced slowly and built up to the correct level over time.
We would always advise feeding a supplement for at least 4 weeks (ensuring that you are using the correct serving rate for your horse's weight) to see how they respond to it, so if you don't notice a difference within a couple of weeks, don’t dismiss the supplement. In this situation we would advise you to continue feeding for longer and see how you get on.
It's important to note that if there is an underlying medical issue that is being ignored, or a supplement is being used in place of treatment, then naturally the efficacy of the supplement will be lessened. Medical issues should always be cause for veterinary attention.
There are also some supplements that will take longer to work simply based on the nature of what they are designed to do. For example, in supplements that aim to target hoof issues or promote healthy hooves, the supplement will impact new hoof growth. It may therefore take a number of months before you would be able to see the effect of hoof supplements.
How do I know if my horse needs supplements?
There may be certain scenarios in which you find that your horse is not having all of their nutritional needs fulfilled by their diet, in which case, supplements can help to ensure they are getting everything they need.
Even if your horse is getting all of their nutrition from their feed, there may be certain issues, conditions or symptoms that will make a supplement an appropriate route to take, so as to better meet their individual needs.
There are also situations where you may want to feed a supplement as a preventative measure due to early signs you have seen or even just your own awareness of potential future issues based on your horse's activity levels.
Ultimately, there is no one answer that is suitable for every horse owner, as every situation is individual to you and your horse.
One great way of seeking clarity on whether a supplement is appropriate for your horse is to seek advice from a Registered Equine Nutritionist. If you’d like to discuss any of our supplements, do speak to our in-house Nutritionist, Stephanie, by calling 003627200777 for qualified nutrition advice. You can also read more about various equine nutrition and health matters on our Knowledge Base.