A supplement tops up what your horse's ration lacks; it is no replacement for good hay or grass. Here you will find complementary feeds for horses and ponies, organised by the purpose for which owners choose them. Most come from Excellent Horse, supplemented by CuraHorse and the Horslyx lick tubs.
Six groups, each with its own page
- Vitamins and minerals: balancers, vitamin E, seaweed, magnesium and mineral licks.
- Muscles and joints: products with glucosamine and MSM, hyaluronic acid and devil's claw.
- Hooves and coat: biotin, linseed oil, salmon oil and other oils with omega fatty acids.
- Airways: herbs and lick tubs for horses stabled in dust.
- Stomach and gut: prebiotics and probiotics, psyllium and gastric support.
- Electrolytes: salts in powder, pellet or liquid form for horses that sweat a lot. For those who train and compete, there is also a separate selection of electrolytes for sport horses.
Powder, oil, paste or lick block?
The same purpose can come in different forms, and the form often decides whether it works in practice.
| Form | Handy if | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | you give hard feed daily to mix it into | fussy eaters sometimes leave it |
| Pellets | you want little dust and easy measuring | still needs a feeder |
| Oil or liquid | you pour it over forage or hard feed | close well and store cool |
| Paste or syringe | it is for a short-term moment | not intended for daily use |
| Lick block or lick tub | your horse is at grass without hard feed | you do not know exactly how much each horse takes in |
Ration first, then the tub
Start with the question of what your horse eats now. Hay, haylage or grass forms the basis; hard feed and balancer supplement it. Many hard feeds already contain vitamins and minerals. If you add a mineral mix and a lick block on top of that, your horse gets some substances twice. A ration calculation by a nutrition adviser or vet shows what is really missing.
Change one thing at a time and give a product a few weeks before drawing conclusions. Follow the feeding amount on the pack; it depends on your horse's weight and workload.
Honest about what a supplement can do
Supplements are complementary feeds. They do not cure anything and are no alternative to examination by a vet. If your horse is coughing, lame or eating poorly, first have the cause established. If you compete, check your federation's list of prohibited substances beforehand: some herbs may fall under it. External care, such as grooming and hoof oil, is in horse care; you can go back to the overview via everything for your horse.
Frequently asked questions
Does my horse need supplements?
Not always. A horse with enough good forage, a suitable balancer or hard feed and free access to salt often needs little extra. A ration check gives a clear answer.
Can I give several supplements at once?
You can, but then look carefully at the composition. Different products sometimes contain the same vitamins or minerals, so you unknowingly feed double.
Can I feed supplements if I compete?
Check your federation's rules for each product. Herbal supplements in particular can contain substances that are not permitted on competition days.
How long before I see an effect?
That differs per purpose. With hooves and coat it takes months because horn and hair grow slowly; give a product at least several weeks before judging whether it suits.