Horse Supplement Guide

Whether it is for vitamins, minerals, fats or protein, horse supplements are very common. Most horses do not need supplements if they have access to fresh water, salt or minerals and quality forage. Supplements are usually only necessary for horses of an advanced age, horses that are sick, if they are subjected to heavy work or if they are breeding. Keep in mind, though – horse supplement should not be used as a substitute for a healthy diet.

There are hundreds of horse supplements available commercially. These include colic prevention, growth development and blood building supplements, electrolyte, hoof, energy, vitamin and mineral supplements, to name only a few. Added fat and protein are especially common supplements for horses in need. Protein supplements include soybean meal which is most common, followed by cottonseed meal, peanut meal and linseed meal.

Supplemental fat sources include vegetable oils of various types with corn being the most common. Another good source is rice bran which, in addition to its 20% fat content has a lot of fiber. As long as it is ground up, flaxseed oil is another fat supplement.

It is important to remember that the average horse will not need supplements. Access to water, forage and minerals is really all they need. Horses that engage in work, athletics or breeding may need something extra in terms of nutrition. Aged or infirm horses may also need something extra that normal nutrition cannot provide. As with horse feed, the use of supplements is dependent on the horse’s size.

A thorough understanding of equine nutrition is necessary for horse owners. Not only are there particular eating habits and body chemistry issues, but each horse has individual needs. For proper horse health, supplements may or may not be necessary. Although they are not a substitute for a naturally healthy diet, vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins can be taken in the form of supplements. Given constant access to fresh water, minerals and good forage like grass or hay, horses in good health need nothing else. They are, however, beneficial when the horse is subject to work, athletics or breeding.

Filed under: horse health • horses

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