Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals are becoming an increasingly important part of equine nutrition. The word ‘nutraceutical’ combines ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’, suggesting a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits.

For horses, nutraceuticals are sometimes used as specialised dietary supplements with the aim of boosting performance or improving health or behaviour, by increasing the supply of natural ‘building blocks’ in the body. As nutrition can play an important part in treating or managing certain equine conditions, nutraceutical products may have a beneficial effect on certain horses when included in their ration, and may also be used when medicinal products, such as Bute, might not be practical ­– for example, when competing.

 

Chondroitin and Glucosamine

Nutraceuticals containing chondroitin and glucosamine are increasingly used to manage conditions such as equine arthritis and joint disease. Recently, a study was published by University of Bern in Switzerland stating that chondroitin and glucosamine were not effective in treating osteoarthritis in humans – however, the merit of this research has since been questioned, and it is thought that this study does not transfer across to horses.

 

Chondroitin and glucosamine are naturally occurring chemicals in the horse, and aid the production of cartilage. Previous research has indicated that a high quality chondroitin and glucosamine supplement can benefit horses with joint problems – the former ingredient by blocking the destructive enzymes from breaking down the cartilage and the latter by helping to synthesise new cartilage.

 

Essential fatty acids

The natural diet of the horse is low in fat; however, horses do require certain essential fatty acids (EFAs) in order to stay healthy. Adding additional sources of EFAs to the diet via a nutraceutical product can help promote joint motility, as well healthy coat and skin. Further benefits may include boosting immune, reproductive, heart or respiratory function and healthier hoof growth (useful for laminitics), and can have a calming effect on nervous or excitable horses. EFAs can also act as an anti-inflammatory, thus decreasing the need for products such as Bute.

 

Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) is a common example of EFAs added to the diet. Omega-3 is found in good quality grass and hay, so horses with restricted access to grazing or forage are likely to require additional supplementation of Omega-3 through sources such as linseed oil, soya bean oil or sunflower oil.

 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants help to neutralise the destructive ‘free radicals’ accumulated in the horse, such as those obtained through exposure to ultra-violet sun rays, x-rays or pesticides. Common antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E and the minerals selenium and zinc, and all benefit the horse in slightly different ways.

 

As with EFAs, some feedstuffs already contain certain antioxidants that will help fulfil the horse’s daily requirements – for example, quality alfalfa hay is an excellent source of vitamin A. However, there may be certain scenarios when a nutraceutical product containing additional antioxidants may be advantageous. For example, horses are able to synthesise their own vitamin C, but in older animals this ability may be limited. As the destructive effect of ‘free radicals’ accumulate with age, older horses may therefore benefit from added antioxidants in their diet. Performance horses meanwhile may profit from receiving added vitamin E, and breeding animals will also have additional antioxidant requirements.

 

It is important to remember however that over-supplementation can be just as harmful as a deficiency, and so before providing your horse with a nutraceutical product make sure you have calculated exactly how much, if any, of the ingredients he needs. If in doubt, you should seek advice from your vet. It is also best to use only those products made by reputable manufacturers and sourced from high quality ingredients.

Homeopathic remedies

The use of homeopathic remedies for horses is a subject that sometimes splits opinion, and research is continuing into the possible benefits of this kind of treatment.

 

Homeopathic remedies can be derived from animal, vegetable or mineral sources. Arnica (sometimes termed ‘Homeopathic Bute’) for example is an anti-inflammatory remedy derived from an herbaceous perennial plant, and is used in the treatment of injuries, strains, bruising and soft tissue damage. Hypericum and Calendula are sometimes used for injuries, minor wounds, bites and stings (Hypericum may also help treat nerve damage), and Thuja may help with skin conditions such as sarcoids or rain scald. For gastric problems such as colic, homeopathic remedies can include Aconite, Arsenicum or Colocynthus.

 

Homeopathic remedies may benefit some horses, but should never be used to replace veterinary treatment. It is important to note that it is illegal for anyone other than a vet to prescribe homeopathic treatment for a horse, and so, although, you can treat your horses yourself, you must always seek a proper veterinary diagnosis before doing so.

 

Readers' Comments

You must be logged in to view or make comments