Knowing when and why to use supplements could save your horse’s health and your wallet
Walk into almost any tack room and you’ll see them stacked high: tubs and bottles promising shinier coats, stronger hooves, or healthier joints. For many horse owners, feeding time has become a ritual of scooping powders and mixing potions, often with the hope that a little something extra will make all the difference.
But ask around and you’ll hear just as many vets sigh that most supplements are a waste of money. So who’s right? The truth lies not in whether supplements work, the science supports that, like with humans, many of them do, but in when and why you use them.
The why behind supplements
At their heart, supplements are designed to fill gaps. Horses in the wild survive on varied forage that naturally balances their nutritional needs, but the modern domestic horse lives a very different life. Performance horses are expected to train diligently, travel frequently, and occasionally live in smaller spaces with limited turnout.
Broodmares and growing youngsters have higher demands. Even older horses can struggle to absorb nutrients as efficiently as they did in the past. In such situations, a carefully selected supplement can support overall health and performance.
The problem comes when every horse, regardless of lifestyle or need, is given a cocktail of powders “just in case.” While it may feel like good insurance, most horses already receive balanced rations through quality feed and forage. Adding extras without reason risks not only wasting money but also tipping the nutritional balance in ways that may cause harm.
When they really help
There are moments when supplements truly shine. Electrolytes, for example, are essential after hard work, especially in hot climates where horses sweat heavily. Joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, or MSM can help older horses or athletes who show the early signs of stiffness. Biotin-based hoof supplements have been shown to improve horn quality in horses with brittle feet, though results can take months to appear.
For some horses, the “when” may also be linked to a specific diagnosis. A veterinarian might identify a deficiency in selenium, magnesium, or vitamin E and prescribe a targeted supplement. In these cases, supplements move beyond a lifestyle choice into genuine therapy, bridging the gap between a daily diet and a medical need.
Why caution matters
The supplement industry is vast, but it is not always consistent. Unlike veterinary medicines, many equine supplements are not subject to strict regulation. Labels may make bold claims, but not every product is backed by science, and not every tub contains what it says. That’s one reason vets remain cautious.
Another risk is over-supplementing. Feeding a fortified mix alongside multiple tubs of vitamins can quickly unbalance the diet. Too much selenium, for instance, is toxic. Excess calcium can interfere with the absorption of other minerals. Even seemingly harmless products can have unintended effects, and riders competing under FEI or SAEF rules must be wary of undeclared substances that could trigger positive dope tests.
This is why the “why” is so important. A supplement should not be added to a horse’s feed simply because a fellow rider swears by it. It should be chosen deliberately, for a clear purpose, and ideally under veterinary guidance.
Check the label before you buy
We asked the team from Stride Equine Research if there is anything one should look out for when buying a supplement, and they noted that another important point for South African horse owners is regulation. By law, any supplement that makes a claim must be registered under Act 36 of 1947 — the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act. That registration number, printed on the label, is your guarantee that the product has been reviewed for both its composition and the accuracy of its claims.
If a tub or bottle doesn’t carry a registration number, you really have no way of knowing what is inside it, or whether the label is truthful. Unregistered products may even contain substances banned under FEI rules, which could put both your horse and your competition record at risk. In short, no number, no trust.
Thinking critically
So how does the average horse owner make sense of the crowded shelves? Start with a simple question: what problem am I trying to solve? If the answer is vague — “I just thought it might help” — then you may already have your answer. But if your horse is working harder than usual, showing signs of wear, or has a vet-diagnosed gap, then a supplement is worth the investment.
It also pays to look for products with independent testing, or those approved by recognised bodies that certify quality and ingredient transparency. Read labels carefully, avoid doubling up on nutrients across feeds and supplements, and resist the temptation to feed five different powders when one carefully chosen option might do.
Back to the feed room
Always rely on proven products, not home remedies. Check the labels and ask: Does my horse need this?
Supplements are tools, and like any tool, their value depends on how wisely they are used. By understanding the when and the why, horse owners can protect not only their horses’ health but also their own peace of mind and their wallets.
