Horse supplements made simple - 5 easy categories

Take a stroll down the supplement aisle at your local feed store or saddlery and you’ll face a huge variety of tubs, pouches and buckets. It can be pretty challenging, not to mention confusing to find exactly what you need. Thankfully, horse supplements can generally be sorted into 5 key categories.

1. VITAMINS & MINERALS
2. TARGETED PHYSIOLOGY
3. ELECTROLYTES & SWEAT
4. DIGESTIVE WELLBEING
5. CONDITIONING & PREP

VITAMINS & MINERALS

This category provides for every vitamin and mineral required by a horse, whether it be Vitamin A, Vitamin E, B groups and a variety of trace minerals. It also includes haematinics - blood building nutrients.

In terms of target horses, this category is relevant to everything from a laminitic pony, right through to a high performance horse. Every horse has a need for these nutrients whether they source them from horse feed or horse supplements.

TARGETED PHYSIOLOGY

"Targeted physiology" relates to specific ailments or challenges that a horse may have.  This may include soft tissue injuries, tendons, ligament problems, bone density problems, hoof care and joint soreness. 

ELECTROLYTES & SWEAT

This category covers the replenishment of salts lost in sweat or as a result of general activity. 

Sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, calcium are all featured in this category to ensure that the horse has the ability to rehydrate as well as replace what was lost. In more tropical zones this category also includes a response to ailments such as anhidrosis.

DIGESTIVE WELLBEING

"Digestive wellbeing" covers a wide range of issues that ranges from mycotoxins, to microbiome health, as well as general gastric health.

CONDITIONING & PREP

In terms of supplements, "Conditioning and Prep" refers to preparing a horse to make sure it looks good for a show or sales preparation. This could include topline building or general conditioning. It can also involve coat enhancement. The products in this category will generally be high in Biotin, amino acid complexes, as well as a range of fatty acids including omega 3s.

Remember the 5 categories when you’re at the feed store or shopping online.

Use them to help pinpoint the right supplement to match your horse’s specific needs. If you still feel overwhelmed you can always lean on the experience of our Nutrition Advisors.

Are you ready to browse Hygain’s Advanced Nutrition Supplement Range? 

Click a specific product above, or visit Hygain's horse supplements page

Supplements Range