FAQs

Yes, some nutritional supplements are designed to help support a calm, relaxed outlook without causing drowsiness.

Unlike sedative medications prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, calming supplements are intended to support the horse’s normal nervous system and help it cope with everyday stress, excitement or changes in routine. They should not make a healthy horse appear sleepy or unable to perform.

Many owners use calming supplements for horses that:

• Become anxious when travelling.
• Are tense or distracted when competing.
• Find new environments stressful.
• React to changes in routine or management.
• Become unsettled when separated from other horses.

The response can vary from horse to horse. Some horses show a noticeable improvement in focus and relaxation, while others may respond less. As with any nutritional supplement, results are influenced by the individual horse, its management and the reason for the behaviour.

It’s important to remember that behaviour can sometimes be a sign of pain or an underlying health problem. If a horse suddenly becomes difficult to handle, unusually anxious or shows a significant change in behaviour, it should be examined by your veterinary surgeon to rule out any medical cause.

What products could help my horse?

Yes. Horses can develop stomach ulcers, and they are surprisingly common.

Equine gastric ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach becomes damaged by stomach acid. They can affect horses of any age, from foals to veterans, although they are most commonly seen in performance horses, horses in regular training, and those experiencing stress or changes in management.

Common risk factors include:

• Long periods without forage.
• High-concentrate, low-fibre diets.
• Intense exercise or training.
• Stress, travel, or frequent competitions.
• Illness or pain.
• Prolonged use of certain medications, such as some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Signs of gastric ulcers can vary and may include:

• Reduced appetite or leaving part of a feed.
• Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition.
• Poor performance or reluctance to work.
• Changes in behaviour, such as irritability or sensitivity when being groomed around the girth area.
• Mild, recurrent colic.
• Dull coat or generally looking below par.

Not every horse with ulcers shows obvious signs, and some horses with these signs may have a different underlying problem. The only reliable way to diagnose stomach ulcers is by gastroscopy, where a veterinary surgeon passes a small camera into the stomach to examine its lining. This allows ulcers to be confirmed and appropriate treatment to be recommended.

Providing plenty of forage, reducing long periods without food, minimising unnecessary stress where possible, and feeding a balanced diet can all help support stomach health.

Many owners find digestive supplements useful as part of their horse’s routine management, particularly during periods of increased stress or workload.

What products could help my horse?

There is no specific age at which every horse should start taking a joint supplement.

The decision should be based on your horse’s individual needs rather than its age. Some horses remain comfortable and active well into their twenties without joint supplements, while others may benefit from additional nutritional support much earlier.

You may wish to consider joint support if your horse:

• Is an older horse showing signs of stiffness when first moving.
• Competes or works regularly, particularly in higher-impact disciplines.
• Has a history of joint injury or excessive wear and tear.
• Is returning to work after a period of rest or rehabilitation.
• Appears less willing to work, finds certain movements more difficult, or takes longer to warm up.

Joint supplements are designed to support normal joint function and help maintain healthy cartilage and connective tissues. They are not medicines and cannot reverse arthritis or cure lameness.

Many owners choose to feed joint supplements proactively, particularly for horses that:

• Compete regularly.
• Undertake frequent schooling or jumping.
• Hack long distances.
• Are getting older.
• Have demanding workloads that place repeated stress on their joints.

Supplements cannot treat or cure Cushing’s disease (PPID). However, some nutritional supplements may help support a horse’s overall health and wellbeing as part of a wider management programme. Depending on your horse’s individual needs, supplements may help support:

• Healthy hoof quality and hoof growth.
• Joint comfort and mobility, particularly in older horses.
• Muscle condition and topline.
• Digestive health and normal gut function.
• Skin and coat condition.
• General nutrition where the diet may be lacking.

Many horses with PPID are also at increased risk of laminitis, so maintaining a healthy body condition, feeding an appropriate low-sugar, high-fibre diet.

What products could help my horse?

Common signs of PPID

• Long, curly coat that doesn’t shed normally
• Delayed or incomplete shedding
• Increased drinking and urination
• Weight loss despite a good appetite
• Muscle loss, particularly over the back and hindquarters
• Lethargy or reduced performance
• Recurrent infections
• Excessive sweating
• Fat deposits above the eyes or along the neck
• Laminitis (one of the most common and serious complications)

PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. It is a common hormonal disorder in older horses and ponies and is often referred to by its former name, Equine Cushing’s Disease.

It occurs when part of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain becomes overactive, producing excessive hormones that affect many body systems.

An occasional cough at the start of exercise is not always a cause for alarm. Some horses may cough once or twice as they clear dust or mucus from their airways, particularly if they have been standing in the stable.

However, a horse that coughs regularly should not be ignored.

A persistent cough can be a sign of an underlying respiratory problem, including:

• Dust or irritation from hay, bedding or the stable environment.
• Mild airway inflammation.
• Equine asthma (formerly known as COPD or RAO in more severe cases).
• A viral or bacterial respiratory infection.
• Less commonly, other conditions affecting the lungs or upper airway.

You should pay particular attention if your horse also has:

• Nasal discharge.
• Increased breathing effort or flared nostrils.
• Reduced performance or tiring more quickly.
• Noisy breathing.
• A persistent cough at rest as well as during exercise.
• A raised temperature or signs of being unwell.

If the cough continues for more than a few days, becomes more frequent, affects your horse’s performance, or is accompanied by any other signs of illness, your veterinary surgeon should examine your horse. Early diagnosis can help identify the cause and allow appropriate treatment or management before the problem becomes more serious.

Many owners choose to include a respiratory supplement as part of their horse’s daily routine to help support healthy respiratory function, particularly during periods of increased workload, travel or environmental challenge. Used alongside good management practices, they can form a valuable part of a proactive approach to maintaining your horse’s respiratory wellbeing.

What products could help my horse?

Yes, some nutritional supplements are designed to help support a calm, relaxed outlook without causing drowsiness.

Unlike sedative medications prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, calming supplements are intended to support the horse’s normal nervous system and help it cope with everyday stress, excitement or changes in routine. They should not make a healthy horse appear sleepy or unable to perform.

Many owners use calming supplements for horses that:

• Become anxious when travelling.
• Are tense or distracted when competing.
• Find new environments stressful.
• React to changes in routine or management.
• Become unsettled when separated from other horses.

The response can vary from horse to horse. Some horses show a noticeable improvement in focus and relaxation, while others may respond less. As with any nutritional supplement, results are influenced by the individual horse, its management and the reason for the behaviour.

It’s important to remember that behaviour can sometimes be a sign of pain or an underlying health problem. If a horse suddenly becomes difficult to handle, unusually anxious or shows a significant change in behaviour, it should be examined by your veterinary surgeon to rule out any medical cause.

What products could help my horse?

Yes. Horses can develop stomach ulcers, and they are surprisingly common.

Equine gastric ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach becomes damaged by stomach acid. They can affect horses of any age, from foals to veterans, although they are most commonly seen in performance horses, horses in regular training, and those experiencing stress or changes in management.

Common risk factors include:

• Long periods without forage.
• High-concentrate, low-fibre diets.
• Intense exercise or training.
• Stress, travel, or frequent competitions.
• Illness or pain.
• Prolonged use of certain medications, such as some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Signs of gastric ulcers can vary and may include:

• Reduced appetite or leaving part of a feed.
• Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition.
• Poor performance or reluctance to work.
• Changes in behaviour, such as irritability or sensitivity when being groomed around the girth area.
• Mild, recurrent colic.
• Dull coat or generally looking below par.

Not every horse with ulcers shows obvious signs, and some horses with these signs may have a different underlying problem. The only reliable way to diagnose stomach ulcers is by gastroscopy, where a veterinary surgeon passes a small camera into the stomach to examine its lining. This allows ulcers to be confirmed and appropriate treatment to be recommended.

Providing plenty of forage, reducing long periods without food, minimising unnecessary stress where possible, and feeding a balanced diet can all help support stomach health.

Many owners find digestive supplements useful as part of their horse’s routine management, particularly during periods of increased stress or workload.

What products could help my horse?

There is no specific age at which every horse should start taking a joint supplement.

The decision should be based on your horse’s individual needs rather than its age. Some horses remain comfortable and active well into their twenties without joint supplements, while others may benefit from additional nutritional support much earlier.

You may wish to consider joint support if your horse:

• Is an older horse showing signs of stiffness when first moving.
• Competes or works regularly, particularly in higher-impact disciplines.
• Has a history of joint injury or excessive wear and tear.
• Is returning to work after a period of rest or rehabilitation.
• Appears less willing to work, finds certain movements more difficult, or takes longer to warm up.

Joint supplements are designed to support normal joint function and help maintain healthy cartilage and connective tissues. They are not medicines and cannot reverse arthritis or cure lameness.

Many owners choose to feed joint supplements proactively, particularly for horses that:

• Compete regularly.
• Undertake frequent schooling or jumping.
• Hack long distances.
• Are getting older.
• Have demanding workloads that place repeated stress on their joints.

Supplements cannot treat or cure Cushing’s disease (PPID). However, some nutritional supplements may help support a horse’s overall health and wellbeing as part of a wider management programme. Depending on your horse’s individual needs, supplements may help support:

• Healthy hoof quality and hoof growth.
• Joint comfort and mobility, particularly in older horses.
• Muscle condition and topline.
• Digestive health and normal gut function.
• Skin and coat condition.
• General nutrition where the diet may be lacking.

Many horses with PPID are also at increased risk of laminitis, so maintaining a healthy body condition, feeding an appropriate low-sugar, high-fibre diet.

What products could help my horse?

Common signs of PPID

• Long, curly coat that doesn’t shed normally
• Delayed or incomplete shedding
• Increased drinking and urination
• Weight loss despite a good appetite
• Muscle loss, particularly over the back and hindquarters
• Lethargy or reduced performance
• Recurrent infections
• Excessive sweating
• Fat deposits above the eyes or along the neck
• Laminitis (one of the most common and serious complications)

PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. It is a common hormonal disorder in older horses and ponies and is often referred to by its former name, Equine Cushing’s Disease.

It occurs when part of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain becomes overactive, producing excessive hormones that affect many body systems.

An occasional cough at the start of exercise is not always a cause for alarm. Some horses may cough once or twice as they clear dust or mucus from their airways, particularly if they have been standing in the stable.

However, a horse that coughs regularly should not be ignored.

A persistent cough can be a sign of an underlying respiratory problem, including:

• Dust or irritation from hay, bedding or the stable environment.
• Mild airway inflammation.
• Equine asthma (formerly known as COPD or RAO in more severe cases).
• A viral or bacterial respiratory infection.
• Less commonly, other conditions affecting the lungs or upper airway.

You should pay particular attention if your horse also has:

• Nasal discharge.
• Increased breathing effort or flared nostrils.
• Reduced performance or tiring more quickly.
• Noisy breathing.
• A persistent cough at rest as well as during exercise.
• A raised temperature or signs of being unwell.

If the cough continues for more than a few days, becomes more frequent, affects your horse’s performance, or is accompanied by any other signs of illness, your veterinary surgeon should examine your horse. Early diagnosis can help identify the cause and allow appropriate treatment or management before the problem becomes more serious.

Many owners choose to include a respiratory supplement as part of their horse’s daily routine to help support healthy respiratory function, particularly during periods of increased workload, travel or environmental challenge. Used alongside good management practices, they can form a valuable part of a proactive approach to maintaining your horse’s respiratory wellbeing.

What products could help my horse?