Collection: Horse Supplements

Forage—hay, pasture, chaff—should make up at least 1.5–2% of a horse’s bodyweight daily. It provides:

• Energy

• Fibre for gut motility

• Basic protein

• Some vitamins and minerals

However, Australian soils are typically low in key trace minerals, especially copper, zinc, and selenium. That means even good hay or pasture often falls short nutritionally.

🧩 When Horses Need More Than Forage

Additional feed or supplements become important when a horse has:

• Higher workload (performance, endurance, regular riding)

• Growth needs (foals, weanlings, yearlings)

• Senior nutritional requirements

• Poor pasture quality

• Weight gain or weight loss issues

• Hoof, coat, or behavioural concerns linked to deficiencies

A balanced vitamin–mineral supplement or a complete feed can fill these gaps.

💊 Common Supplement Categories

These are the ones horse owners most often need help choosing between:

• Mineral & Vitamin Balancers To correct forage deficiencies (copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, vitamin E).

• Hoof Health Biotin, methionine, zinc, copper.

• Joint Support Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid.

• Gut Health Prebiotics, probiotics, hindgut buffers, yeast cultures.

• Electrolytes For horses sweating heavily or working in heat.

• Calming Supplements Magnesium, B vitamins, amino acids (depending on the horse’s needs).

🩺 Why Professional Guidance Matters

A vet or equine nutritionist can help determine:

• Whether the horse is actually deficient

• If a supplement is necessary or just “nice to have”

• Correct dosages (especially with minerals like selenium)

• Interactions between feeds and supplements

This avoids over-supplementation, which can be just as harmful as deficiencies.