Stop the supplement madness. The sensible approach is testing –which will save you money
As you probably know, people waste a ton of money on supplements that do them no good.
Even worse, some are harmful, as a 2012 US report revealed. So what might be happening to your horse?
Horse owners spend hundreds, even thousands, stocking up on every mineral supplement they see. But almost all a horse’s diet comes from intake of grass and hay while grazing. Both hay and soil can be tested for minerals. Why not find out the supplements your horse actually needs?
This doesn’t just makes sense financially. It’s also better for your horse. Consider how sensitive its digestive system is to any imbalance or deficiency. Supplements, blindly thrown down a horse’s neck, can be ineffective and harmful.
Minerals actually “fight” within the horse. Take three essential minerals. Zinc is needed for the production and release of insulin. Copper is essential for healthy hair and hoof growth, as well as preventing uterine artery rupture in mares. But an overload of iron undermines zinc and copper absorption.
Then there’s alfalfa. We know a horse’s calcium to phosphorous intake needs to be on a 2:1 ratio. Alfalfa can be over 5:1. The problems are similar to what you find with iron. Over consumption of calcium has an adverse effect on magnesium absorption.
Horses with low magnesium generally become jumpy, nervous and irritable. On the other hand your horse might not be getting enough calcium. How can you know without testing its pasture?
The only sensible supplements you need are the necessary ones, tailored to the deficiencies within your horse’s pasture. And every pasture has a unique mineral content. Results have been wildly different on pastures only two miles apart. Different areas of the same farm have even produced opposing soil results. And the results from hay testing are even less predictable.
Testing your hay and soil costs a fraction of what you could save in a lifetime of unnecessary supplements. You might even find you have well balanced soil, cutting out most of your bill. And besides having saved money, your horse will be healthier for it.
And now onto Chuck.
Horse Supplements: To Scoop or Not to Scoop?
“Let’s dive into horse supplements—because if you’ve wandered down the equine aisle at the feed store, you know the choices can be overwhelming. There are tubs, powders, and pellets for everything from coat shine to joint health. But do our horses really need them?”
“The short answer? It depends! Horse supplements can be a fantastic way to fill in nutritional gaps, especially if your horse has specific needs. For example, if your horse’s hooves are cracking or slow to grow, a supplement with biotin and zinc might do wonders. Or, if your older gelding is starting to creak like a barn door, a joint supplement with glucosamine can help keep him moving comfortably.”
“But not every horse needs horse supplements. If your horse is getting a balanced diet with high-quality forage, they might already have everything they need. Overloading them with unnecessary additives isn’t just a waste of money—it can sometimes cause imbalances. The key is knowing what your horse really needs, which is why a chat with your vet or equine nutritionist can be so helpful.”
“When shopping for horse supplements, read the labels! Look for products with clear ingredient lists and no unnecessary fillers. And remember, consistency is key. Supplements won’t work overnight, but with regular use, you’ll start to see results over time.”
“Oh, and one last tip: don’t fall for every shiny label promising miracles. Stick to the basics—healthy hooves, shiny coats, strong joints, and a happy gut. Horse supplements are tools, not magic potions, but with the right approach, they can be a game-changer for your horse’s health.”
“So, are horse supplements worth it? For the right horse and the right reason, absolutely. Just keep it simple, intentional, and always tailored to your horse’s unique needs! Chuck”
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We agree, soil testing is very important to determine what work your ground requires. When we purchased this farm 15 years ago we conducted a soil test and discovered the soil PH was in the range of 4.3 to 4.6. It was extremely acidic due to the heavy winter rains we experience in the Pacific Northwest. We were told to raise the P.H. by applying agricultural lime at the rate of 2 tons to the acre if we expected good grass growth in our pastures. We did this and our grass has grown very well thereby enabling us to allow our horses to live in a more natural way by eating less hay and living in a herd society outdoors. Because we do not cut our fields for hay the P.H. has remained at a level of 6.4 to 6.6 which is almost neutral in P.H. scale terms. Feed and soil testing can save THOUSANDS of dollars and make for healthier and happier horses. We have also gone to feeding only organic non-GMO corn, oats, barley rolled grains .They seem to keep better in hot and humid weather and they make our horses look better for a more reasonable price. Only the cracked organic corn is a little expensive at $33 for a #40 bag. But there is no wastage even fed outside. We also add 1 cup of plain dried molasses for extra energy when needed to each #25 mix which we do daily ourselves. Fred and Joan.