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Horsemanship has never been about shortcuts.
For generations, caring for horses was shaped by close observation, routine, and respect for the animal in front of us. Feeding, grooming, turnout, and training were built into daily rhythms — not because they were fashionable, but because they worked. Horses thrived when their needs were understood and met consistently.
Those foundations still matter. But our understanding of the horse has grown.
Today, science invites us to look more closely at how and why we support equine health — and to question practices that were once accepted simply because they were familiar.
As equine industries modernised, many products shifted toward synthetic additives and chemical solutions. These approaches often delivered fast, visible results — shinier coats, calmer behaviour, quicker fixes for skin or digestive issues.
But over time, questions emerged.
Some horses experienced sensitivities or reactions. Others showed improvement in one area while struggling in another. Many formulations addressed symptoms without considering the broader picture of long-term wellness, balance, or environmental impact.
Solving a short-term problem doesn’t always mean supporting a healthy system.
Recent research supports what many horse owners have begun noticing in practice: diversity matters.
Rather than isolating single ingredients, modern nutritional thinking increasingly recognises the value of thoughtfully combined plant compounds — working together to support multiple systems at once. Much like a varied forage diet, blended plant nutrition reflects how horses evolved to thrive.
While tradition has long guided how we care for horses, modern research now allows us to ask better questions — not just about what works, but why. As interest grows in gentler, more holistic approaches to equine care, scientists are beginning to examine the role that nutrition and supplementation play in long-term health, comfort, and resilience.
Recent scientific literature is increasingly examining the role, safety, and efficacy of equine nutritional supplements — often referred to as nutraceuticals (a term used to describe products derived from food or plants that are intended to support health beyond basic nutrition).
A comprehensive review published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition examined commonly used equine nutraceuticals, including products marketed for joint, antioxidant, metabolic, gastric, and hoof support. The authors noted that while many of these supplements are widely used, the strength and quality of scientific evidence varies significantly between products — highlighting the importance of thoughtful ingredient selection, formulation quality, and transparency in testing.
(Vervuert et al., 2021)
Further supporting interest in plant-based approaches, a review published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science explored the use of plant bioactives and botanical extracts as feed additives in horses. The paper describes how many plant compounds demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are generally considered safe when used appropriately, while also emphasising the need for more controlled, equine-specific research.
(Elghandour et al., 2018)
Industry-facing veterinary publications echo these findings. Ongoing commentary from equine veterinarians and researchers highlights a growing scientific focus on supplement safety, ingredient interactions, and mechanisms of action — particularly as owners increasingly seek alternatives to synthetic additives.
(What Research Is Saying About Supplements for Horses, TheHorse.com, 2025)
Taken together, this growing body of research reinforces a simple idea: what we put into and onto our horses matters. Thoughtful formulation, ingredient integrity, and transparency are no longer optional — they are essential. As our understanding deepens, so does the opportunity to care for horses in ways that support their whole system, not just isolated symptoms.
Modern horse care isn’t just about what goes into the feed bin.
Skin, coat, hooves, digestion, and nervous system health are all connected. What we apply topically matters just as much as what we feed. Products that touch a horse’s skin should be as carefully considered as those that enter their body.
Natural, plant-based grooming and skin care formulations aim to work with the horse — supporting the skin barrier, reducing unnecessary chemical load, and respecting environmental runoff that affects paddocks and waterways.
If you’re rethinking your horse’s routine, a few simple principles can help guide your choices:
Choose plant nutrition over synthetics
Botanical formulations can reduce the risk of adverse reactions while supporting whole-body balance rather than isolated outcomes.
Prioritise small-batch production
Fresher products often mean better ingredient integrity, less degradation, and greater accountability from the maker.
Look for transparency
Clear ingredient lists, testing processes, and sustainability goals build trust — and allow informed decisions.
Ask who the products are tested on
At Equidae Botanicals, every formula is tested on our own horses before it’s ever released. This isn’t a marketing step; it’s a responsibility.
Progress in horsemanship doesn’t mean abandoning tradition. It means refining it.
By blending time-honoured care routines with modern plant science, we can raise the standard of equine wellness — supporting horses not just for today’s performance or appearance, but for long, comfortable, healthy lives.
Curiosity is where better care begins.
And thoughtful choices are how it continues.
