Beyond Hay and Grain: The Role of Supplements in Equine Health

Supplements may not always seem like a priority in the equine world, but they can significantly benefit your horse’s overall health. Rather than eliminating supplements from your horse’s diet, consider how they can address specific nutritional needs. If your horse’s diet lacks certain nutrients due to the type of grain or hay quality, supplements can bridge those gaps.

Additionally, just as humans use vitamins and minerals to support their health, horses benefit from similar nutritional support. For example, Excel Supplements' omega-fatty acid products are designed to enhance gut health and cognitive function while improving nutrient absorption. This is just one reason among many that owners will choose to add supplements to their horses diet. Others include: 

• Supporting joint comfort and mobility
• Promoting a shiny coat and healthy skin
• Aiding digestion and nutrient absorption
• Boosting recovery after training
• Protecting overall immune health

So if you are still asking yourself if you should add supplements to your horses diet- lets dive further into things. 

Understanding Body Condition Scoring

What is Body Condition Scoring?

Before diving into the benefits of supplements, it’s crucial to assess your horse’s body condition. Body Condition Scoring (BCS) evaluates your horse's physical condition on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely poor and 9 being excessively above recommended weight. The optimal score is 5, indicating a balanced condition. This score helps determine if your horse’s diet and nutrition are adequate.

For more information on body condition scoring, visit Equine Body Condition Scoring.

Evaluating Supplement Needs

How to Determine if Your Horse Needs Supplements

When considering supplements, start by identifying your goals. Are you aiming to improve your horse’s nutrition, or enhance its performance? Understanding your horse’s daily activities and the intensity of its workload can help you determine the right nutritional support. For example, horses with high activity levels or specific nutritional deficiencies may benefit from targeted supplements.

Nutritional Benefits of Supplements

To enhance your horse’s nutrition, evaluate its daily routine and the nutritional value of its feed. If your horse is particularly active or has specific nutritional needs, supplements can provide essential nutrients that might be missing from its diet. For instance, Excel Supplements' products offer omega-fatty acids that support gut health and cognitive function.

Functional Benefits of Supplements

Supplements can also aid in improving your horse’s functionality and athletic performance. If your horse is transitioning to more demanding work, supplements can support joint health and mobility. Products like omega supplements can offer similar benefits to expensive joint medications like Adequan, often at a lower cost.

Dealing with Supplement Preferences

What to Do If Your Horse Won’t Eat Powdered Supplements

If your horse is reluctant to eat powdered supplements, consider alternative forms such as oil-based supplements. These can be easier to incorporate into your horse’s diet and prevent nutrient loss that occurs when feed sits in water for too long. Oil-based supplements also ensure better absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.

Managing Multiple Supplements in Equine Health

Using multiple supplements for different purposes can be inefficient and costly. Instead, look for comprehensive supplements that address multiple needs. For example, an omega supplement can support both joint and gut health, reducing the need for separate products. Evaluating the effectiveness of each supplement can help you streamline your horse’s diet and save money.

Cost Analysis with Excel Supplements

At Excel Supplements, we provide a cost analysis to compare your current supplements with our products. This analysis helps you understand potential savings by switching to our supplements, which offer similar benefits at a reduced cost. This way, you can optimize your spending and ensure your horse receives the best nutritional support.

For additional insights on equine nutrition and exercise, check out The Feed Chemist Podcast.