BY LIZ FOSTER
Creating tens of billions of dollars of revenue each year, the horse healthcare industry is an impressive market. Supplements are some of the most profitable products in the industry, with research predicting that the industry could be valued at almost $100 million by 2026. However, despite the demand for these products, studies have shown that many horse owners are far less informed about supplements than they should be.
A study by Mississippi State University emphasized that dietary supplements do not need approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Companies can still market and sell their products without rigorous testing or evidence that it is truly beneficial for a horse’s consumption. Buyers of these supplements must rely solely on evidence presented by the company and similar testimonies. This practice can lead to false advertising at best, and dangerous impacts on horses at its worst.
Joint supplements are some of the most commonly used supplements among owners and riders. These products tend to include glucosamine, a naturally occurring compound that reportedly helps both animals and humans with osteoarthritis. Riders and owners opt to use these supplements as a way of protecting and helping to heal the horse’s joints and cartilage. Yet, some supplements that claim to include certain beneficial ingredients, such as glucosamine, contain such small amounts of said ingredient that it is unlikely to make any impact on the horse’s health. Other supplements, such as those designed to calm a horse, too, can contain only trace amounts of what is supposedly a primary ingredient.
One study revealed that out of 23 glucosamine-containing joint supplements, 39.1% contained less of the ingredient than the label stated. Similar research on human supplements discovered that only two of 14 glucosamine-containing products contained the amount of glucosamine as advertised.
Ineffectiveness is a problem associated with supplements, but the most dangerous issue concerns contaminants. Heavy metal and pesticides are some of the most commonly found contaminants in supplements and feed. Other unsavory substances that have been uncovered include monensin, an antibiotic that is deadly to horses, and ractopamine, a cattle medication that is banned by the FEI. While contaminants are generally more likely to be found in feed, the lack of regulation surrounding supplements still presents a risk. Even if a specific substance is not directly harmful to the horse, its use could be banned by the FEI.
Research across the United States and Europe has reported that many riders and owners don’t fully understand supplements, their efficacy, and their safety. The Irish Veterinary Journal published a study that revealed that over 93% of 134 respondents believed that feed supplements need to meet legal standards; furthermore, 72% of these respondents believed that “all batches of supplement require quality testing.” The study itself argued that more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these various supplements.
The Journal of Equine Veterinary Science surveyed over 2,000 respondents and yielded similar results concerning their perception of supplement safety. A whopping 84% of participants reported using supplements, with most indicating that they believed in the products’ efficacy and safety. Despite the confidence of owners and riders, researchers across these various studies agree that supplements require more rigorous testing.
While the industry need not write off supplements as a whole, further evaluations are necessary in order to determine what products are actually safe and effective for a horse’s consumption. Owners must learn how to use these products in order to best benefit a horse’s wellbeing. However, in its current state, the supplement sector of the horse healthcare industry presents a series of risks ranging from product inefficacy to serious health issues and even an animal’s death.
