Horse Probiotics publishes reviews, guides and health articles to help owners understand supplements and horse health. The content is written by the Horse Probiotics editorial team, who are not veterinary surgeons, and it is general information only. Please read this page before acting on anything you find on the site.
Information only
Nothing on this website is veterinary advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Every horse is different, and the right approach depends on its health history, diet, workload and management, none of which we can assess. Our articles explain what is generally known and what supplements are designed to do, but only a vet who has examined your horse can tell you what is wrong or what it needs. If you are unsure, ask your vet before making changes.
When to call a vet
Some problems should always go to a vet rather than being managed with a supplement or a change of feed. Contact your vet promptly if your horse shows any of the following:
- signs of colic, such as pawing, rolling, looking at its flanks, sweating or reduced droppings (see our article on colic warning signs)
- diarrhoea that persists, or any diarrhoea in a foal
- unexplained weight loss or a change in appetite
- suspected gastric ulcers, such as girthiness, poor appetite or a change in behaviour around feeding
- signs of laminitis, such as reluctance to move, a shifted stance or heat in the feet
- free faecal water that does not settle with sensible management (see free faecal water in horses)
Emergencies
If you think your horse is in pain or seriously unwell, call your vet immediately. Do not wait to see whether a supplement helps, and do not rely on information from this or any other website. Keep your vet's number and their out-of-hours arrangements somewhere easy to find on the yard, and make sure anyone who looks after your horse knows them too. We cannot respond to emergencies through our contact form or email.
Supplements and medicines
Supplements are complementary feeds. They are designed to support normal function, not to treat, cure or prevent disease, and they are not a substitute for veterinary medicines. Always tell your vet which supplements you feed, particularly before surgery, during treatment or when a horse is being investigated for a problem. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine because of something you have read here. Our guide to choosing a supplement and our hindgut health pages explain where supplements fit.
Competition rules
If your horse competes, you are responsible for everything it is fed. Some plant ingredients and contaminants can lead to a positive test. The BETA NOPS scheme is designed to reduce the risk of feeds and supplements being contaminated with naturally occurring prohibited substances, but it does not guarantee a product is free of them. Check the rules of your governing body, and ask your vet about withdrawal times for any medicine. See our travel and competition pages for more.
Accuracy
We work hard to keep content accurate and up to date, and our editorial policy explains how. Information can change, though, and we cannot guarantee that every page reflects the latest research or product details at the moment you read it.