Natural care for horses: overview
Overview of natural and supplementary care for horses: species-specific safety, evidence per modality, and legal framework in the Netherlands.
Short & honest
Navigation page without efficacy verdict. Per modality, find a separate page with evidence (grade A–D/None), safety data, and the legal framework for horses.
Veterinary review not yet completed
This page is awaiting review by a registered veterinary surgeon. Until then, treat the text as education based on the sources listed — not as a verified veterinary judgement.
What falls under 'natural care' for horses?
'Natural care' is a broad umbrella term: phytotherapy, supplements, acupuncture, osteopathy, manual therapy, homeopathy and nutritional interventions all fall under this. The range of products and practitioners for horses is large — the scientific substantiation varies strongly per modality.
This hub offers a starting point for orientation. Per modality you will find a separate detail page with:
- the evidence (grade A–D or None, with study sources and DOIs)
- safety information and species-specific risks
- the legal framework in the Netherlands
Species-specific safety and pitfalls
Horses have a unique digestive system and their own metabolism. Extrapolation from human or small animal studies is therefore unreliable — even if a substance appears safe in humans or dogs, the pharmacokinetics in horses can be substantially different.
What research shows so far:
- Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): Pharmacokinetic research confirms that harpagoside is detectable in the blood of horses after oral administration [1][2]. Whether the achieved plasma concentrations are therapeutically relevant has not yet been established.
- Cannabidiol (CBD): Pharmacokinetic modelling shows that CBD is orally absorbable in horses [3]. Preliminary data suggest possible effects on pain modulation in chronic osteoarthritis [4], but the evidence is limited and long-term safety is insufficiently investigated.
Common pitfalls:
- Products for humans or dogs are not automatically suitable for horses — dosage, excipients and absorption can differ strongly.
- Combinations of supplements increase the risk of interactions, especially in horses that also use regular medication.
- The horse market contains many products with marketing claims without clinical evidence; marketing material does not replace scientific judgement.
- 'Natural' does not mean 'doping-free': harpagoside is on the FEI control list [1] and many plant extracts are prohibited in competitions. Owners and riders are themselves responsible for what a horse receives.
Legal framework
Establishing a diagnosis and treating sick horses is legally reserved for veterinary surgeons in the Netherlands (Wet Dieren, art. 4.1). Therapists without veterinary authority may only perform supportive treatments on healthy animals, after permission from the owner AND the treating veterinary surgeon. This wiki offers exclusively educational information — no treatment advice.
Modalities on this wiki (horse)
| Modality | Status | Evidence grade |
|---|---|---|
| Devil's claw | available | C |
| CBD / cannabidiol | available | D |
| Acupuncture | in preparation | — |
| Phytotherapy (general) | in preparation | — |
| Dietary supplements | in preparation | — |
Natural remedies are not a replacement for veterinary care in acute or serious complaints. In case of doubt: always consult a veterinary surgeon first.
Why this verdict?
As an overview page, this page contains no efficacy verdict for a specific intervention. The available studies for horses concern pharmacokinetic research into individual substances such as harpagoside [1][2] and cannabidiol [3][4] — no systematic reviews covering the breadth of 'natural care'. Per modality, evidence is graded separately on the relevant detail page.
Interactions with medication
- CBD: possible inhibition of CYP450 liver enzymes — may increase plasma concentrations of concurrently administered medicines [3]; use only under veterinary supervision during medicinal treatment
- Devil's claw (harpagoside): possible additive effect with NSAIDs and anticoagulants; combination only under veterinary supervision [1]
Legal status (Netherlands)
Treatment of sick horses is reserved to veterinary surgeons in the Netherlands (Wet Dieren, art. 4.1). Supplements fall under animal feed or veterinary medicinal product legislation depending on the claim. Many plant extracts — including devil's claw — are prohibited under FEI and KNHS anti-doping regulations; 'natural' is not an exemption from doping control.
Sources
- [1] Pharmacokinetics of harpagoside in horses after intragastric administration of a Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) extract (Axmann et al.). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2019. Pharmacokinetics doi:10.1111/jvp.12716
- [2] Pharmacokinetics of harpagoside in horses (PMC full text). PMC, 2019. Narrative review doi:10.1111/jvp.12716
- [3] Pharmacokinetic modelling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023. Pharmacokinetics doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1234551
- [4] Role of cannabidiolic acid or the combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol in pain modulation and welfare improvement in horses with chronic osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024. Narrative review doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1496473