Choosing the Right Supplement for Your Horse - Ask The Horse

Horse owners often feed supplements to address gaps in their horses' diet that forage and concentrates might not meet, such as supporting joint comfort, hoof quality, or muscle recovery. Researchers suggest that supplements can be beneficial when a horse has a documented deficiency, such as low vitamin or mineral levels, or a clearly identified need, such as poor hoof quality. Owners should always consult a veterinarian or an equine nutritionist when choosing supplements for their horses and prioritize products backed by research.During this Ask TheHorse Live episode, two experts answer questions and discuss everything you need to know about equine supplements. This episode is brought to you by SmartEquine. About the Experts: Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), is a graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, where he received a DVM and MS. After a year in private veterinary practice, he completed an equine medicine and surgery residency at The Ohio State University, in Columbus. After 20 years on the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, in Knoxville, he is currently LVMA Equine Committee professor and director of Equine Health and Sports Performance at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU Vet Med), in Baton Rouge. Andrews has clinical and research interests in gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal disease, and he's completed research on the efficacy of pharmacologic agents in the treatment of gastric ulcers in horses. Andrews is actively involved in clinical equine practice and clinical research.Liz Schatz, DVM, is a graduate of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Manhattan, where she was awarded the Glenn Ray Teagarden Award for Proficiency in Equine Medicine. After veterinary school, she completed an equine surgery internship at New Jersey Equine Clinic, in Millstone Township, and a large animal medicine, surgery, and emergency/critical care internship at New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She then completed a fellowship at the Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory while doing equine emergency work for New Bolton Center Field Service. She moved on to private practice for several years prior to joining SmartEquine in 2022, where her main area of interest is nutrition education. Schatz is a passionate Thoroughbred aftercare advocate and is an active volunteer for both MidAtlantic Horse Rescue and CANTER Pennsylvania. She is an avid lifelong rider and owns a horse farm in Central North Carolina, where she cares for her own OTTBs and any number of beloved vagabond animals.