Frequently Asked Questions

Herbal supplements are natural plant-based ingredients — seeds, roots, flowers or leaves — that are dried, cut or ground and fed alongside your horse's normal diet to support things like digestion, coat condition, joints or general wellbeing. Different herbs work in different ways: some are rich in vitamins and minerals, others have properties that soothe or support specific body systems. They're meant to work gently as part of a balanced routine, rather than as a quick fix.

A "straight" is simply a single herb on its own, like plain Rosehips or Chamomile, with nothing else blended in. Some straights and blends carry an official registration number under South Africa's Act 36 of 1947, meaning the product and its claims have been through a formal registration process with the regulator. Both registered and unregistered pure herbs can be great additions to your horse's diet — registration mainly tells you the claims have official sign-off.

These describe how the herb has been processed. Cut herbs are dried and roughly chopped so you can still see the original leaf, flower or root; powder is ground finer, which some owners find mixes more thoroughly into feed; granules are compressed into small pellet-like pieces, often to help with dust and palatability. Which form suits you best usually comes down to your horse's preference and how easily it mixes into their feed.

Every product has its own feeding guide on the label, usually given as a scoop or gram measure per day, often with a smaller amount for ponies. It's best to start with a lower amount when introducing something new and build up to the full daily amount over a week or two, watching how your horse responds. If you're ever unsure, we're happy to help you read a label, or you can check with your vet.

Yes, many owners combine two or three products — for example a coat conditioner alongside a joint or calming blend — as long as you follow the feeding guide for each one. It's worth introducing one new product at a time rather than several together, so you can see how your horse reacts to each. If your horse is on any medication, check with your vet first, since some herbs can interact with certain drugs.

This depends on the specific herb, so always check the individual product label before feeding. As a general rule, a number of herbal remedies aren't recommended for pregnant or breeding mares or for very young foals, because certain plant compounds can affect hormones or a still-developing system. When in doubt, chat to us or your vet before feeding anything to a broodmare or foal.

Like any dried natural product, herbs keep best in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight and damp, with the bag or tub sealed tightly between uses. Buying a size you'll get through in a reasonable time helps make sure your horse gets the freshest product. If you notice a musty smell or any change in colour or texture, it's best to replace it.

Brewers Yeast is a long-time favourite because it's naturally rich in B-vitamins, amino acids and trace minerals that support healthy digestion, a shiny coat and strong hooves. Many owners feed it as an everyday tonic for gut health and general condition, and it's popular with fussy eaters since it tends to make feed more appealing. Because it's an inactive yeast, it's fed for its nutritional value rather than as a live probiotic.

Fenugreek Seed on its own is a single herb traditionally fed to support weight gain, muscle tone and digestive comfort. Fenu-Shine is a blend built around fenugreek, combined with herbs like rosehips, kelp and garlic, aimed specifically at coat shine, dappling and overall show condition. So if you want the individual herb, go for Fenugreek Seed; for an all-in-one coat and condition blend, Fenu-Shine is the more complete option.

Yes, rosehips are one of the richest natural plant sources of vitamin C, along with other antioxidants, making them a popular everyday support for immunity, coat condition and recovery after illness or hard work. They come in both cut and powder form, so you can pick whichever mixes best into your horse's feed. As with any high-vitamin-C feed, stick to the recommended amount on the label, since overfeeding can occasionally cause loose droppings.

All Calm is a herbal blend made with calming herbs like vervain, chamomile, passionflower and hops, designed to take the edge off nervous or highly-strung horses without sedating them. It's commonly fed in the lead-up to and during stressful situations like travelling, competitions or schooling. These blends usually aren't recommended for foals or pregnant mares — always check the label, and if your horse is on other medication or supplements, check with your vet first.