Turmeric is well known for its wide range of health benefits for people and is becoming increasingly recognized for its health benefits for horses.
Because of turmeric's potential benefits for supporting various health conditions in horses, including exercise recovery, pain relief, and inflammation management, horse owners may be considering how to supplement turmeric safely.
In this article, you’ll discover what turmeric is, its safety for horses, benefits, and how it can be included in a horse's daily diet.
What is Turmeric and Can Horses Have Turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The spice turmeric is derived from the plant's root and is easily recognized by its vibrant golden-orange hue.
With deep roots in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine, turmeric has long been valued for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These effects are primarily linked to curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound found in turmeric. Turmeric is rich in over 300 active compounds, most of which are polyphenols known for their antioxidant effects.
Turmeric is generally considered safe for adult horses when used appropriately and with mindful management. Although turmeric has been extensively studied in other species, clinical research on its effectiveness in horses remains limited. However, the safety of turmeric supplementation has not been established in pregnant mares, lactating mares, or young, growing horses. Until more research is available, it's best to exercise caution and consult a veterinarian before using turmeric for these horses.
Because some equine-specific supplements contain spices and plant-based ingredients that irritate the stomach, their labels often warn that they might cause stomach issues like ulcers. Some horses may develop digestive problems, such as diarrhea or colic, particularly if turmeric is introduced in large amounts or without following proper supplementation guidelines. In rare instances, horses may exhibit allergic reactions to turmeric, ranging from mild skin irritation to more serious responses. As with any supplement, it’s best to introduce it gradually and watch for any signs of adverse reactions.
One study aimed to determine whether some of those concerns are valid, specifically, whether these supplements cause or worsen stomach ulcers in horses kept in stalls. Twelve healthy Thoroughbred horses with mild gastric ulcers were split into two groups. One group received the turmeric and devil’s claw supplement, and the other got the same supplement but without the active ingredients. The horses were fed the supplements daily for 28 days. Their stomachs were examined using a scope on Day 0, Day 14, and Day 28 to look for any changes in ulcer number or severity. Researchers also tracked body weight, stomach acid levels, and blood health markers.
The results showed that both groups (with and without turmeric and devil’s claw) had fewer or less severe ulcers by Days 14 and 28. There was no difference in the number of ulcers between the groups, and none of the horses had any negative changes in weight, stomach acid, or bloodwork. According to the study’s conclusions, feeding turmeric and devil’s claw did not cause or worsen gastric ulcers or negatively affect the horses' overall health.
Turmeric Benefits for Horses
Curcumin, a compound found in the turmeric plant, has recently gained popularity as a dietary supplement for horses. Turmeric has gained such a positive reputation in some circles that it is revered as a cure-all. While no single compound or supplement can fix everything, a growing body of research suggests turmeric may be an incredibly beneficial ingredient for supporting numerous aspects of equine health and wellness.
Research has shown that curcumin possesses a wide range of biological properties, including:
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Anti-inflammatory
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Antioxidant
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Antibacterial
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Antiviral
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Antifungal
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Anti-proliferative
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Pro-apoptotic (supports controlled cell death)
Turmeric is frequently given to horses to support a variety of health conditions. According to a survey of horse owners, it is most commonly used to manage osteoarthritis (61%) and lameness-related issues (31%).
Exercise Recovery
Considering curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no surprise that it may help enhance exercise tolerance and support recovery.
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition explored the effects of curcumin supplementation on muscle recovery in elite male footballers. While this study focused on humans, it demonstrated that curcumin supplementation improved recovery markers, including reduced soreness and inflammation, which are relevant to muscle regeneration.
Research has also explored the impact of curcumin supplementation on muscle gene expression in animals. The study found that curcumin increased the expression of genes involved in muscle regeneration, such as MYF5 and MYOD1, highlighting its potential to aid muscle repair. When given daily, turmeric may support exercise recovery in horses, potentially enhancing the expression of MYF5 and MYOD1 genes related to muscle regeneration.
Pain and Inflammation
Additional research suggests that curcumin extracts may help relieve pain linked to osteoarthritis, and inhaled curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
A study published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine examined the effects of inhaled hydrosoluble curcumin on inflammatory markers in horses' lungs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung neutrophilia, a model for equine asthma. The results demonstrated that inhaled curcumin significantly reduced inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing equine respiratory inflammation.
Because of these potential benefits, supplements made with turmeric and devil’s claw are often given to horses to help reduce pain and inflammation.
How to Incorporate Turmeric in Your Horse's Diet
Turmeric is safe for humans and other mammals even at relatively high daily doses. However, a daily amount of up to 2.4 grams is commonly suggested as a safe guideline for horses. In research settings, horses have been given larger doses, such as 12 to 20 grams of turmeric daily, over short durations without experiencing adverse side effects. Curcumin, the primary active ingredient in turmeric, makes up only about 2% of the turmeric root. As a result, large quantities of raw turmeric may be needed to achieve a therapeutic dose of curcumin.
Because curcumin has low water solubility, it can be poorly absorbed into the bloodstream, and is quickly metabolized and eliminated, giving it a low oral bioavailability of around 1%. Bioavailability refers to how much of a substance, such as a drug or compound, is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches its intended target in the body. To improve absorption, turmeric is often supplemented with piperine (from black pepper) and a fat source. Since curcumin is fat-soluble, combining it with oil or another fat source can enhance its bioavailability.
The impact of supplement combinations like fat and piperine on curcumin bioavailability also appears to vary by species. In humans, adding piperine has been shown to boost curcumin bioavailability by 2000%, while in rats, the increase was only about 154%.
The beneficial effects observed in studies where turmeric was used without added black pepper or concentrated piperine suggest that horses may still experience positive outcomes from turmeric supplementation without these additives. More research is needed to determine whether these additives significantly enhance curcumin absorption in horses.
One of the easiest and typically most effective ways to give horses turmeric is to find a reputable ration balancer, or supplement that includes the proper dosing of turmeric.
Discover Essential K® Rebuild Ration Balancer with Turmeric and Chromium
Turmeric is a key ingredient in Essential K® Rebuild, a product designed to help support exercise recovery in performance horses.
This low-sugar and starch ration balancer for horses is formulated with turmeric and chromium, which may help support post-exercise recovery in active and performance horses. Chromium helps promote efficient glucose utilization in healthy horses, while turmeric has been shown through research to aid in muscle recovery after exercise. Essential K® Rebuild also includes pre- and probiotics to simultaneously support your horse's digestive health.
Essential K® Rebuild can be used as a standalone ration balancer for easy keepers or as a top dressing to any current feeding plan. It may also replace the traditional Essential K® in a performance horse feeding program.
If you need assistance incorporating turmeric and other components into your horse's daily diet to support their performance goals and overall health, you can create a personalized feeding plan with Tribute® tailored to your horse’s needs.
Turmeric for Horses FAQs
Do horses need black pepper to absorb turmeric?
Studies showing benefits from turmeric supplementation without including black pepper or concentrated piperine suggest that horses may still respond positively to turmeric. Although black pepper has been shown to boost curcumin absorption in humans significantly, there is currently no evidence that it has the same effect in horses. Additional research is needed to understand how black pepper may influence curcumin bioavailability in equine diets.
Can turmeric be fed to pregnant or lactating mares?
The safety of turmeric supplementation in pregnant or lactating mares has not been established. Due to the lack of specific research, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian before adding turmeric to the diet of pregnant or lactating horses.
Can turmeric be fed to growing horses?
Turmeric supplementation in growing horses has not been studied explicitly due to the lack of clinical data on its safety for young, growing horses. It’s still advisable to consult a veterinarian before adding turmeric to a horse's diet to ensure it’s safe based on the individual horse's health.
How many grams of turmeric should I feed my horse?
A standard recommendation is feeding adult horses up to 2.4 grams of turmeric daily. In some research studies, horses have been supplemented with 12 to 20 grams per day for short periods without adverse side effects. However, following proper dosage guidelines and consulting with a veterinarian to determine the best amount for your horse is crucial.
References
Farinacci, Maura, et al. "Dietary administration of curcumin modifies transcriptional profile of genes involved in inflammatory cascade in horse leukocytes." Italian Journal of Animal Science 8.sup2 (2009): 84-86.
Fletcher, S. P. S., and S. L. Gough. "Pre-Treatment with Turmeric (C. Xanthorrhiza) Reduces the Severity of Squamous Gastric Ulceration in Feed Restricted Horses." J Anim Sci Res 3.1 (2019).
Sandersen, Charlotte, et al. "Effect of inhaled hydrosoluble curcumin on inflammatory markers in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of horses with LPS-induced lung neutrophilia." Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 10 (2015): 1-8.
