Why Herbs Aren't Always the Answer for Your Horse

Written By Monte Grainger

By Monte Swain-Grainger BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Business, Founder of Aminoperformance Ltd

As horse owners, we all want to make the best decisions for our horses. Walk into any tack shop or browse online and you'll find hundreds of herbal supplements claiming to improve joint health, calm behaviour, digestion, immunity and performance.

Many of these products are marketed as "natural", but natural does not automatically mean scientifically proven, effective or risk-free.

During my Equine Science and Business degree, I spent a great deal of time reading scientific literature surrounding equine nutrition and supplementation. One review that particularly stood out to me was Herbal Supplements in Equine Health (Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice), which discusses both the potential benefits and the limitations of herbal supplementation in horses.

The review highlights that although some herbs may have therapeutic potential, many commonly used herbal supplements have limited equine-specific research supporting their effectiveness. It also explains that herbal products may vary significantly in composition between manufacturers, can interact with medications, and in some cases may contain compounds capable of causing adverse effects or positive drug tests.

The Problem with "Natural"

One of the biggest misconceptions in the equine industry is that if something is natural, it must be safe.

In reality, many naturally occurring plants produce biologically active chemicals. Some are beneficial, while others can be harmful depending on the dose, the individual horse, or interactions with other substances.

Unlike prescription medicines, many complementary feeds and herbal supplements are not required to undergo the same level of efficacy testing before reaching the market.

That doesn't mean herbal products don't have a place—but it does mean horse owners should look beyond the marketing.

The FEI Doesn't Approve Supplements

One topic that is often misunderstood is the use of terms such as "FEI Legal" or "NOPS Compliant."

These phrases can reassure buyers, but they should not be interpreted as official approval.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) does not test, certify or approve commercial equine supplements.

When a manufacturer states that a supplement is "FEI Legal" or "NOPS Compliant", they are generally indicating that they have taken steps to reduce the likelihood of prohibited substances being present and that the formulation is intended not to contain ingredients specifically prohibited under FEI rules.

However, these claims do not guarantee:

  • official FEI approval;

  • immunity from positive doping tests;

  • that every batch is entirely free from contamination; or

  • absolute competition safety.

Ultimately, under FEI regulations, the rider remains responsible for everything their horse receives.

Why I Started Aminoperformance

Learning this during my degree genuinely changed the way I viewed the supplement industry.

I realised that many horse owners—including myself—wanted something much simpler: products built around quality ingredients, transparency and science rather than marketing claims.

That became one of the biggest motivations behind founding Aminoperformance Ltd.

Rather than producing products packed with fashionable herbal blends and long ingredient lists, I wanted to formulate supplements using carefully selected, high-purity raw materials, sourced from trusted suppliers wherever possible, with every ingredient included for a clear nutritional purpose.

Our philosophy is straightforward:

If an ingredient is in the product, there should be a reason for it.

Science Before Marketing

At Aminoperformance, our formulations are designed around nutritional function rather than trends.

Whether it's supporting digestive health with carefully selected ingredients in Gut Health Plus+, or providing pure 100% MSM without unnecessary fillers, our goal is to give horse owners confidence in exactly what they're feeding.

We don't believe that the longest ingredient list makes the best supplement.

We believe quality, consistency and transparency matter more.

My Advice to Horse Owners

Whenever you're considering a supplement, ask yourself:

  • Is there good-quality research supporting the ingredients?

  • Is the formulation transparent?

  • Does every ingredient serve a nutritional purpose?

  • Am I buying evidence, or am I buying marketing?

As both an equine scientist and a lifelong horseman, I believe horse owners deserve products that are honest about what they can—and cannot—do.

That's the philosophy behind Aminoperformance, and it's the standard I continue to apply to every product we produce.

Monte Swain-Grainger BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Business
Founder & Managing Director
Aminoperformance Ltd

Monte Grainger