Over the course of their lives, horses will experience discomfort for a variety of reasons and with differing levels of intensity. As much as we’d like to prevent our horses’ suffering altogether, experiencing discomfort is a crucial part of their developmental well-being. 

Just like with humans, discomfort acts as a biological alert mechanism to let the horse know when something is wrong. Without this important mechanism, horses would likely over-exert or strain themselves more frequently or lack the awareness of a serious injury. That being said, there’s no reason any living being should suffer through long-term discomfort, especially when relief-providing remedies are so naturally abundant.

Some common sources of chronic and/or intermittent discomfort for horses include:

• Soft tissue injuries due to overexertion
• Osteoarthritis and other joint-related diseases
• Digestive disorders like stomach ulcers and colic

There’s plenty to debate when it comes to managing equine discomfort. Some horse owners rely on over-the-counter medications prescribed by equine health professionals, while others prefer all-natural remedies. Depending on the source and intensity of your horse’s discomfort, either option could provide adequate relief and assist with treatment and recovery.

To help you decide what relief option is best for your horses’ condition, we’ve compiled four natural comfort remedies you can administer at home. Remember to always use discretion when distributing comfort medication to your horses, and consult with a licensed equine health professional before you start new treatments.

1. White Willow Bark
   The anti-inflammatory properties of white willow bark have been used for the relief of chronic illnesses like rheumatism, arthritis, and sciatica dating back to the Middle Ages. This herb helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, which in turn can lower your horse’s stress and promote sustainable recovery. One major benefit of white willow bark extract is that it has little-to-no effect on a horse’s gastrointestinal tract, which is a common negative side-effect of medications like ibuprofen or Aspirin.
   
   
2. Glucosamine & Chondroitin
   Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in healthy cartilage. Both have been clinically proven to reduce joint inflammation and support positive cartilage production in horses. Healthy cartilage is a major factor for overall joint health, which is why these active ingredients are commonly added to comfort remedies for horses. A 2005 study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal found that the positive effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are magnified when used in tandem.

    

Whether you prefer over-the-counter medication or natural remedies, it’s critical that you identify and treat the underlying root causes of your horses’ discomfort and avoid over-medicating whenever possible. Masking the discomfort may offer short-term relief, but in the long term, an injury or illness could worsen if left untreated. Some of these active ingredients on this list serve more specific function. Assessing the specific source of the chronic or intermittent discomfort is the only way to ensure your treatment plan is effective and your horses are happily discomfort-free.

Two products equine comfort products made by Finish Line  are Easywillow™ and Bute-Like™.