Boswellia Serrata, also known as Frankincense, is a herbal supplement that many horse owners use to help with relief from joint conditions including arthritis. With anti-inflammatory benefits, boswellia serrata for horses is a miracle herb that has been found to reduce pain too.
Whilst there aren’t many equine studies to support the claims, there have been several studies of the effect of boswellia supplementation on dogs:
- In one study, 93% of dogs that suffered from osteoarthritis showed an improvement after taking a daily dose for 6 months.
- Boswellia can help reduce inflammation in dogs, and works as an anti-inflammatory, just as aspirin does in people.
Boswellia is derived from the gum resin of the boswellia serrata tree, and has been used for thousands of years by people all around the world. Now for the scientific information… the resin itself contains alkaloids (aka boswellic acids) which have anti-inflammatory properties. Not only can the boswellic acids help to reduce joint inflammation, but can also aid inflammation of the airways too (helping to treat bronchitis).
Giving Boswellia Serrata To Horses
Like with any equine supplements, you should always read the feeding guidelines as stated on the product packaging. The dosage always depends on your horse’s weight, age and how they respond to small initial doses of the boswellia supplement. Boswellia serrata for horses does also come in both liquid and powdered form, so can be added to your horse’s feed or fed orally via a syringe if that is easier for your individual horse.
As a general guide, boswellia horse supplements should be fed at the rate of 1-2 grams per day for every 45kg of bodyweight. An average horse weighing 454kg would need ½ - 1 teaspoon each day.
As you can see, on our own Wormers-Direct Boswellia Powder we clearly state the dosage on the front of the packaging for ease!
Side Effects of Boswellia Serrata For Horses
Generally, Boswellia Serrata is safe for use with most horses and even with long-term use it is not thought to have any negative implications. It is also competition legal, and approved for both FEI and Jockey Club rules.
However, it is always worth discussing with your vet when introducing a new supplement - particularly if they are already on prescribed medication. Boswellia serrata for horses can act as a blood thinner, so if they are fed too much of the supplement and begin bleeding their blood may not clot as quickly as normal.
Another thing to be aware of is that due to the anti-inflammatory nature of boswellia, you should always take care feeding this alongside any other medication that increases stomach acid production (such as NSAIDs). This could increase the risk of stomach ulcers developing as both products would work to reduce mucosal secretions, leaving the stomach less protected from the acid splashing around during exercise.
A final symptom to be aware of (not that we are trying to scare you at all, but it is always best to know the facts!), is that your horse may start to suffer with diarrhea if you are giving him large doses of boswellia. This is because the herb contains compounds called ‘diterpenes’ which are known for breaking up mucus secretions throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Tried & Tested For Years
Boswellia is a natural product that can help treat arthritis and inflammation in horses, and can also help to ease pain so is suitable for older horses who aren’t quite as mobile as they once were. This Indian herb has been used for centuries as part of traditional medicine practices, and has been used to help reduce inflammation in humans for centuries.
If you would like any more information about Boswellia horse supplements, please get in touch with our expert team who will be more than happy to help.