Milk Thistle Seed Powder is a herbal supplement well known for its benefit to horses’ livers, promoting the regeneration of new liver cells and the protection of current cells from damage. However, the real question is why is it so important to support your horse’s liver through feed supplementation? And, is it right for your horse? At Horse Herbs, we believe this supplement is the perfect way to not only support your horse’s liver, but also a fantastic choice for overall health. Let’s dig a bit deeper to find out why.

The reason that milk thistle is so fantastic at supporting liver health is simple: silymarin. This compound found in the seeds is known for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver protecting qualities. It naturally helps to support liver tissue, encouraging regeneration of cells and promoting great overall liver health. The liver is integral for the detoxification and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, helping to break down toxins found in the body. Due to its exposure to toxins, the liver is easily damaged and it is incredibly beneficial to give it some additional support. This is especially important in older horses, who have experienced more exposure to toxins over their lifetime, leaving their liver health more in question. It can also be beneficial for horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) as they may have fat deposits in the liver, causing a decline in liver function; although this is rare, and often found in more advanced cases, milk thistle seed powder can help to give that needed liver support. As well as this, silymarin is great at aiding in the reduction of inflammation in the liver, helping to avoid cell damage and deterioration. 

Whilst milk thistle seed powder is most commonly associated with liver health, it also brings a wealth of other benefits to the table. Its anti-inflammatory benefits extend not only to the liver, but to your horse’s body in general. This can help maintain your horse’s health naturally, helping to keep the immune system functioning properly and ensure that tissues are healthy. By helping to reduce inflammation, milk thistle can also aid horses that suffer from allergies, such as sweet itch.

Keeping inflammation at bay is also an incredibly important part of hoof health. By supplementing milk thistle and reducing inflammation, it helps to support some horses that have inflammatory laminitis. Milk thistle is also abundant in vitamins E and C, which are integral to the repair and maintenance of hooves.

Many horses can benefit from including milk thistle seeds in their diet. Supporting the liver, one of the largest organs in the body, it helps to contribute to fantastic overall health. It is particularly beneficial for senior horses, who need that little bit extra liver support, but it is equally great at helping to maintain overall wellbeing in horses of any age. Simply adding this herbal supplement to your horse’s daily feed can bring fantastic, important benefits. We would always recommend consulting your veterinarian before adding new supplements to your horse’s diet to ensure it is right for them.