When you pick up an equine supplement, do you understand what the ingredients label actually means? If it’s a bit of a mystery to you, you’re not alone. As Samantha from AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics explains, not all equine supplements are created equal.
“Firstly, look at whether or not you actually need a supplement,” says AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics founder, Samantha. “Good marketing can sell just about anything! A lot of the supplements out there we don’t actually need to be giving to our horses in the first place.”
Samantha believes diets high in fibre and quality roughage should always be the first port of call for our horses. “What you’re doing with the horse should then drive what you might need to add from a functional nutrition perspective,” she adds. If you have identified the need for a particular supplement, it’s then about selecting one that will address that specific need.
THE RIGHT DOSE
Samantha explains that when selecting a supplement for a specific purpose, it’s important to ensure the actual dose level of an active ingredient is correct – too much and it could be harmful, too little and it’s a waste of time and money.
“For example, when it comes to supplements designed to build muscle and topline, many products include large amounts of protein via synthetic amino acids. Just giving your horse a large amount of protein isn’t the answer. We know as humans you don’t just go and eat a diet super high in protein… you can get really uncomfortable in the stomach and place excessive strain on your kidneys. All body sculpting enthusiasts eat for macronutrients – protein, carbs and fats.”
“Excess protein may cause a range of health issues, including inflammation and highly acidic urea output, which wreaks havoc on horses’ airways when stabled. Protein needs to be balanced with other macro nutrients such as fats and carbohydrates,” explains Samantha, adding that there have been a few scientific studies that show certain synthetic amino acids can actually induce an insulin response in horses and are therefore not always safe either.
On the flip side, if products were to include dose rates that are too low – for example, human-level dosages – the level of active ingredients is simply not enough to have any significant effect.
Reading and interpreting labels can also be a headache for horse owners, as the measurement units listed often vary. “For example, a product may list 8000 milligrams per kilo of a particular active ingredient, and that might sound like a lot, but it’s only 8 grams per kilo. If your scoops are 30 grams each, the impact of an ingredient with such little volume is questionable,” says Samatha. “Depending on what the ingredient is, that may actually be an insignificant dose rate.”
A common ingredient in supplements is vitamin E, and Samantha explains that the measurement used for this vitamin is important. “It’s actually the IU measurement that is important, not how many grams of vitamin E are in a product.” An IU, or International Unit, is a unit of measurement for the effect or biological activity of a substance, and its purpose is for easier comparison across similar forms of substances.
“The marketing trickery I observed was part of the reason why I wanted to bring AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics to life. I think having a transparent ingredients list and an accurate measurement of what’s included is really crucial. AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics also undertakes independent laboratory testing and publishes the results (Testing – AXLR8 Equine).”
“The more I learnt,
the more I realised
what we don’t generally know.”
LEARNING CURVE
Based in Queensland, Samantha says she’s been horse-mad since she was a young girl, however it’s been in the last five years that she’s entered the competitive world of showing.
After going through a series of misdiagnosed issues with her talented show horse Bailey, and then ultimately losing him in tragic circumstances, Samantha reached out to several industry leaders in hoof care and equine biomechanics – and was amazed by what she found. “The more I learnt, the more I realised what we don’t generally know,” she recalls. “Bailey sent me on this path; he’s the reason I went into this.”
Through her research into hoof care and biomechanics, Samantha learnt a lot about nerves that sit within the foot and travel up the leg into the brachial plexus. She realised that nerve pain is a lot more of a common contributor to body lameness than we realise. Later taking on a Thoroughbred mare that was reportedly cold-backed and unrideable, Samantha put her knowledge into practice with excellent results – and the mare has since gone on to become very successful in the show ring.
LAUNCHING AXLR8
In May 2023, Samantha launched APEX™ Muscle and Topline Conditioner as the first AXLR8 product. She explains that it’s the country’s first muscle builder with a balanced protein, carbohydrates and fat profile, with added collagen and plasma.
“The fat source is coconut oil, and then it’s formulated with whey protein isolate with less than 3.5% lactose, and we have added soy for a superior amino acid profile. Then we wanted to add collagen and plasma, which is good for all soft and connective tissue as well as the gut. For owners who are meticulous with their horse’s starch intake, it also contains less than 5% NSC (non-structural carbohydrates).”
“There have also been a few
horses suffering from asthma
that have had really good results.”
At the moment, Samanatha says her clients using APEX™ Muscle and Topline Conditioner include not only owners wanting to build up lean horses or develop topline for the show ring, but also those suffering from the effects of Ross River Fever who have had issues with muscle fatigue.
The next equine supplement to launch was CELLULAR GOLD, a potent anti-inflammatory support with 400 grams of actives available per kilogram. “This has been popular in the racehorse industry. It supports lung capacity, and the mast cell response in the muscles and the soft tissues [mast cells form an important part of the immune system and when activated they release substances called mediators, causing inflammation]. There have also been a few horses suffering from asthma that have had really good results anecdotally, with their asthma and breathing difficulties reportedly resolving.”
INTRODUCING RESTORE
Based on her past experiences with her own horses and the knowledge she’d garnered, one of Samantha’s aims when starting AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics was to produce a nerve support supplement.
Samantha has timed the launch of RESTORE – a supplement designed to assist with nerve-related issues – for 3 May, the anniversary of Bailey’s passing.
“This product will come in both maintenance and higher-potency versions. The high potency version is designed for acute ataxia – such as significant Shivers and nerve impact injuries among other things – and this includes mushrooms, colostrum and vitamin E, as well as an amino acid called Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) that is known to support nerve pain. The maintenance version includes mushrooms, colostrum and vitamin E at lower doses, without PEA.
“I don’t believe anything has been done in the equine space in Australia with a mushroom blend, and they are known for their neurological properties and support. The colostrum is derived from cattle and is again known for gastrointestinal support, soft tissue recovery and being able to assist with the any immunocompromised state. And of course, vitamin E is very well documented for muscle and neurological support.”
Determined to merge her knowledge of equine nerve-related issues with a desire to create transparent, effective equine supplements, Samantha is excited to finally be launching a product that she believes will be a game changer for many horses.
“It’s been an insane journey; the changes we have seen in horses suffering from significant neurological issues with little hope for recovery has been remarkable.”
This article was written in conjunction with AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics. For more information regarding their products, click here. EQ
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