Equine athletes are subject to stressors that can weaken immunity, and beyond vaccinations, horse owners are often looking for ways to bolster equine defenses. One booster is a balanced diet. But in horses already meeting their dietary requirements, can supplements offer even more protection?

One of the trending categories of supplements is antioxidants, like vitamins E and C and selenium. However, it’s unclear what role these elements play in healthy horses.

Omega fatty acids also boost immunity. Fortunately, pasture forage and hay are rich in these components. Although specific recommendations are lacking, dietary supplementation with the omega 3 fatty acid DHA [spell out “D-H-A”] might help horses with inflammatory airway disease. Hays and pasture forage are also full of functional fibers, which increase immunity in other ways