Quercetin for Horses: What It Is, Why Use It, and How It Can Help Your Horse
Over the years, I’ve come across all kinds of supplements and treatments promising to make my horses healthier, stronger, or more comfortable. Recently, I started hearing more about quercetin for horses, a natural plant compound, and it’s claimed benefits sparked my interest.
For years one of my horses Romeo has been continually itchy since he arrived from Spain, he hasn’t got sweet itch but you would certainly think he has at certain times of the year, the vets always prescribes anything from steroids, to ointments to sprays to copious amounts of anti-histamines. These can have a major impact on your horse's health—and even on you! When applied, they can make the horse feel so drowsy and lethargic.
What Is Quercetin Anyway?
Quercetin is a flavonoid, which is a type of plant pigment found in common fruits and vegetables like apples, berries, and onions. Its big selling points are its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been well-studied in humans and are now catching attention in the equine world.
The idea is that quercetin can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that contribute to aging and disease) and reduce inflammation, a common issue for horses, especially those in high-stress or competitive environments.
Why Consider Using Quercetin for Horses?
One of the reasons quercetin is gaining popularity is because it tackles several common issues horses face:
1. Reducing Inflammation
Inflammation is a big problem, especially for older horses or those that undergo intense physical activity. Whether it’s from joint pain, arthritis, or general wear and tear, inflammation can severely impact a horse’s mobility and comfort. Quercetin has shown potential in reducing inflammatory markers, meaning it could be beneficial for horses with arthritis, chronic laminitis, Sweet Itch or even just everyday stiffness.
There’s a 2016 study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science that looked at horses with osteoarthritis and found that quercetin, when used alongside other anti-inflammatory compounds, helped reduce inflammation and improved joint comfort.
This is exciting, especially if you’ve got an aging horse or one that’s competed for a number of years.
2. Supporting Respiratory Health
Another reason quercetin caught my eye is its potential to help with respiratory issues. Horses are frequently exposed to dust, pollen, and other allergens that can trigger conditions like Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) or equine asthma. The natural antihistamine properties of quercetin make it a possible helper for horses dealing with these respiratory challenges.
Quercetin works by stabilizing mast cells—the ones that release histamines during allergic reactions. This can help reduce symptoms like coughing and laboured breathing, which are common in horses with airway issues.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology confirmed that quercetin reduces histamine release in animals. While it’s not horse-specific, it gives us a good indication that quercetin might ease allergic reactions in horses too. So could this help horses with mild dust allergies and itchiness? it would appear that all the markers show that perhaps it could.
3. Boosting Immune Function
Horses, especially those under stress from travel, competition, or illness, can have weakened immune systems. Quercetin’s antioxidant properties could help here as well. By neutralising harmful free radicals, it supports the horse’s natural immune defences. This could be a game-changer for horses prone to infections or just in need of some extra immune support during demanding times.
What the Science Says
While the research on quercetin specifically for horses is still growing, there are several promising studies out there. In addition to the 2016 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science study I mentioned earlier, there’s also research from the Journal of Animal Science (2019), which explored quercetin’s antioxidant benefits in livestock. It found that quercetin helped reduce oxidative stress in animals subjected to intense exercise
If you have a performance horse, this could mean faster recovery times and less muscle damage after hard work.
What Quercetin Can Help Treat
Based on the research I’ve come across; quercetin could be useful for managing:
Joint pain and arthritis: It may help reduce inflammation and pain in older horses or those with arthritis.
Respiratory conditions: For horses with allergies, RAO, or asthma, quercetin’s antihistamine properties could offer some relief.
Immune health: Horses under stress, recovering from illness, or needing extra immune support might benefit from quercetin’s antioxidant effects.
Sweet itch: Horses that suffer with sweet itch and summer and winter itchiness in general, the antihistamine properties may help to build a resistance to that annoying itch.
Is It Safe to Use?
Like any supplement, quercetin should be used with caution, and it’s essential to consult your vet before adding it to your horse’s routine. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Dosage: There’s no set dosage for horses yet, but human studies typically use 500-1,000 mg per day. You’d need to adjust this based on your horse’s weight and health condition. Your vet can help figure out the right amount and should be consulted.
Potential Interactions: Quercetin can interact with certain medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver. If your horse is on medication, especially for pain or inflammation, make sure to ask your vet about possible interactions.
Side Effects: While side effects are rare, some horses might experience mild digestive upset when first starting quercetin. Gradually introducing it can help prevent this.
Pregnant or Lactating Mares: There isn’t enough research on quercetin’s safety for pregnant or lactating mares, so it’s best to avoid using it in these horses unless your vet specifically recommends it.
Final Thoughts
After digging into the research, quercetin seems like a promising natural option for supporting equine health, especially in managing inflammation, respiratory issues, itchiness and overall immune function. While there’s still more to learn, the studies so far—especially in animals—suggest that it could be a valuable addition to a horse’s supplement regimen, particularly if your horse struggles with arthritis or allergies.
Of course, always consult your vet before adding any new supplement to your horse’s diet. If quercetin proves to be right for your horse, it could offer a natural, effective way to keep them comfortable and performing their best. And as more studies come out, I’ll be keeping a close eye on this supplement. It might just be the next big thing in equine health!