Hoofbeats & Treats

01/09/2026

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Hoofbeats & Treats 🐴✨

01/09/2026

🌿 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟰 — 𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

Next up in our Protein & Fibre Educational Series is Fenugreek — and this is an interesting one because it gives us a nice combination of both protein and fibre.

⭐ 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡: 𝟯/𝟱 — 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘
⭐ 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘: 𝟯/𝟱 — 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞?

Fenugreek is a herb whose seeds are commonly used in horse feeding. The seeds naturally contain protein, fibre, oils and other plant nutrients.

But there is another reason Fenugreek has become so popular with horse owners...

𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬.

It has a distinctive sweet, almost maple-like smell and taste, and is traditionally used in horse feeds to help encourage appetite and make feeds more appealing.

This is one of the reasons I particularly like Fenugreek for horses that can be a little fussy with their food.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚?

The protein contributes amino acids that the horse can use for muscle maintenance, growth and tissue repair.

It's not nearly as concentrated a protein source as something like Spirulina or Pea Protein Isolate, but that's not really why I would choose Fenugreek in the first place.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

Fenugreek seeds also naturally contain fibre, giving us another useful nutritional contribution.

As always, though, a supplement like Fenugreek should never be seen as a replacement for good-quality roughage. Your horse's grass and hay remain the main fibre source.

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞?

For me, Fenugreek becomes particularly interesting when I'm looking for:

• A natural source of both protein and fibre
• Something nutritious to add to the diet
• A very palatable herb
• Something to make feed more appealing
to a fussy eater

And yes — AHFS sells Fenugreek as a single product, so you can add it to your horse's diet without having to purchase an entire premixed supplement.

That's really what this series is about: understanding WHY we feed an ingredient instead of simply feeding it because somebody told us it's good.

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬.
𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧.

Next up: Rosehips — this time we're moving much more towards the FIBRE side. 🌿

01/09/2026

🌿 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟯 — 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

Next up in our Protein & Fibre Educational Series is Moringa Leaf — and this is another ingredient I really like because it offers much more than just one nutritional benefit.

Moringa is naturally nutritious and contains protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

So where does it sit on our scale?

⭐ 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡: 𝟰/𝟱 — 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗
𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘
⭐ 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘: 𝟯/𝟱 — 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔?

Moringa comes from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree. Once dried and milled, the leaves give us a naturally nutrient-dense green powder.

What makes Moringa interesting for me is that it isn't simply a "protein powder".

It provides plant protein together with fibre and a naturally broad range of nutrients.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧?

Protein supplies amino acids — the building blocks the horse needs for:

• Muscle development and maintenance
• Growth
• Tissue repair
• Healthy skin and coat
• Normal body functions

This can make Moringa a useful addition when we're looking for natural nutritional support with a good plant-protein contribution.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

Moringa also provides fibre, which contributes to the horse's overall fibre intake and digestive health.

But — and this is important — Moringa doesn't replace your horse's roughage.

Your grass and hay should still form the foundation of the diet. We're adding Moringa as a supplement, not trying to replace the basics.

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔?

For me, Moringa makes sense when I want more than just extra protein. I want the horse to receive the additional nutritional value that comes naturally with the whole leaf as well.

And this is exactly why I like educating people about individual ingredients.

Not every protein source is the same.

If you're looking for an extremely concentrated protein source, something like our Pea Protein Isolate may make more sense.

If you're looking for whole-plant nutrition with a good protein contribution, Moringa becomes a very interesting option.

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗔𝗦 𝗔 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧.

This gives you the freedom to decide exactly what you want to add to your horse's diet — rather than feeding ingredients simply because they're hidden inside a premixed product.

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬.
𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧.

Next up: Fenugreek — protein, fibre and a herb traditionally used to encourage appetite.

01/09/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮 — 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

Next up in our Protein & Fibre Educational Series is one of those herbs that I think is sometimes underestimated — Nettle Leaf.

Unlike Spirulina, which we looked at in Part 1 and which sits very strongly on the protein side, Nettle Leaf gives us a bit of both protein AND fibre.

⭐ 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡: 𝟯/𝟱 — 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘
⭐ 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘: 𝟯/𝟱 — 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙?

Nettle is a leafy plant that naturally contains protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds.

What I like about Nettle is that we're not feeding it purely as a protein supplement or purely as a fibre supplement. It's more of a nutrient-rich supporting herb that can add a little extra nutritional value to the overall diet.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 & 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧?

The protein contributes amino acids that the body can use for muscle maintenance, growth and tissue repair.

The fibre contributes to the horse's overall fibre intake and supports normal digestion and hindgut function.

But remember — Nettle isn't there to replace your horse's normal roughage or main protein source. We're using it as a supplementary herb alongside a balanced diet.

𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥?

I particularly like Nettle when I'm looking for a natural herb to provide broader nutritional support, rather than trying to target only one thing.

It's also why you'll often see Nettle appearing in different AHFS formulations — it's a very versatile little herb. 🌿

And yes, AHFS also sells Nettle Leaf on its own as a single product, which means you don't have to buy a complicated mixture if Nettle is specifically what you want to add to your horse's diet.

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬.
𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧.

Next up: Moringa Leaf — and this one starts leaning much more towards the protein side.

31/08/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭 — 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘? 🌿
https://www.ahfs.co.za/product/spirulina/

Let's start our new Protein & Fibre Educational Series with one of my favourites — Spirulina.

A lot of people know the name, but what exactly are you feeding your horse when you add Spirulina?

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔?

Spirulina is a nutrient-dense blue-green cyanobacterium that is naturally very high in protein. Depending on the product and processing, dried spirulina is commonly around 55–70% protein.

So when we're comparing protein and fibre:

PROTEIN: 5/5 — EXCELLENT SOURCE
FIBRE: 1/5 — LOW SOURCE

In other words, I would never choose Spirulina because I'm looking to increase the protein in a horse's diet.

I choose it for what it brings nutritionally — particularly its concentrated protein, amino acids and naturally occurring nutrients.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦?

Protein is broken down into amino acids, which the horse uses as building blocks throughout the body.

Adequate good-quality protein helps support:

• Muscle development and maintenance
• Tissue growth and repair
• Healthy skin and coat
• Normal body functions
• Horses with increased nutritional
demands

But remember what we discussed in the introduction — more protein isn't automatically better.

Your horse still needs a balanced diet, and good-quality roughage should remain the foundation.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗜𝗡?

I look at Spirulina as a concentrated nutritional supplement, not something that replaces your horse's hay, grazing or balanced feed.

It can be a very useful addition when you specifically want the nutritional benefits Spirulina provides without having to feed large quantities.

And that's exactly why we stock 100% pure Spirulina at AHFS.

No need to buy a complicated mixture when Spirulina is the ingredient you're actually looking for. You can purchase it on its own and know exactly what you're adding to your horse's feed.

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬.
𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧.

Next: Nettle Leaf — is it a protein source, a fibre source, or a little bit of both? 🌿

31/08/2026

📚🐴 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦!

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭 — 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘?

We talk about protein and fibre all the time when feeding horses, but they are definitely not the same thing — and one can't simply replace the other.

𝙎𝙤 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝘼𝙃𝙁𝙎 𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨.

Over the next few posts I'm going to take a closer look at some of the natural ingredients we stock at AHFS and explain exactly where they fit in when we're talking about protein and fibre.

But first...

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗘?

If I had to choose the starting point of any horse's diet, it would be fibre.

Horses are designed to eat forage for many hours of the day. Grass, hay and other fibrous feeds aren't simply there to fill the stomach — fibre is fermented by the microbes in the hindgut and provides a very important source of energy for the horse.

Adequate roughage and fibre also help support:

• Normal digestive function
• Healthy hindgut microbial populations
• Normal gut movement
• More natural feeding behaviour
• A healthy, functioning digestive system

This is why good-quality roughage should remain the foundation of the diet.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗢?

Protein has a completely different job.

When a horse eats protein, it is broken down into amino acids. The horse then uses those amino acids as building blocks throughout the body.

Protein is particularly important for:

• Building and maintaining muscle
• Growth and development
• Tissue repair
• Skin, coat and hoof structure
• Enzymes and many normal body processes

And here's something I really want to discuss during this series:

It's not simply about feeding MORE protein.

The quality of that protein and the amino acids it provides are extremely important too.

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧?

I wouldn't look at it as protein versus fibre.

They have different jobs.

🌿 FIBRE = digestive health + fermentation + energy

💪 PROTEIN = amino acids + muscle + growth + repair

A horse needs a properly balanced diet containing both.

And this is where it gets interesting...

Some natural ingredients are fantastic sources of fibre, some provide considerably more protein, and others give us a bit of both.

Over this series we're going to look individually at Spirulina, Nettle, Moringa, Fenugreek, Rosehips, Dandelion Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Milk Thistle Seed, Chia, Flaxseed and our two Pea Protein options.

I'll explain what each one actually is, what it brings to the horse's diet, whether I consider it more of a protein or fibre ingredient, and which horses I would consider using it for.

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝑯𝑭𝑺, 𝒔𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆.

Next up: SPIRULINA — tiny algae with a surprisingly impressive protein content. 🌿

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬.
𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧.

27/08/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 — 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 🧡🐴

Does your horse have EMS, PPID (Cushing’s) or a history of laminitis and you feel guilty every time everyone else gets a treat? 😅

Now they can have one too!

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 are made without added sugar or molasses and contain:

• Speedi-Beet
• Flaxseed
• Chia seeds
• Celery
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Black pepper
• Vitamin C

𝗡𝗢 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 • 𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 • 𝗡𝗢 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦

Because even horses that need a carefully managed diet still deserve a little “good boy/girl” treat! 🧡

𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘: 𝗥𝟭𝟵𝟱 𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗚 (Excl VAT)

𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 — a smarter little reward. 🐴🧡

27/08/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟯 — 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗧?

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 & 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦

In Parts 1 and 2 we spoke about the actual warts we see on our horses.

Now I want to talk about what can be behind those warts — 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦.

This is where people sometimes get confused and think that warts and papillomavirus are two completely different conditions.

The easiest way I can explain it is:

• 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧 is the growth you can see.

• 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦 is a virus that
can cause certain types of those growths.

There are different equine papillomaviruses associated with different skin conditions in horses, but the classic warts we commonly see around the muzzle of young horses are viral papillomas.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗧?

Papillomavirus can spread between susceptible horses through contact.

The virus can gain access through tiny breaks or abrasions in the skin that we may not even be able to see.

Transmission can happen through:

• Direct contact between horses
• Contaminated grooming equipment
• Buckets and other shared equipment
• Tack or equipment that has contacted
affected skin

This is why basic hygiene becomes particularly important when you have a horse with viral warts, especially where several young horses are kept together.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗢 𝗪𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗢 𝗢𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦?

This is probably one of the most interesting parts.

Young horses haven't necessarily developed effective immunity against the virus yet, so they are much more likely to develop the typical crop of warts after exposure.

You can have a youngster that looks absolutely normal and then suddenly you start noticing little bumps appearing around the muzzle.

Then there are more.

And more.

Until you look at the poor horse and wonder where on earth they all came from.

They can certainly look horrible, but appearance doesn't necessarily tell us how sick the horse is.

In many otherwise healthy young horses, these viral papillomas are 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙-𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚.

The horse's immune system eventually recognises the infected cells and the warts commonly begin to regress. Over time they may shrink, dry up and disappear.

This process can take weeks to several months, so patience is often a very big part of managing them.

𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗬 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠?

Not necessarily.

I don't want owners to see warts on a youngster and immediately assume there must be something terribly wrong with his immune system.

Young horses can develop viral papillomas simply because they are susceptible and haven't yet developed immunity to that particular virus.

That said, good nutrition and normal immune function are obviously important to the horse's overall health.

This is where I prefer the word 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧.

We aren't trying to “kill” papillomavirus with a feed supplement.

We are supporting the horse while his own immune system deals with it.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧?

Depending on what the horse is already receiving and what additional nutritional support is actually needed, we have several options:

• 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗫 — provides trace-mineral support including zinc, copper and manganese. Zinc and copper have recognised roles in normal skin integrity and immune function.

• 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗫 — nutritional support for normal immune function and general wellbeing.

• 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗫 — a herbal and nutritional blend designed to complement the diet and support normal immune function, antioxidant activity and overall wellbeing.

• 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗫 𝟭 — Garlic, Rosehips, Turmeric and Black Pepper.

• 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗫 𝟮 — Echinacea, Garlic, Vitamin C and Nettle.

We also stock individual ingredients such as 𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗔, 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦, 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘, 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖, 𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 and 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔 for clients who prefer individual nutritional or herbal support.

But please don't think that feeding five immune products together will make the warts disappear five times faster.

𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥.

Choose what is appropriate for the horse and take the rest of the diet into consideration.

And I want to repeat this because it is very important:

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦.

They are nutritional and herbal support products. The horse's immune response is responsible for controlling the viral infection and the associated warts commonly regress naturally.

All of the above AHFS products, DIY mixes and individual herbs are available from 𝗪𝗪𝗪.𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦.𝗖𝗢.𝗭𝗔.

In Part 4 we'll look at the practical side of the virus itself — what happens after infection, managing an affected horse, recovery and, most importantly, when a growth needs veterinary attention.

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟰 — 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦: 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧, 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 & 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗬

𝘈𝘏𝘍𝘚 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦.

𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦, 𝘪𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

📚🇿🇦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭 — 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 & 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗢 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠?

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 & 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦

For Part 1 I want to start with the thing we can actually see — the wart itself.

You walk into the stable one morning and suddenly notice a few little bumps around your horse's muzzle. A week or two later there seem to be more of them.

Naturally, the first thought is: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡?

In horses, the classic viral warts we commonly see are called 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦. They are benign skin growths associated with equine papillomavirus and are seen particularly often in young horses.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘?

They can start off as small, firm bumps and may become rougher and more raised as they develop. Some have the typical cauliflower-like appearance people associate with warts.

They are commonly found:

• Around the muzzle and lips
• Around the nostrils
• On the face
• Occasionally on other areas of the body

A horse may have only a few, while another horse can suddenly develop quite a collection of them.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗦𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦?

We tend to see viral papillomas most often in younger horses because they haven't necessarily developed immunity to the virus yet.

Once exposed, the virus infects cells in the skin and the characteristic growths can develop.

The good news is that in an otherwise healthy young horse, these viral warts are very often 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙-𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚.

In other words, the horse's immune system eventually recognises what is going on and the warts commonly regress on their own over time. This can take weeks to several months, so they don't necessarily disappear overnight.

𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦?

Viral papillomas can spread between susceptible horses through direct contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment or surfaces.

For that reason, I wouldn't share things such as:

• Grooming brushes
• Feed or water buckets
• Tack or equipment that rubs against
affected areas
• Cloths or towels used on the horse's face

Basic hygiene goes a long way, particularly where young horses are kept together.

𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗡'𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 "𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧"

This is probably the part I want horse owners to remember most.

Please don't look at every new lump or growth and automatically decide that it is a harmless wart.

Horses can develop many different types of skin lesions and growths, and some can look surprisingly similar in the early stages.

If a growth:

• Changes rapidly
• Continues getting larger
• Bleeds or ulcerates
• Becomes painful or inflamed
• Develops in an unusual area
• Doesn't behave like a typical wart
• Or you simply aren't sure what you're
looking at

Have your vet examine it.

And please don't start cutting, tying off, picking or pulling growths off yourself. Apart from causing pain, bleeding and infection, you may be interfering with something that wasn't a simple wart in the first place.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦?

This is where we need to keep expectations realistic.

There isn't an AHFS supplement that I can tell you will simply make viral warts disappear.

What we 𝗖𝗔𝗡 do is make sure the horse is receiving good nutritional support while its own immune system deals with the problem.

Products such as 𝗔𝗛𝗙𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗫 and our appropriate immune-support products can be considered where the diet needs additional nutritional support.

Trace minerals such as zinc and copper have important roles in normal skin integrity and immune function — but adding more isn't automatically better. The horse's entire diet needs to be taken into account.

So when you see warts, don't immediately reach for something to burn them off or start throwing every immune supplement you can find into the feed.

First establish what you're actually dealing with.

In 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮 we'll look at the practical side:

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 — 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗜 𝗗𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥?