Supplements—consumer beware!!

The US Food and Drug Administration Center for veterinary medicine regulates animal supplements.

This agency follows the laws established by the federal Food Drug and cosmetic act regarding product claims and these laws are designed to protect consumers and animals.

Horse owners should keep a close eye out for suppliers that disregard the rules for certain claims.

Look for words that state or implied the product will treat prevent cure or mitigate a disease for example:

relieves dry skin itch

ease itching and allergies

Use of any disease name or reference to a disease example protects against laminitis

Any reference to a chronic condition example combat chronic inflammation or osteoarthritis

Any stated or implied comparison to a replacement for pharmaceuticals example reduces the need for prescription pain medicine

Disease names disguised as product names example arthti – stop

Allowable or Good Health Products claims are typically simple and concise the cute communicate that the product is helping to support normal structure and function of your horse’s body rather than trying to correct an abnormal condition or disease and prep the most important allowable claims don’t rely on absolutes or language that over promises outcomes.

,For instance :

contains ingredients to support skin Health

helps to promote normal growth

helps to relieve occasional joint stiffness

supports normal respiratory health

Please be aware  that supplements are not magic books !  If a claim sounds too good to be true it probably is! So trust your gut when selecting products with the NASC quality seal will help ensure you’re buying from suppliers that responsibly produce and market their products within the bounds of the law rather than praying on consume consumer vulnerabilities in the name of profit.

By Bill Brookout