Mad Barn Milk Thistle - 1 kg
Milk Thistle extract has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects for horses. It can protect the liver from toxins, iron overload, and from the negative effects of fatty liver. It might help to support liver function and detoxification. Milk thistle supplementation may be beneficial for horses with allergies and other issues related to inflammation. It could provide nutritional support to horses that are prone to laminitis.
Mad Barnās Milk Thistle extractĀ is a dried, powdered form of the fruit and seed of theĀ Silybum marianumĀ plant. This herb can be added to equine diets toĀ support liver and hoof healthĀ and protect against free radical damage.
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Milk Thistle, also known asĀ St. Maryās Thistle, is a Mediterranean plant that contains various active compounds collectively calledĀ silymarinĀ which include silybin. The main site of action of milk thistle extract is the liver and it has been well-researched for its effects onĀ liver diseaseĀ in humans.Ā [1]
Silymarin is an effectiveĀ anti-oxidantĀ that is thought toĀ protect the liverĀ from injury related to toxins, fat accumulation, and iron overload. Horses that are prone to liver issues might benefit from milk thistle supplementation toĀ help detox the liverĀ and support its function.
Milk thistle has been shown to protect the liver fromĀ toxins in the environment, like those found in poisonous mushrooms. Liver damage might occur in horses if they consume poisonous plants likeĀ ragwort or red maple trees. If these are prevalent in your area, consider adding milk thistle to yourĀ horseās diet.
Easy keepersĀ that tend to have cresty neck and other abnormal fat deposits might have excessĀ fat in the liver. Overweight/obese horses and those withĀ equine metabolic syndromeĀ orĀ Cushingās disease/PPIDĀ might benefit from milk thistle supplementation to help protect their liver and support its function. In humans, silymarin has been shown to protect against the negative effects of fat accumulation in the liver.Ā [2]
Milk thistle could provide nutritional support forĀ horses with laminitis. Laminitis is partly caused by toxins that create inflammatory responses in the hoof. TheĀ anti-inflammatory propertiesĀ of milk thistle have been shown to protect the tissues of the hoof from toxins.
In one study, tissue extracted from horse hooves was challenged with toxins and treated with milk thistle or silymarin. The protocol was able toĀ neutralize the toxinĀ andĀ improve the structural integrityĀ of the tissue.Ā [3]Ā Further research is needed to verify these effects in horses consuming oral milk thistle supplements.
This herb might help horses that are prone to seasonalĀ allergiesĀ like heaves, due to itsĀ anti-inflammatory properties. It might also have benefits for horses affected by allergic reactions to Culcoides, also known asĀ āsweet itchā.
If you suspect your horse hasĀ high exposure to ironĀ in their feed or water, you may want to consider supplementing their diet with milk thistle. In humans that are genetically prone to iron overload, this herb has been shown toĀ decrease iron absorption.
Silymarin also acts as anĀ iron chelator, meaning it binds iron molecules and may help reduce serum ferritin levels and iron stores in tissues.Ā [4]
Milk thistle is often used toĀ increase breast milk production in womenĀ by increasing prolactin levels.Ā [5]Ā It is unclear whether it safe to use this product inĀ lactating mares. Consult your veterinarian if you are considering using milk thistle toĀ increase milk productionĀ in mares.
To include Mad Barnās milk thistle extract in your horseās diet, we suggest a dosage ofĀ 4.5 grams per 500 kg of bodyweightĀ per day. You may want to start feeding a smaller amount and increase gradually over several weeks to minimize avoidance and improve tolerability. It can beĀ provided as dried powderĀ added directly to the feed orĀ brewed into a teaĀ that is poured over the feed.
Milk Thistle isĀ generally well toleratedĀ in horses. It has not been studied inĀ breeding or pregnant horsesĀ so its safety in these animals can not be assured.
In humans it has been shown to causeĀ diarrhea and other gastrointestinal upsetsĀ in a minority of people. In healthy horses, concentrated milk thistle extract in the form of silibinin phospholipid resulted inĀ no adverse effectsĀ when given at a dose of up to 52 mg per kg of bodyweight (26 grams for a 500 kg horse) for one week on four separate occasions.Ā [6]