By Lydia F. Gray, DVM, MA

Navigating the world of supplements for horses can sometimes seem like exploring uncharted territory. But you don’t have to be a seasoned world-traveler to understand animal health products and make informed decisions. Fortunately for horses, their owners, and veterinarians, there is an organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the products we give to our equine friends: the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).

The NASC was founded in 2001 when animal supplements were nearly taken off store shelves by state regulators concerned that common ingredients like glucosamine and MSM were not approved to be in feed. The Council began working cooperatively with state and federal government officials to help create a fair, reasonable, responsible, and nationally consistent regulatory environment.

This organization opened up a channel for constructive dialogue with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) as well as with the Association for American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). It developed label templates and advertising standards with FDA/CVM and AAFCO input to help consumers better understand these products’ role in maintaining and promoting their animals’ health. NASC members (who join to access the organization’s regulatory and research resources and gain quality assurance for consumers) must abide by these templates and standards or be subject to fines and even expulsion from the organization. The NASC and an independent auditing firm also extensively review members’ marketing and product literature to ensure no misleading claims are being made