If your performance horse does well on a balanced diet, can he do better with some extra, immune-boosting nutrients? What about young horses and aging horses, ill horses and healthy horses, working horses and lightly ridden horses?

For sure, studies show that extra amounts of certain nutrients benefit the immune system–but not in every case. Some horses don’t need and can’t use extra nutrients, and it’s not just a situation of “could help/can’t hurt.” When administered inappropriately, some immune-friendly nutrients can actually have negative consequences.

Before supplementing your horse, here’s what you should know about the immune system, immunity boosters, and the effects they can produce