🧄 Garlic for Horses: Understanding the Facts, Not the Myths

🧄 Garlic for Horses: Science, Safety & Why It Still Matters

Garlic has long been used in equine nutrition, but in recent years, it’s become a topic of debate — especially for horses with sensitivities like sweet itch. At Dr Silver, we understand that owners want clarity, not confusion, when it comes to ingredients. This article outlines the real science, clears up the myths, and explains why garlic is still a valuable, safe, and functional addition to equine diets — when used correctly.

✅ The Function of Garlic in Equine Health

Garlic (Allium sativum) offers several well-recognised properties relevant to horses:

• 🦟 Natural fly and insect deterrent

• 🫀 Supports healthy blood circulation

• 🌬 Helps maintain clear respiratory function

• 🛡 Mild immune-modulating effect (not overstimulation)

• 🌿 Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

These effects are not speculative. They’ve been observed in veterinary practice and supported by scientific literature, particularly when garlic is used at controlled, nutritionally relevant doses.

❗ The Misunderstanding: Garlic & Sweet Itch

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction — an inappropriate immune response to midge saliva. Some horse owners are concerned that garlic might “boost” the immune system and worsen the allergy. But here’s the reality:

✅ There is no evidence that garlic, when used in appropriate amounts, exacerbates allergic conditions like sweet itch.

Why?

1. Garlic’s effect is dose-dependent

   
   

   At low doses (15–25g/day), garlic has a mild regulatory effect — not a stimulatory one. It may actually help calm low-grade inflammation through its antioxidant activity.

2. Misconceptions stem from overdose cases

   
   

   The often-cited risks (like Heinz body anemia) are based on excessive feeding — 100g or more per day, long-term. No reputable supplement company approaches anywhere near that threshold.

3. It may help by reducing insect burden

   
   

   By making the horse less attractive to biting insects via skin-secreted sulphur compounds, garlic can indirectly reduce exposure to the allergen (midge bites), helping to manage the root trigger of sweet itch.

🧪 Scientific & Regulatory Support

• Garlic is approved for use in equine feed by EU and UK feed regulations, provided it’s used within safe, established limits.

• A 2005 study (Pearson et al.) showed Heinz body formation only at very high doses — around 0.2 g/kg body weight daily for weeks — far above any responsible supplement dosage.

• Veterinary nutritionists (e.g., Dr. Catherine Dunnett) recognise garlic as a functional feed ingredient when used judiciously.

• Long-standing clinical and field use has demonstrated its safety at typical dietary levels in healthy and sensitive horses alike.

🌱 Why We Include Garlic in

Fly & Itch Defence PRO

At Dr Silver, garlic is used in carefully measured, functional amounts to provide the following benefits:

• Helps deter midges and flies naturally

• Supports skin resilience and blood flow

• Works synergistically with calming, detoxifying, and skin-supportive herbs like nettle, calendula, neem, and lemon balm

Our formula is designed to work from the inside out, supporting both the skin’s defence and the body’s ability to cope with seasonal challenges — without aggravating immune sensitivity.

⚖️ Dose Is Everything

Daily Garlic Amount (for 500kg horse)

Effect

15–25g (typical supplement dose)

Safe, supportive

100g+ (prolonged, daily)

Risk of red blood cell changes

Excessive feeding

Not recommended; avoid

Garlic, like many herbs and nutrients, is beneficial at the right dose and potentially harmful at the wrong one. This is no different than selenium, iron, or even vitamin A — all essential, all toxic in excess.

⸻

🧠 Final Takeaway: Logical, Safe, Effective

The concern around garlic for sweet itch horses is based on misapplied logic: that because sweet itch is immune-related, all immune-active ingredients should be avoided. But this overlooks the nuance of immune regulation versus stimulation, and ignores the role garlic plays in insect deterrence, skin function, and antioxidant support.

✔️ When used responsibly, garlic is not only safe — it can be functionally beneficial, especially in managing seasonal skin challenges like sweet itch.

At Dr Silver, we formulate with clarity, care, and clinical logic. Every ingredient serves a purpose — and garlic is no exception.

⸻

Dr Silver EquiSheild Fly & Itch Defense PRO

🔗 Learn more about Fly & Itch Defence PRO and how it supports horses from the inside out.