Answer Exchange
-
My gelding was diagnosed with navicular syndrome a year ago after coming off an injury to his deep digital flexor tendon, which occurred two years ago. He was stalled during the rehabilitation of his tendon with hand-grazing 15 minutes per day. I came across a product that claims to cure navicular and other bone diseases. The product is expensive, and I want to know if your organization has done any research on this product. Is it a viable option for horses?
-

No, Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has not done any research on the product you mentioned, and KER has not been approached by the company to do so. Your skepticism is justified, especially when such a large price tag is involved. Whenever a supplement claims to cure a disease, you should be wary.
Supplement companies are not allowed to make any claims that their products "treat, cure, or prevent any disease;" otherwise, they would be considered drugs. In fact, if the FDA became aware of these types of claims on product websites, the manufacturers would probably get a stop-sale order. However, in order for the FDA to know that companies are making unlawful claims, someone has to bring it to the agency’s attention.
When a substance, including one considered food, is intended to be used for the treatment or prevention of disease or for a non-food structure/function effect, the FDA considers it a drug. A new animal drug must be shown to be safe and effective for its intended use by adequate data from controlled scientific studies as part of a New Animal Drug Application (NADA). If a product on the market is not approved, it may be deemed an adulterated drug and subject to regulatory action.
Consider your purchase carefully. See if you can find somebody who has used the product or any other product from the company. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints about the company.
Having said that, in reviewing the label of the product, I do not see anything that would be harmful for the horse in the quantities the manufacturer recommends.
-
Corn Oil in Equine Diets
The Importance of Magnesium in Horse Diets
Soaking Hay: How Effective Is it at Lowering Carbohydrates? -
Kentucky Equine Research Nutrition Conference
Thursday, May 17, 2012 · Lexington, Kentucky -
ACVIM Forum
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 · New Orleans, Louisiana -
College National Finals Rodeo
Friday, June 1, 2012 · Casper, Wyoming














