Not from the supermarket!

If you want to give clove or black cumin to your horse, always choose a supplement that is suitable for horses and never a herb from the supermarket. Clove extract is not the same as the clove you buy at the supermarket to season your food. Clove extract is made from the entire clove plant and often contains multiple types of clove plants so that the product contains as many different types of cannabinoids as possible. The same goes for black cumin, always buy a horse supplement! Black cumin is a completely different herb than the cumin you buy as a seasoning. Never feed herbs from the supermarket! Instead, choose products intended for horses.

When clove and when combined with black cumin?

There are actually two types of products for horses based on clove/black cumin. One is a pure clove extract and the other is a clove extract with black cumin (thymoquinone). When black cumin is added, it is the extra strong version of the clove extract. This works more intensely and quickly. You can categorize the products as follows:

• Clove extract: for chronic conditions, allergies, itching, and inner restlessness

• Clove extract + black cumin: for acute conditions, severe pain, acute inflammation

For example, in the case of laminitis, you can choose to give black cumin in the acute phase because of its strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, but eventually switch to clove extract for support.

Determine the right dosage

This is perhaps the most difficult part for many horse owners, as when do you use which dosage? Do you go for a low maintenance dosage or choose to use a high dosage multiple times a day? As a guideline, you can follow these recommendations:

• For maintenance: low dosage once a day

• Acute problem: high dosage 2-3 times a day

• Chronic problem: low dosage 2-3 times a day

Of course, you can adjust the dosage to see what suits your horse best. Some horses do better with a high dosage once a day, while others find that too intense and prefer a low dosage twice a day. Never exceed the maximum dosage! Clove and black cumin can be given for a long time, but we recommend (if possible) taking a break week every 8 weeks. This way, the effectiveness will remain. When using black cumin, also make sure it is not combined with all medications. If you are unsure about the dosage or if it can be combined with other supplements/medications, please contact us!

Feeding tips for clove and black cumin

Clove has a strong smell and taste as a downside. Most horses eat the product without any problems and some even find it very tasty. However, there are also horses that struggle with the smell and taste, so here are some tips for feeding clove to horses:

• Start with a few drops so the horse can get used to the smell and taste.

• Increase the dosage very slowly!

• Mix it with a mash or something else that your horse really likes.

• Mix it with grated apple or carrot

• For very picky horses: give it directly in the mouth with a syringe, optionally mix with olive oil/flaxseed oil to make the taste milder.

Ask for advice!

Supplements with clove/black cumin are very versatile due to their broad range of effects. If you are unsure if the product is suitable for your horse or pony, feel free to contact us, we are happy to help!