“My horses have always turned their noses up to any garlic supplements, wouldn’t touch feed with it in. Tried this product and they immediately ate the feed and love it. Highly recommend.”
Lou
Garlic & More
est. in Ireland Since 2008
For the Health
of Your Horse
Established in Ireland in 2008 and trusted by horse owners for almost two decades, Horse First provides targeted nutrition for the real needs of horses.
From joints and behaviour to breathing, digestion, performance and everything in between, each product is designed with a specific purpose. Colour coded by benefit, so you can find what you need at a glance. Easy to find, easy to feed and easy to put your Horse First.
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Est. in Ireland, 2008
Irish heritage, made in the UK
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UFAS & BETA NOPS
Independently certified competition-safe
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Free UK & IE Delivery
On every order over £30/€30
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From Field to Competition
Targeted nutrition for horses at every level
Best Sellers
The On Reorder
Four of our most loved products, trusted by horse owners every day.
Joint Health
Paddy's Glucosamine HCI 12,000 1kg
Feed high strength 12,000mg Paddy’s Glucosamine in HCl form, MSM and HA to provide daily joint nourishment for healthy cartilage, joint fluid and mobility.
£17.99
Calming & Behaviour
Relax Me
Feed Relax Me which combines lemon balm, calming herbs, magnesium and B vitamins with gut and antioxidant support to help promote relaxed, settled behaviour and a calm, confident temperament.
from £26.99
Digestive Health
Garlic & More
Feed Garlic & More which combines a highly aromatic blend of garlic, mint, thyme and fenugreek with targeted digestive and nutritional support to help encourage appetite, support healthy digestion and maintain consistent feed intake.
from £7.50
Hoof & Coat
Hoof First
Feed Hoof First to provide high level biotin with lysine, methionine, copper and zinc to provide the key nutritional building blocks needed for keratin production, supporting strong hoof growth, structural integrity and overall hoof quality.
from £26.99
The Science
What Goes In, And Why
We select ingredients for a reason, using meaningful inclusion levels to create targeted nutritional support for your horse. The actives are shown here the same way they appear on the front of the pack — named, marked and rated where you can see them.
ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables)
ASU are naturally occurring compounds derived from avocado and soybean oils that support the health and function of cartilage and joint tissues. Research suggests ASU can support the production of important cartilage components while helping to regulate processes involved in cartilage breakdown and inflammation, supporting normal joint function and mobility.
Kawcak, C.E. et al. (2007). Evaluation of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable extracts for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 68(6), pp. 598–604.
Maerl
Maerl is a natural marine mineral source, particularly rich in calcium carbonate, with properties that can help buffer stomach acid and support a healthy gastric environment. Equine research has shown that a seaweed derived calcium source can increase gastric pH following feeding, supporting its role in nutritional strategies for digestive health.
Jacobs, R.D. et al. (2020). The effect of a seaweed-derived calcium supplement on gastric juice pH in the horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 95, 103265.
Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a naturally aromatic herb rich in sulphur containing compounds and other plant compounds that give it its distinctive character. Traditionally valued in equine nutrition, garlic can provide nutritional support for general wellbeing, while its strong aroma can help encourage interest in feed and make it particularly useful for fussy feeders.
Hyyppä, S. et al. (2019). Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation improves respiratory health but has increased risk of lower hematologic values in horses. Animals, 9(1), 1–10.
Biotin
Biotin is a B group vitamin (B7) involved in normal energy metabolism and the formation of keratin, the structural protein that makes up hoof horn, hair and skin. Biotin works alongside sulphur containing amino acids such as methionine, which provide essential building blocks for keratin formation and help support strong, healthy hoof growth. Research in horses has reported improvements in hoof growth and hardness following biotin supplementation, including approximately 15% greater hoof growth in a controlled study after five months.
Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D.J. (1998). Effect of supplementary dietary biotin on hoof growth and hoof growth rate in ponies: a controlled trial. Equine Veterinary Journal, 30, pp. 51–57.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a traditional calming herb used to support relaxation and settled behaviour, making it particularly relevant for horses that can become tense or unsettled. Research, including a 2026 review of preclinical and clinical evidence, has explored its potential effects on the nervous system and behaviour, including relaxation and anxiety related responses.
Cîmpeanu, I.-A. et al. (2026). Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon Balm): An Integrative Review of Phytochemistry and Evidence from Preclinical Research to Clinical Studies. Plants, 15(4), 650.
Marshmallow
(Althaea officinalis) comes from the root of the marshmallow plant, completely different from the confectionery marshmallow. It is naturally rich in plant compounds that absorb water and form a gel like layer. This helps support the normal mucosal barrier of the digestive tract, including the squamous lining of the stomach, which is particularly exposed to acid splash.
Schmidgall, J. et al. (2009). Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): Cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 123(1), pp. 100–108.
Reviews
What The Customers Say
“I was quite sceptical about joint supplements... We’ve only been using My Joints Plus for a week, and honestly, the change in my mare is unbelievable... she genuinely seems happier and more comfortable in herself.”
Lilly T.
My Joints Plus“We have tried every calmer on the market…. Trying to run sharp event ponies and horses for kids has always been a challenge. However since moving onto this product we have noticed a huge difference in them all!”
Hannah
Relax MeValue
Judge It By The Day, Not The Tub
Each pack provides a days’ supply figure based on a 500kg horse, so you can calculate and compare daily feeding costs.
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Joint & Hoof Health
£0.27
a day
For a 500kg horse
Paddy’s Glucosamine 1kg
£17.99 for 1kg 66 days at 15g -
Calming & Behaviour
£0.90
a day
For a 500kg horse
Relax Me 750g
£26.99 for 750g 30 days at 25g -
Respiratory Health
£0.62
a day
For a 500kg horse
Vital Air Solution 1ltr
£40.99 for 1ltr 66 days
Our Story
Made by Horse People, for Horse People
Horse First began in Ireland in 2008, when horse producer Paddy Hughes set out to create the supplements he wanted to feed his own horses. Working with chemists and equine nutritionists, he spent years researching, formulating and testing products before bringing Horse First to market, with input from riders competing at the highest levels.
Today, Horse First is part of the Equine America family and our supplements are made in the UK. While the science and manufacturing have evolved, the original idea remains the same: meaningful ingredient inclusion, straightforward information and products developed with real horses in mind.
From Paddy’s yard to horses around the world.
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Questions
The Ones We Get Asked Most
How do I choose the right supplement for my horse?
Choosing the right supplement starts with understanding what your horse needs and what they are already receiving from their diet. Even a well managed diet may not provide all the nutrients a horse needs in sufficient amounts, due to factors such as soil nutrient availability, forage quality and the nutrient profile of their daily feed.
Supplements can help fill these nutritional gaps while providing targeted nutritional support for normal metabolic activity, joint and muscle function, performance, recovery and overall health. They should complement, not replace good quality forage, appropriate feed and sound management.
Areas to consider:
1. Age, workload and lifestyle Nutritional needs vary with age, workload and lifestyle.
2. Individual needs Choose a supplement with a clear nutritional purpose rather than focusing on individual ingredients.
3. Existing diet Consider forage, feed and other supplements to avoid unnecessary nutrient duplication, or contact our nutrition helpline for guidance.
4. Bodyweight and feeding rate Follow the recommended feeding rate for your horse’s bodyweight, more is not necessarily better and can simply create a more expensive muck heap!
5. Sugar and starch If your horse needs a controlled sugar or starch diet, check the supplement’s nutritional information and feeding rate. As supplements are usually fed in relatively small amounts, they typically contribute little to the overall sugar and starch intake.
6. Competition requirements
Look for BETA NOPS accreditation, which provides traceability and controls around naturally occurring prohibited substances, and products made to Clean Sport standards to help minimise the risk of prohibited substances. Always check the rules of your governing body.
7. Keep it targeted Identify the specific need and choose a supplement that provides the relevant nutritional support.
The right supplement should have a clear nutritional purpose, suit your horse’s individual needs and complement their existing diet.
Can I feed more than one Horse First product at the same time?
Yes, most Horse First products can be safely fed together, for example, My Joints or Keep Me Sound can be fed alongside Acid Aid to provide both joint and gut support.
Take care when combining multivitamin supplements or balancers, as this can result in excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals. More is not necessarily better.
If you are unsure whether products can be fed together, contact our nutrition helpline for guidance.
Are your products suitable for horses of all ages?
Horse First offers products to support horses at different ages, workloads and stages of life, but the most appropriate product will depend on the individual horse and their nutritional requirements.
The natural processes associated with daily wear and tear occur throughout a horse’s life, but the level of nutritional support required may change as a horse gets older.
My Joints provides nutritional support to help maintain healthy joints, while My Joints Plus provides more comprehensive support, combining joint nourishment with nutritional support for the body’s natural inflammatory processes. This makes it particularly suitable for older horses, or those with poor joint health that may benefit from additional support for joint health and mobility.
Temperament can also influence nutritional requirements. Relax Me provides nutritional support for a settled temperament and relaxed outlook, making it an option for younger, more excitable or easily unsettled horses that may benefit from additional nutritional support for calm behaviour.
Workload is another important consideration. As exercise intensity increases, so do the demands placed on the muscles and cardiovascular system. New Bludd is formulated to help optimise red blood cell production and oxygen delivery to the muscles, providing targeted nutritional support for horses undertaking more demanding work or with higher performance requirements.
Always consider your horse’s age, workload, diet and individual requirements when choosing a supplement, and follow the recommended feeding instructions for the product.
If you are unsure which Horse First product is right for your horse, contact our Nutrition Helpline for advice.
Are your ingredients backed by research?
We select ingredients based on their nutritional or physiological role, the available scientific evidence and their relevance to the needs of the horse. Where research is available in horses, this is particularly valuable. We also consider research from other species, as well as laboratory and biological studies that help us understand an ingredient’s mode of action.
We also undertake our own research and product trials in collaboration with leading equine experts and research organisations around the world, helping us build a deeper understanding of how ingredients and nutritional approaches perform in horses.
We assess the quality, relevance and limitations of the evidence, considering factors such as the form of the ingredient, the amount provided and whether there is a sound nutritional or physiological rationale for its inclusion.
Our aim is to combine sound science with practical nutrition, formulating products with a clear nutritional purpose and providing ingredients at meaningful levels.
At Horse First, we believe that understanding what is in a product, why it is there and what the evidence tells us helps horse owners make informed choices for their horses.
Are Horse First products safe for competition horses?
Horse First products are developed and manufactured in line with BETA NOPS and Clean Sport principles, helping to minimise the risk of prohibited substances and support responsible competition use.
However, no responsible manufacturer should offer an absolute guarantee that a supplement is free from prohibited substances. Naturally occurring contamination can occur in agricultural crops and raw materials, even when rigorous controls are in place.
BETA NOPS accreditation helps to reduce and manage this risk through measures including ingredient risk assessment, supplier controls, traceability and testing.
Competition rules and prohibited substance lists can also change. Recent changes have included Devil’s Claw being added to the FEI prohibited substances list, while MSM is subject to a threshold under British Horseracing Authority (BHA) rules. Always check the current requirements that apply to your horse, discipline and governing body.
Good competition practice means considering everything that could enter your horse’s system, not simply their feed and supplements.
Keep the feed room as a horse only zone. Food and drink intended for people can contain substances that may be relevant to competition rules. Coffee, tea and chocolate, for example, can contain naturally occurring substances such as caffeine and theobromine.
It is also important to consider treats and topical applications, as well as anything else your horse may ingest or have applied to them.
Remember, natural does not automatically mean competition safe. Some natural ingredients, or naturally occurring compounds within them, may be relevant to prohibited substance rules. Salicylates, for example, occur naturally in plants such as Aloe Vera, while salicylic acid is a Controlled Medication Substance under FEI Clean Sport rules and is subject to a defined threshold.
Our advice
If your horse is competing, always:
- Choose supplements from reputable manufacturers that are members of the BETA NOPS Scheme.
- Keep a record of the product name, batch number and date of use for every feed and supplement given to your horse.
- Keep your feed room for horses only and prevent contact between horse feed and human food, drinks or other potential sources of prohibited substances.
- Check everything that goes into or onto your horse, including treats, supplements and topical applications.
- Check the current rules for your governing body and discipline, as prohibited substance lists and thresholds can change.
- If in doubt, check before you feed or apply it, rather than after a competition.
Horse First takes competition safety seriously. Our products are developed with BETA NOPS and Clean Sport principles in mind to help minimise risk, if you are unsure about a particular Horse First product or ingredient, contact our Nutrition Helpline for guidance.
Check out the FEI Prohibited Substances Database:
How long will it take to see a difference?
The time it takes to see a difference will vary depending on the product, active ingredients and individual horse. Some products may provide nutritional support relatively quickly, while others may require more time for the active ingredients to become fully established in the horse’s system.
As a general rule, liquids take around 3-5 days to become active in the system while powders and pellets may take up to 2 weeks to become active, so we recommend allowing sufficient time for the product to work as intended and following the recommended feeding instructions.
We believe in the quality of our products, which is why Horse First offers a 30 day money back guarantee. This gives you time to introduce the product correctly and assess how your horse responds.
What's in your products, and how much of each ingredient?
Understanding a supplement label helps you know exactly what you are feeding your horse. Ingredients are generally listed in descending order of inclusion, so those appearing first are present in the greatest amounts. However, the ingredient with the largest inclusion rate is not necessarily the ingredient providing the greatest benefit. A good formulation is about getting the right ingredients, at the right levels and in the right ratios for their intended purpose.
At Horse First, we don't believe that more is automatically better. The aim is to include each ingredient at a meaningful and considered level, taking into account the research behind it, its role within the formulation and how it works alongside the other ingredients.
Think of it like seasoning food with salt and pepper. You wouldn't add the whole salt cellar simply because salt is an important ingredient. You use the right amount to achieve the desired result. Supplement formulation is similar: it is about precision, balance and purpose, rather than simply having the biggest inclusion rate.
Glucosamine is a good example. We include 10,000 mg in our joint formulations, as this level has been researched in horses and shown to result in detectable concentrations of glucosamine in serum and synovial fluid (joint fluid). We also use Glucosamine HCl (hydrochloride) rather than the sulphate form, as HCl provides a higher proportion of glucosamine per gram.
Our team includes qualified vets, registered nutritionists and experienced formulators, underpinned by a genuine understanding of horses and practical experience as horsemen and horsewomen themselves. We don't include ingredients simply to make a longer or more impressive ingredient list, every ingredient needs to have a purpose within the formulation.
For transparency, you can find Key Nutrients & Ingredients per Serving for our products on the Horse First website. This allows you to see the amount of each key ingredient supplied at the recommended serving and understand what you are actually feeding your horse.
We believe that understanding what you feed, how much you feed and why it matters helps you make the choices that put your Horse First.
How much does it cost per day to feed Horse First supplements?
When comparing supplements, the price of the tub or bag doesn’t always tell you the full story. A more useful comparison is the cost per daily serving, taking into account the recommended feeding rate and how many days the product will last.
To calculate the cost per day:
Product price ÷ number of daily servings = cost per day
For example, if a product costs £30 and provides 30 daily servings:
£30 ÷ 30 = £1 per day
The number of daily servings can be calculated from the pack size and recommended feeding rate:
Pack size ÷ daily feeding rate = number of days the product will last
We recommend comparing products based on their cost per day at the recommended feeding rate, rather than simply comparing the price of the tub. This gives a clearer picture of what you are actually spending to feed the product and makes it easier to compare products with different pack sizes and feeding rates.
Buying larger sizes can also reduce the cost:
My Joints:
750g (30 day supply) £28.80 ÷ 30 = £0.96 per day
2kg (80 day supply) £56.95 ÷ 80 = £0.71 per day