Your Guide to Natural Horse Spirulina

Your Guide to Natural Horse Spirulina

Natural horse Spirulina can be an important part of natural horse nutrition. It can help improve your horse's coat, hooves, and immune system, help as a blood builder and detoxifier, and is especially good for horses that do not have access to pasture. Read more to find out what spirulina is, some additional benefits of feeding it, and where you can find it.

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a blue-green algae that is cultivated worldwide as a food source. It has a spiral shape to it and is approximately 3.6 billion years old. What is so wonderful about natural horse spirulina is that it is a natural source of:

Protein: 55-70%

Vitamins and Nutrients: vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K, biotin, pantothenic acid, beta carotene (source of vitamin A), and inositol

Minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, chromium, phosphorus, molybdenum, iodine, chloride, magnesium, sodium, zinc, potassium, selenium, germanium, copper, and boron

Amino Acids: isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, alanine, glycine, arginine, histidine, aspartic acid, proline, cystine, serine, glutamic acid, and tyrosine

What are some other benefits of feeding Spirulina?

It can help increase a horse's appetite.

It can help horses relieve allergies such as hives.

It can help horses with breathing problems such as heaves (also known as COPD).

In addition to helping a horse's physical body, spirulina has been known to help the mental aspect of a horse by relieving anxiety and improving their attitude and training ability.

Where can I find Spirulina products?

Some sources of natural horse spirulina are:

Spirulina Wafers by Springtime, Inc. which contain 2,000 mg (2g) of spirulina per wafer.

Spirulina in a powder form from J. Crow's.

Spirulina in a powder form from HerbalCom.

Spirulina in a powder form from BulkFoods.Com is another source of natural horse spirulina.

You can find other sources of spirulina on the internet and in health food stores. Keep in mind that the bulk purchases will most likely be your best bet for your money. A suggested dosage is 20 grams of spirulina once or twice daily.

Some species of blue-green algae naturally produce toxins called microcystins which accumulate in the liver and and can cause liver damage. Health Canada, concerned with the health risks to people, conducted analytical testing of blue-green algae products and determined that ONLY products made from spirulina blue-green algae were not considered a health risk. So, if you are purchasing blue-green algae for your horse, please make sure it is spirulina.

Natural horse spirulina has helped many horses but with any new product, you should monitor your horse. If your horse is sick, injured, on any medication, or you have any concerns, you can check with your vet prior to feeding the spirulina. Please see the disclaimer. If you have any concerns after you feed natural horse spirulina, consult your vet.

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