The Advantages of Apple Cider Vinegar for Horses

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for centuries as a natural health supplement for both humans and animals. ACV is made through the fermentation of carbohydrates in apple juice, which forms acetic acid. It is also a natural source of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, iron, and other trace elements that help overall health. Apple cider vinegar for horses may be fantastic to use inside your horse and part of your horse grooming routine and fly management protocol. And maybe not.

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Understanding Apple Cider Vinegar and Its Properties

There are two steps to making ACV. Apple juice and yeast combine, and the yeast eats the sugars in the juice, creating alcohol. Then, beneficial bacteria are added to convert the alcohol to acetic acid. This bacteria is called “the mother” or “mother” as it does the heavy lifting to create vinegar.

You may notice that some purchased apple cider vinegars are cloudy. This cloudiness is the mother and may settle to the bottom if left undisturbed. Some manufacturers remove the mother, creating a clear appearance. ACV Is acidic, with an unmistakable aroma and taste.

You can see the cloudy mother at the bottom of this jar.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Horses

There’s much information about the benefits of ACV for horses. Some of it is scientifically backed, lots of it is unproven, and some of it is bunk. There is also no definitive science about how much ACV a horse can ingest daily.

Most of the folklore about ACV is due to the acidity; in one case, it’s likely quite beneficial.

Enteroliths in horses and using apple cider vinegar

An enterolith is a mineralized mass found in a horse’s digestive system, particularly in the large colon. These intestinal stones can cause discomfort and even blockages if not managed properly.

Usually, enteroliths are associated with alfalfa hay. While not inherently bad, this legume hay has higher concentrations of minerals that alter the pH of the colon, making it more alkaline. The calcium and by-products of protein digestion create opportunities for minerals to collect in the gut by latching onto a foreign object like sand or a bit of plastic accidentally ingested. This creates enteroliths and interferes with the absorption of minerals. This change in pH levels also supports the crystallization of minerals; over time, these crystals form into larger enteroliths.

Enteroliths can range in size from a few centimeters to softball size and larger. Many horse owners are unaware of them until discovered during colic surgery.

Maybe horses shouldn’t be eating food with ACV? There’s not enough info yet.

Enterloliths and science

Due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar has been suggested as a potential preventive measure against the formation of enteroliths. This may counterbalance the conditions that support enterolith growth.

A recent study hints that giving a horse about 110 ml of ACV per feeding of commercial feed will reduce the pH to safer levels when combined with balanced forage.

Unproven Claims About Horses and ACV

There is much conjecture about the benefits of cider vinegar and horses, some contradictory and some extrapolated from studies in humans and mice.

General claims about cider vinegar and horses

Oh this list is long about what ACV claims to do for horses – and can generally finish the sentence “Helps with………” The most popular unproven claims about oral ACV for horses are:

Preventing ulcers
Discourages worms
Natural anti-biotic
Overall digestive tract health
Makes the horse’s acid/alkaline ratio better
Boosts immunity
Prevents arthritis and stiffness

The list goes on and on…and NONE OF THEM have any science behind them. In fact, some supposed claims contradict science.

Adding acid to acid may not be a super great idea until science tells us more.

Gastric ulcers and ACV

Much of the internet thinks that ACV benefits horses with ulcers. Actually – the opposite is true. The acidic nature of vinegar does nothing to neutralize the acid in a horse’s stomach.

A horse’s stomach has two types of lining: mucus protected on the bottom and unprotected on the top. When stomach fluids splash or are exposed to the unprotected upper portion, they can lead to ulcers.

Adding vinegar into the mix increases those acids and may contribute to ulcers.

Practical Applications of Apple Cider Vinegar in Horse Care

We just don’t know enough about cider vinegar to say that a horse should ingest it daily. But we can use ACV to encourage drinking. There are other topical uses, too.

Encourage your horse to drink

Horses who need encouragement to drink may find that regular drinking water becomes gourmet water when a little ACV is added. This goes along with the theory that adding electrolytes, yummy grain, or sports drinks to water helps a horse drink more.

Some horses love the sour taste of vinegars, others don’t. It’s always best to test your horse’s tastes by offering gourmet water alongside a regular bucket of water. If they like the ACV, then go for it! You can also get them used to the taste by adding small amounts to your horse’s horse’s feed.

Little cracks can mean white line disease, aka seedy toe.

Hoof care with ACV for horses

Horse hooves are subject to thrush, white line disease, and sometimes just mystery bacteria or fungus. You might find success in treating those hoof problems with an ACV rinse. Use 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to warm water to make your vinegar concoction, then spray it on. As with anything in life, more is not always better, so stick to a very dilute mix here.

As with any hoof problem, from soreness to cracks, talk to your vet and farrier before you go all mad scientist with homemade treatments.

Read this for more information on white line disease.

In Grooming and Mane Care

Vinegar, specifically white vinegar, are a great laundry addition as an odor remover and fabric softener. For horses, using ACV can help with your horse’s coat and hair.

Use a few dollops of apple cider vinegar in your horse’s rinse water after a bath. You will add shine, remove all remnants of shampoo and conditioner, and soothe the skin.

You can also use this rinse in the mane and tail to boost shine. There may also be some fly-repelling properties, so putting some in your horse’s tail will help them swish the flies away.

Soothing insect reactions and bug bites

Bug bites are itchy, can swell, may weep serum (especially tick bites), and may create hives. To soothe irritated skin, apply an ACV rinse. Start with that dilution and see what happens!

It’s always a good idea to do a patch test of any new remedy or horse product before using it.

Read this for directions on how to patch-test your horse.

You could make your own ACV fly spray.

Homemade Fly Spray

There are dozens of recipes for homemade fly sprays, and you’ll likely need to experiment. One quick thing to remember – many flies hunt by vision, some hunt by smell, and different concoctions may attract or repel flies and insects. It depends on the bug and the smell.

- - At any rate, you could try this recipe:
  - 1 cup of ACV
  - 1/2 cup of water
  - A few drops of citronella or eucalyptus oil
  - A few drops of dish soap
  - Use a spray bottle to apply.

This is also a great opportunity to patch-test your horse before you douse them. You may find that there is some soap residue that gets sticky or you decide you just can’t take that apple cider vinegar smell.

Are there any horses that shouldn’t have apple cider vinegar?

While Apple Cider Vinegar is generally safe for horses, some health conditions and contraindications must be considered. It is important to consult with your veterinarian and equine nutritionist for personalized recommendations based on your horse’s specific health needs and diet.

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Mother Earth, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with The Mother, Half Gallon

$24.99

This half gallon of ACV can help your horse be shiny, and perhaps ward off some flies, too. It's great for soothing bug bits.