At Glas Equine, choosing natural ingredients isn’t about avoiding modern approaches, it’s about supporting the horse as a whole. It’s something that came from years of owning, riding, managing and worrying about horses we care deeply about.
Like most horse owners, we’ve tried a lot over the years. Some things worked, some didn’t. What we kept coming back to was this: horses tend to respond best when we support the body, rather than trying to override it. That belief is what shaped how we approach nutrition today.
Horses Thrive on Consistent, Natural Support
Horses evolved grazing, moving, and living outdoors supported by a wide range of plants, fibres and natural compounds. Their systems are sensitive, especially the gut, respiratory tract and skin, and they don’t always cope well with sudden or aggressive inputs.
We’ve seen it ourselves:
- Horses that became unsettled on “strong” products
- Horses that improved briefly, then plateaued
- Horses that needed constant intervention rather than steady support
That’s where natural ingredients started to make sense for us. Not because they’re weaker, but because they’re gentler and more sustainable long-term.
Natural Means Working With the Horse, Not Against Them
When we talk about natural support, we don’t mean throwing random herbs together and hoping for the best.
We mean:
- Ingredients that support normal function, not force change
- Whole plant materials that contain multiple naturally occurring compounds
- Nutrition that fits into daily management, rather than replacing it
Take something like Marshmallow Root. It’s traditionally used because it naturally produces mucilage, a soothing substance that supports irritated tissues. It doesn’t “shut down” a cough. It supports the airways so the horse can settle naturally.
That difference matters.
Why Whole Ingredients Matter
One thing we’ve learned is that horses don’t respond to nutrition in isolation. A single synthetic compound might target one pathway, but nature rarely works that way.
Whole ingredients often contain:
- Supporting compounds that aid absorption
- Natural balances that reduce irritation
- Secondary benefits you don’t always expect
For example, a plant chosen for respiratory comfort may also support digestion or immune balance, not because it was designed that way, but because that’s how plants evolved.
What We’ve Seen in Practice
Over time, we’ve noticed a pattern with horses supported naturally:
- They settle more gradually but more reliably
- Improvements feel more “normal”, not artificial
- Management becomes easier, not more complicated
Whether it’s a horse that coughs at the start of work, struggles seasonally, or just doesn’t feel quite right, gentle nutritional support often complements good management far better than a heavy-handed fix.
“Marshmallow Root has turned our top jumping horse inside out, from a persistent cough we couldn’t get to the bottom of, to being perfectly happy and healthy to compete internationally.” Kinard Stables · Glas Equine Customer
Why This Matters to Us
Glas Equine is built around the horses we ride, the horses we manage, and the horses we want to keep comfortable and happy for as long as possible.
Choosing natural ingredients isn’t about avoiding modern approaches, it’s about supporting the horse as a whole. It’s about being thoughtful, cautious, and realistic about what horses actually need.
And if there’s one thing horses constantly teach us, it’s that simple, consistent care usually wins.
If you’d like to explore the natural supplements we use and trust in our own horses, you can find them here.👉 Explore our natural supplements