Herbs for horses – Devil’s Claw is a herb traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Herbs are chosen from particular areas of the plant to provide the most potent properties. For the herbal remedy devil’s claw, the root part of the plant is known to provide the highest potency.

Devil’s claw is one of the most popular herbs for horses used in joint and mobility supplements to provide relief from pain or inflammation. Using herbs for horses is also a helpful and holistic way to support horses with degenerative or osteoarthritis conditions.

What is the science behind herbs for horses? Does devils claw work?

Whilst herbs are traditional remedies often dating back centuries for human use. The data on herbs for horses is more limited. But here are a few studies we have found for the use of devil’s claw.

Scientific studies for devil’s claw supplements for horses.

1. Efficacy in bone spavin Osteoarthritis of horses. (1994)

Method: A controlled trial of mature horses with bone spavin (osteoarthritis) was conducted, comparing a phytotherapy containing Devil’s Claw to phenylbutazone.

Findings: Although a small-scale trial, it reported similar pain relief after 120 days pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2ker.com+2pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2.

Conclusion: Promising pain relief findings. However, no large, placebo-controlled follow-up has since been published.

2. In vitro Devil’s Claw extracts-Weiss et al. (2002) 

Method: Tested in the laboratory only, but showing the mechanism of how it potentially could work in the body.

Findings: Harpagoside, the active compound of devils’ claw, inhibited COX-2 and LOX pathways, similar to NSAIDs.

Conclusion: Supports the biological plausibility of Devil’s Claw’s having an effect in horses.

3.  Effect of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) on Lameness and Inflammation in Horses Schumacher et al. (2010)

Method: Eight horses with induced inflammation received Devil’s Claw extract orally for 10 days.

Findings: Horses showed reduced signs of lameness and lower inflammatory markers (like prostaglandin E2) compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Suggested anti-inflammatory activity, however a larger trial would be recommended to provide more validation. This was presented at a veterinary conference (however not published in a peer-reviewed journal).

4.  Pharmacokinetics in Horses – Axmann et al. (2019)

Method: a detailed study examined how the key active compound, harpagoside, is absorbed and processed in horses. For doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (equivalent to 2,500 mg active and 5,000 mg per 500 Kg horse) via nasogastric tube in horses.

Findings: Detectable plasma levels of devil’s claw persisted up to 9 hours.  The peak concentration of devil’s claw occurred around 1 hour after administration. The half-life, that is the time it takes to reduce the amount in the plasma by half is 2.3-2.5 hours. No adverse effects were observed at the above dosages, reference:  reddit.com+15agris.fao.org+15researchgate.net+15.

Conclusion: provides critical data to guide dosing frequency and timing for therapeutic use.

5. Effect on Gastric Health – Researchers at Louisiana State University (2020–2021)

Method: Devil’s Claw combined with turmeric, two herbs for horses, administered to Thoroughbreds with existing gastric ulcers. Over 28 days.

Findings: no worsening of ulcer scores or stomach pH was noted in treated versus control groups ker.com.

Conclusion: This provides evidence that Devil’s Claw, being a bitter herb, does however not exacerbate gastric issues.

Based on data to date; here are 3 reasons to try devil’s claw to:

  1. Manage mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis

  2. Reduce stiffness in older horses

  3. Support performance recovery

A devil’s claw extract that is standardized with a known and consistent concentration can be used such as   Devils claw for horses | Ultra high strength

When using herbs for horses, the extract form is always stronger than regular powder, this is why Devils claw for horses | Ultra high strength is recommended.