Sea Buckthorn for Horses: A Natural Solution for Gastric Health | VetGen Nutrition
Discover how sea buckthorn supports equine gastric health. Backed by a peer-reviewed LSU study. Competition-safe and LCH-certified doping-free.
Gastric ulcers are one of the most common health challenges in horses — affecting up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of performance horses. As horse owners and trainers look for natural, competition-safe alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments, sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) has emerged as one of the most promising and scientifically supported options.
What Is Sea Buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn is a hardy shrub native to Europe and Asia, prized for centuries in traditional medicine. Its small, bright orange berries are extraordinarily rich in bioactive compounds — in fact, researchers have identified over 190 phytonutrients in sea buckthorn, including:
Omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid)
Vitamins C and E — in concentrations far exceeding most fruits
Carotenoids and flavonoids
Plant sterols and lignans
Essential minerals
This unique nutritional profile makes sea buckthorn particularly interesting for equine gastric and mucosal health.
The Science: What Research Shows
Key Clinical Study in Horses
The most significant study to date was conducted at Louisiana State University's Equine Health Studies Program and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine:
Huff, N.K. et al. (2012) — "Effect of Sea Buckthorn Berries and Pulp in a Liquid Emulsion on Gastric Ulcer Scores and Gastric Juice pH in Horses" Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Wiley. Read the study on PubMed | Full text via Wiley
Eight Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-cross horses were supplemented with a sea buckthorn berry and pulp emulsion over 35 days. The results were notable:
Glandular ulcer scores (severity and number) were significantly lower in the treated group compared to controls
After 35 days, glandular ulcers in the lower two-thirds of the stomach had resolved in the treated horses
The supplement was well tolerated with no adverse effects reported
While nonglandular (squamous) ulcers showed less response, the results for glandular gastric ulcers — which are notoriously difficult to treat and often linked to stress and feeding management — are highly encouraging.
Why Omega-7 Matters for the Equine Gut
One of sea buckthorn's most distinctive compounds is omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), a rare fatty acid found in high concentrations in the berry oil. Omega-7 plays a direct role in:
Protecting and regenerating mucous membranes lining the stomach and gastrointestinal tract
Reducing inflammation in the gut lining
Supporting mucosal healing after irritation or ulceration
Unlike omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are widely available in conventional feeds, omega-7 is rare in typical equine diets — making sea buckthorn a genuinely unique nutritional addition.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Action
Sea buckthorn's dense antioxidant profile — particularly its flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins C and E — provides powerful anti-inflammatory support throughout the digestive tract. These compounds work synergistically to:
Neutralize free radicals that damage the stomach lining
Calm inflammation in the gastric and intestinal mucosa
Support the immune response within the gut
Competition-Safe and Natural
For sport horses and competition riders, supplement safety is non-negotiable. Sea buckthorn is a natural plant extract with no known prohibited substances under FEI or national federation rules. It supports gastric health through nutritional pathways rather than pharmacological mechanisms — making it a clean, responsible choice for horses competing at all levels.
Who Can Benefit?
Sea buckthorn supplementation is particularly relevant for:
Performance and competition horses under physical and psychological stress
Horses prone to gastric ulcers due to intensive training, travel, or irregular feeding
Horses with sensitive digestion or loose droppings
Young horses transitioning to competition schedules
Any horse on a high-concentrate or limited-forage diet
Summary
Sea buckthorn is more than a traditional remedy — it is a scientifically supported, nutrient-dense plant that addresses the root causes of poor gastric health in horses. With a peer-reviewed clinical trial demonstrating measurable reductions in glandular ulcer scores, and a bioactive profile uniquely suited to mucosal protection and regeneration, it represents a compelling natural option for horse owners seeking safe, effective gastrointestinal support.
References
Huff, N.K., Auer, A.D., Garza, F. Jr., et al. (2012). Effect of Sea Buckthorn Berries and Pulp in a Liquid Emulsion on Gastric Ulcer Scores and Gastric Juice pH in Horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 26(4), 920–927. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22845737/
Wiley Online Library — Full text: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00975.x
ResearchGate — Study overview: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230587580