Horse broth

What is horse broth?

Horse broth is a clear or slightly cloudy liquid that is made by boiling horse bones and meat. The bones are boiled in water with a little vinegar or lemon juice to dissolve the minerals and gelatine from the bone marrow. The meat is either cooked with the bones or added later. The broth is then filtered through a sieve or cloth and can either be used immediately or frozen.

Horse broth is rich in nutrients such as protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, collagen and glucosamine. These can support the health of your dog's skin, coat, joints, bones and immune system. In addition, horse broth tastes very good to many dogs and can help them absorb more fluids.

How can you make or buy horse broth for your dog?

You can either make horse broth for your dog yourself or buy it ready-made. If you want to make it yourself, all you need is some horse bones and meat (preferably from an organic farm or butcher), water and some vinegar or lemon juice. You can also add vegetables such as carrots, celery or parsley to enhance the flavor. However, avoid onions, garlic or other spices that can be toxic to dogs.

To cook the broth, place the bones and meat in a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and leave to simmer at a low temperature for at least 12 hours. The longer you cook the stock, the more nutrients are released. You can skim off the foam that forms on the surface. When the broth is ready, leave it to cool and filter it through a sieve or cloth. You can keep the meat for your dog or dispose of it. You can freeze the broth in portions or keep it in the fridge for a few days.

If you don't have the time or inclination to cook horse broth yourself, you can also buy it ready-made. There are various suppliers of horse broth for dogs on the internet or in specialist shops. Make sure that the broth does not contain any artificial additives such as salt, sugar or preservatives. You should also make sure that the broth comes from species-appropriate husbandry.

What are the advantagesand disadvantages does horse broth have for your dog?

Horse broth has many benefits for your dog. It can:

• stimulate the appetite
• promote digestion
• improve hydration
• support joint health
• strengthen the immune system
• make the coat shiny
• alleviate allergies
• inhibit inflammation

You can give horse broth as a supplement to feed or as a reward between meals. You can also use it as a base for soups or stews or freeze it as ice cubes and offer it as a cool snack.

However, horse broth also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of. It can:

• contain too much fat
• provide too many calories
• contain too much purine
• contain too much sodium
• trigger allergies

You should therefore only give horse broth in moderation and reduce the amount of food accordingly. If your dog is overweight, has kidney disease or is at risk of gout, you should only give horse broth after consulting your vet. If your dog has an allergy to horse meat, you should avoid horse broth. You should also always make sure that the broth is fresh and does not contain any mold or bacteria.