Essential Equine Supplements Every NZ Horse Owner Should Know About

Owning a horse in New Zealand comes with the joys of outdoor grazing, fresh pasture, and natural movement — but it also brings a set of nutritional challenges. While our grass-rich paddocks provide a solid base, they often lack key nutrients vital for long-term equine health. That’s where high-quality supplements come in — bridging the gap between what your horse gets from feed and what they truly need to thrive.

Whether you’ve got a high-performance jumper, a retired paddock companion, or a working farm horse, choosing the right supplements can be one of the most impactful decisions you make. This article breaks down the top equine supplements every NZ horse owner should know about, focusing on three highly trusted brands: 4CYTE™, Fourflax, and Inside Out Equine Health.

🧠 Why Supplements Matter in NZ Horse Care

New Zealand horses graze predominantly on ryegrass-based pastures, which are often low in magnesium, selenium, copper, and zinc. Over time, these deficiencies can contribute to:

• Joint and ligament issues

• Poor hoof quality

• Dull coats

• Muscle tightness

• Weak immune function

• Digestive disturbances

That’s why supplementing — based on your horse’s activity level, age, condition, and pasture type — is no longer a luxury. It’s essential.

🔹 1. 4CYTE™ Equine – For Joint Health and Longevity

What it does: 4CYTE™ Equine is a scientifically backed joint supplement designed to support, protect, and repair joints. It’s a staple in many equestrian vet clinics across NZ, known for its effectiveness in both performance and aging horses.

📦 Available in Two Forms:

• 4CYTE™ Equine Granules – A palatable, daily-use granule combining Epiitalis® with green-lipped mussel and abalone powder. Ideal for long-term maintenance or early intervention.

• 4CYTE™ Epiitalis Forte Gel – A concentrated, apple-flavoured oral gel for horses requiring rapid joint support, often used post-injury or during high-performance periods.

🧬 Why Epiitalis®?

Epiitalis® is a patented plant oil clinically proven to:

• Stimulate cartilage regeneration

• Reduce inflammatory mediators in joints

• Improve overall joint comfort without relying on NSAIDs

🐎 Best for:

• Senior horses showing stiffness

• Performance horses under a heavy workload

• Horses recovering from joint injury or surgery

✅ Key Benefits:

• Vet-recommended and scientifically researched

• Safe for long-term use (no known side effects)

• Easy to administer (especially the gel)

Whether you’re focused on preventing future issues or helping a horse bounce back from a setback, 4CYTE offers trusted joint protection with results you can see and feel.

🌿 2. Fourflax – NZ-Made Natural Support for Hooves, Coats & Gut

What it does: Fourflax is a New Zealand company creating natural, nutrient-rich equine supplements that focus on skin, coat, hoof, joint, and digestive health. Their products are ideal for horse owners who prefer clean formulations with locally sourced ingredients like flaxseed oil and green-lipped mussel.

🥇 Top Products:

• Fourflax Bone & Joint Powder
  Combines MSM, chondroitin, glucosamine, and NZ green-lipped mussel — ideal for joint mobility and reducing inflammation.

• Fourflax Biotin+ for Hoof & Coat
  A blend of biotin, zinc, methionine, and amino acids designed to boost hoof strength and add shine to your horse’s coat.

• Fourflax Gut Pro
  A pre- and probiotic digestive supplement that helps balance gut flora, aid nutrient uptake, and manage mycotoxins.

🌱 Why Choose Fourflax?

Fourflax stands out for being NZ-made, grain-free, and free from artificial fillers. Their commitment to sustainability and natural health makes them a favourite among owners looking for holistic support.

🐎 Best for:

• Horses with brittle hooves or skin/coat issues

• Those prone to digestive upset or scouring

• Horses under stress (travel, performance, recovery)

⚖️ 3. Inside Out Equine Health – Balancing the Mineral Equation

What it does: Inside Out Equine Health offers mineral blends and gut health products tailored for NZ pasture conditions, which are often out of balance for horses. Their philosophy? Build health from the inside, and let everything else follow.

🥇 Core Product:

• Inside Out Essentials Mineral Pellets
  A complete mineral profile including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamin E, balanced to address typical NZ deficiencies. Comes in palatable pellets — no powders, no guesswork.

• Inside Out Gut Balancer 
  Formulated to maintain gut lining integrity, aid digestion, and support immune response — especially helpful after antibiotic use or worming.

🧬 Why It Works:

Unlike generic mineral mixes, Inside Out’s blends are crafted specifically for NZ soil profiles, meaning your horse gets what they're actually lacking — not just a blanket mix.

🐎 Best for:

• Horses with no existing mineral balancing program

• Those showing signs of deficiency (coat dullness, low energy)

• Owners using soil or pasture testing

🔁 Which Should You Choose?

These three brands aren’t in competition — they complement each other beautifully:

You can absolutely combine a joint supplement (like 4CYTE) with mineral pellets from Inside Out and a gut supplement from Fourflax for a comprehensive, pasture-balanced plan.

💡 Final Word

Horses are athletes, companions, workers — and like us, they need more than just the basics to thrive. A well-chosen supplement plan can prevent long-term problems, enhance performance, and make a visible difference in coat, hoof, digestion, and movement.

Whether you're focused on longevity, performance, or recovery, brands like 4CYTE™, Fourflax, and Inside Out offer proven tools to help your horse look and feel their best.

Explore our full Equine Collection at Pet Supply to shop these brands and more, with fast delivery across New Zealand.