EDUCATION
11 minutes
Essential Takeaways
Manuka honey has been used for horses with astonishing results. From common cuts and grazes to severely infected wounds and hoof thrush, horse owners and their vets opt for this all-natural remedy over traditional treatments for a number of reasons.
Conventional medications can be expensive, hard to come by, fraught with risks of side effects and thanks to the antibiotics resistance crisis, potentially ineffective. Natural remedies like honey for horses are an accessible, safe, and cost-effective way of healing safely.
It is paramount to check with your vet before using anything for medical purposes. Opt for high-grade UMF™ manuka honey for the best results, applied in a sterile environment with a gauze dressing for wound healing and thrush treatment.
Have you heard?
Manuka honey can do wonders for your horse.
From treating everyday cuts to serious wound infections and hoof thrush, using honey for horses is popular for a reason.
But when it comes to antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency, all-natural manuka honey outshines the other types of honey available.
Here’s why, how to use it, and the best type of manuka honey to get for your horse.
In this guide to using manuka honey for horses:
NB: It’s always best to get tailored advice from your vet before using anything for medical purposes on an animal.
Why People Are Turning to Natural Remedies for Horses
When you notice something wrong with your horse, who do you turn to first for help?
Treating our horses has always been a communal affair. Veterinary advice is vital but expensive, and not always necessary for every ailment.
Horse owners have been sharing holistic therapies for centuries¹, passed down the generations and today, around the online forums.
Natural remedies for horses are often cheaper, more accessible, and come with less side effects. People have been using all sorts of holistic therapies for horses, from herbs to honey, for years.
“Herbal supplements for horses have gone from novel to mainstream in the last 40 years, just as they have for people. Their appeal is undeniable. After all, herbs were our first medications.”
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A horse owner’s guide to herbs, EQUUS Magazine².
The anecdotal evidence for using natural remedies for horses is overwhelming, but the scientific research is also stacking up.
This is partly due to the antimicrobial resistance crisis and the desperate need for effective alternative treatments.
“With the increasing awareness and concern of antibiotic resistance, and a holistic approach to veterinary medicine being sought by clients, the new and old ways of treating wounds are under scrutiny.”
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Why use manuka honey, The Veterinary Nurse³.
It’s not just horse owners that are using natural remedies for their beloved equines. Today, vets use them too.
The antimicrobial resistance crisis has rippled through human and veterinary medicine, rendering many of our life-saving antibiotics ineffective⁴. In fact, vets are under increasing pressure to minimise their use of antibiotics for the sake of our health:
“Veterinarians play a vital role in managing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as they frequently prescribe antimicrobials to protect animal health. However, overprescription and misuse of antimicrobials in veterinary practice contribute to the development of AMR in humans.”
The threat is serious and yet barely publicised:
“The mortality rate caused by microbial resistance is higher than the total number of deaths induced by cancer worldwide.”
In general, the antibiotics used by vets to treat things like horse wound infections and hoof thrush aren’t any different from those used by doctors⁴. And these can transfer to people through contact or animal products.
So it’s easy to see why the interest in natural remedies for horses has exploded. They’re often easier to come by, carry around, and safe to use outside.
But is there any real evidence of success using honey for horses? Let’s find out.
Is Honey Good for Horses? Here’s the Evidence
There is now a wealth of evidence that shows honey is antibacterial.
Its high sugar content and osmotic properties help it to draw out bacteria, keep an infected area moist while it heals, and protect it from invading nasties⁵.
“This sweet feature of honey may come in handy for horses, which are known for complications associated with wound repair and healing.”
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Laura Petroski-Rose, BVMS, Kentucky Equine Research⁶.
Horses are particularly susceptible to cuts and grazes thanks to their thinner skin⁷.
Stitches often aren’t an option for the most common horse wounds. And even when they are used, complications are frequent.
In fact, “repair failure” occurs in around 75% of lower limb injuries - which usually means an infection of some kind³.
So horse wounds are often left open to heal and this makes them vulnerable to all sorts of potential problems. Honey can be used by owners to both prevent nasty infections and treat them after they’ve started.
It’s often what a vet will opt for anyway due to the amazing results they can achieve without antibiotics.
“Manuka [honey] provides a way to reduce antibiotic use at a time of increasingly prevalent antibiotic resistant bacteria. The osmotic debridement effect of manuka honey can aid the body in its natural healing process, and provides anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to reduce redness, oedema and swelling in chronic troublesome wounds.”
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Why use manuka honey, The Veterinary Nurse³.
Here’s an example of raw honey in action:
“Raw honey is amazing - I used it when Minnie decided to puncture herself on a tree branch - I've never seen a wound look so well, and heal up so quickly, especially how she had punctured and torn herself.”
User “ClearDonkey” | Posted Sep 13, 2020 | HorseForum
What’s the Best Honey for Horse Wounds?
Manuka honey is one of the most researched and well-regulated honeys on the market thanks to its superior health benefits and proven medical potential⁸.
As an easy and all-natural answer to the most common horse wounds and medical conditions, it definitely comes out on top.
“When medical grade manuka honey has been compared with store bought ‘table’ honeys it has been found to have superior antimicrobial activity, however store-bought honey has not been demonstrated to be harmful.
For use during the inflammatory phase, manuka honey provides a wide range of benefits and should be a staple of every practice's wound management protocols.”
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Why use manuka honey, The Veterinary Nurse³.
Manuka honey is more potent in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties than other types of honey.
This is thanks to its unique combination of chemical compounds:
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Leptosperin from the mānuka plant which is linked to immunity⁹.
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Methyl syringate, a powerful antioxidant¹⁰.
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Myeloperoxidase which is linked to easing inflammation¹¹ and the destruction of pathogens¹².
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Methylglyoxal (MGO) which is the main marker used to determine the antibacterial potency of manuka honey¹³.
Due to the scale of the antibiotics crisis and the evidence for using manuka honey instead, it has even been tested specifically for resistance. Scientists have found that bacteria are not resistant to its powerful effects (at the time of writing).
“Manuka honey has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and unlike traditional antibiotics, resistance to its killing effects has not been reported.”
Not only is manuka honey more effective in clearing and healing wounds but it’s the safest route, too.
Honey is one of the most faked foods in the world. Many store-bought honeys are ultra-filtered to make them look more appealing and diluted to increase yield.
It’s potentially dangerous to use these honeys for medical purposes in case they’re contaminated. And even if they’re not, it’s unlikely they’ve retained much of their natural benefits anyway.
By opting for UMF™-certified manuka honey, you can be sure you’re getting the real deal. This grading system was developed to protect the integrity of genuine manuka honey and involves rigorous independent testing and verification.
Only a jar of pure, raw, monofloral manuka honey from New Zealand can get a UMF™ grade.
The higher the grade, the more potent its antibacterial effects. It is generally recommended that you opt for UMF™ 15+ or higher for medical purposes. This study found UMF™ 20+ to be effective.
“Manuka honey, a revelation!! Has anyone used this? I used it on a wound my boy managed to inflict on himself whilst on box rest (I kid you not!!). It is fantastic. Within a couple of days, the wound had granulated beautifully and it is now scabbed and very clean. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
A couple of people at the yard have had similar experiences and we now regard it as somewhat of a miracle cure.”
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User “Flicker” | Posted 18 January 2007 | Horse & Hound
“I work at a small animal veterinary clinic and raw manuka honey is a must-have in our bandage box. It has excellent healing properties!”
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User “Palfrey” | Posted Sep 13, 2020 | HorseForum
“I used Manuka honey on Phoenix when she managed to just about de-glove her leg in what was classed as a "catastrophic leg injury". It was amazing how fast and cleanly the whole wound healed. We now use it on everything and always have a jar aside for injuries - I would never use anything else anymore.”
User “kiwigirl” | Posted Sep 17, 2020 | HorseForum
How to Use Manuka Honey for Horses (by Condition)
You might be thinking: this is all well and good, but how do I get a sticky sweet substance to work on my horse? Won’t they lick it off or just attract flies?
Here’s how to get the best results from manuka honey for your horse. These recommendations have been sourced from vets and fellow equine owners for practical tips and tricks.
NB: Make sure you get tailored medical advice before using anything on your horse.
Manuka honey for horse cough
Horses love eating honey! Like molasses, it provides a quick energy source¹⁵. But unlike molasses, it may also help to treat coughing, a common horsey problem.
Like us, horses can cough for all sorts of reasons¹⁶. But if you notice something persistent, make sure you raise it with your vet and ask to try some manuka honey.
You can put it on the horse’s bit, on the end of a carrot, or mixed in their food. Just make sure it’s pure, raw and UMF™-graded for the best results.
Manuka honey for horse cuts
Using manuka honey for horse cuts which are clean and not infected is a great way to ensure they stay that way while healing.
To make sure the manuka honey stays on, you’ll want to make a gauze dressing. You can find the simple steps to do this safely in our dedicated wound dressings guide.
Spray some neem oil over the top to keep flies away and boost the hydration and moisture around the laceration.
Manuka honey for infected wounds on horses
For infected horse wounds, it’s important to seek medical help and attention. It’s imperative that the right honey is used and that everything coming into contact with the wound is sterile.
In these more serious instances, manuka honey is most effective when embedded into the wound rather than spread over the top³.
The manuka honey should fill and cover the wound, particularly if bone is exposed¹⁷. The wound should then be wrapped in medical dressing to keep the honey in place.
It is recommended to remove and refresh the manuka honey regularly. If you can, do this 2-3 times daily at first, observing how quickly the dressing becomes saturated. You can reduce the dressing changes slowly, but continue treating for around 21 days¹⁸.
Make sure to use the highest-grade UMF™ honey that you can for these types of wounds.
Manuka honey for thrush in hooves
As a common bacterial infection of the hooves, thrush can be treated with manuka honey, too.
Eliminate that awful eggy smell quickly by mixing ¾ manuka honey with ¼ iodine and soaking a pad in the mixture. Apply it directly to the hoof and secure it with a bandage¹⁹.
Try to replace this every 24 hours or more often if it comes loose.
It’s worth noting that when your horse has thrush or laminitis, it’s best to avoid feeding them honey at this time. Their diet needs to be as low in sugar as possible²⁰.
Here are more tips on applying manuka honey to wounds and changing dressings.
Get Your Premium Manuka Honey for Equine Wounds
Manuka honey is the ideal treatment for your horse’s cuts, scrapes, thrush, and even serious infected wounds.
It’s accessible, easy to carry around and have to hand, lasts for years, and it’s safe to apply outdoors around other animals.
(Plus, you don’t just have to give it to your horse. Here are over 170 ways that you can use and benefit from manuka honey, too).
All our manuka honeys are UMF™ graded and independently tested to the highest standards. Each batch is fully traceable to the source, non-GMO, glyphosate free and come in sustainable packaging.
Sources:
¹ Home cures for ailing horses: a case study, Duke University Press.
² A horse owner’s guide to herbs, EQUUS magazine.
³ Why use manuka honey, The Veterinary Nurse.
⁴ Explaining the barriers faced by veterinarians…, National Library of Medicine.
⁵ Manuka honey wound care, New Zealand Honey Co.
⁶ Honey for wound healing in horses, Kentucky Equine Research.
⁷ Honey used for horse wounds, Veterinary Partner.
⁸ Medical grade manuka honey, New Zealand Honey Co.
⁹ Immunochemical authentication of manuka honey, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
¹⁰ Honey and health: a review, National Library of Medicine.
¹¹ Role of myeloperoxidase in inflammation…, National Library of Medicine.
¹² Role of hypohalous acids…, National Library of Medicine.
¹³ What does MGO mean on manuka honey? New Zealand Honey Co.
¹⁴ An ancient antimicrobial: manuka honey, ASM Journals.
¹⁵ Feeding honey to horses, The Horse.
¹⁶ What can I do about my horse’s cough? Audevard.
¹⁷ The use of honey in wound care in horses, Manitoba Cooperator.
¹⁸ Equine wound healing using honey, Equine Veterinary Education.
¹⁹ Manuka honey for horses, Equestrian Hub.
²⁰ Feeding horses with laminitis, Virbac.