Painkillers for horses

Written by N | July 9, 2025

Every horse experiences pain at some point. Whether treatment is necessary depends entirely on the type and severity of the pain. A veterinarian is best qualified to determine the source of the pain and how to treat it effectively.

Amazon rider competing in dressage on horseback

Often, the treatment will involve a painkiller or anti-inflammatory, such as an NSAID. These are not available over the counter and must be prescribed by your veterinarian. Once the cause of the pain is determined, supportive supplements can sometimes make a significant difference for your horse.

And more:

In this blog, we discuss several options for pain support for your horse, focusing on pain in muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

Please note: This blog cannot replace veterinary advice!

Homeopathic pain relief for horses

There are homeopathic remedies available for horses that can have a pain-relieving effect. For example, products like Traumeel provide supportive effects for both acute and chronic joint problems. There is also a gel for external use. It is recommended to combine Traumeel tablets with Zeel, which primarily affects bones and joints, while Traumeel supports muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This combination can be very effective in supporting horses with osteoarthritis.

Herbal supplements as pain relief for horses

Several herbs have proven pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory effects, such as Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Devil’s Claw, Curcumin, Blackcurrant leaf, Ginger, Yucca filamentosa, green tea, lavender, and rosemary. Many herbal supplements contain a blend of these substances to support horses with osteoarthritis. Examples include Horseflex Boswellia, Synopet, and Nutrilabs Devil’s Turmeric.

The supplement closest to a true painkiller is Puur Dolor. Always consult your vet before giving this to your horse.

Synopet also contains green-lipped mussel, which provides building blocks for joint cartilage and fatty acids with anti-inflammatory effects.

Joint-supporting supplements for horses

Besides homeopathic and herbal anti-inflammatory products, there are supplements with joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine glycanes, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids. These substances support joint cartilage health and protect cartilage from damage and collagen breakdown, helping to maintain healthy joints longer and slow osteoarthritis development. These products are mainly preventative; once osteoarthritis is present, additional treatment is often necessary.

Examples of such products include Puur Glucosamine Extra Paard, HorseFlex JointPower, and Equistro Flexadin UCII. Many combine natural body substances with herbs.

Important: The first step when suspecting pain is always to contact your veterinarian. Do not start supplements on your own without knowing the cause, as this may delay the proper treatment and lead to further damage.

If you have questions, contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk