Detox Diets: Fad or Legit?

By Annie Emery

Revolution Equine Nutrition

There is always a ton of ads talking about “detox” supplements and programs for horses. Sounds good, right? But like anything let’s think about this….we know that Healthy horses do not need detox programs.
And in many cases, these trendy detox products may have adverse reactoins or unwanted events- they are not “proven safe”.

Let's talk through what science really says about detoxing horses — and why you can skip these supplements.

Horses “Detox” Just Fine

Horses, like all mammals, already have an incredible internal system to handle waste and toxins. The liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and even the skin all work together process and eliminate waste products. There is no “backing up” of toxins, they don’t “build up” in the body. Research from Equine Exercise Physiology (Hinchcliff et al., 2008) confirms the equine liver is highly efficient — no outside help required. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice (2015) also emphasizes that unless a horse has true liver disease or kidney failure, their body already manages daily detox just fine.

Detox Supplements Lack Scientific Support

Do they work?

Short answer: No
But the reality is, a 2019 review in the journal Animals (Basel) found no credible scientific evidence that detox supplements actually do anything measurable for horses.

Many of these products throw around vague promises like "flush out toxins" — but they never define which toxins, how they are measured, or what the horse’s baseline even is.

Some herbs commonly found in detox mixes, like milk thistle or dandelion, may actually put unnecessary strain on the liver if given without a medical reason.
More is not always better — and the wrong ingredients at the wrong time can cause more problems than they solve.

The Potential Risks of "Detox" Products

Some "detox" ingredients come with real risks. Herbs like burdock root, licorice, and cascara can cause:

• Diarrhea

• Dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalances

• Liver stress

A 2022 study in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics even warned about herb-drug interactions when horses are given herbal detoxes alongside necessary veterinary medications.

Remember: just because something is "natural" doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe. If you want to use one of these products please talk to your veterinarian about suitability for your horse. Be especially careful using any products in pregnant mare.

True Detox Issues Are Medical Problems — Not Marketing Opportunities

When a horse’s natural detoxification is impaired, it's because of a real medical condition — not because they missed their spring “cleanse.”
Conditions that actually impair detox include:

• Liver failure (hepatic insufficiency)

• Kidney disease

• Ingestion of true toxins (like certain poisonous plants or chemicals)

These cases require prompt veterinary intervention, not a supplement from a company. If you have a horse with kidney disease they should also have a full diet riview by myself or another professoinal to ensure it’s on track. These horses do need special diets, but not “special; supplements”

My advice: skip the supplements for this category and focus on forage diets, maintaining hydration and providing clean weed free pastures.