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Scientifically Produced Supplements

From calmers to elecrolytes to joint protection and energy boosters, Science Supplements offer effective and affordable supplements for ALL horses and ponies. Our products provide solutions across all disciplines, in competing horses, those at stud, those retired and living at pasture and pleasure horses.

Our range of supplements are formulated using cutting edge scientific research by Dr David Marlin, a world authority on equine exercise physiology in conjunction with a number of leading Independent Equine Nutritionists.

Proven active ingredients
Published scientific studies
Extensive product trials
The best ingredients

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND SCIENCE SUPPLEMENTS

Below you will find some examples of the science that underpins our products. There is further detailed information available on each product if you click on the product images below.

FlexAbility

Clinical and Scientific Evaluation of the Efficacy of FlexAbility - A Double blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-over Study

Trial carried out at the Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury College by Kathryn Nankervis (Centre Manager, BSc, MSc), Jane Elliott (Veterinary Surgeon) and Jenny Read (MSc student)

Horses were recruited that were at least 10 years old and had not received any NSAID, other medication or joint supplement within previous 28 days. Horses had not been treated with intra-articular corticosteroid within previous 3 months. All horses were in regular ridden work before and during the study period. Ten horses participated in the trial. They consisted of 7 geldings and 3 mares, mean age 12+/-2 years (range 10-14 years) and mean weight of 576+/-54 kg. Horses were randomly assigned to group 1 or group 2. Horses in group 1 received 60g/500kg of FlexAbility (Science Supplements Ltd) for 14 days whilst horses in group 2 received a placebo, indistinguishable from the active compound in colour, smell, appearance or taste. The investigators were not aware of which treatment was the active and which was the placebo. Following a washout period of 28 days, the treatments were reversed.Horses were assessed before and at the end of each 14 day period. Assessment included a clinical orthopaedic examination.Examinations were performed by a qualified and experienced veterinary surgeon. Horses were assessed at walk and trot in a straight line and on a circle on a firm surface. Lameness was scored on a 10 point scale. Flexion tests were performed on all 4 limbs. Following flexion horses were trotted in a straight line.

Remember that in this study the vet did not know which horses were on the Placebo (looks and smells like FlexAbility but was just flavoured filler) and which were on FlexAbility. AND we did not know which horses were on which treatments until the end of the study. This is what is meant by a double blind placebo controlled study.

Results

Out of seven horses that received the placebo for 14 days, 3 improved, 1 stayed the same and 3 deteriorated. Of the seven horses that received FlexAbility, 6 improved and 1 remained unchanged. Thus, the rate of improvement on FlexAbility was twice that for horses receiving the placebo.

Placebo Group

Horse A Mild +ve flexion to –ve 2 limbs NO CHANGE

Horse B 1/10 less lame both ways on circle NO CHANGE

Horse C 1/10 more lame on straight and circle & -ve to +ve flexion test 2 limbs WORSE

Horse D 1/10 more lame & -ve to +ve flexion 1 limb WORSE

Treatment Group (FlexAbility)

Horse A -ve to mild +ve flexion 1 limb, 2/10 to 1/10 flexion 1 limb, +ve to –ve flexion 1 limb, more supple on circle, tracking up better IMPROVED

Horse B +ve to –ve flexion 1limb, -ve to +ve flexion 1 limb, more balanced on circle IMPROVED

Horse C 1/10 less lame on straight line, -ve to +ve flexion 1 limb, 1/10 less lame on circle IMPROVED

Horse D 2/10 less lame on straight line, 4/10 flexion to 2/10 1 limb, less stiff, -ve flexion to 3/10 +ve IMPROVED

Horse E 1/10 less lame on straight & 1/10 less lame on a circle IMPROVED

Horse F 1/10 less lame trot straight & more balanced and less rushed on circle IMPROVED

Tasteless Salt

Tasteless Salt Trial at Writtle College to confirm the palatability of the product

Eight stabled horses were fed 1500g of Alfabeet or 1550g or 75g Tasteless salt (equivalent to 50g NaCl) in a cross-over design for three days on each treatment. Mean total consumption was not significantly different between Alfabeet only (1244±844g) and Alfabeet+Tasteless Salt (1276±1482g).

That means the eight horses were just as happy to eat Alfabeet with Tasteless salt in it as without it! Probably because they cannot taste it.

Tasteless Salt Trial at Hartpury College to study behaviour, water and feed intake

Nine adult horses were fed 500g of feed containing either 50g NaCL or 75g Tasteless salt (equivalent to 50g NaCl) in a cross-over design. Behaviour, feed intake, water intake and feeding time were determined.

In the 1h period immediately following feeding, including the period of feeding itself, sniffing, licking metal objects, licking and chewing and other were observed more in the Salt treatment than in the Tasteless Salt treatment. In the Tasteless Salt treatment quidding and Flehmens were most prevalent (possibly due to the Spearmint flavour which would have been unfamiliar to the horses in the trial).

From 2 to 6h following feeding, there was no significant difference between Salt and Tasteless salt treatments for time spent eating hay, quidding, sniffing, licking, chewing, licking objects, playing with buckets, Flehmens or other behaviours. Standing rest was observed more in the Tasteless Salt treatment and vocalisation was more commonly observed in the Salt treatment.

The horses consumed 413±66 g out of 500g on the Salt treatment and 347±8g on the Tasteless salt treatment and this was not significantly different. Mean consumption duration was 712 ± 35 seconds for the control diet, 694 ± 35 seconds for the Tasteless salt treatment and 656 ± 35 seconds for the Salt treatment and these were not significantly different.

Total water intake in the 6h period following feeding (including the feeding period itself) was 6.1±3.3 litres for no Salt treatment, 6.3±3.0 litres for the Salt treatment and 6.4±2.7 litres for the Tasteless salt treatment.

More desirable behaviours were observed during and after feeding Tasteless Salt compared with ordinary salt. Tasteless salt is more gentle on the horse's stomach than ordinary salt. More resting and less vocalisation when fed Tasteless salt suggests the horses were more comfortable.

ProKalm

ProKalm Trial Hartpury College

Aims: To determine if the reactivity of horses to a novel object test altered after seven days of feeding ProKalm and if carers and instructors assessed the horse’s behaviour and temperament as having altered after supplementation with ProKalm.

Sixteen mature horses were selected by the yard manager at Hartpury College to participate and were studied in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. All horses were weighed on a calibrated weigh bridge to determine the quantity of supplement they received. Horses weighing over 600 kg received 5 scoops of ProKalm or Placebo daily and those weighing less than 600 kg received 4 scoops daily. The horses were randomly assigned to one of two groups, one half that received supplement X and one half that received supplement Y, each for seven days.

All horses underwent a novel object test and had a temperament questionnaire completed by a student carer and two instructors on day 0. The horses were then fed their allocated supplement (ProKalm or Placebo) for seven days and on day seven underwent a repeat novel object test and the questionnaire was repeated, to assess any changes in behaviour and temperament (both undesirable and desirable behaviours). During the seven days the horses’ management regimens were kept consistent.

Horses in the ProKalm group settled significantly faster on day 7 than day 0 in the novel object test, and significantly faster than the horses in the placebo group.

Horses in the placebo group increased their vocalisation and object investigation on day 7 compared to day 0, whilst those in the ProKalm group demonstrated a significant increase in alert behaviours only.Concentration was significantly increased in the ProKalm group.

Horses on ProKalm settle quicker, demonstrate more alert behaviours and concentrate better.

EnerGex

EnerGex Trial Oklahoma State University

During prolonged exercise blood glucose can fall. In people low blood glucose is associated with feelings of tiredness, poor concentration and impaired decision making. Furthermore, increasing blood glucose in the post-exercise period may increase the restoration of muscle energy stores (glycogen). In the past many people have tried to give glucose in feed or by syringe as a way to boost blood glucose. However, whilst this may have a transient effect, once the blood sugar rises insulin is released to bring the glucose level down again. This can lead to the "tiredness" that we experience after a meal and the same effect occurs in horses. The aim is to rasie the blood glucose level but to increase the insulin as little as possible and to keep the blood sugar level stable.

Aim: To compare the effect of EnerGex and sucrose on blood glucose and insulin.

Six healthy adult horses were given either 1g/kg bodyweight (~50g) sucrose or 1g/kg bodyweight EnerGex in a cross-over design (three horses had sucorse first and then 2 days later EnerGex and the other three had EnerGex and then sucrose). Blood samples were taken before and at regular intervals after adminstration for up to 480 minutes. Blood glucose and insulin were measured in each blood sample.

Results: When horses were given EnerGex they showed a slightly slower increase in blood glucose and a later peak value. However, plasma insulin concentration increased more slowly and inly reached half of that with sucrose.

The glucose response following EnerGex allows the horse to use the glucose more effectively than when the same amount of glucose is given in the form of sucrose.