Phytotherapy

Sea buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Mechanism

Sea buckthorn berries are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids and tocopherols; the pulp/seed oil contains omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid). These constituents show antioxidant properties; traditionally sea buckthorn is used with reference to skin, coat and mucous membranes. In the horse robust controlled studies on clinical endpoints are lacking; the data stem predominantly from human and in-vitro investigations.

Cautions

· High natural acid/sugar content in the juice — mind the amount in metabolism-sensitive horses (EMS/PSSM)
· Introduce the oil fraction gradually in case of sensitive digestion

Sources

PMID:36562043Wang et al. 2022 (Front Nutr) — Comprehensive Review Phytochemie/Health Benefits Hippophae rhamnoides

Food Res Int 2020Ciesarová et al. — Sanddorn als Vitamin-C- und Carotinoid-Quelle

Equiterna Score

59/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7.8/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageproduct-specific (juice/pomace/oil); approx. 20–40 g dried-fruit equivalent/animal/day (large horse)

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyVery safe

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Sea buckthorn a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Sea buckthorn as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Sea buckthorn allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Sea buckthorn is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Sea buckthorn?

Stated in the profile: product-specific (juice/pomace/oil); approx. 20–40 g dried-fruit equivalent/animal/day (large horse). This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Sea buckthorn?

The profile cites: PMID:36562043 and Food Res Int 2020.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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