Myths & experiences: Apple cider vinegar, beetroot and Biosa for metabolically challenged horses

Occasionally we hear stories from horse owners who experience good results when they add ingredients like apple cider vinegar, beetroot or Biosa to their feeding plan.

An example from practice:

A horse on a weight loss program followed a basic feeding plan and lost weight well at first, but after some time a plateau occurred. The owner contacted a practitioner who pointed out possible candida in the intestine and recommended apple cider vinegar, beetroot and Biosa. Shortly after, the weight loss continued and the rumen became smaller

It's an interesting observation – and customers' experiences are important to listen to.
At the same time, it is important to stick to what has been documented in horses 👇

📚 What does the research say?

• Apple cider vinegar / acetic acid:
  Studies in humans show that vinegar can affect blood sugar response after meals with starch (Johnston et al. 2004; Ostman et al. 2005).
  However, there are no studies in horses that show a similar effect on insulin resistance, EMS or weight loss. Horses' digestion differs significantly from humans (hindgut fermenters), and results cannot be directly transferred.
• Beetroot:
  Beetroot contains sugars (typically 5–10% fresh weight, often higher in dried form). There are no published studies documenting improvement in insulin resistance, lameness, or liver function in horses.
• Biosa and other fermented herbal products:
  There are no scientific studies in horses that show that such products alter gut flora, reduce candida, improve insulin response or weight loss. The products may contain residual sugars from fermentation.

Plateaus in weight loss are common and can be due to changes in season, activity, roughage, hormonal status or digestive balance. Small changes can sometimes tip the balance — but this does not necessarily mean that the added product has a specific physiological effect.

🧾 Myth vs. Fact – Apple Cider Vinegar, Beetroot & Biosa

📌 RC's approach

We recognize and respect that many horse owners have good individual experiences – they are valuable .
At the same time, our recommendations are always based on professional documentation , so you can make informed choices that last in the long run.

If you want to use apple cider vinegar, beetroot or Biosa in small quantities as a supplement, it can be included as an optional option .
👉 It gives the best results in combination with a well-thought-out feeding plan and a solid management strategy , which is the foundation for the horse's health and well-being.

📚 Sources

• Johnston, CS, Kim, CM, & Buller, AJ (2004). Vinegar improves insulin sensitivity to a high-carbohydrate meal in subjects with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care , 27(1), 281–282.
• Ostman, E., Granfeldt, Y., Persson, L., & Björck, I. (2005). Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition , 59(9), 983–988.
• NRC (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses , 6th Revised Edition. National Research Council, National Academies Press.
• Jansson, A. (2018). Feeding straw as roughage to horses – effects on metabolism, behavior and gastric health. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences .
• Muhonen, S. (2019). Straw as forage for horses – effects on digestibility, metabolic responses and gastric health. Livestock Science , 227, 70–77.