Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes by Horses Subjected to Physical Exertion.
Authors: Dockalova Hana, Baholet Daria, Batik Andrej, Zeman Ladislav, Horky Pavel
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Milk Thistle as a Metabolic Support for Exercising Horses Researchers investigating whether milk thistle seed cakes might benefit sport horses examined 12 Czech Warmbloods during intense combined driving work, comparing animals receiving milk thistle supplementation (as a granulated mixture with barley) to unsupplemented controls. Beyond standard hepatic and renal markers, the team measured an extensive panel of metabolic indicators including energy substrates (NEFA, BHB, lactate, glucose), oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity), stress hormones, and muscle damage enzymes across pre- and post-exercise timepoints. Milk thistle supplementation produced statistically significant reductions in plasma cortisol and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels following exertion, suggesting modulation of the stress response and more efficient energy utilisation during heavy work. The study also characterised silymarin digestibility and bioavailability, though the relatively small sample size warrants cautious interpretation of findings. These results indicate milk thistle seed cakes may offer practical value in supporting metabolic resilience during intense training or competition, potentially reducing physiological stress markers—an outcome of interest to those managing sport horses, though further investigation with larger cohorts would strengthen evidence for systematic supplementation recommendations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Feeding milk thistle seed cakes (as granulated mixture with barley) may help manage physiological stress responses in competition horses by reducing cortisol and NEFA levels during heavy exertion
- •Consider milk thistle supplementation for sport horses as a natural support for liver health and antioxidant protection during intense training or competition
- •Results align with previous studies suggesting milk thistle positively impacts horse health and energy metabolism, though larger trials needed to establish optimal dosing protocols
Key Findings
- •Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) found in plasma cortisol and NEFA levels between milk thistle-fed and control horses after heavy physical exercise
- •Milk thistle seed cakes showed hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in exercised horses
- •Silybin from milk thistle exerts pronounced effects on energy metabolism potentially beneficial for sport horses