Are You Scared to Give Your Horse Antibiotics? You’re Not Alone — and for Good Reason.
- Equine Veterinary Essentials
- May 19
- 2 min read
Antibiotics are life-saving and absolutely necessary in many cases. But they can also come with serious consequences. In horses, antibiotics don’t just kill harmful bacteria — they can also destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut. This disruption can lead to diarrhea and, in some instances, fatal colitis.
Beyond the immediate risks to individual horses, there's a larger concern: the global overuse of antibiotics. As antibiotics are used more and more, bacteria are evolving to become resistant. Some of these so-called “superbugs” are now resistant to nearly every antibiotic currently available.
Speaking from firsthand experience, when culture results come back on my clients’ horses, I’m seeing increasing signs of resistance. In certain cases, there simply is no antibiotic that will work. That’s a sobering reality for any veterinarian.
This raises a vital question:Can nature help where traditional medicine is struggling?
The answer is yes — and we still have so much to learn. One plant that’s gaining renewed attention is Mullein.
What Is Mullein?
Mullein is an herb known for its benefits to respiratory health — but that’s not all. It also has natural antibiotic properties.
A 2017 peer-reviewed study found that Mullein was more effective than Methicillin and Gentamicin when tested against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), one of the most dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Another study showed Mullein’s effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria — the kinds commonly responsible for pneumonia. In some cases, its activity rivaled that of Erythromycin, a widely used pharmaceutical antibiotic.
Why This Matters
We need to start using natural tools alongside traditional ones. Herbs like Mullein can offer powerful support with fewer side effects — and can be an important part of a modern, balanced approach to equine health.
If you’re interested in Mullein’s benefits for your horse’s respiratory system, we invite you to explore our veterinary-designed formula, Equi-Breeze.
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