MetaTonic - Veterinary Reference Extract

EquiNatural® | Botanical Nutritional Support for EMS, Insulin Sensitivity & Metabolic Resilience

Organically grown • Human grade • Not veterinary medicine

1. Important Context for Veterinary Review

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation (ID) are complex, multifactorial conditions involving:

  • impaired glucose–insulin signalling
  • adipose-derived inflammation
  • altered hepatic lipid and carbohydrate processing
  • reduced peripheral tissue insulin sensitivity
  • hindgut microbial imbalance
  • endothelial and circulatory strain impacting hoof perfusion


Clinical presentations vary widely and may include:

  • laminitic tendency or recent history
  • regional adiposity (neck crest, tailhead, supra-orbital)
  • foot soreness on hard ground
  • sluggish metabolism and fatigue
  • seasonal metabolic flare-ups (spring/autumn)


MetaTonic is a nutritional equine botanical formulation and not a treatment for laminitis, acute endocrine crisis, or uncontrolled ID.
It should be introduced alongside a controlled low-NSC forage regime, movement as tolerated, and appropriate veterinary diagnostics.


Functional Positioning — MetaTonic

MetaTonic is positioned as Phase 1–2 foundational metabolic support within the EquiNatural metabolic-care pathway.


Whereas Acetyl L-Carnitine supports fatty-acid utilisation and crest tension, and DuoBute provides comfort during inflammatory periods, MetaTonic targets the glucose–insulin axis, hepatic–lymphatic drainage, and hindgut–liver communication.


It is designed for ongoing, day-to-day stability, not acute crisis management.


MetaTonic is appropriate when the horse requires:

  • steadier glucose–insulin rhythms
  • improved metabolic elasticity
  • better hoof and peripheral circulation
  • support during seasonal metabolic load
  • long-term EMS/ID management


It is not appropriate during an acute laminitic emergency or uncontrolled endocrine flare-up.


Core Actions

  • Supports glucose–insulin rhythm via bitter, metabolic-modulating botanicals
  • Promotes hepatic and lymphatic clearance of metabolic waste and inflammatory by-products
  • Enhances circulation and peripheral perfusion, including hoof microvascular support
  • Stabilises hindgut microbial terrain, reinforcing gut–liver metabolic communication
  • Contributes to antioxidant defence during metabolic congestion or seasonal flare


Rationale for Key Components

Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
Bitter alkaloids (berberine-type) support microbial equilibrium, bile flow, and glucose signalling through gut–liver axis modulation.

Galega officinalis (Goat’s Rue)
Traditional metabolic herb assisting glucose handling; nutritionally relevant for insulin-resistant phenotypes.

Galium aparine (Cleavers)
Lymphatic drainage support to reduce metabolic congestion and improve fluid balance.

Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle)
Hepatic antioxidant and trophorestorative seed supporting detox enzyme pathways and hepatocyte resilience.

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Carminative digestive support helping reduce fermentative discomfort common in IR horses.

Crataegus oxyacanthoides (Hawthorn)
Circulatory tonic supporting microvascular flow, peripheral perfusion, and hoof tissue oxygenation.

Urtica dioica (Nettle Leaf)
Mineral-rich nutritive contributing to metabolic flexibility, lymphatic flow, and systemic tone.

Tabebuia impetiginosa (Lapacho/Pau d’Arco)
Phenolic-rich botanical supporting microbial harmony and immune–metabolic balance.

Smilax ornata (Sarsaparilla)
Alterative herb supporting toxin clearance and endocrine balance related to adipose-derived inflammatory load.


2. Product Summary

MetaTonic is a daily nutritional botanical formula supporting:

  • glucose–insulin steadiness
  • metabolic resilience in EMS/IR-pattern horses
  • improved circulation and hoof comfort
  • hepatic and lymphatic detox dynamics
  • hindgut stability influencing metabolic signalling
  • antioxidant and tissue-supportive functions during metabolic strain


Ideal as long-term foundational support in EMS-prone horses when used alongside proper forage management and controlled weight-bearing exercise.


3. Clinical Rationale (Nutritional Mechanisms of Action)

Metabolic Modulation (Barberry, Goat’s Rue, Sarsaparilla)

  • Bitter-driven support for glucose handling
  • Encourages metabolic flexibility and steadier insulin dynamics
  • Supports hepatic glucose receptor signalling through gut-driven pathways

Hepato–Lymphatic Decongestion (Milk Thistle, Cleavers, Nettle)

  • Supports clearance of metabolic by-products
  • Enhances bile flow and enzymatic detoxification
  • Helps reduce systemic inflammatory burden during EMS cycles

Circulatory & Hoof Perfusion Support (Hawthorn)

  • Improves microvascular function
  • Assists oxygen delivery to lamellar tissues
  • Supports endothelial tone

Microbial Terrain & Gut–Liver Axis (Barberry, Pau d’Arco, Fennel)

  • Reinforces hindgut balance under metabolic stress
  • Supports more stable fermentation and reduced endotoxin burden
  • Helps normalise inflammatory triggers feeding into the metabolic loop

Antioxidant & Systemic Resilience Support (Milk Thistle, Nettle, Rosehips)

  • Reduces oxidative load associated with insulin dysregulation
  • Supports recovery after seasonal metabolic pressure


Botanical actions do not treat EMS/IR — they support physiology influencing metabolic resilience.


4. Nutritional Indications (Non-Diagnostic)

MetaTonic may be nutritionally useful for horses showing:

  • EMS/IR patterns
  • recurrent footiness or laminitic tendencies (outside acute phase)
  • seasonal metabolic flare-ups (spring/autumn)
  • regional adiposity or mild crest tension
  • sluggish metabolism, dull coat, or low vitality
  • inflammatory tendencies secondary to sugar sensitivity
  • microbial instability impacting glucose signalling


Not intended to diagnose or treat laminitis, endocrine disease, acute inflammation, or emergency metabolic events.


5. Composition

Botanical Ingredients:
Berberis vulgaris
Galega officinalis
Galium aparine
Foeniculum vulgare
Crataegus oxyacanthoides
Silybum marianum
Urtica dioica
Tabebuia impetiginosa
Smilax ornata
Rosa canina


Botanical Safety Preface:
Metabolic-support botanicals influence glucose handling, hepatic workload, and lymphatic tone.
Responses vary depending on diet (NSC level), exercise, microbial status, and concurrent medication.


6. Herb Micro-Monographs (Technical)

Berberis vulgaris
Bitter alkaloid herb supporting bile flow, microbial balance, and glucose-related signalling.

Galega officinalis
Traditional metabolic herb with nutritional relevance for glucose dynamics.

Galium aparine
Lymphatic alterative promoting fluid turnover and metabolic waste clearance.

Foeniculum vulgare
Carminative digestive support enhancing comfort and smooth motility.

Crataegus oxyacanthoides
Circulatory tonic supporting microvascular health and tissue oxygenation.

Silybum marianum
Hepatic tonic supplying antioxidant lignans supporting liver resilience.

Urtica dioica
Mineral-rich nutritive supporting metabolism, lymph, and renal clearance.

Tabebuia impetiginosa
Phenolic-rich botanical assisting microbial terrain and immune balance.

Smilax ornata
Alterative supporting detox pathways, endocrine tone, and metabolic steadiness.


7. Medication Considerations

Use veterinary oversight when combined with:

  • Metformin or other metabolic drugs — botanicals influencing glucose may require monitoring.
  • Steroid medications (prednisolone, dexamethasone) — metabolic impact warrants caution.
  • Hormone-modifying drugs or PPID medication (pergolide) — assess total endocrine load.
  • Anticoagulants — circulatory herbs may add mild vasotonic support.
  • Drugs with hepatic metabolism — hepatic-tonic botanicals may theoretically influence clearance.


General Guidance:
Separate from oral medications by 2–3 hours to avoid theoretical absorption interference from fibre-rich herbs.

No harmful interactions reported at nutritional levels.


8. Feeding Guidance

Dried Blend:
5 g per 100 kg bodyweight (25 g for 500 kg horse).
1 level 75 ml scoop ≈ 12 g.
Introduce gradually.

Tincture:
6 ml per 100 kg (30 ml for 500 kg horse).

Sensitivity Advisory:
Monitor digital pulses, crest firmness, demeanour, and hydration during the first 1–2 weeks.


9. Clinical Considerations

Advisories

  • Feed only with low-NSC forage and controlled weight management.
  • Encourage regular movement to support glucose uptake via muscle pathways.
  • Monitor body condition, pulses, and hoof comfort during seasonal peaks.
  • May be combined with Acetyl L-Carnitine or DuoBute as clinically indicated.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy or lactation (hormonally active botanicals).
  • Acute laminitis (stabilise first).
  • Horses on multiple endocrine medications without veterinary supervision.
  • Significant hepatic compromise without professional oversight.


10. Supporting Products

Acetyl L-Carnitine — crest tension, leptin resistance, fatty-acid utilisation
 DuoBute — metabolic inflammation support
 MetaCOMBO — full-spectrum metabolic support
 BiomeTonic — hindgut stability and biome correction
 VitaComplete / EquiVita — mineral balancing essentials


11. Standard Professional Disclaimer

MetaTonic is a botanical, nutritional food supplement for horses.
It is not veterinary medicine and does not diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.
Veterinary consultation is recommended for horses with EMS/IR, laminitic history, endocrine disease, or concurrent medication.