Terpenes - Feed Ingredient

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic compounds produced by many plants, particularly herbs, flowers, and trees. They are responsible for the characteristic aromas and flavors of many botanicals and serve important ecological functions for plants, such as attracting pollinators or deterring pests. Chemically, terpenes are composed of repeating isoprene units and are classified based on the number of these units (e.g., monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes). Common examples include limonene, pinene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene.

In equine nutrition, terpenes may be present as naturally occurring constituents in herbal feed additives or essential oil-based supplements. They are being investigated for their potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and calming properties, though direct research in horses is limited.