Is Horse Liniment Good for Humans? A Look at the Risks and Realities

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The FDA explicitly warns that people should not use drugs intended for animals, as they have not been evaluated for human safety and can cause serious harm [1.5.1]. Yet, is horse liniment good for humans? This question persists in athletic and arthritis communities.

Quick Summary

Using horse liniment on humans carries significant risks, including skin irritation, allergic reactions, and unknown effects from unapproved ingredients. Health agencies advise against it due to a lack of human safety testing.

Key Points

Not for Humans: The FDA and health experts advise against using animal drugs, including horse liniment, on humans as they are not tested for human safety [1.5.1, 1.7.3].
Skin Irritation Risk: Horse liniment is formulated for thick equine skin and can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or even chemical burns on humans [1.2.4, 1.3.3].
DMSO Dangers: Some horse liniments contain DMSO, a solvent that can carry impurities into the bloodstream and interact dangerously with other medications [1.4.3, 1.4.6].
Ingredient Differences: Ingredient concentrations can vary wildly and are not standardized for human safety; some veterinary products are actually weaker than human versions [1.6.1].
Lack of Regulation: Animal products do not undergo the same rigorous testing for purity and safety as human pharmaceuticals [1.7.3].
Anecdotal vs. Safe: While many people report using it, anecdotal success does not negate the documented risks [1.7.2, 1.7.3].
Safer Alternatives Exist: There are many FDA-approved topical analgesics, including human-specific versions of liniments like Absorbine Jr., that are proven safe [1.7.1, 1.8.3].

The Allure of the Stable: Why Do People Use Horse Liniment?

For decades, a persistent belief in some circles has held that products formulated for horses, being larger and more powerful animals, must be stronger and more effective for humans [1.6.6]. This notion, combined with anecdotal reports of relief from muscle soreness and arthritis, has led people to use veterinary topical analgesics, or horse liniments, on themselves [1.2.3, 1.7.5]. Some brands even estimate that 40-50% of their veterinary liniment is purchased for human application [1.8.1]. These products are applied to relieve muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, often after strenuous activity [1.6.4]. While the cooling or warming sensation may provide temporary relief, health experts and regulatory bodies strongly caution against this practice [1.3.3, 1.5.1].

Unpacking the Ingredients: What's Inside Horse Liniment?

Horse liniments contain a variety of active and inactive ingredients designed to create a cooling or warming sensation, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation on equine skin [1.3.2].

Common Active Ingredients:

Menthol: This is a frequent component in both human and horse products, providing a cooling sensation that can help mask pain and relax muscles [1.6.2]. Interestingly, some veterinary formulas may contain a lower concentration of menthol than their human-marketed counterparts. For example, Absorbine Veterinary Liniment contains 1.27% menthol, while Absorbine Jr. for humans contains 4.0% [1.6.1].
Capsaicin: Derived from chili peppers, this ingredient creates a warming sensation and is used to relieve joint pain [1.3.2, 1.7.4]. However, it can be a significant irritant and is even banned by some equestrian sporting associations [1.3.2].
Plant Extracts & Oils: Ingredients like arnica, witch hazel, calendula, and various essential oils (spearmint, eucalyptus) are often included for their perceived anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, or soothing properties [1.3.2, 1.3.7].
Alcohol: Often used as a solvent and to create a fast-evaporating, cooling effect on the skin [1.3.7].

The Major Risks: Why You Should Reconsider

The primary danger of using horse liniment on humans stems from a simple fact: these products are not tested, formulated, or approved for people [1.5.1, 1.7.3]. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a separate approval process for animal drugs, which does not certify them as safe or effective for human use.

Skin Reactions and Burns

The concentration and combination of ingredients are optimized for a horse's thick hide, not human skin. This can lead to a range of dermatological issues in humans, from mild redness and irritation to severe allergic reactions, blistering, and chemical burns [1.2.4, 1.3.3].

The Dangers of DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)

One of the most significant risks involves an ingredient called DMSO, which is found in some, but not all, horse liniments [1.6.3]. DMSO is a potent solvent known for its ability to penetrate the skin and carry other substances with it directly into the bloodstream [1.4.2, 1.4.6]. This presents several problems:

Transport of Impurities: Non-prescription, industrial-grade DMSO (often found in products not for medical use) can contain toxic impurities. When applied, the DMSO can carry these contaminants into your body [1.4.3, 1.4.7].
Drug Interactions: DMSO can enhance the absorption and potentiate the effects of other topical or systemic medications you might be taking, leading to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes [1.4.2, 1.4.7].
Direct Side Effects: DMSO itself has been associated with side effects including a distinct garlic-like breath and body odor, skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and in some cases, more severe issues like hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) [1.4.1, 1.4.5].

Horse Liniment vs. Human Topical Analgesics

While some ingredients overlap, the formulation, concentration, and regulatory oversight are fundamentally different.


Feature	Horse Liniment	Human Topical Analgesic
Regulatory Body	FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)	FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) [1.5.1]
Safety Testing	Tested on the target animal species only [1.5.1]	Rigorously tested on humans for safety and efficacy [1.7.3]
Ingredient Purity	May use industrial or agricultural grade ingredients with potential impurities [1.4.3]	Must meet stringent pharmaceutical-grade purity standards.
Formulation	Designed for equine skin, which is thicker and less sensitive [1.7.1]	Formulated for the specific pH and sensitivity of human skin.
Concentration	Highly variable; may be stronger or weaker than human versions [1.6.1, 1.6.6]	Standardized and clearly labeled for safe human application.
Additives & Solvents	May contain solvents like DMSO not approved for human topical use [1.6.3]	Use solvents and bases proven safe for human dermal absorption.

Safer, Human-Approved Alternatives

Fortunately, there is no need to visit a tack shop for pain relief. The market is full of products specifically designed and proven to be safe for humans.

Human-Specific Formulations: Many companies that make horse liniment also produce a human version, such as Absorbine Jr. [1.8.1, 1.8.3]. These are the appropriate choice.
Topical NSAIDs: Gels containing diclofenac are a proven option for osteoarthritis pain [1.7.1].
Menthol-Based Rubs: Products containing menthol provide a similar cooling sensation to many liniments and are formulated for human use.
Capsaicin Creams: For a warming sensation that can help with joint pain, capsaicin creams are available and have been studied for human use in managing OA pain [1.7.1].

Conclusion

While anecdotal evidence and the lure of a "stronger" formula might make horse liniment seem like a viable shortcut for pain relief, the scientific and medical consensus is clear: it is not a good or safe choice for humans. The lack of human safety testing, the risk of skin damage, and the potential dangers of unapproved ingredients like DMSO far outweigh any perceived benefits [1.7.1, 1.7.3]. Using products intended for animals is, as one health official put it, like playing Russian roulette with your health [1.3.3]. For safe and effective relief from muscle and joint pain, stick to medications and topical treatments that have been specifically formulated and approved for human use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any new product for pain relief.

Authoritative Link

For official information on using animal drugs, consult the FDA's guidance on the topic [1.5.5].

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While some people believe it is, the concentration of active ingredients varies. For example, some veterinary liniments have a lower concentration of menthol than their human-approved counterparts like Absorbine Jr. [1.6.1].

The main risks include skin irritation, allergic reactions, and chemical burns because the products are formulated for a horse's hide, not human skin [1.2.4, 1.3.3]. If the product contains DMSO, there's an added risk of absorbing impurities into your bloodstream [1.4.3].

No. The FDA has separate evaluation processes for animal and human drugs. A product approved for animals has not been tested for safety or effectiveness in humans [1.5.1].

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a solvent found in some liniments. It's dangerous for humans because it can be absorbed through the skin, carrying other chemicals and potential impurities from the product directly into the bloodstream [1.4.2, 1.4.6]. It can also interact with other medications [1.4.7].

It is not recommended. While some people anecdotally use it for arthritis, the risks of adverse skin reactions and systemic absorption of untested chemicals are significant [1.7.1, 1.7.3]. Safer, human-tested options like topical NSAID gels or capsaicin creams are available [1.7.1].

While most are not, a few products are marketed for both equine and human use [1.8.2]. Additionally, some brands, like Absorbine, produce a separate, human-formulated version (Absorbine Jr.) which is the appropriate and safe choice [1.8.3].

This is a known side effect of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), an ingredient in some liniments. When absorbed, a small part is transformed into a volatile metabolite that is excreted through the lungs, causing the distinct odor [1.4.1, 1.4.4].