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Horse people know that healthy skin is a cornerstone of comfort and performance. From small nicks to irritation around the pasterns in wet seasons, our goal is always the same: protect the skin barrier while keeping the environment calm, clean, and comfortable. Silver Honey® products bring together two nature-derived powerhouses, MicroSilver BG® and Mānuka Honey, to do exactly that. Below is a practical look at what each ingredient is, how it works, and why that matters. 

What is MicroSilver BG®? 

MicroSilver BG® is highly pure, microporous elemental silver produced through a purely physical, non-chemical process. Unlike nano-silver, or colloidal silver, its micro-sized, sponge-like particles have a very large surface area, which allows a long-lasting, topical antimicrobial effect when incorporated into creams, gels, or sprays. It’s manufactured to medical device quality standards (ISO 13485/9001), is not cytotoxic, and is used in skin care and wound dressings as a well-tolerated, clinically tested ingredient.  

In veterinary contexts, MicroSilver BG® formulations form a protective film on stressed or damaged skin and support the skin’s natural defense mechanisms, helping maintain skin comfort while the barrier does its job. 

What Makes Mānuka Honey Different? 

All honeys draw moisture and help create a balanced environment on the skin’s surface, but mānuka honey (from Leptospermum scoparium) also contains non-peroxide antimicrobial activity, often attributed to methylglyoxal, alongside properties that promote a moist, well-granulated wound environment. In equine literature, mānuka preparations have been associated with favourable granulation tissue and modulation of the early inflammatory phase, factors that are important for distal limb skin health. 

Veterinary reviews further describe how honey’s high osmolarity and acidity help manage exudate and create conditions that are discouraging to microbes, while supporting natural debridement and epithelialization — useful concepts for horse owners managing everyday skin care under veterinary guidance. 

Why Combine the Two? 

Silver Honey® brings the protective, long-lasting coverage of MicroSilver BG® together with the skin-friendly, moisture-balancing properties of mānuka honey. Original Silver Honey® Spray Gel and Ointment offer powerful, natural, and fast-acting horse skin care that support the skin’s natural defenses and moisturize while soothing and protecting skin, and they’re pH balanced and free of hypochlorous acid.  

For muddy seasons, Silver Honey® Mud Defense Spray is specially formulated for the pastern/heel area, helping support the skin barrier and protect skin integrity in wet, muddy conditions. Its RapidSorb® technology micro-encapsulates key ingredients to improve absorption through thickened skin and scabs — useful when you need targeted, gentle care that soothes and supports skin comfort without being harsh. 

Silver Honey® Rapid Skin Relief Hygienic Shampoo brings the same two powerhouse ingredients into a gentle, fast-acting shampoo designed to support everyday skin health. This specially formulated shampoo helps restore the protective skin barrier and supports skin integrity and comfort, making it a useful first step when skin is irritated or challenged. It begins working immediately, yet remains mild enough for frequent use, with no added fragrances, parabens, sulfates, or alcohol.   

The Science in Plain Language 

• Barrier support: MicroSilver BG®’s microporous particles “park” on the skin surface and hair follicles, creating a persistent, protective presence while remaining well-tolerated — a practical advantage for daily care on sensitive equine skin.  
• Moisture-balanced environment: Mānuka honey helps maintain appropriate moisture at the skin surface. In equine research settings, honey preparations have been associated with healthy granulation and an environment that’s less favourable to microbes — two reasons practitioners keep honey-based topicals in their toolkit.
• Comfort first: Silver Honey® formulations are pH balanced and free of hypochlorous acid, aligning with routine, gentle care goals for horses and companion animals. 

Bottom Line 

Bringing MicroSilver BG® and mānuka honey together marries durable surface protection with a skin friendly, moisture-balanced environment — a smart combination for everyday equine skin care. With pH-balanced, hypochlorous acid-free formulations and formats designed for the realities of barn life, Canadian horse owners have options that support the skin’s natural defenses while keeping routines simple and sensible. 

Silver Honey® Mud Defense Spray

Silver Honey® Rapid Skin Relief Hygienic Shampoo

Silver Honey® Spray Gel and Ointment

MicroSilver BG® is a registered trademark of Bio-Gate AG. 

Sources: 

• Veterinary - Bio-Gate AG  
• The role of Manuka honey in second intention healing of wounds of the equine distal limb