Paprika is often added to coat supplements or is fed alone as it is thought to aid in coat colour. As it happens paprika is a good naturally occurring source of copper.

Copper is an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in many processes within your horse’s body. For example, there are copper dependent enzymes involved in the synthesis and maintenance of elastic connective tissue. Copper is necessary for the mobilization of stored iron in the body and also detoxifies superoxide, a compound deployed by the immune system to kill invading microorganisms.

However paprika is also a source of capsaicin, which is a banned substance in competition and best avoided if you and your horse compete.