Cleavers – Supportive of the lymphatic system and often used with the complementary herb marigold 4 I have added these even as they are useful for helping joints, even though they do not feature in the list above. Which herbs for respiratory problems? Milk thistle seeds and leaves – Said to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties. It has also been suggested that it is good for the liver, and those with laminitis and EMS 12 Sometimes an owner will come to me and say their horse has a habit of napping, or they’ve become nervous under saddle after a break from work or change in routine. In this situation, my aim would be to boost the horse’s confidence and self-belief and help them to face the world with a more positive approach.

This article is meant for your information only. The USFDA has not approved any herbs for medicinal purposes. They get very snippy with herbalists who don’t add this disclaimer. Rich in minerals, including calcium, iodine and potassium, making it useful for horses which have been on poor grazing. Comfrey: There are two schools of thought on the use of this herb, and you should be knowledgeable about both. It has been used since before recorded history, especially for healing tissue injuries. It used to be a specific for broken bones, although in the case of horses, let the vet handle those. Another great way to offer free-choice, fresh herbs to your horses is to plant them in old tires with upturned hanging baskets over top. The basket protects the plant so the horses cannot decimate it; but they can nibble off leaves as the plant gets big enough to poke through the mesh of the basket.

Herbal Blends

So these dried herbs are my solution to currently not having a doctor garden, or naturally growing herbs for my horses to forage for themselves. When I get my own land, I will definitely plant a good mixture of herbs and plants that horses would naturally forage for in this climate. Mountain Rose Herbs also sells a good selection of organic medicinal seeds. The dulse I mix in with the kelp powder (or SeaBoost seaweed) and sprinkle 1 tbsp. over their feed. I particularly like the dulse flakes as they have the most varied mineral mix of all the seaweeds. Certain herbs are believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is ideal if you have an older horse suffering with arthritis. Liquorice root, turmeric, devil’s claw and cleavers are useful herbs to offer, and your horse will likely only choose one or two of these.

Lavender oil if for external use only and is an excellent relaxant. Simply rub a little oil on your hands when you are handling a nervous horse. The oil is also an effective antidepressant and can stimulate the circulation. Do not use the undiluted oil on your horse's skin. Stinging NettleLindsay Howard-Dean placed her herb feeders off the ground so their dogs wouldn’t “water” them: (c) Lindsay Howard-Dean Dried herb blends – Safe for Horses Peppermint ( Mentha piperata) and Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) help relax the muscles of the digestive tract. You can grow mint very easily and offer your horse fresh leaves. If you are really interested in how horses self-select plants for health, you should have a look at the work of Caroline Ingraham (if you haven’t already). Her little book “Aromatherapy for Horses” is inexpensive, and discusses self-selection of essential oils, but can also be applied to herbs. Her “How Animals Heal Themselves” is more comprehensive. The only way to fix your horse is to help them return to their natural state. Feeding your horse in a manner that is contrary to their innate physiological needs is making their body scream for help." I tested each of them singly first to see whether my horses would eat them and then I mix them together (in varying proportions according to the herb) in a large tub. I give 1/2 cup – 1 cup per feed, as needed. All 4 of my equines love to eat their herbs this way.