As herbivores, it is natural for horses to seek out and eat herbs, such as
comfrey, red clover, garlic, dandelion and nettle
, which have healing properties in their seeds, flowers, roots, stems or leaves.
What herbs do horses like to eat?
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale) – it's simply one of the best herbs for horses. It's a powerful detoxifier, primarily used to treat problems arising in the digestive system. A potent tonic, dandelion will detoxify the blood and liver as well as cleanse the entire digestive tract.
What fresh herbs are good for horses?
- Six commonly used herbs.
- Stinging nettle.
- Comfrey.
- Dandelion.
- Garlic.
- Valerian.
- Meadowsweet.
Are herbs safe for horses?
Even in this age of modern pharmaceuticals, herbs are the basis for many products, while the plants themselves are still valued by many for their therapeutic effects. … However they are fed,
most herbs have cumulative, slow-acting effects on horses
.
Can horses eat fresh parsley?
According to the ASPCA, flat-leaf or curly parsley and
root parsley are toxic for horses
. This is due to the plant containing furanocoumarins. … Many natural-horse-feeding advocates say parsley is a safe and beneficial herb. It is said to help with digestive issues, such as excessive gas.
Is turmeric good for horses joints?
“
Turmeric is suitable for horses suffering from stiff joints and itchy skin conditions
, as well as offering support to the digestive system,” says Becky Darby, product advisor at Global Herbs. … The main active ingredient in Turmeric is curcumin, a compound found to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in humans.
Can I feed my horse mint leaves?
Feeding Your Horse Mint Leaves. Obtain fresh mint leaves. Mint has anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that will keep your horse healthy. … If you grow mint in a small garden that your horse can access, you won't even have to feed it to your horse, and
it can eat as much as it wants
.
What can you give a horse to calm them down?
If the horse needs a mild calming effect, I'll typically recommend a
magnesium or herbal product with tryptophan
, such as Quietex or Quiessence. There are lots of combinations of other ingredients including valerian root or Thiamine/Vitamin B1. An alternative is Mare's Magic- made of raspberry leaf extract.
What flowers are safe for horses?
Horse-safe annual flowers to add to flower beds or containers include
nasturtium
(Nasturtium spp.), which produces plentiful, bright flowers in red, orange, yellow and cream. Trailing nasturtium (Nasturtium majus) climbs trellises and bush nasturtium (Nasturtium minus) has mounding growth.
Can horses eat lettuce?
Horses enjoy celery, corn, lettuce, squash
, sweet potatoes, and turnips. Vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, too. For example, carrots are high in Vitamin A and celery is a good source of Vitamin K. Feeding these items in limited quantities is fine and your horse may actually enjoy the variety!
Is ginger good for horses?
While
most horses might enjoy the occasional ginger-flavored treat
, others use the herb routinely, even daily. … “I've seen horse owners feed gingersnap cookies, and horses really seem to enjoy them,” said lifelong horse owner and Kentucky Equine Research (KER) nutritionist Kathleen Crandell, Ph. D.
How can I boost my horses immune system?
For these horses, certain nutrients can give the immune system a boost. Among well-known supporters of immunity are
zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids
.
Is Magnesium good for horses?
Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral that
horses require for proper nerve and muscle function
. Magnesium functions as an electrolyte, plays a role in protein synthesis and is involved in over 300 metabolic processes in the horse's body. It is especially important for growing and heavily exercised horses.
Is Lavender safe for horses?
Lavender in particular can
help alleviate high levels of stress or anxiety in your horse
. Aromatherapy for horses can also be used for digestive problems, skin irritation or infection, muscle pain, sleeping problems, restlessness, and even mood swings.
Can horses eat strawberries?
Yes, horses can eat strawberries
! Strawberries are one of the safest fruits for horses to consume. If your horse lives in an area where strawberry plants are typically grown, he may already be munching away on wild strawberry plants in his pasture without you realizing it.
What plants do horses like to eat?
Carrots, beets, apples
and even bananas have been making their way into horse's mouths for centuries. Horses also love many fruits, vegetables and herbs you can grow in your own backyard.
