Feeding nettles?

[LaurenBay]

I have seen a couple of posts about feeding nettles to Horses. I know you can buy them and also people can pick them, dry them out and then add to feed.

But why do you feed them? What are the pros/cons?

Only reason I am asking is, at the yard we have quite a lot of nettles, so I was wondering wether adding them to Rubys feed will be benificial.

 

[Archangel]

My mare picks them herself (she is well 'ard) or I just scythe them down and leave them to wilt and they just help themselves. They do seem to love them, I bet if I snipped them up into little pieces they wouldn't eat them

 

[LiffWee93]

I think I heard they are really full of iron (don't quote ) my guys love them!

 

[Mare Stare]

I think I heard they are really full of iron !

Yes they are. And they are packed with vitamins and protein too.

In human herbal medicine they have many many uses - they are used to treat PMT so may be of use to people with moody hormonal mares!

Boiling water removes the sting if you don't want to wait for them to wilt. Just throw a kettle of boiling water over them.

I've got loads in my freezer that I "harvested" last year but I cook and eat them. The horses can get their own.

 

[LiffWee93]

Ahh thanks Scrunchie, I wasn't being a complete numpty and imagining things then

 

[LaurenBay]

She can be a grump when in season. So I think I will be adding the nettles. Seems a shame to waste them when they grow everywhere. Roughly how long do they take to dry? And how much do you add to each feed? Thanks

 

[sarelis]

Apparently showing people feed them to greys to enhance dapples

 

[be positive]

She can be a grump when in season. So I think I will be adding the nettles. Seems a shame to waste them when they grow everywhere. Roughly how long do they take to dry? And how much do you add to each feed? Thanks

I just cut them and throw them in the stable or field, if they like them they will pick at them whether they are dry or not. Some will not eat them at all although probably would if dried and mixed in the feed, in the sun, well spread out they dry in a couple of hours.
My laminitic pony will eat loads during the summer.

 

[flirtygerty]

Just chop them down using a poo picking rake, they will be gone in no time

 

[indie999]

Mine usually eats them when they go all dry and he has nothing else to pick at!!

 

[bumblelion]

I cut mine and leave them to wilt, very high in iron! My two love them!

 

[LaurenBay]

Thank yor for information very helpful