Herbs for horses - which and where to buy?

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Shilasdair

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Hi all
I want to offer dried herbs to my girls and wonder which company/online source will sell 100% dried herbs with no other ingredients.
I've just bought old fashioned meadow hay which has meadowsweet in it, and they're loving it which made me wonder what else they'd enjoy.
I'm thinking of buying them dried meadowsweet, comfrey, dandilion - and anything else people would recommend.
All suggestions of herbs/places to buy them gratefully received.
:)
 
Hi Shilasdair I use a company called Natural Horse Supplies. You can google the name and it will come up. They seem reasonably priced, have a wide selection and good explanations and directions for use. You can also design your own bespoke supplement too! My boy likes his meadowsweet too
 
I am a big supporter and user of herbs. Meow ever, they can be equally as da gerou a as drugs without the proper knowledge of when and why to use them:)

I either discuss whatever the horse's issue is with an herbalist who specializes in equine herbs; my lameness vet who is also versed in herbs and Chinese medicine; or my vet/chiropractor who has studied Chinese medicine, herbs and their effects for years:)

FWIW, what I have learned is that more often than not, herbal products are the one time when more than one "thing" is a good thing:):)

IMO, Suggestions for ethical herbal companies in your country would be more appropriate than asking other people what they use, the. Speak with those companies:)
 
I'm enjoying 'meowever' instead of however, Twohorses. I think you are perhaps not human? Get off the keyboard, cat! :D

It's not for any particular issue - I'm a BIG believer in vets and their drugs. Having said that, herbs have active ingredients which can be useful, and horses in the wild would presumably have a much bigger range of plants to regulate their intake of various micro-nutrients than ours do today.

I also try to buy a range of different forages for them - for the same reason.

So no 'cure' sought - only interesting variety in the diet.
:)
 
I think that’s sensible, I have a similar approach and view them as complimentary rather than replacing vet approved treatments for things my horse has.
 
skint1 said:
I think that’s sensible, I have a similar approach and view them as complimentary rather than replacing vet approved treatments for things my horse has.
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Yes - more for variety in the diet.
I do agree with the cat above though - herbs shouldn't be substituted for proper veterinary care and drugs - so appreciate her advice too.

That Natural Horse Supplies website looks perfect - thanks! :)
 
Feedmark do individual herbs too

I like the idea of having different plants in my grazing so the horses can choose their own herbs; there are dandelions, plantain and yarrow, and hawthorn in the hedges (none of which they seem to eat much but they do love weeping willow)
 
We go foraging and you can dry your own. Nettles just pull them by the roots and leave to dry. Cleavers feed without drying horse love them. Willow, rosehips. It just takes a bit of time to look for them.
 
I use Equinatural.

In terms of just scattering stuff around then cleavers, mint and dandelion are great. Oily herbs like oregano and rosemary are good for gut health. Mint tea bags in a water bucket give some variety.

My 2 also love branches of willow and hazel. They have hawthorn and like the new shoots.

Rosehips can be sprinkled around for a bit of a forage too.
 
I read an article ages ago saying most horses on a trial picked out fenugreek most frequently when offered a choice. Benefits listed include breaking up fat masses, reducing appetite (blimey, I need some myself!) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fenugreek#section6

My boy’s current feed smells strongly of it.

Wrong time of year for rosehips. My horse LOVES these, I pick as many as I can find and freeze so he has them throughout the year. They apparently contain a good amount of biotin.
 
‘Finally, one study gave non-diabetic participants fenugreek and witnessed a 13.4% reduction in blood sugar levels four hours after consumption’

Blimey, I’m ordering some right now! 😂
 
Cinnamontoast said:
‘Finally, one study gave non-diabetic participants fenugreek and witnessed a 13.4% reduction in blood sugar levels four hours after consumption’

Blimey, I’m ordering some right now! 😂
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Man! I think I will join you, a bag for me and a bag for the horse.
 
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