horse eating dandelions?

[only_me]

YO commented yesterday that my horse went out and started to eat all the dandelions that he could find

we think that this means that he is lacking something, but we are not sure what? have any of you guys any clue what dandelions are for?

 

[Keltic]

No but my fat beastie is doing this too... so would be intrested tooo

 

[spaniel]

Its perfectly natural at this time of year for horses to target dandys. They are a diuretic and very good at cleaning out the kidneys and the liver .... think of it as a natural detox. If you watch through the seasons you will find horses seek out very specific plants at certain times. Dandys and cleavers (sticky weed) in spring and summer and things like blackberrys in the autumn (to boost iron and vitamin levels). We should all be doing the same really but have lost the knack.....dandys are very nice!

Dont worry about the amount of dandys he is eating, he will know when to stop and overdose is not posssible.

 

[custard]

Dandelions are a diuretic and blood purifier, they are good for horses and they enjoy them this time of year. They are also a liver tonic and stimulate digestion, no need to worry

 

[CheziBrown]

My horse is too - i've been hand grazing him up the road as the summer fields aren't open yet and he seeks them out !!

 

[only_me]

cool!
he must be self medicating then, as he is now recovered after a abcsess, and every winter he gets a kidney infection/cystitus!
and in febuary he had a bad reaction to lake water and came out in lumps!

hes like a lawnmopwer with dandys!

 

[spaniel]

LOL one of mine is the same, as soon as he sees those lovely yellow flowers I get dragged from one patch to another and he comes up looking like Ermintrude with them sticking out of the sides of his mouth!!

 

[Shilasdair]

They don't call them 'Pee-the-beds' for nothing, you know...hope you've stocked up on straw/shavings.
S

 

[misterjinglejay]

Jay loves dandelions, and come to think of it, pees alot. Hmmmm a connection seems likely.

 

[JenHunt]

dandelion is a diuretic and a digestive cleanser.

it may mean that your horse just thinks his body needs a clear out...

or he might just like the taste!

not really a problem either way

 

[kazs]

im glad i read this cos i put my new horse out in a new field full of dandilions and today, all gone

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Mine was gobbling down on them today too! I know people eat them in salads (not me- yuck!) so why not horses?

 

[Tharg]

I heard dandelions roots are a good source of Selenium.

 

[Persephone]

Horse eating dandelions? Wow they must be huge and scary!

 

[emma_lg]

Mine does this too...she is eating dandelions and sticky plants...she is starting to stop the dandelions now and go on to the sticky plants...
As usual, she knows what she is doing and I don't!!!