Herbal Formulas for Pregnancy in Horses

The modern use of herbs for pregnant mares can build and nurture your horse's state of health. If you wish to combine two herbs, understand that two herbs used in conjunction increases their absorption, thus you'll want to use smaller amounts of each her. Always mix herbs in equal parts and to a total dose amount of only 1 cup. You can administer herbs dry and combined in feed, or you may steep the herbs in boiled water for 15 minutes and pour the water over the horse's feed. Combine any of the four herbs below to create an individual treatment plan for your pregnant horse.

  1. Raspberry

    • Dried raspberry leaves are very palatable to horses.

      Raspberry is the most commonly used herb for mares that are pregnant or in season. Raspberry tones the uterus, which helps a mare that may have difficulty getting pregnant. Once the mare is pregnant, however, discontinue the use of raspberry. Begin using the herb again in the last three months of her gestation by adding up to 1 cup of cut and dried or fresh raspberry leaf daily. When the mare has given birth, administer 1 cup twice daily in her feed to aid in the recovery of her uterus and encourage milk production.

    Passion Flower

    • Passion flower aids the nervous mare in relaxing her muscles while trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. Mares that manifest stress by constant muscle tension benefit greatly from this herb. You can administer it indefinitely, long after the foal is born, to aid in relaxing the mare for handling purposes. Since passion flower has a hypnotic effect, do not exceed a half-cup of dried cut leaves, stems or flowers, or 2 tsp. of the powdered herb, daily.

    Motherwort

    • Motherwort is a helpful herb for pregnant mares whose behavior becomes unpredictable or difficult while they are in season. It also eases discomfort in pregnant mares that are experiencing pain from gas or mild colic. To avoid risking the health of a foal, do not administer motherwort in the mare's first three months of gestation. For mares in foal, administer a half-cup daily of dried cut leaves. For mares not in foal, you may administer up to 1 cup daily.

    Dong Quai

    • Dong quai is rarely heard of, but is immensely helpful for reproductive disorders in mares. It regulates the estrus cycle because it aids the smooth muscles of the horse's gut and enables contractions of the uterus. Because it is a powerful herb, do not administer dong quai if or when the mare becomes pregnant. Use it only before the mare becomes pregnant to aid in fertility. A single tsp. daily of dong quai is sufficient for your horse.