Natural Herbs for Horses

Many herbs that are good for humans are also good for horses for exactly the same reasons. Horse medicine has advanced significantly in recent years, but pharmaceutical remedies for common complaints lag far behind the solutions available for humans. Put the power of nature to work by using natural herbs for your horses, and help to alleviate some of the more common equine afflictions.

Consult with your local veterinarian before beginning an herbal regimen; if your vet is not familiar with herbal supplements, consult with a holistic veterinarian or a university equine health program.

  1. Get Rid of Nasty Pests

    • Natural insect repellents are more pleasant to use than harsh chemicals, though you will need to apply them more frequently in some instances. Most natural insect repellents for animals contain diatomaceous earth, a completely inert substance that kills the insects while being perfectly safe for your horse. Look for insect repellents that contain other ingredients that smell pleasant, such as lavender, rose or eucalyptus.

    Improve Mental Performance

    • Horses can use a mental boost just like humans when they are asked to perform complex tasks in the show ring. Your horse could benefit from a daily dose of ginseng, which improves mental performance and concentration. The recommended dose is 1 ounce for each 1,000 pounds.

    Take Care of Those Joints

    • A horse's joints take a beating over its lifetime, and aches and pains can retire a horse early. Prevent pain and help your horse lead an active life by supplementing his diet with creatine, glucosamine and/or chondroitin.

      A combination of these supplements is more powerful than using one alone, and you can often find supplements that contain other herbs to support digestion or muscle health as a bonus. Balms are sometimes effective for reducing inflammation and arthritis symptoms in horses, but an herbal regimen helps to prevent further problems.

    Take Care of That Cough

    • Coughing can happen for a variety of reasons. First, isolate the cause of the coughing and fix it -- this may be as simple as excess dust in the barn. Then, add natural herbs to your horse's diet.

      If the discomfort is caused by allergies, a combination containing red clover, burdock, stinging nettle, rosehips (for the Vitamin C), bee pollen and/or hawthorn berries can relieve them. This mixture will also ease coughing and strengthen the immune system. Follow the directions on dosing, and remember: When you begin an anti-allergy regimen, keep an eye on your horse for the first week to be sure there are no adverse reactions to the herbs.