For our horses that are a bit stiff with their movements when the weather turns chilly there are a few approaches you can take to help them.

Traditionally herbs rich in minerals and vitamins that provide nutrients that are needed for joint repair along with diuretic actions to help remove excess metabolic wastes are chosen, such as nettle, dandelion, shepherds purse, celery seed and parsley.

However you may want to look at a general tonic to improve the blood flow in the tissues surrounding the arthritic joints so the muscles are more flexible. Such herbs might include yarrow, hawthorn, rosemary and gingko.

Finding the combination of herbs that best suits your horse can take some thought. You may want to address any pain your horse is suffering with the herbs, meadowsweet or devil’s claw in the short term while using some of the above herbs to feed the body from within.

When using herbs to address chronic conditions consider if the horse needs a liver supporting herb like dandelion or burdock, or a lymphatic herb such as clivers to help with inflamed areas. The physiomedical herbalists of the 1800’s believed all disease came from “cold” so herbs that warm the body can also be considered    

Catherine Bird....Click here  is the author of A Healthy Horse the Natural Way, holds diplomas in Medical Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Remedial Massage and is a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (USA). 

Her experience working with horses goes back more than a decade from newborn thoroughbred foals right through all stages of track work to Olympic competitors and NSW Mounted Police.  Her weekend courses are presented throughout Australia and overseas. 

Catherine has a wealth of knowledge that she enjoys sharing with horse owners for the benefit of their horses with her courses and articles that are published worldwide.