Using herbs with your horse can become an easy day to day occurrence or a situation where you call in a trained herbalist. Many herbs that we use for human consumption can have adverse affects on horses, so it is best to check with someone who has experience with horses as well as qualifications in medical herbalism if you are unsure.

Today I would like to look at what a horse owner can do themselves so their horse’s benefit.  We will explore growing your own herbs, drying them and using them fresh.		  

A practice that has entered a renaissance is the planting of a pasture strip. In the past where horses grazed large areas, often they would self medicate on herbs that were growing in their pastures. Today we can help this process along.

Planting your own pasture strip can allow your horse to help himself to herbs when he chooses to. It is a good idea to have bed of your chosen herbs wide enough so your horse cannot reach all of the herbs to allow some self seeding and a perimeter of fencing that horses can't get inside, but can reach over or through once plants are developed. Keep the area protected from the horses until the plants are sufficiently established covering the bed with some chicken wire allows the herbs to establish themselves and also protects them from pulling the herbs in their entirety from the ground. Most herbs lend themselves to growing in poor soil with reasonable sun and drainage. Because they thrive in such conditions you will not need to use fertiliser but you will need a close water source as young plants will needs adequate watering until established.

Perennial herbs that lend themselves to pasture strips include;

  • Chickweed contains vitamins C, D, B6, B12, beta carotene, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, with all of this and its ease of growing it is a good herb to start off your pasture strip. Your horse may be attracted to chickweed if he has a skin condition.

  • Echinacea, Echinacea angustifolia: commonly referred to as purple coneflower. It is one of the signature herbs of physiomedical herbology and strengthens immune system before, during and after infection of any kind. It is one herb that long term use sees its activity reduce, so a good one to have where the horse can sample as he or she needs.

  • Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare: is a herb to have planted and available to the lactating mare to assist with the quantity of the milk. A horse prone to gas colic may also graze on fennel if it is available.

  • Meadowsweet, Spiraea alba: is a soothing herb to have in your pasture strip for the older horse who has some arthritic changes because of it’s anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and diuretic properties. Also for the newly off the track thoroughbred will benefit from this herb as meadowsweet will sooth the gastric mucosa. It is a good digestive herb that helps with scours.

  • Mint, Mentha spicata (Spearmint), and Mentha piperata hybrid (Peppermint): has an antispasmodic effect on digestive system, it may help to expel gas, for horses prone to colic and also a soothing appetite stimulant.

  • Yarrow (Milfoil), Achillea millefolium: also called wound-wort as it is useful in assisting wounds that are slow to heal. This herb is very palatable and drought resistant however it does resemble poison hemlock, so be sure of what you plant.

Annuals you may wish to add to your pasture strip include Chamomile & Fenugreek

  • Chamomile, German, Matricaria recutita: contains calcium, potassium and magnesium and useful for the horse that needs a regular massage for muscles spasm because he is working diligently. This herb does have calming properties so ensure your horse grazing on it does not contravene any of your competition rules There are other varieties of chamomile, each which have their own special properties and some are perennials so choose the chamomile that best suits your needs.

  • Fenugreek, Trigonella foenumgraecum:  is a very palatable that can helps to increase weight. Fenugreek is a nutritive and digestive tonic that assists the horse that has been neglected or needs convalescence where digestion and nutrition are poor.

Fennel

Mint

Meadowsweet

There are many more herbs suitable for planting in a pasture strip, this sampling will give you an idea of where to start as you begin to explore the use of fresh herbs with your horses.

One important consideration is that many of our healing herbs are classified noxious weeds by some local councils. In this case you are best not to grow any herbs that could fall under this classification, or you may find all your hard work may need to be pulled up.

Pasture strips do not need a lot of attention, but again as many herbs are thought of as weeds by some, many grow without much encouragement once they are established, so be mindful of containing your pasture strip. It will not serve you to neglect its maintenance as you may find your useful herbs become weeds in other parts of your property.

If you are not comfortable with a strip of weeds or herbs in a corner of your paddock, you can grow your own herbs away from your horses and then harvest as you require and add to his or her feed as you desire. If you wish to use dried herbs, harvest your herbs, hang to dry and then store for later use. When drying herbs for use later, be mindful not to store for more than one year, and if you have stored your dried herbs for a period of time, make sure they have not gone mouldy while in storage.

Herbs that are beneficial to your horse but not always suited to a pasture strip include comfrey. You can grow this herb away from your horses and add a fresh leaf to his or her feed if they are recovering from a bone or tendon injury, and it is also useful with a horse recovering from a respiratory complaint.

Harvesting wild herbs is another alternative, however many herbs have a look-a-like cousins, so you must be 100% sure that what you are collecting is what you think you are collecting.  You do not want to collect what you think to be a healing herbs that turns out to be poisonous and makes your horse sick. Some colleges and agricultural departments offer courses in herb identification. Invest in a plant identification book, my favourite for collecting herbs is one called “Field Guide to Weeds in Australia by  Charles Lamp & Frank Collet”.

There are some that now provide an extensive range of herbs for replanting, spend an afternoon wandering around one of these and ask the nurseryman which of the herbs suit your individual paddock’s environment. Keep it simple and stay with all your old fashioned herbs that can be found easily in herbal texts. There is no need to go for new fancy hybrids, often the medicinal qualities of some herbs is diminished in these new varieties and they will not self-seed for you.

Finally, be guided by your horse, he will soon let you know which of the herbs you have planted are his favourites.

  • ©2002 -  Catherine Bird

  • Author – A Healthy Horse the Natural Way

  • Catherine presents courses around Australia and overseas on herbs, aromatherapy, massage along with other natural therapies and how you can safely use with your horses.

  • Visit Catherine's web site

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©2002Australian Eques