BASIC HERBAL TREATMENTS FOR HORSES

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Apr 14, 2000

With the onslaught of alternative medicines being re-introduced into our modern medical world, it is important to keep in mind that all herbs are not alike. Treating such large and sensitive animals such as the horse with herbs can be beneficial to the pocketbook as well as to the peace of mind. However, there are some herbs that are acceptable and safe for humans but would cause problems or even death if administered to horses. It is imperative to know which herbs are suitable for horses before consideration of this alternative treatment. Below is a short discussion of some of the more widely accepted herbs for treating common equine ailments.

Horses left in pastures where herbs grow wild will pick and choose the ones their bodies instinctively know they need. Listed below alphabetically are some of the more common herbs that grow readily in meadows and pastures in different parts of the country. Most of these herbs can successfully be naturalized in the United States and other countries.

Burdock produces those irritating little burrs that stick to anything and everything but is an excellent digestive aid as well as being useful for arthritis

A pretty flowering plant, Calendula, is native to Egypt and the Mediterranean but can be cultivated easily elsewhere. Not only is Calendula oil a wonderful skin healer, it is also know for building the blood and for stress. It is also known as the Pot Marigold.

To help reduce stress and tension in the horse, Chamomile has proven to have significant anti-stress actions as well as being anti-inflammatory and an analgesic

Comfrey is a popular pasture weed and horses with respiratory indications will graze on it for as long as their body requires.

We all know about that annoying weed, the Dandelion, that seems to grow in our lawns no matter what we do. The Dandelion actually has a strong diuretic action and is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium. Vitamins A, B, C and D are rich in this pesky weed and horses have been reported actually digging their paddock in order to reach the potent properties of the Dandelion root.

Horses that may need an immune boosting herb will benefit from the Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. The beautiful purple flowers attract butterflies as an added attraction to the pasture or meadowland. The antiviral and anti bacterial properties of this plant benefit animals of all species, including humans. For horses it can be used as a prophylactic to protect them from infections such as strangles, cystitis and urethritis. It has also been used as a post-viral treatment to boost the immune system and help eradicate whatever bacteria or virus remains in the horse's body.

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The copyright of the article BASIC HERBAL TREATMENTS FOR HORSES in Horsemanship is owned by Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate. Permission to republish BASIC HERBAL TREATMENTS FOR HORSES in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.