Horse herbs: Summer edition

The Natural Way - specialized in itching and skin complaints and the natural treatment of horses with sweet itch, mud fever and CPL. 

Offer herbs as a variation in the diet or as a healthy snack. It is hip, but has actually been the staple food of horses for thousands of years. If this plant knowledge is used wisely, you can spoil your horse with a tasty enrichment to his or her ration. Based on her many years of passion as a herbalist, Laura Cleirens from The Natural Way provides an overview of plants that you can pick - safely and in moderation - from summer to autumn , their effect and application and additional tips.

Contents

• How many herbs can a horse eat daily?
• Overview of safe and edible plants for horses - summer
• Hairy fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum)
• Thistle (Carduus)
• Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
• Great mallow (Malva sylvestris)
• Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Whole leaves (Pulicaria dysenterica)
• Peachweed (Persicaria maculosa)
• Bird vetch (Vicia cracca)
• Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Ruffle Rose/Rose Rose (Rosa rugosa)
• Eglantine (Rosa rubiginosa)
• Hawthorn (Crataegus)
• Great burdock/Great burdock (Arctium lappa)
• Robert's wort (Geranium robertianum)
• Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
• Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
• Speedwell (Veronica)
• Narrow plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
• Greater plantain (Plantago major)
• Bindweed (Calystegia sepium)
• Chickweed (Stellaria media)
• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
• Daisy (Bellis perennis)
• Real chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Cleaver (Galium aparine)
• Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
• Final word

 

How many herbs can a horse eat daily?

All the herbs in this article are safe and suitable for feeding your horse as a variation, both to support complaints and to keep your horse in good health. Select a few herbs, pick them fresh in a clean environment and feed 1 handful per day (50-100g), dry them in the winter months or buy them dried and stick to the recommended amount stated on the packaging.

Overview of safe and edible plants for horses - summer

Hairy fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum)

Flowering time: +- June to September.

The hairy fireweed is just one of the common fireweeds. This one likes to stay around ditches and banks.

Fireweeds have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and are beneficial for wounds, skin infections and waterway complaints.

The leaves contain a lot of vitamin C, tannins, mucilages, etc.

Thistle (Carduus)

Flowering time: +- July to September.

Thistles come in all shapes and sizes. Due to their sharp spines, not all horses eat them, but many love them. You can offer the entire plant.

Thistles have an antibacterial and antioxidant effect.

Pictured here: Field thistle (Cirsium arvense) .

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Flowering time: +- June to August.

These deep blue flowers have an astringent and beneficial effect on the skin and eyes. Cornflower has a blood purifying and detoxifying effect, and can therefore be used for muscle and joint complaints. In addition, the flowers also have an antipyretic effect and contribute to improved health.

The flowers contain mucilage, bitter substances, tannins, etc.

Great mallow (Malva sylvestris)

Flowering time: +- June to September.

Contains a high level of mucilage that forms a protective layer over inflamed mucous membranes and has a soothing effect on irritation. That is why Greater mallow is often used for eye problems, but also for coughs, bronchitis, mouth, throat and digestive complaints.

It has a beneficial effect on the skin, allergies and wounds and has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.

Great mallow contains a high concentration of mucilage, tannins, essential oils and vitamins A, B and C.

 

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Flowering time: +- June to November.

Nettle is a fantastic but underrated plant for use in horses. You can cut these off at the edge of your pasture and let them dry on the pasture for a few hours. As soon as the injection is removed, your horse will eat it automatically. An ideal and healthy snack for a change! You can also dry these so that you have a winter supply.

This plant has a blood and lymph purifying, deacidifying and detoxifying effect. It boosts your horse's immunity/resistance, so be sure to pick the fresh buds in the spring.

Nettles are an ideal addition to the ration if your horse suffers from sweet itch, mud fever and other complaints. They are good for the skin, urinary tract, digestion, allergies, rheumatic and joint complaints and support general well-being.

Nettles are a source of vitamins: A, B, C, D, E and K, tannins, formic acid, flavonoids, minerals: calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, silicon and bitter substances, histamine, acetylcholine and more.

Note: some horses may react sensitively to nettles.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion, also known as "piss flower", is used in a cleansing treatment in the spring, which you can read all about in our article ' Detox for horses '.

Dandelion stimulates the liver and has a diuretic effect. It lowers blood sugar levels and also increases resistance, which will benefit horses withsweet itch and/or other complaints.

In the spring you can pick the flowers and feed them fresh leaves. In the autumn you can dig out the root, where all the forces are stored.

Contains bitter substances, vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and beta-carotene, flavonoids, calcium, magnesium and more.

Whole leaves (Pulicaria dysenterica)

Flowering time: +- July to September.

Whole leaves bloom from July to September and resemble small sunflowers.

Not much is known about its medicinal properties, but in the past it was said to have been used to combat fleas and dysentery - as the Latin name suggests.

Peachweed (Persicaria maculosa)

Flowering time: +- June to October.

Peachweed blooms from June to October and is also known as Christwort because of the black "bloody handprint" of Jesus Christ on the leaves.

This plant has a beneficial effect on bladder and kidney complaints and stomach problems, such as stomach ulcers. In addition, this plant can also be used for rheumatic complaints and wounds.

Peach herb contains, among other things, tannins.

Bird vetch (Vicia cracca)

Flowering time: +- June to August.

There are many different types of vetch in Belgium and the Netherlands, which bloom from May to July. They are all edible.

NOTE: Because Vetch species are related to the legumes, large quantities of them can cause itching in horses that are sensitive to sweet itch and other itchy complaints.

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Flowering time: +- May until first night frost.

The cheerful marigold is a well-known plant from ornamental gardens, which has a wide medicinal arsenal. This plant is an annual and approx. 30-50 cm high with orange or yellow flowers and sticky stems and leaves.

In the past, the marigold was considered a weather forecaster: if its flowers were still closed at 7 o'clock in the morning, rain would come that day.

This plant has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and cell regenerative effect. It is packed with essential oil, bitter substances, mucilages, flavonoids, saponins, carotenoids and xanthophylls.

You can use Marigold to support the following complaints:

- Wounds: stimulates the healing of all types of wounds: open wounds, cuts and abrasions, surgical wounds, festering wounds,...
- Blood: purifies the blood and stimulates circulation.
- Skin: fungi, sweet itch, itching, rash, wounds, dry skin, cracks,...
- Digestion: stomach and intestinal complaints (ulcers),...

Ruffle Rose/Rose Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Flowering time: +- May to August.

Rose hips , the fruits of this shrub, have a supportive effect on low resistance, fatigue, colds and complaints of the throat and respiratory tract.

They also support the body in case of vitamin deficiency, anemia and muscle and joint complaints. The hips have an anti-inflammatory effect and are astringent. That is why you can also use them in horses with diarrhea.

Rose hips are mainly high in vitamin C and biotin, making them excellent for skin, hair and hooves health, as well as vitamins A, B1 and B2.

Eglantine (Rosa rubiginosa)

See Ripple rose.

Flowering time: +- June to August.

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

Flowering time: +- May to June. Fruits in the summer months.

Hawthorn blooms with fragrant white flowers in May and June. This shrub can grow up to 10 meters high and was previously used as a fence. Hawthorn contains sharp needles, but the young shoots can be safely eaten.

Hawthorn is a source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It is used for stress and tension and to support heart complaints, blood pressure regulation and blood sugar levels. The flowers, leaves and berries can be used for this.

NOTE: Always give hawthorn in moderation!

Great burdock / Great burdock (Arctium lappa).

Flowering time: +- June to August.

We probably all recognize this invasive, robust plant. Many a horse lover has already taken his horse out of the pasture with a frustrated look, with an explosion of seeds from the Great Burdock in his mane and tail... It's a job to get them all out again. Recognizable?

The meaning of 'lappa' is 'to grab', which further clarifies the name.

The root of the burdock is used for skin conditions such as dandruff (dandruff) and hair loss. It supports wound healing, has a blood purifying and disinfectant effect. In addition, it can be used for rheumatic complaints, and has a detoxifying and liver-stimulating effect.

Large burdock contains vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B6, E and biotin; and minerals silicon, phosphorus, iron, zin, sodium, sulfur, manganese, etc.

Robert's wort (Geranium robertianum)

Flowering time: +- April to November.

Robert's herb is completely hairy and can be recognized by its red stem. This medicinal plant has a sugar-regulating, antispasmodic and astringent effect, so it can be used for diarrhea and bleeding. In addition, this small plant can be used for inflammation of the skin, mouth and eyes.

Contains a lot of vitamin C, tannins, tannins, bitter substances and essential oil.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Flowering time: +- June to August.

These soft-creamy blossoms are very recognizable and are usually discovered along banks and ditches.

Meadowsweet has a blood purifying and detoxifying effect, to support the removal of waste products (edema, eczema, etc.) and has a beneficial effect on muscles and joints. This has an analgesic effect (headache, muscle and joint pain) and helps with bladder and kidney problems.

Meadowsweet contains tannins, essential oils, calcium, iron, mucilages, etc.

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris)

Flowering time: +- March to September. Winter hardy.

Shepherd's purse can be recognized by the heart-shaped bags that she proudly carries with her. It is a strengthening plant with a blood and urine purifying effect. Has hormone regulating properties.

Contains tannins, saponin, vitamins B, C and K, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, silicon and iron.

 

Speedwell (Veronica)

Flowering time: +- May to July.

The different types of Speedwell have blue-purple small flowers and have a blood-purifying effect. They are therefore a nice addition for horses that suffer from sweet itch, mud fever, CPL, etc. They also have a beneficial effect on the respiratory tract and the intestinal tract.

Speedwell contains tannic acid, bitter substances, saponins, essential oil, etc.

 

Narrow plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Flowering time: +- April to October.

Narrow plantain is a real horse plant that you can safely feed - but always in moderation. It is a very common wild plant of approximately 20 cm to 50 cm that can be found in practically every grass verge and is an asset to your horse pasture. You can recognize this plant by the lance-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette shape and form small white flowers around the spike.

Plantain is a natural antibiotic and a source of vitamins C and K, iron, zinc, calcium, copper and silicon and is also very medicinal.

You can offer this plant as support for the following complaints:

- Lungs and respiratory tract: dry cough, bronchitis, phlegm, infections, COPD, asthma and allergies.
- Wound healing: blood cleansing and blood-clotting and can be used as a dressing for scratches, cuts, bite wounds and open wounds.
- Skin, coat and hooves: sweet itch, laminitis, rough skin, wounds and scabs.
- Digestion: inflammation, intestinal and stomach ulcers.
- Urinary tract: positive influence on bladder and kidneys.

Great plantain (Plantago major)

See Narrow plantain.

Bindweed (Calystegia sepium)

Flowering time: +- June to October.

The Haagwinde works its way up many fences and is an avid usurer.

The roots and leaves are edible for horses. For the time being, little is known about a possible medicinal effect.

Contains, among other things, tannins, glycosides, etc.

 

Daisy (Bellis perennis)

Flowering time: +- May to August.

Daisies are not liked by all horses, but they have a very good blood purifying effect, help restore intestinal flora after a course of antibiotics, have a good effect on the skin and have a strengthening effect.

Real chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Flowering time: +- May to September.

Real chamomile has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, and has a soothing effect on allergies and digestion.

Pick fresh throughout the year and offer as is, or dry the flower heads for the winter months.

Contains bitter substances, essential oils, mucilages, tannins, flavonoids, phosphorus, calcium, vitamins B and C and more.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Flowering time: +- June to October.

Yarrow is an herb with an immunity-strengthening and blood-purifying effect and it has a positive effect on digestion and stomach function.

Yarrow contains essential oils, vitamins B1 and B2, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic acids, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and more.

You can offer yarrow fresh or dried.

NOTE: Do not use during pregnancy!

Cleaver (Galium aparine)

Flowering time: +- May to October.

Cleaver is the perfect support for horses that suffer from sweet itch, malady, and chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL).

This herb not only sticks to your clothing or animal fur, it also removes waste products from your horse's body. In addition, it helps with inflammation, tissue repair and itching and has a blood purifying effect.

You can give cleavers fresh to your horse.

Contains flavonoids, coumarin, organic acids, bitter iridoids and more.

Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)

Flowering time: +- April to July.

This large umbelliferous plant is often confused, but is a real spring bloomer, ideal for learning to identify it in the spring.

Cow parsley can be a nice addition as a spring cleaner and booster, thanks to its cleansing properties.

The entire plant - from roots to flowers - is edible and mineral-rich. When the plant has finished blooming, you can still spoil your horse with the foliage.

 

Curious about which herbs bloom in spring? Click here .

Disclaimer: Caution and common sense are always advised. This article is not intended as nor does it replace medical advice. The author is not liable for misuse of plants or misinterpretation of the information provided here.

Discover our 100 % natural Zomereczeem lotion, Mok olie, CPL olie, Natuur Shampoo and OERVOER (E-book) about healthy nutrition for itch-sensitive horses HERE.

© Laura Cleirens - 2021.09.01
Last updated: 2023.12.28