How to Herbalize a Horse

A horse's natural diet consists of grasses and grains. When horses receive herbal alternatives to chemically-altered foods and medical treatments, they enjoy good health the way Mother Nature intended. Getting your horse started on an herbal lifestyle takes a little extra effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Identify the herbs growing in your horse's environment. Not all plants are beneficial to a horse. Some are deadly, such as the leaves of a castor plant. Look for "Peterson Field Guides to Medicinal Plans and Herbs," by Steven Foster. The guides are specific to different areas of the United States and can be found in your local library.
2. Provide wide-open spaces with grass hay for your horse to graze. A horse's hoofs will harden when he grazes out of stall. Horse owners find that allowing a horse to graze naturally in the pasture strengthens the hoof and may eliminate the need for shoeing.
3. Consider planting good quality hay, such as Brome, to increase the protein in your horse's diet naturally. Alternately, find a source where you can purchase hay locally. Inspect the hay before buying to make sure the inside of the bales are free from mold, a condition that occurs when baling hay before it dries sufficiently.
4. Plant the herbs needed to supplement your horse's diet so you always have a supply on hand. Herbal horse owners recommend planting a perennial bed of Echinacea to enhance your horse's immune system and comfrey for the use of its leaves as a poultice on wounds. Sprinkle Black-eyed Susan seeds in the pasture in the spring to produce a tasty flower with digestive-aid qualities.
5. Remove all herbs and plants detrimental to your horse. Just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's healthy for your horse. The easiest way to determine dangerous plants is to contact the public extension service in your county for a list and description of the plants in your area that can poison a horse. Check the grazing area regularly to keep it free from rogue plants.
6. Monitor your horse's health daily. Learn to recognize his body language to determine when he's feeling under the weather or when he's injured. Try natural herbal remedies first.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt to treat deep puncture wounds without a Veterinarian's care. Likewise, monitor your horse's intake of plants like alfalfa or grains. A horse can founder if allowed to eat certain dietary foods in large quantities.