Spring Foraging
After a long winter it’s a welcome sight to see the grass, flowers and trees flourishing. Dull hedgerows are now vibrant and verges are full of different plants. I don’t know about you but I seem to only be able to successfully grow weeds in my garden… but this isn’t all bad as some things we deem as weeds have huge health benefit for our four legged friends (and us!).
Below are just some of the ‘weeds’ that are great to offer to our horses!
An excellent herb for supporting and toning the lymphatic and
urinary tract systems. It is beneficial for horses who suffer soft
swellings and puffy/filled legs. It has also been used to treat
itching and eczema and improve coat condition.
Nettles
When cut and dried, the nettle loses its sting and becomes a
really useful feed supplement. Cut Nettle supports a healthy
blood supply,cardiovascular system and circulation thanks to
high levels of iron, vitamin C and potassium. It also supports
the urinary system, particularly the health of the urinary tract.
It also helps manage healthy fluid regulation, flushing
chemicals and excess liquids from the body. Nettle also
acts as a conditioning supplement, helping to keep coats sleek,
support skin and sustain a healthy dappling.
Cow parsley
Horses can eat cow parsley because it is nutritious and
assists in digestion. It is believed Cow parsley also aids
the wound healing process and it has qualities similar to
fennel. It is common at the base of hedges and around the
edge of fields.
Wild Garlic
Wild garlic is considered to have fly repellent properties
as horses apparently excrete the sulphur contained in
the garlic through their skin. It has also been suggested
consumption of garlic helps maintain the intestinal bacteria
that play a very important role in the horses’ digestive processes.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is rich in antioxidants and can be used to promote a
healthy liver function. Milk thistle will help to support the body’s
natural regeneration of new liver cell growth and, as a result, give
nutritional support for healthy hooves, healthy skin and the whole
immune system.
Dandelions
Dandelions are healthy food for horses, as it cleanses the blood,
this prevents skin diseases, laminitis, and Rheumatism. This weed
is also enriched with Vitamin A, B, C, and D. They also influence
appetite in horses and improves their digestion system. They also
promote natural urination & stimulates the function of the liver.
This also stores a good amount of minerals and copper. This is
required for proper and fast wound healing. Also, it promotes white
blood cell production and fertility.