Why Do Horses Eat Nettles?

Also known as Urtica dioica if we’re being posh, nettle is great for boosting blood circulation, respiratory health and metabolism. It has an amazing nutrient profile and in years gone by was fed as a matter of course to keep horses healthy. It contains essential vitamins and minerals and is low in salt.

Are cut nettles good for horses?

Stinging Nettle
Rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium and dietary fibre, stinging nettles are highly nutritious. Horses won’t eat them when they are growing so cut them, allow them to wilt and then chop them up so you can add them to your horse’s feed.

Do horses like stinging nettles?

Horses don’t usually eat stinging nettle, but if they lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction characterized by wheals or hives and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more.

How much dried nettle should I feed my horse?

approximately 30-50 grams
As a rule of thumb, approximately 30-50 grams should be fed per day. The dried leaves can simply be added to the horse’s regular feed.

Can ponies eat stinging nettles?

Feeding fresh and dried nettle
Some horse owners already give their horses nettle, usually “Stinging nettle” (Urtica dioica). There are people who put on their own gloves and pick nettles in their own environment. If you leave the plants for at least an hour, they are then perfectly edible for your horse.

Are Nettles Good for laminitis?

Laminitic horses also benefit from nettle. A number of studies have shown nettle leaf extract to have hypoglycaemic effects, resulting in decreased blood sugar levels. Other reasons it is considered to benefit laminitics are that it aids the elimination of toxins and boosts circulation.

Can horses eat dead nettle?

Seemingly ubiquitous during early spring in some areas, the purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is not toxic to horses.

How do you get rid of nettles on a horse’s paddock?

For nettles growing in a paddock, we recommend using a strong selective herbicide such as Thrust or Vivendi.

Are dandelions good for horses?

Dandelion is a very nutritious herb offering a multitude of benefits for general health in horses. Primarily, Dandelion optimises the health of the urinary tract and can help to encourage urination. Superior quality product that the horses love and the benefits are showing in their coats and general health.

Is stinging nettle poisonous to livestock?

Department of Animal Science – Plants Poisonous to Livestock
Scientific Name: Urtica spp.

What does chamomile do for horses?

Chamomile is known for being a calming, soothing supplement that can have great benefits for horses as well as humans. As a mild relaxant, it is beneficial for horses that get either anxious or excitable, and can be used on an ongoing basis or leading up to an event where the animal is likely to feel nervous.

Are cleavers good horses?

Cleavers are a great ‘tonic’ herb and can benefit horses with filled puffy legs, horses on box rest and as a Spring tonic. An excellent herb for toning and supporting the lymphatic system, (the system responsible for cleansing the body).

What is dried nettle?

Nettle leaf, also called Urtica dioica, has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries. It’s known for the stinging hairs that grow on the stems and leaves, and it can be used as a dry leaf, freeze-dried, or extracted into tablets, juices, and teas.

Is milk thistle good for horses?

Milk thistle for horses, the powdered seed is rich in antioxidants and can be used to promote a healthy equine liver. 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.

How do you feed comfrey to horses?

The leaves can be fed dried (20-30g a day) or bruised (one handful a day). When fed in excess comfrey can become toxic due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are also present in ragwort.

Is chlorophyll good for horses?

Chlorophyll cleanses the liver, blood, kidneys and digestive tract, improving overall health. As plant eaters, horses need chlorophyll in their diet for optimum health.

Does apple cider vinegar help laminitis?

Research has also shown that it can slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which is helpful for those founder-prone ponies/horses that are sensitive to sugar. Because of this, using apple cider vinegar for horses with laminitis can help to reduce the risk of it reoccurring, along with proper care.

Can laminitis be reversed?

Can a horse with laminitis be cured? Once an animal has had laminitis, they will be at an increased risk of getting it again. The current episode can be cured, but it is likely that laminitis will occur again at some point in the future.

How do you fix a founder?

In horses that have developed founder due to dietary causes, it is advised to stop feeding all grain products and remove the horse from pasture. Some horses will require treatment with a nasogastric tube to remove excess feed from their gastrointestinal tract if they have overeaten.

What plant kills horses?

Poison Hemlock and Water Hemlock: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and water hemlock (Cicuta species) are both very toxic to horses. They are often found in moist areas and exude an unpleasant, parsnip-like odor when cut.

What happens if you eat horse nettle?

The glycoalkaloids act on the digestive system to cause excessive salivation, colic and diarrhea or constipation. These signs may be followed by depression, weakness, depressed respiration, dilated pupils, collapse and death if horse nettle is eaten in large amounts.