Veterinary medicine Healing herbs for horses

Herbs for horses: Remedies and food supplement
The horse has a very sensitive digestive system. It is a highly specialized herbivore with high nutritional requirements. The regular feeding of herbs to the mineral supply has therefore a long tradition. In addition to the culinary added value of herbs and the associated variety on the menu, most plants also have a healing effect.
Herbs have a broad spectrum of activity. They can be given both preventive and supportive as well as for aftercare, such as infections, medication or poisoning. In the spring they cleanse the blood via the urinary tract and support the metabolism in the excretion of toxins. In autumn, they prepare the organism for the cold season and prevent infections. Administered year-round, they boost the horse's immune system and metabolism.

Medicinal herbs for horses. Picture: 135pixels - fotolia

In addition, herbs regulate digestion, protect and clear the respiratory tract, and provide shiny coat, healthy skin and firm hooves. Last but not least, they strengthen connective tissue, ligaments, tendons and joints and support the formation of new cartilage mass.

Herbs are among the phytotherapeutics, that is, herbal medicines. Because each herb already represents a multi-substance mixture, not too many herbs should be combined. Herbal mixtures usually consist of main and complementary herbs. It is also in higher dosage non-toxic plants with diverse healing properties and broad spectrum of activity. In horses, these are often nettles, lime blossom, birch leaves or horsetail. For a targeted therapy, main herbs with a similar effect but different focal points are combined. Example: the expectorant and anti-inflammatory ribwort plantain, calming herbal marshmallow or mallow and the decongesting hyssop, a close relative of thyme.

Complementary herbs are added to the mixture to enhance the healing effect, to improve the taste or to stabilize the mixture. Overall, herbal mixtures should usually not contain more than five different herbs. Individual herbs are usually administered by the diet.
Serving herbs as a mineral source of consistent feed intake is usually recommended twice daily between 10 and 15 grams (up to 500 kg body weight) or 20 and 30 grams (over 500 kg body weight). Durable and regular feed supplements are suitable for prophylaxis or for chronic diseases and metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, every now and then a break of up to three months should be taken to avoid the habituation effect. (Anke Klabunde, aid)

Link-Tipp: The medicine of animals: How animals heal themselves