Introduction to the Herbal Horse - by Jessica Lane, Equine Herbalist

There is no link more natural than that of herbs, horses and healing. World-wide most cultures have a traditional relationship with plant-based medicinal agents that have proven themselves over the course of time. These cultures not only used herbs for themselves, but for their animals as well. Over five thousand years ago, the Yellow Emperor of China wrote a medical book filled with the herbal treatments he used with the royal stud. Roman cavalry men kept silverweed and yarrow tucked in their saddle packs to ease the sore muscles of their mounts. Gypsy folk are legendary for their ability to use plants to heal their animals and when the Spaniards invaded the America’s they brought with them their horses and remedies for their illnesses. The indigenous peoples are largely responsible for bringing the bitter herbs with their unique effects to the attention of early herbalists and modern day Mennonites use herbal remedies passed down from generation to generation to successfully treat their horse’s ills and injuries.

In the past, the veterinary profession made ample use of this traditional herbal knowledge and treated animals extensively with herbal remedies. These remedies formed the backbone of early veterinary medicine and it was a love affair with all things scientific in the late 1800’s that left plant based medicines put to the side in favour of chemical formulations. Some plants survived the transition and in much altered form still account for over 25% of modern medical drugs in current use.

Many of the classical herbals of bygone days have survived and thrived under the scrutiny of science and found validation in the eyes of a modern medical world. Today, there is a revival of interest in all things natural and nowhere is this more apparent than in the field of health care, especially for animals and horses in particular. The modern horse owner has opened arms wide, perhaps because when horses are treated with herbs, a certain magic is born of the combination. After all, a grazing animal has a physiology that is particularly well equipped to perfectly utilize nature’s green medicine. Today we seek to re-establish our link to the traditional treatment of horses with herbs for their remarkable healing powers while the horse becomes noticeably improved in general health and condition.

Horses are all too rarely kept as they were meant to live, with access to rich and varied pasturage. Horses turned out to pasture will soon set about the business of cropping a wide variety of herbage, moving about quickly to the next succulent mouthful, feeling out with their sensitive lips all that meets with their requirements. Stabling subjects the horse to alien feeding patterns, eating at set intervals grains that often cause tremendous trouble and/or munching on dried or kibbled feeds that may be sweetened with sugars that are unnecessary to the dietary needs of horses in such excessive amounts. The average horse today is kept on grassland that in many cases is herb deficient. When horses are given the choice in foraging they will naturally attempt to seek out those plants that best suit their needs and keep them in good health. Most wild populations of horses succumb not to illness, but to injury, wounding, or old age, unlike their domestic counterparts with the accompanying litany of disease that so burdens the modern horse. Good health is able to withstand bacterial and viral infection with marked success. For example, one has only to look to the British Isles and see how well the native ponies fare to appreciate how much goodness they take from the harsh landscapes in which they live. Take them out of that landscape and place them in protein-rich, herb free paddocks and soon you will see conditions such as laminitis and allergies appear.

Usual simple diseases of the mucous membranes, digestive systems, musculo-skeletal, liver and kidneys are all easily healed by safe and simple herbal treatments while the unnatural stresses which our domesticated friends are subjected to are also able to be alleviated to some extent, again, with safe and proven herbal therapies. The great majority of illness and disease in our domesticated animals are virtually unknown in the wild populations from which these domesticated animals were derived. Herbal treatments are tried and true, often effecting lasting cures rather than achieving chemical suppression of symptoms.

The information provided in this column is not intended to be used in the diagnosing or prescribing of medicines and absolutely does not seek to replace the advice and guidance of your veterinarian. Always consult with your veterinarian before treating your horse with herbal remedies. The information offered in this column is only for the use of maintaining and promoting your horse’s health. Always seek the advice of a competent equine herbalist rather than self treating. Herbs are powerful and there is always a possibility of complications when mixing modern drugs with some herbs.

Many herbs however, can be freely added to your horse’s feed regimen in order to boost nutrition and build condition without any danger of interaction. Simple remedies can also be utilized for everyday ills or mishaps using gentle herbal therapies. These are the types of herbs and treatments that will be the main focus of this column. For anything of a serious nature, consult your veterinarian and/or a competent equine herbalist. The next edition of the Herbal Horse will offer a brief overview of herbal terminology and the methods of application for herbal remedies. If you save these articles you will eventually have a comprehensive, easy-to-use herbal handbook.

 Jessica Lane - Equine Herbalist   

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