Equine Herbal Medicine

Equine Herbal Medicine

Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre

Equine Herbal Medicine

(Herbs for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys & Mules)

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Refer to: Care & Administration of Herbal Medicines (.pdf file)

Garlics

Among all our domestic species, it is possibly true that horses and ponies are the ideal species in which to use herbs. They are archetypal herbivores, relying upon herbage for all their nutritional, physiological and biochemical needs. They also appear to have the capability to self-medicate with naturally-available herbs (zoopharmacognosy).

Horses generally accept herbal medicines very readily and may even lick them from a suitable receptacle. Failing that, more appetising and tasty herbs can be added to the mixture. We do not advocate adding sugar as a tempter, although local honey may be appropriate in some cases. If a horse is being fed in addition to grazing or hay, it is common practice simply to add herbal medicines to the daily ration.

There is a vast number of attractively packaged unlicensed commercial and proprietary products and mixtures of herbs available, on the market, each vying for your money. It is not a foregone conclusion that these supplements will be suitable for your horse (or pony or donkey), beneficial, of good quality or even necessary. They may even conflict with intercurrent medication, whether conventional or alternative medicine. Most of this bewildering array of products is vigorously marketed for commercial reasons and some may not even be marketed within current medicines regulations and legislation. Caveat emptor - buyer beware.

In case it is helpful to clients, we do formulate off-the-shelf herb mixtures, for general nutritional support, for arthritis, for laminitis, for respiratory problems, for hoof health and for other problems. Enquire at the office, if interested: 01367 710324.

A sample of the horse diseases and conditions that we are called upon to treat with herbal medicine are (in alphabetical order):

Allergy

Arthritis

Asthma

Azoturia

Behavioural Problems

Broken Wind

Colic

COPD

Cough

Crib Biting

Cushings Disease

Cushings Syndrome

Dermatophilus

Diarrhoea

DJD

Gastric Ulcer

Grass Sickness

Greasy Heel

Headshaking (Headshaker / Head shaking / Head shaker)

Heaves

Hives

Hoof Quality

Hormonal Problems

Infertility

Itch

Joint

Joint Ill

Laminitis

Ligament

Liver Disease

Lymphangitis

Mareishness

Moonblindness

Mud Fever

Myoglobinuria

Myositis

Navicular

OCD

Pedal Ostitis

Periodic Ophthalmia

Periodic Uveitis

Photosensitisation

Rain Scald

Recurrent Ophthalmia

Recurrent Uveitis

Ringbone

Setfast

Sidebone

Sinusitis

Spavin

Stomach Ulcer

Sunburn

Suspensory

Sweet Itch

Tendon

Tying Up

Urticaria

Uveitis

White Line Separation

Wind Sucking

Wounds

The treatment may also include other therapies, in an integrated programme (e.g. veterinary homeopathy and/or veterinary acupuncture along with natural feeding).

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