6 Winter Herbs to Add to Your Horse's Diet

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH

Winter can be a challenging season for horses, with colder weather and reduced access to fresh forage. This can put them at risk for colic, especially with consistently low temperatures. Cold weather can slow down your horse’s digestive system so it’s important to keep them warm with lots of forage, fibre, warm water, and gut-supportive herbs. Also don’t forget to keep them moving!

Incorporating specific herbs into your horse’s diet during the winter months can help support their immune system, digestion, and overall well-being. These herbs align with the natural needs of the season, ensuring your horse stays healthy and balanced. Here are five winter herbs to consider, along with their nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Important note for all herb additions: Always offer herbs free-choice before adding them to their daily feed. Make observations about how your horse is doing on them and don’t use herbs indefinitely. “Pulsing” herbs is a more effective way to use herbs which is why I like to switch them up as the seasons change.

Winter Herbs to Consider:

1. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Nutritional Benefits: Echinacea is rich in flavonoids and polysaccharides that enhance immune function.

Medicinal Benefits: Known for its immune-boosting properties, echinacea is ideal for supporting your horse’s immune system during the winter when they are more susceptible to illness. It is particularly useful for preventing viral colds and coughs during the winter months. Research highlights its ability to enhance immune response and reduce inflammation.

How to Use: Add dried echinacea to your horse’s feed in short-term cycles, especially during times of stress or exposure to cold weather.

Feeding amount: For 1000 lb horses: 1/3 cup daily for 2-4 weeks during cold snaps.

2. Nettle Leaf (Urtica urens)

Nutritional Benefits: Nettle is considered a superfood! It provides bioavailable iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K. These nutrients are essential for maintaining energy levels and blood health during winter.

Medicinal Benefits: With its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, nettle helps combat joint stiffness and skin conditions often exacerbated by cold, damp weather. Research has demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects (Randall et al., 2000).

How to Use: Offer dried nettle leaves top dressed on feed or brew a tea and pour it over your horse’s feed or forage.

Feeding amount: 1000 lb horse: 1/3 cup daily for 6-8 weeks.

3. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Nutritional Benefits: Ginger is rich in antioxidants, including gingerols and shogaols, and contains essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium.

Medicinal Benefits: Ginger’s warming properties make it excellent for improving circulation and supporting joint health during cold weather. It also aids digestion, reducing bloating and discomfort. A study by Grzanna et al. (2005) emphasizes its anti-inflammatory and circulatory benefits.

How to Use: Add small amounts of powdered ginger to your horse’s feed or steep fresh ginger in warm water to create a soothing tea.

Feeding amount: 1000 lb horse: 1-2 tsp per day for 6-8 weeks during the coldest part of winter.

4. Rosehips (Rosa canina)

Nutritional Benefits: Rosehips are packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids, supporting immune health and skin integrity.

Medicinal Benefits: Rosehips help bolster the immune system and support joint health due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Winter is a time when joints may feel stiffer, and rosehips can provide relief. Research by Chrubasik et al. (2008) highlights its efficacy in reducing joint pain.

How to Use: Add dried rosehips or powder to your horse’s feed.

Feeding amount: 1000 lb horse: 1/3 cup of rose hips or 2 tablespoons of powder.

5. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Nutritional Benefits: Chamomile contains flavonoids and essential oils, providing mild antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Medicinal Benefits: Chamomile is known for its calming properties, making it an excellent herb for reducing winter stress and anxiety in horses. It also soothes digestive upset, which can occur due to changes in routine or diet. A study by Srivastava et al. (2010) supports its anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory effects.

How to Use: Use dried chamomile flowers in feed or brew as a tea to pour over forage for a calming effect.

Feeding amount: 1000 lb horse: 1/3 cup dried flower.

6. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Nutritional Benefits: Vitamin A, B, E, K and trace minerals like manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc.

Medicinal Benefits: Turmeric is known for its warming properties, for joint pain, digestive and brain health, kidney, skin and respiratory support. If your horse is stiff or sore in the cold weather (especially seniors), this herb is worth trying.

How to Use: Use a turmeric powder that is tested for purity and heavy metal content. A small amount of MCT coconut oil can pair well with this herb. Black pepper can also help increase cur cumin bioavailability but be careful not to add too much. A little goes a long way!

Feeding amount: 1000 lb horse: Start with 15-30 grams of turmeric powder, 10-15 mLs MCT oil and 10-20 grinds of fresh black pepper (optional depending on the horse).

Tips for Incorporating Herbs

In winter, focus on warming and immune-boosting herbs to counteract the cold and support your horse’s health. Ginger and chamomile provide warmth and relaxation, while echinacea, rosehips, and nettle bolster the immune system and overall resilience.

Herbs are not one size fits all!

While herbs can be beneficial, introduce them gradually and in moderation. Don’t add a bunch of herbs all at once – rather add one or two at a time. Observation is your most important tool to determine how each herb is working for your horse. Be sure your horse enjoys eating them and that they are doing well with each new addition.

Happy feeding!

References

• Chrubasik, C., Roufogalis, B. D., Müller-Ladner, U., & Chrubasik, S. (2008). A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles. Phytotherapy Research, 22(6), 725-733.

• Grzanna, R., Lindmark, L., & Frondoza, C. G. (2005). Ginger—an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. Journal of Medicinal Food, 8(2), 125-132.

• Randall, C., Randall, H., Dobbs, F., Hutton, C., & Sanders, H. (2000). Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 93(6), 305-309.

• Shah, S. A., Sander, S., White, C. M., Rinaldi, M., & Coleman, C. I. (2007). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: A meta-analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 7(7), 473-480.

• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895-901.