In late winter, the nutrient content of dry hay is at its lowest
During a long indoor feeding season, a horse’s vitamin reserves gradually become depleted and immune function declines. To maintain vitamin stores, it’s worth feeding horses plenty of green plant material—for example dandelion leaves, nettles, yarrow, and many other common plants offered in a varied and diverse way help support good overall condition. Dried seeds, as well as roots and berries, are also healthy “chewables,” and vitamins tend to keep well in them. Rosehip, sea buckthorn, and rowanberry, for example, are excellent, palatable, and nutritionally diverse. The key B vitamins horses need are found in brewer’s yeast.
In spring, sunlight gradually increases, but at the same time the vitamin and trace mineral content of dry hay is at its lowest. For many animals, shedding season can bring fatigue and low spirits. Refreshing and mood-lifting plants include yarrow, goldenrod, and the “herb for a thousand uses”: nettle. Nettle is rich in vitamins and also contains iron. Trace minerals have a major effect on coat structure, and zinc and copper are especially important. During shedding season in particular, extra trace minerals such as zinc, copper, and selenium are recommended, along with B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. In spring, it’s also beneficial to provide herbs that improve nutrient absorption from feed, such as garlic.
In spring, mares begin cycling, and it may be helpful to use herbs for heat-related symptoms, such as chaste tree berry (monk’s pepper), raspberry leaf, and lady’s mantle.
For horses prone to allergies (for example sweet itch), upcoming symptoms can be eased in advance with immune-supporting plants such as nettle, dandelion, black cumin, and hawthorn. All adaptogenic herbs also support immune resilience (e.g., ginger). Immune support should be started well in advance in spring—several weeks before symptoms typically begin. For all generally healthy animals, it is beneficial to offer vitamin-rich plants from time to time throughout the year, especially dried berries, leaves, roots, nettle, and garlic.
For late-winter vitamin and trace mineral “loading”:
- CdG-E: 100% natural vitamin E
- Berries: sea buckthorn, rosehip, rowanberry, cranberry
- Green plants: yarrow, nettle, dandelion leaf
- Iceland moss is an excellent trace mineral and mineral supplement
- Root vegetables: beetroot and carrots
- Seeds: hemp, chia, pumpkin seed
- Spirulina and seaweed (bladderwrack)
- Bee pollen granules
- Organic zinc, copper, and selenium
During shedding season:
- Brewer’s yeast, nettle, yarrow, goldenrod, zinc, copper, selenium, omega fatty acids
For immune support:
- Immune Boost
- Sea buckthorn, nettle, garlic, black cumin, rowanberry, pumpkin seed, bee pollen
For mares:
- Chaste tree berry (monk’s pepper) to balance hormonal function
- Chamomile to stabilize mood & calm
- Raspberry leaf and lady’s mantle for “women’s issues”
- Devil’s claw to release pelvic floor muscle tension
- Lemon balm, peppermint, goldenrod
