Are dried nettles good for horses?

Asked by: William Milford

Also known as Urtica dioica if we’re being posh, nettle is great for boosting blood circulation, respiratory health and metabolism. It has an amazing nutrient profile and in years gone by was fed as a matter of course to keep horses healthy. It contains essential vitamins and minerals and is low in salt.

Can horses eat dried stinging nettles?

Rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium and dietary fibre, stinging nettles are highly nutritious. Horses won’t eat them when they are growing so cut them, allow them to wilt and then chop them up so you can add them to your horse’s feed.

How much nettle do you give a horse?

Nettles are primarily diuretic and blood cleansing therefore often used for laminitis and arthritis to clear congestion. It is also excellent for horses competing in very strenuous or power demanding activities. For animal use only, do not give to mares in foal. Feed 25gms per day.

What is dried nettle good for?

The Bottom Line
Stinging nettle is a nutritious plant popular in Western herbal medicine. Studies suggest that it may reduce inflammation, hay fever symptoms, blood pressure and blood sugar levels — among other benefits.

Can horses have nettle?

Horses don’t usually eat stinging nettle, but if they lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction characterized by wheals or hives and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more.

What does nettle do for a horse?

Also known as Urtica dioica if we’re being posh, nettle is great for boosting blood circulation, respiratory health and metabolism. It has an amazing nutrient profile and in years gone by was fed as a matter of course to keep horses healthy. It contains essential vitamins and minerals and is low in salt.

Why is my horse eating stinging nettles?

Nettles are an important ingredient in blood building mixes, such as my Iron Horse Formula, to treat anaemia or simply to boost the blood profile in performance horses.

Are nettles Good for laminitis?

Laminitic horses also benefit from nettle. A number of studies have shown nettle leaf extract to have hypoglycaemic effects, resulting in decreased blood sugar levels. Other reasons it is considered to benefit laminitics are that it aids the elimination of toxins and boosts circulation.

What is dried nettle?

Nettle leaf, also called Urtica dioica, has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries. It’s known for the stinging hairs that grow on the stems and leaves, and it can be used as a dry leaf, freeze-dried, or extracted into tablets, juices, and teas.

Are dandelions good for horses?

Dandelion is a very nutritious herb offering a multitude of benefits for general health in horses. Primarily, Dandelion optimises the health of the urinary tract and can help to encourage urination.

Is horse nettle toxic to horses?

Horse nettle is poisonous to horses in fresh or dried form, as it contains highly toxic alkaloids, the most meaningful being solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that affects the horse’s central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Horses generally won’t eat this plant unless they have nothing else to eat.

Can livestock eat stinging nettle?

Urtica dioica plants are sometimes used to feed farm animals such as Bos taurus (domestic cow) and Equus caballus (domestic horse). Although the animals will not eat the plants when they are living, after the nettles are cut and dried they are a great fodder.

How do you dry nettles?

Spread stems and leaves on the drying trays of a dehydrator. Set the temperature at its lowest setting (95°F or 35°C) and dry for 12 to 18 hours. The stems will take longer to dry than the leaves, so always test them instead of the leaves to determine if the drying is done.

How long does dried nettle last?

18 months

Once dried, the nettle will retain it’s potency for up to 18 months so you don’t need to be in a rush to consume it.

Can I dry stinging nettle?

How do I dehydrate Stinging Nettle? You can dehydrate them using a dehydrator, or dry them in the oven. For the oven method, place your clean Nettle neatly on a cookie sheet and warm them slowly in the oven at 170- 180 °F for 1-2 hours. The temperature must be below 200, otherwise the plant will bake rather than dry.