Can horses eat nettles?

Asked by: Tamara Brown

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.

Are Stinging nettles harmful to horses?

Toxic components
dioica is able to cause mechanical injury to the horse’s skin and mouth, resulting from the trichome stingers. They contain irritant chemicals which it injects into the skin after the trichome breaks the dermal barrier.

Is Nettle good for horses?

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.

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.

How much nettle should I feed my horse?

Feed 25gms per day.

What’s poisonous to horses?

So, it’s best to make sure your horse avoids eating all toxic plants, particularly those that can be highly poisonous, such as ragwort, sycamore, oak, and yew trees, and bracken.

What plants are poisonous to horses UK?

Nine poisonous plants horses should avoid

• Ragwort. While ragwort has a bitter taste and is rarely eaten by horses when it is growing, when it is wilted or dried it becomes more palatable. …
• Foxglove. …
• Deadly nightshade. …
• Buttercups. …
• Acorns. …
• Yew. …
• Privet. …
• Rhododendron.

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.

What fresh herbs can horses eat?

As herbivores, it is natural for horses to seek out and eat herbs, such as comfrey, red clover, garlic, dandelion and nettle, which have healing properties in their seeds, flowers, roots, stems or leaves.

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.

Are cleavers good horses?

Cleavers are a great ‘tonic’ herb and can benefit horses with filled puffy legs, horses on box rest and as a Spring tonic. An excellent herb for toning and supporting the lymphatic system, (the system responsible for cleansing the body).

What does chamomile do for horses?

Chamomile is known for being a calming, soothing supplement that can have great benefits for horses as well as humans. As a mild relaxant, it is beneficial for horses that get either anxious or excitable, and can be used on an ongoing basis or leading up to an event where the animal is likely to feel nervous.

Is Hawthorn good for horses?

Hawthorn berries feed supplements for horses are a good digestive aid. Horses will readily seek out and eat this hedgerow plant if available in the field. Nutritionally supports increased stamina, normal circulation, horses prone to laminitis, navicular syndrome, rheumatism, tying up and slow digestion.

Can horses eat hawthorn leaves?

Hawthorns are normally planted as a hedge and are perfect for creating a hedgerow containing other edible herbs for horses. The sharp thorns protect the edible herbs from being completely eaten to the ground by voracious horses but allow them to nibble any tasty morsels within their reach.

Is hawthorn good for laminitis?

Horses with specific conditions such as laminitis and navicular syndrome can benefit from hawthorn where blood vessel dilation and strengthening will improve the circulation t these “local” injury areas.