Herbal Medicine

11 Casuarina St

Wirrabara

South Australia, 5481

Email: zcs@protonmail.com

Mobile: +61 477 945 006

Horses are Natural Herbalists

Horses as herbivores graze continuously for 18-20 hours a day. They naturally eat a wide variety of herbage, seeking out seasonal grasses, seeds, flowers, fruits, twigs and bark.

 

A natural and seasonally varied diet provides macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients. Protein, vitamins, minerals, fats and roughage are naturally provided in quantities designed to suit the horse's digestive system and nutritional requirements.

 

Herbs can be incorporated into a natural diet to aid overall nutrition or can be prescribed according to the specific needs of each horse to treat and prevent illness and injury.

Herbs for People and Horses

Herbal Medicine is the safe use of medicinal and nutritional herbs to aid in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of common complaints. 

 

Medicinal and nutritional herbs can be used safely and effectively to aid in the treatment and prevention of common health problems and disease with the relevant professional advice.

 

People and animals have used medicinal herbs for thousands of years as a source of primary health care. Herbal Medicine remains the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. The World Health Organisation supports the re-instatement of access to traditional herbal medicines for peoples across the globe.


Herbal Medicine is a safe, effective, inexpensive form of medicine which also promotes self-sufficiency, endorsing age old medicinal herbal knowledge embedded in the fabric of many traditional cultures. Access to traditional herbal medicines is a vital part of maintaining strong, healthy and diverse cultures.


Medicinal and nutritional herbs are a stand alone treatment and can also be safely used as a complementary therapy to conventional allopathic medicines, with the relevant professional advice.

Horses are Natural Herbalists

Horses as herbivores graze continuously for much of the day and night. They eat grasses, seeds, flowers, fruits, mosses, lichen, twigs and bark which provide dense and fibrous roughage and biologically available protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

 

Horses will seeks out salts, minerals and specific nutrients from naturally occurring sources like clay, lime-stone, termite mounds, dirt around tree roots, barks and seasonal herbs and grasses.

 

We can use the horse's natural ability as a herbivore and herbalist to help when selecting herbs. Herbs can be offered as a free choice supplements or you can include a regular amount in their feed.


If your horse happily eats the herb that is a positive sign. If however your horse eats everything around the herb, and leaves the herb in their feed bin or refuses to eat their feed with the herb included, this may be an indication the herb is not well selected for your horse.

 

Horses will naturally eat seasonal herbs for a short period. Supplementing with medicinal and nutritional herbs is best done in conjunction with assistance from a qualified herbalist to ensure the appropriate herb and dosage is given.


Chamomile flowers

To schedule an appointment contact:

EPR Institute

11 Casuarina St

Wirrabara

South Australia, 5481

Australia

Email: zcs@protonmail.com

Mobile: +61 477 945 006

Herbal Preparations for Horses




Herbs can be given in several forms.

 

Free choice herbs

Dried herbs which are made available to the horse in a weather and waterproof container. The horse can

freely access the herbs anytime day and night and determine the amount they consume.

 


Herbs in the daily feed

Herbs in their fresh or dried form, can be mixed into the horse's daily feed
.

 

Herbal infusion

Preparation: Combine 5 grams of the dried herb to 250ml of boiling water. Steep in a well sealed pot for 15 minutes, then strain.

Once cooled add the liquid and strained herbal material to the horse's daily feed
.

 

Decoction

Preparation: Combine 5 grams of herbal root, bark or seed to 250ml of water in a well sealed pot. Heat pot and simmer for 3 minutes, take off the heat and steep for 15 minutes then strain.

Once cooled add the liquid and strained herbal material to the horse's daily feed
.

 

Tincture

A tincture is a stronger, more active for of herbal medicine made and used by herbalist. A tincture can be added to the horse's daily feed.

Rosemary

Tonic Herbs For Horses


Tonic herbs are broad in their action and are generally safe for everyday use for 1-2 weeks to a maximum of 6 weeks.

Before using herbs is it advisable to seek professional advice from a qualified Herbalist of holistic Veterinarian to determine the most appropriate herbs and dosage for your horse.

If symptoms persist or worsen, discontinue use and consult a qualified Herbalist or Veterinarian.

 

Calendula officinalis

Common name: Marigold

Parts Used: Petals. Yellow - Orange in colour. The petals need to retain their vibrant colour to be of good medicinal quality.


Actions: Anti-inflammatory; Anti-fungal; Astringent; Cholagogue (liver support, stimulates bile secretion) and Wound herb.


Uses: Regulates digestive secretions in the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly in the stomach and into the small intestine.
 Useful as part of a formulation for long term support in stomach and small intestine irritation.


Useful in inflammatory skin conditions, slow healing wounds, and skin infections. Can be used both internally and externally (topically) for skin problems.
 Works well with Hyper-Cal homoeopathic wash and Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis) in skin conditions.


Dose: 5-10 grams daily of dried herb or by infusion. 


Nutrients: Good source of Beta-carotene, bio-flavonoid (rutin, quercetin). Calendula was used by the ancients as a tonic for their best fast horses.



Calendula is an excellent tonic for horses which can be safely used as a free choice herb during all seasons.


Silybum marianum

Common name: St Mary's Thistle or Milk Thistle


Parts Used: Seeds


Actions: Anti-inflammatory; Cholagogue and Galactagogue (stimulates milk production and flow).


Uses: Regulates digestive secretions in the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly secretions from the liver and into the small intestine.
 Supports bile flow. Stimulates milk production and flow.
 Useful for liver and digestive system support. Supports the system after antibiotic and/or steroid use. Helpful before and after vaccinations.


Dose: 5 grams of ground herb 1 to 2 times daily.


Preparation: St Mary's Thistle is best bought as whole seeds, ground prior to use and stored in a cool, dry place.


Nutrients: High in Chromium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc.

 

Matricaria chamomilla

Common name: Chamomile


Parts Used: Dried flower heads.


Actions: Anti-inflammatory; Anti-spasmodic; Antiseptic; Analgesic; Carminative; Sedative and Wound herb.


Uses: Excellent in gastro-intestinal problems associated with nervous tension. 'Nervous scouring'.  A mild digestive stimulant. Combines well with Calendula and St Mary's Thistle in digestive system support. 

Relaxes the anxious horse and rider. Can help prevent pre-show nervousness when used for several weeks before showing.

External use: Useful in inflammatory skin conditions and skin infections with Calendula. Can be used with apple cider vinegar and sprayed on the hooves, legs and abdomen to reduce insect bites and reactions to insect bites.

Dose: 5 grams daily of dried herb or by infusion 1 to 2 times daily. 


Nutrients: High in Magnesium, Niacin (B3), Phosphorus, Riboflavin (B2), Sodium.


Note: Chamomile can aggravate allergies.

Caution: Avoid using with horses who suffer allergic conditions eg allergic skin or lung conditions.

 
Caution regarding the use of Herbs and Homoeopathics: If symptoms get worse discontinue the medicine. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a qualified Herbalist, Homoeopath, or Veterinarian. Depending upon the severity of the problem, prompt conventional first aid may need to be applied and professional help may be required eg fractures, severe and persistent bleeding or diarrhoea, shock, head trauma, poisoning and poisonous bites.


Disclaimer: The information in these pages are intended as a guide and not intended to replace the advice of a qualified Veterinarian or health practitioner. Any application of the information included in this web page is done so at the reader’s own discretion and sole risk.