Herbs have been part of equine care for as long as people have kept horses. From the soothing mucilage of marshmallow root to the mineral-rich leaves of nettle, common horse herbs offer gentle, food-based support for digestion, joints, calm, immunity and more.
This directory lists the herbs for horses most often used in modern UK herbal blends. Each entry covers what the herb is traditionally used for and any safety notes to be aware of before feeding. Always introduce new herbs gradually and check with your vet if your horse is pregnant, on medication, or competing under rules that restrict natural substances.
A
Aniseed
Pimpinella anisum
Supports respiratory comfort and palatability.
Aniseed is an aromatic herb traditionally fed to support normal airway comfort. Its sweet flavour can make feed more appealing to some horses.
Safety: Generally well tolerated. Avoid in pregnant mares in large amounts.
B
Boswellia
Boswellia serrata
Traditionally fed to support normal joint comfort.
Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia contains boswellic acids and is traditionally fed to support normal joint comfort in older and working horses.
Safety: Considered safe long term. Check competition rules before use.
Brewer's Yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Supports hindgut microbes and B-vitamin status.
A traditional probiotic-style supplement, brewer's yeast feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supplies natural B vitamins, which is helpful for horses on high-grain rations or those prone to digestive upset.
Safety: Safe for daily feeding at recommended rates.
Burdock Root
Arctium lappa
Supports the skin and lymphatic system.
Burdock root is traditionally included in botanical feeds to support normal skin and coat condition.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy. Introduce slowly.
C
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Traditionally fed for normal settled behaviour and digestive comfort.
Chamomile is traditionally included in routines supporting normal settled behaviour and digestive comfort alongside good management.
Safety: Safe for daily, long-term use.
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Traditionally included in normal wellbeing routines.
Cleavers is traditionally included in spring botanical routines supporting normal skin and coat condition.
Safety: Generally safe; avoid alongside diuretic medications.
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Traditional digestive and worming support.
Clove is a warming spice historically included in botanical gut-support blends. It is not a wormer or a substitute for a vet-led programme.
Safety: Use in small, blended amounts only.
Corn Silk
Zea mays
Traditionally included in normal wellbeing routines.
Corn silk is a traditional botanical feed ingredient. Urinary irritation requires veterinary assessment, not herbal feeding alone.
Safety: Considered very safe for daily use.
D
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Supports liver and kidney function.
Both root and leaf have histories of traditional feeding in routines supporting normal wellbeing. Ask your vet about urinary or liver concerns.
Safety: Safe for ongoing use in most horses.
Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
Traditionally chosen to support normal joint comfort and mobility.
A long-standing herb in the equine tradition, devil's claw is often included in routines for older horses where owners want gentle daily support for normal comfort. It is not a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory and should never replace veterinary care.
Safety: Avoid in pregnant mares and horses with gastric ulcers. Banned under FEI rules.
E
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
Supports the immune system.
Traditionally included in seasonal routines supporting normal wellbeing; illness requires veterinary care.
Safety: Best used in 2–6 week cycles rather than continuously.
F
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Traditionally fed to support normal digestive comfort.
Fennel is an aromatic herb traditionally fed as part of a routine supporting normal digestive comfort.
Safety: Safe at normal feeding rates.
G
Garlic
Allium sativum
Traditionally fed for normal wellbeing.
Garlic is traditionally included in equine botanical feeds as part of a normal wellbeing routine.
Safety: Feed sensibly — very high doses over long periods may affect red blood cells.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Warms the digestion and supports circulation.
Ginger is an aromatic herb traditionally included in routines supporting normal digestive comfort.
Safety: Avoid in pregnant mares. Check competition rules.
H
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Supports heart and circulation.
A classic circulatory tonic used to support cardiovascular health in older or harder-working horses.
Safety: Generally safe; consult vet if the horse is on heart medication.
Hops
Humulus lupulus
Encourages a quieter disposition.
Hops have a history of traditional use in routines supporting normal settled behaviour. Check current competition rules before feeding.
Safety: Check competition rules before use.
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense
Natural source of silica for hooves and connective tissue.
Rich in plant silica, horsetail is used in supplements that target hoof quality, coat condition and the integrity of tendons and ligaments.
Safety: Use the cultivated, food-grade form only and at recommended rates.
L
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Traditionally fed for normal settled behaviour.
Lemon balm is a lemon-scented mint traditionally included in feeding routines supporting normal settled behaviour.
Safety: Safe for daily use.
Liquorice Root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Traditionally fed to support normal airway and digestive comfort.
A demulcent herb used both for respiratory comfort and to support the protective lining of the stomach and gut.
Safety: Avoid in horses with high blood pressure or Cushing's. Limit long courses.
M
Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis
Mucilage-rich botanical traditionally fed for normal digestive comfort.
Rich in mucilage, marshmallow root has a long history in botanical feeding routines supporting normal digestive comfort.
Safety: Considered very safe for long-term feeding.
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Supports stomach comfort.
Meadowsweet is traditionally included in routines supporting normal digestive comfort. Check competition rules before feeding.
Safety: Avoid in horses with known salicylate sensitivity.
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
Traditionally fed to support normal liver function.
Milk thistle contains silymarin and is traditionally fed to support normal liver function. Ask your vet before feeding it to a horse on medication.
Safety: Safe for ongoing use.
MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane
Bioavailable sulphur for joints, hooves and coat.
Not strictly a herb, but a widely fed natural compound that supplies organic sulphur to support healthy joints, connective tissue and a glossy coat.
Safety: Considered very safe at recommended feeding rates.
N
Nettle
Urtica dioica
Mineral-rich tonic for blood, skin and coat.
Nettle contains minerals and is traditionally fed as part of a routine supporting normal skin and coat condition.
Safety: Safe long term; introduce gradually.
P
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Gentle support for kidneys and urinary tract.
Parsley is a traditional botanical feed ingredient; ask your vet before feeding it to a pregnant mare or a horse with urinary concerns.
Safety: Avoid large amounts in pregnant mares.
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Traditionally fed to support normal settled behaviour.
Passionflower has a history of traditional use in calming herb routines. Speak to your vet about persistent behavioural changes.
Safety: Safe for short and medium courses.
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
Eases digestion and improves palatability.
A cooling carminative herb that relaxes the gut, encourages appetite and disguises the taste of less palatable supplements.
Safety: Safe in normal feeding amounts.
Pumpkin Seeds
Cucurbita pepo
Traditionally included in gut-support routines.
Pumpkin seeds have a history of use in traditional gut-support feeding. They are not wormers and cannot replace parasite testing or veterinary advice.
Safety: Safe when fed as whole or coarsely ground seeds.
R
Raspberry Leaf
Rubus idaeus
Hormonal balance for mares.
Raspberry leaf has a history of traditional use in mares' feeding routines. Ask your vet about suitability, especially during pregnancy.
Safety: Best avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Rosehips
Rosa canina
Rich source of natural vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
A nutritional powerhouse traditionally used to support joints, hooves, coat shine and the immune system.
Safety: Very safe for ongoing daily use.
S
Slippery Elm
Ulmus rubra
Traditionally fed to support normal digestive comfort.
Slippery elm contains mucilage and is traditionally fed for normal digestive comfort. Digestive illness needs veterinary care.
Safety: Feed away from medications, as it can slow absorption.
T
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Supports respiratory and digestive health.
A traditional aromatic herb included in many respiratory and digestive blends to support normal airway comfort and a settled gut.
Safety: Safe at normal feeding rates.
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Traditionally fed to support normal joint comfort and mobility.
Contains curcumin, a well-researched compound for joint and whole-body comfort. Best fed with a little oil and black pepper to aid absorption.
Safety: Avoid in pregnant mares. Check competition rules.
V
Valerian Root
Valeriana officinalis
A competition-sensitive herb with traditional calming use.
Valerian has a history of traditional use in calming routines. It may be prohibited in competition; check current rules with your vet or governing body.
Safety: Prohibited under FEI and many national competition rules.
Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Traditionally fed to support normal settled behaviour.
Vervain has a history of traditional use in botanical routines for normal settled behaviour.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy.
W
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Traditional bitter herb used in short-course gut routines.
A bitter herb historically included in short, blended routines that owners use alongside a vet-led worming programme. It is not a wormer and does not replace faecal egg counts or licensed anthelmintic medicines.
Safety: Use only in blended, short-term protocols. Avoid in pregnancy and in horses with seizures.
Y
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Supports circulation and digestion.
Yarrow is a bitter, aromatic herb traditionally included in routines supporting normal digestive comfort. A fever needs veterinary attention.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy.
Yucca
Yucca schidigera
Traditionally fed to support normal joint comfort.
Yucca contains plant saponins and is traditionally included in feeding routines supporting normal joint comfort.
Safety: Feed at recommended rates; long breaks recommended every few months.
A note on safety
Herbal information here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always check the latest competition rules before feeding herbs to a competing horse, introduce new herbs gradually, and consult your vet before feeding herbs to pregnant or lactating mares, horses on medication, or horses with chronic conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this herb directory veterinary advice?
How do I know if a herb is suitable for my horse?
Are all the herbs listed safe for competition horses?
Can herbs interact with prescribed medications?
How should herbs be introduced to a horse's diet?
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