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 has a warming, aromatic action traditionally used to ease coughs and encourage clear airways. Its sweet flavour also makes it a useful natural appetiser for fussy feeders.
Safety: Generally well tolerated. Avoid in pregnant mares in large amounts.
B
Boswellia
Boswellia serrata
Soothes joints and supports comfortable movement.
Also known as Indian frankincense, boswellia contains boswellic acids that help maintain a healthy inflammatory response in the joints and soft tissues — popular in older and harder-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.
A classic blood-cleansing herb used by herbalists for horses prone to skin flare-ups, scurfy coats and sluggish lymphatic drainage.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy. Introduce slowly.
C
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Calms the nervous system and soothes the gut.
A gentle nervine herb that takes the edge off anxious or sharp horses without sedating them, while supporting digestive comfort during stress.
Safety: Safe for daily, long-term use.
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Encourages healthy lymphatic flow.
Traditionally used to support drainage of the lymphatic system, cleavers is often included in spring tonics and skin-support blends.
Safety: Generally safe; avoid alongside diuretic medications.
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Traditional digestive and worming support.
A warming spice with a long history of use in herbal worming blends, clove helps create a less hospitable environment for internal parasites.
Safety: Use in small, blended amounts only.
Corn Silk
Zea mays
Soothes the urinary tract.
Corn silk has a softening, mucilaginous effect on the bladder lining and is widely used for horses prone to mild urinary irritation.
Safety: Considered very safe for daily use.
D
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Supports liver and kidney function.
Both root and leaf are valued — the root for liver support, the leaf as a gentle natural diuretic that helps the kidneys flush waste while replacing lost potassium.
Safety: Safe for ongoing use in most horses.
Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
Eases stiffness and supports joint comfort.
One of the best-known herbal anti-inflammatories for horses, devil's claw is widely used for arthritic and older horses needing daily mobility support.
Safety: Avoid in pregnant mares and horses with gastric ulcers. Banned under FEI rules.
E
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
Supports the immune system.
Used in short courses to support a horse's natural defences during seasonal challenges or recovery from illness.
Safety: Best used in 2–6 week cycles rather than continuously.
F
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Eases wind and digestive discomfort.
An aromatic carminative herb that helps relax the gut, ease bloating and improve appetite — particularly useful for windy or gassy horses.
Safety: Safe at normal feeding rates.
G
Garlic
Allium sativum
Supports immunity and natural fly resistance.
Fed in moderation, garlic is traditionally used to support respiratory and immune health and to make the horse less attractive to biting insects.
Safety: Feed sensibly — very high doses over long periods may affect red blood cells.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Warms the digestion and supports circulation.
A warming herb that helps with sluggish digestion, occasional nausea on travel days, and circulation in older horses.
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.
A mild sedative herb often combined with valerian or chamomile to take the edge off excitable types.
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
Calms tension and supports restful sleep.
A lemon-scented mint family herb that gently lifts the mood while reducing nervous tension — well suited to horses that struggle to settle.
Safety: Safe for daily use.
Liquorice Root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Soothes the airways and digestive lining.
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
Coats and soothes irritated tissues.
Rich in mucilage, marshmallow root forms a gentle protective layer on the gut and airway lining — a mainstay of digestive and respiratory support blends.
Safety: Considered very safe for long-term feeding.
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Supports stomach comfort.
Often called the 'gut's best friend', meadowsweet helps balance stomach acidity and ease occasional digestive discomfort.
Safety: Avoid in horses with known salicylate sensitivity.
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
Supports and protects the liver.
Contains silymarin, a well-studied compound that helps protect liver cells — useful for horses on long-term medication, after worming, or with sluggish detoxification.
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.
Packed with iron, calcium and natural antihistamine compounds, nettle is one of the most useful all-round herbs for horses — supporting circulation, skin health and seasonal comfort.
Safety: Safe long term; introduce gradually.
P
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Gentle support for kidneys and urinary tract.
A mineral-rich kitchen herb that doubles as a mild diuretic and breath-freshener for horses.
Safety: Avoid large amounts in pregnant mares.
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Encourages deep relaxation.
Works on GABA pathways to help anxious horses switch off — useful for those that pace or call out at night.
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
Traditional natural worming support.
Contain cucurbitin, a compound long used in folk herbalism to help create an unwelcoming gut environment for internal parasites.
Safety: Safe when fed as whole or coarsely ground seeds.
R
Raspberry Leaf
Rubus idaeus
Hormonal balance for mares.
A classic mares' herb used to tone reproductive muscles and support a more even temperament through the seasonal cycle.
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
Soothes and protects the gut lining.
A demulcent bark used to comfort irritated digestive tracts — particularly useful for ulcer-prone horses or those recovering from scouring.
Safety: Feed away from medications, as it can slow absorption.
T
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Supports respiratory and digestive health.
Antiseptic by nature, thyme is used in herbal blends for clear airways and a balanced gut microbiome.
Safety: Safe at normal feeding rates.
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Supports joints, mobility and a healthy inflammatory response.
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
Powerful natural calmer for nervous horses.
One of the most effective calming herbs, valerian is often used short-term for travel, clipping or competition lead-in.
Safety: Prohibited under FEI and many national competition rules.
Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Releases tension in highly strung horses.
Suits sensitive types that internalise stress — helps them relax through the body without losing their sparkle.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy.
W
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Traditional vermifuge herb.
A bitter herb historically used in short courses to support natural worming protocols.
Safety: Use only in blended, short-term protocols. Avoid in pregnancy and in horses with seizures.
Y
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Supports circulation and digestion.
A bitter, aromatic herb traditionally used to tone the circulation, support digestion and ease fevers.
Safety: Avoid in pregnancy.
Yucca
Yucca schidigera
Eases joint stiffness.
Contains natural saponins that support a healthy inflammatory response, especially in arthritic horses.
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.
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