Are Dried Nettles Good For Horses?

Nettle herb contains high levels of vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy skin and coat. 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.

Can horses eat dried nettle?

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.

How much dried nettle should I feed my horse?

As a rule of thumb, approximately 30-50 grams should be fed per day. The dried leaves can simply be added to the horse’s regular feed.

What is dried nettle good for?

General Uses. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

Can horses eat wilted nettles?

Feeding fresh and dried nettle
Some horse owners already give their horses nettle, usually “Stinging nettle” (Urtica dioica). There are people who put on their own gloves and pick nettles in their own environment. If you leave the plants for at least an hour, they are then perfectly edible for your horse.

What are 3 things horses should not eat?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

• Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn clippings.
• Pitted fruits.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and other nightshades.
• Yogurt or other milk products.

What does nettles do to horses?

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.

Is dried nettle as good as fresh?

Oven drying of nettle leaves resulted in a higher loss of β-carotene and ascorbic acid content compared to freeze drying. In contrast, the total phenols content and total antioxidant activity were higher in oven dried stinging nettle leaves compared to freeze dried leaves.

What is the cheapest way to feed a horse?

Less grain, more hay: The bulk of your horse’s diet should be in the form of forages. It’s actually cheaper to feed hay, rather than concentrates. With the right high-quality forage, your horse may not even need grain or supplements.

How toxic is horse nettle to horses?

Horsenettle is a toxic plant, however, reports of animal poisoning are very rare. Usually, most animals tend to stay away due to its sharp prickles that can cause injury in the mouth and food pipe. A toxic component, a glycoalkaloid known as solanine, occurs in varying concentrations in different plant parts.

How long is dried nettle good for?

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.

How do you use dried nettle leaves?

The dried leaves and flowers can be steeped to make a delicious herbal tea, while its leaves, stem and roots can be cooked and added to soups, stews, smoothies and stir-frys. However, avoid eating fresh leaves, as their barbs can cause irritation. Currently, there is no recommended dosage for stinging nettle products.

Is stinging nettle the same as nettle?

What is nettle? Nettle, or stinging nettle, is a shrub that comes from northern Europe and Asia. Its scientific name is Urtica dioica. The plant boasts pretty, heart-shaped leaves and yellow or pink flowers, but the stem is covered in tiny, stiff hairs that release stinging chemicals when touched.

What is the most toxic plant to horses?

Yew Plants
Yew is one of the most toxic plants for horses.

What is extremely poisonous to horses?

The list of poisonous plants and trees for horses is extensive. The most common are ragwort, the sycamore tree, acorn, foxglove, deadly nightshade, ivy and the laburnum tree.

Do nettles still sting when dried?

Stinging nettles lose their sting when they are either cooked or dried. NEVER EAT THEM RAW! You don’t want to be adding fresh stinging nettles to your salads, but a light sauté is all they need to wilt the stinging hairs and make them edible.

What is the healthiest food for horses?

Their natural diet is mainly grass, which has high roughage content. Horses should be provided with a predominantly fibre-based diet, either grass, hay, haylage or a hay replacement in order to mimic their natural feeding pattern as closely as possible.

What do horses love to eat the most?

What do horses eat?

• Grass – horses love grass.
• Hay or haylage – keeps your horse full and its digestive system working, particularly in the cooler months from autumn to early spring when pasture isn’t available.
• Fruit or vegetables – these add moisture to the feed.

What is the natural enemy of the horse?

The horse, a prey animal, depends on flight as its primary means of survival. Its natural predators are large animals such as cougars, wolves, or bears, so its ability to outrun these predators is critical. As humans, we need to understand their natural flightiness in order to fully understand horses.

Are nettles anti-inflammatory for horses?

This fabulous herb contains several anti-inflammatory constituents, making it suitable for use in cases of arthritis, joint stiffness (another common issue for horses in winter) or injuries resulting in inflammation. Its benefits for such conditions can be seen when it is used internally or externally.

Can horses eat chopped 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.