How to feed your horses joints.

 

 

 

 

There are very specific foods that support the joints, bones, connective tissue, cartilage, and reduce inflammation. I believe if you give the body what it wants in a 100% natural form it can produce what it needs.

These are some foods and herbs that can help keep your horses joints stay young, supple and disease free. Its never too late to start incorporating some of these foods into the diet, one item at a time or a combination of them. Just remember all changes to your horses diet need to be done slowly and you need to feed these wholefoods and herbs on a continuous basis.

 

SPROUTED KALE/ SPROUTED CABBAGE SEEDS

Recommended amounts  1-2 oz. daily

sprouted kale & cabbage are potent sources of sulfur - sulfur is needed for cartilage health. Good quality MSM can be used instead of sprouting cabbage or kale. If you are worried about feeding sprouted cabbage or sprouted kale they will not have the same gas producing effect as their mature selves which can sometimes cause digestive issues in horses.

 

CHIA SEEDS  

Recommended amount 1-2 table spoons daily.

Chia seeds are best sprouted you get a  better bang for your buck but sprouting them is tricky so you can soak the seed in water for 5-10 minutes before feeding, dry seed is fine too but I do like to wet mine.

Chia seeds are high in omega 3, protein, minerals and are excellent for inflammation.

 

TURMERIC  

Recommended amount 1 table spoons daily which can be splint between feeds.

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and is good for arthritic pain. it is suggested to feed turmeric with a fat source you can use chia or flax for this it is also suggested using a twist of freshly ground black pepper with turmeric for absorption.

DRIED NETTLES  

Recommended amount 1 handful daily

Nettles are excellent for tissue growth, circulation, mineral rich and for stiffness. You can harvest and dry your own nettles just cut down the nettles and allow them to wilt for a day or two and your horses should hoover them up If you don't have access to nettles you can buy them online. 

GINGER

Fresh or dried ginger can be used.

Recommended amount Grate half a thumb size amount daily into feed or 1 tea spoon of dried ginger into feed this can be split between feeds. Ginger helps increase circulation and is excellent for digestion. Its always best to start with small amounts as ginger can be pungent 

 

HEMP  

Recommended amount Soak one cup of hemp seeds over night in water the next morning drain & rinse add to daily feed.

Hemp will help with tissue remodeling plus its a super protein source. I cant say enough about hemp seed I use it myself everyday. 

CELERY  

You can use either the chopped vegetable or Celery seed tea.

Recommended amount Add 1 cup of chopped vegetable to your daily feed or 1 cup of celery seed tea to dampen down your horses feed the tea needs to be make the night before and let steep to get the best out of it. Celery can help the kidneys clear waste from the body its excellent for stiff/sore/swollen joints.

 MILLET  

Recommended amount Half a cup of soaked millet daily

Soak the millet in water for 4-8 hours or over night.

Millet will help provides the body with bioavailable silicon for resiliency and flexibility on connective tissue.

 

OAT STRAW 

Oat straw is highly beneficial for strengthening bones, healing breaks & fractures, and preventing osteoporosis. It has also been shown to strengthen teeth, blood vessels, and nerve sheaths making it an important herb for the skeletal, circulatory, and neurological systems. This can be used as a tea to dampen down feed or feed as a dried herb.

Recommend amount 1 handful daily or 1 cup of tea.

 

SPROUTED SEEDS AND FODDER

Sprouted seeds and fodder like barley grass & wheatgrass contain a high mineral content these real minerals are natural and the body can use them effectively. When minerals are not present in the correct way the body will draw upon its reserves including reserves from the joints and bones thus leaving the joints and bones exhausted of minerals and weakening them.  Sprouting for your horse is a very simple process for more information go to my blog at www.equineherbalist.ie or buy my e-book "SEEDS TO FEED" which contains all you need to know about sprouting mineral rich food at home for your horse. 

 

 

HERBAL LINIMENTS Relief for pain, inflamed muscles, bruises, and sprains.

Many different herbs can be used to make liniment a very simple and effective liniment is ginger and cider vinegar.

1 table spoon of ginger to 1 pint of cider vinegar, simmer for 10 minutes with lid on, then bottle while hot , no need to strain liquid apply to area where needed.

also check out http://mountainroseblog.com/diy-first-aid-liniment/

WATER THERAPY AND ICE Use on strains, sprains, swellings, bruises, inflammation, pain, arthritis, infections, nerve pain, muscle spasms to mention a few.
You firstly need to check your horse’s injury and you must decide if it needs further attention from a vet.

The diet should be as natural as possible, with plenty of exercise and with lots of mineral rich foods like sprouted seeds included, avoid GMO's like soy, over use of oils, and excessive sugar & starches in your horses diet.

Herbal pain relief should be used in combination with other herbs. It is always best to get a professional to make any herbal formulas and buy them from a reputable company here are some herbs that are used as natural pain relief - meadow sweet, devils claw, white willow bark. personally I think herbal tinctures are always best to use for pain as they get into the blood stream quicker than dried herbs or powders.   

You should talk to your vet if you are concerned about your horses health and remember this article is only a guideline and every horse is so different and may also have other underlying conditions.    

 

R.Kelly Equine Herbalist Keep it Real