Why Natural Horse Feed and Herbal Supplements

Feeding horses a completely natural diet offers a range of health benefits and meets the horse’s original, natural needs. Additives such as molasses and grains, which are often hidden sources of sugar, can have a disruptive effect on the horse’s digestive system, especially the stomach and intestinal mucosa.

 

Dangers of Sugars and Hidden Starches.

When horses are repeatedly fed a diet high in sugars and starches, this can damage the intestinal lining (leaking gut syndrome). This lining plays a crucial role in protecting the intestines and absorbing nutrients. Damage to this lining often leads to reduced absorption of essential nutrients, which can cause a cascade of health problems such as reduced immunity, digestive problems and even allergies or intolerances. In addition, this can overload the liver, pancreas, stomach and other digestive organs. These organs have to work harder to break down the excess sugars and starches, which can undermine their function and the horse’s overall health in the long term.

Sport horses and growing horses are particularly sensitive to this effect, as their nutritional and energy requirements are higher. They in particular benefit from stable blood sugar levels and optimal nutrient intake to meet their high energy consumption. However, feed rich in sugars and starches leads to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can not only result in energy peaks and troughs, but can also have a negative effect on the horse's performance, recovery, concentration and overall vitality. A diet free of sugar and starch can help to keep blood sugar levels stable, which benefits both the horse's energy levels and well-being.

 

The Nutritional Advantage of All Natural Foods

A completely natural horse feed, composed of nutritious fibers such as grass, hay and herbs, is much more in line with the natural diet of horses. Horses are naturally grazing animals and get their energy and nutrients from fiber-rich plants. Feeding horses this way supports the digestive system and promotes optimal nutrient absorption. It helps the horse stay healthy without the adverse effects that sugary and grain-rich feeds often bring.

 

Herbs as a Natural Supplement

In addition to a high-fiber diet without added sugars, pure herbs and herbal supplements can be an excellent addition to a horse’s diet. Herbs have unique medicinal properties and have traditionally been used to support various health problems in horses. The use of herbs, unlike synthetic supplements, does not put extra strain on the liver and kidneys. These organs are crucial for detoxifying the body and can be overloaded by chemical additives. Herbs work naturally with the body and have a restorative function that supports the body from within.

 

Various herbs can be used specifically to support certain functions in the horse's body:

• Milk thistle, for example, is known for its liver-supporting effect and helps purify and detoxify the body.
• Dandelion can have a positive effect on digestion and contributes to healthy intestinal flora.
• Nettle is often used for blood purification and can promote blood circulation.

These herbs all have unique properties that naturally support the horse's health, without the side effects often associated with chemical alternatives. For performance horses, the use of herbs can help to reduce recovery time after exercise and improve overall performance . In addition, herbs support the body's natural defense system and help the horse to better cope with stress and physical strain .

 

Back to the Origin of Horse Health

The use of herbs is an age-old way of healing and support that goes back to the foundation of traditional medicine. In the wild, horses would instinctively select medicinal plants to support their health. By adding herbs to their diet, we can stimulate this natural, self-healing capacity of horses and restore their natural balance. Herbs therefore not only supplement the diet, but can also play a restorative, protective role for the entire body.

In a world where horse feeds are often mass produced with profit optimization as the main goal, feeding natural feed with herbal supplements offers a way to get back to the original needs of the horse. This type of feeding not only promotes physical health, but also contributes to stable energy, vitality and mental calm in the horse. Ultimately, this approach contributes to healthier, better performing and faster recovering horses.