Look no further for natural alternatives to medications that provide effective relief for horses suffering from inflammation and pain. Discover the best anti-inflammatory herbs for horses in this guide, including all the details you need to confidently incorporate them into your horse’s diet.
Just like humans, joint health affects a horse’s quality of life. If you compete with your horse, you’ll want to protect their bones and joints from inflammation to ensure they can perform at their best and not put their body under too much stress. A healthy horse is a happy horse, and nature has some incredible nutrients up her sleeve to help keep inflammation at bay.
Arthritis and inflammation are not uncommon, especially in older horses. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in horses, with 50% of horses older than 15 reported to have the condition.
You may instinctively think about what medications you should give your horse. However, natural remedies are a growing, effective solution for equine health.
Always consult with a veterinarian before introducing any new herbs to ensure they are appropriate for your horse’s specific health needs.
Joseph Flach and Sons are trusted wholesale animal feed ingredient suppliers who can support your foray into the natural benefits of anti-inflammatory herbs for horses.
Benefits of using herbs to treat inflammation in horses
Reduce costs:
Anyone who owns horses will know they don’t come cheap. Vet bills can be astronomical. As herbs are sourced from nature, they can’t be patented. This helps keep costs down compared to synthetically produced medicines, making it a cost-effective choice for horse owners.
Effective remedies:
Nature has everything for animals to thrive. Some herbs have been consumed for thousands of years and tried-and-tested by plenty of horse owners before you. That way, you can be confident you’re giving your horse a natural anti-inflammatory that works. As always, we recommend checking the administration guide to prevent giving your horse too much or feeding a herb that’s unsuitable.
Best anti-inflammatory herbs for arthritis in horses
Wear and tear is a common cause, and as arthritis is found in both wild and paddock or stable horses, it seems that perhaps the condition is an inevitable possibility. As your horse edges closer to 15 years of age, it could be worth asking your vet about the best anti-inflammatory herbs you can incorporate into their diet to help minimise the risk and give their joints a boost. Find out what herbs are good for horses below.
Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
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The anti-inflammatory properties of Devil’s Claw Root make this the ideal candidate for relieving joint pain in horses. From inflamed skin to arthritis and back pain, this herb caters for many inflammatory conditions that affect the health of your horse. It also reduces stiffness.
Dosage recommendations: 15 g per day for an average-sized 500 kg horse.
Please note: This herb is not suitable for competition horses or pregnant mares.
Boswellia
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You might not have heard of Boswellia, but this herb, derived from tree gum resin, also goes by another name: Frankincense—known the world over for being one of the three gifts bestowed by the wise men to the baby Jesus. It’s named after the Boswellia tree variety that grows in Ethiopia, Oman, Somalia, and Sudan.
Boswellia reduces inflammation in horses and is particularly helpful for arthritis. It specifically supports the elasticity of the joints, ligaments and tendons, contributing to all-round mobility.
One of the positives of using this herb is that there are fewer known side effects compared with other herbs, even with long-term use.
Dosage recommendations: In powder form, this ingredient can be mixed with your regular horse feed. For best results, a small horse (450 kg) needs around 10 and 15 g per day. For larger horses (over 450 kg), you can up the dose to between 25 and 30 g.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric root is known for its curcumin content, which reduces inflammation and supports overall joint health in horses—in fact, it’s one of the best natural remedies for horses with arthritis. In human cuisine, this root is consumed as a spice and favoured for its distinctive bright yellow colour that brings vibrancy to curries and soups. It’s also considered a superfood.
Dosage recommendations: Serve small horses 30 g and larger horses 50 g. Gradually introduce this new ingredient to your horse’s feed over two weeks. This ingredient pairs well with linseed, black pepper and boswellia.
Yucca Root (Yucca sp)
A herb sourced from the deserts of Mexico, Yucca root is effective in managing inflammation. It’s packed with steroidal saponins, believed to be one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories. Other benefits include reduced bloating and it’s thought to help support the immune system.
Dosage recommendations: Add 5 g for every 100 kg of body weight.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
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Chamomile is best known for its soothing herbal tea for humans, and horse owners may already use chamomile in their horse feed for its ability to reduce stress and calm the digestive system. But, how does this calming flower support anti-inflammatory properties in horses? It’s a gentler option than some of the other herbs listed here, but still carries plenty of benefits.
Well, perhaps the best anti-inflammatory applications are actually not internal but external. A chamomile composite can be applied to the hooves, skin and wounds to reduce inflammation and irritation.
Dosage recommendations: When adding to feed, small horses (450 kg) can have 30 g per day, while larger horses (over 450 kg) can consume 40 g.
Nettles (Urtica dioica)
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Best known for being a stinging plant, nettle also has many health benefits to offer horses—from supporting a healthy cardiovascular system and circulation to supporting a healthy urinary tract. Its anti-inflammatory properties render it a useful supplement for horses with arthritis as a result of injury or wear and tear.
Dosage recommendations: Small horses can have 20 g per day, whereas large horses can have 30 g per day.
Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
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Fennel seeds are a lesser-known but effective joint supplement for horses.
Dosage recommendations: You can give small horses 15 g per day, whereas large horses can tuck into 25 g a day.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
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A favourite spice in human cuisine, ginger aids digestion and helps ease inflammation in horses.
Dosage recommendations: Small horses can have 10 g a day, and large horses with a body weight of 600 kg or more, 20 g is recommended.
Cleavers (Galium aparine)
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As well as joint support, cleavers herb supports the healthy function of the lymphatic system. This herb also goes by the name of clivers.
Dosage recommendations: Feed a small horse 20 g per day and a large horse 30 g per day.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
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An idyllic sounding herb, Meadowsweet is known for soothing joint pain, especially in horses with ulcers. It also helps to keep a balanced pH in the stomach and supports temperature regulation.
Dosage recommendations: Add 15 g per day for small horses and 30 g per day for large horses (body weight 450 kg and over).
Find your horse herbs
Ready to try these herbs for your horse’s health? Explore our collection of high-quality herbs and bulk purchasing options.
Remember to apply the recommended amounts for best results. As well as speaking with your vet, the expert team at Joseph Flach and Sons is here to help. Contact our team for more information on purchasing our wholesale herbs for horses.
Our expertise on horse herbs and wholesale dried botanicals dates back to 1882, and we’ve made it our mission to supply high-quality, bulk herbs for various equine health needs. One of our success stories includes our partnership with Horse Health Solutions, a small business that makes a big difference to the health of horses by leveraging the power of natural ingredients to target specific health conditions.
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