Rosehip is the small seed pod of the dog rose (Rosa canina) which remains after flowering.

Rosehip is a rich source of readily assimilated Vitamin C.  It is also a source of other forms of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, including – vitamins C, A, B₁, B₂, B₃ and K, bioflavonoids (including rutin), carotenoids, tannins, calcium, magnesium, silica, phosphorous and copper.

Rosehip have been feed to horses to improve the horses immune system or to assist with recovery from trauma.  It may also assist with the horse coat and hoofs, as these are a general indicator of the horses health.

As well as being considered a herb dietary supplement, rosehips are often fed to horses recuperating from illness or injury as they help to restore the immune system and aid tissue repair.  Feeding Rosehips as part of the daily diet is beneficial for preventing illness. The vitamin C in rosehips acts as a natural antihistamine, which can assist the allergy-prone horse. Bioflavonoids, as well as having potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, enhance vitamin C’s ability to strengthen blood vessel walls, and this effect contributes to rosehips’ reputation for encouraging healthy hoof growth.  Rosehips can also help alleviate gastric inflammation and diarrhoea.

Research from Germany and Denmark has also indicated that rosehip may be an effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in humans. (BBC News Monday 18 June 2007)

Generally rosehip is feed to horses at around 1 tablespoon up to 1 cup per daily feed.

You can buy rosehip for horses from www.onlinehorsesupplies.com.au

Garlic for Horses

Why feed garlic to horses?

GARLIC -Allium sativum-

Garlic is one of the most widely recognised and used herbs in the world.  It has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years by many different cultures/people including – ancient Egyptians and Romans; Chinese medicine; Ayurvedic medicine; and the Cherokee and Choco peoples.   It is the most widely known and used herb in the horse world. Garlic is commonly used by horse owners as a feed supplement because it is believed to have strong anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and ant-biotic properties.

Garlic may act as a stimulant for a horse immune systems. This is because garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic.  Garlic is also reported as assisting with reducing blood pressure and assisting with respiratory problems in horses.

Garlic is rich in sulphur which is essential for healthy skin and hair, and garlic also contains bioflavonoid compounds such as quercetin which retard inflammatory reactions. Quercetin stabilises mast cells (which contain histamine) and inactivates many inflammatory enzymes, which makes garlic a useful anti-allergy tool for horses and livestock.  Garlic is a herb that also works to improve circulation.  It contains a number of anti-coagulant compounds and has a blood-thinning effect as well as being vasodilatory.  Garlic is also a natural source of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), commonly used to treat joint problems and allergies.

It is quoted that there is evidence that in the digestive tract garlic acts selectively against pathogens (disease causing micro-organisms) whilst sparing beneficial flora.  Further, garlic reduces the incidence of cancer, especially in the gastrointestinal tract – allicin (a volatile oil constituent of garlic) interferes with the generation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the gut.

Garlic is rich in selenium and sulphur.  Sulphur is known for its blood cleansing properties.

Garlic is reputed to minimise intestinal worms (although it must not be relied upon as the sole means of worm control).

Many horse owners feed garlic to their horses because of its insect repelling qualities.  The sweat produced by a horse being fed garlic will produce an odour which can assist in repelling flies, mosquitoes, ticks and midges.  Nature's fly repellent.

Care needs to be taken in feeding garlic to horses as too much garlic may cause aneamia. Do not use garlic if a horse has been scouring chronically, and use caution if you are feeding garlic to nursing mares as it may flavour/taint the milk and upset the foal’s digestive system.

Normal feeding rates for an average size horse is reported as around 1 tablespoon per day.

Garlic granules for horses can be purchased online from www.onlinehorsesupplies.com.au and  www.animalhealthstore.com.au and www.countrypark.com.au

WARNING : This information is provided as general information only.  For specific medical advice, please consult your veterinarian