Natural Horse care
Free choice medicinal herbal water and mineral bars.
Have you watched mustangs grazing in the wild or domestic horses in a large pasture?They don't just eat grass. Horse's, when able, will forage for the plants their bodies need and source minerals in the soil and rocks. Unfortunately most horses don't have access to all the plants and minerals they require. A natural way to support them is with free choice water and mineral bars.
The simplicity of this s that it is safe to offer the herbal water as you are still learning what they all support in the body. They are safe and the horses know what they need! They will drink the waters that they need until they have replaced what the body was lacking. If you mix the water weak they will drink more then if you mix it strong so exact measuring is not important.
We typically offer 4 different herbal waters in 5 gallon buckets. In the photo the selections were a caffeine free Elderberry tea combo (supports a healthy immune system and is an antiviral), Milk Thistle (rich in antioxidants, aids in healthy liver function, nutritional support for hooves, skin and entire immune system), Burdock root ( benefits digestion, liver and kidney support as well as skin conditions), Dandelion (stimulates the liver and kidneys to eliminate waste - think toxins, supports urinary health, inflamation from chronic pain, help remove uric acid from the blood to lower blood sugar and can help with pain and stiffness caused by the excess uric acid). The horses drank the dandelion and burdock for a week, which is much longer then the normal day or two. We realized that the invasive "stink weed" that covered our property was emitting an oil when you touch it. The horses did't eat it and showed no negative effects but they obviously had ingested the oils as they picked the grasses around the flower. They cleaned out the toxins themselves with the water bar selection we provided.
Using a water bar is simple. Set up some 5 gallon buckets, any number you want to manage, near their plain fresh water. You can steep the herbs or just toss them in the bucket. Two tablespoons herb to 5 gallons of water. Remember the exact measurements are not critical. They will drink the water until they have ingested enough of the herb. If they drink down the water but you still see herb in the bucket just top off with water. If they are still drinking that herb after 2 days clean the bucket and add the herb back.
These herbs are suggestions and may work on their own but are not meant to replace a conversation with your herbalist and veterinarian. Also remember that herbal modalities are not a "quick fix" and require diligence over time for whole body health.
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