There is some correlation (not a definite cause here) between FALSE dandelion, aka flatweed, and stringhalt, especially in Australia. What are your thoughts on giving race horses these leaves as a treat? I. too, go the “dried herbs in feed by intuition” route, because I know my horses pretty well. Dandelions are also a source for various vitamins, such as vitamin A, B complex, C, D, E, and K. They also can work as a detoxifier. Make a cough syrup by mixing 1l water, 45g dried red clover and 100g xylitol, and boiling until a syrup consistency is reached. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are not known to be toxic to horses. Before you run to the back yard or head to the market in search of dandelions to share with your little friend, finish reading our guide. Dandelions are a good source of potassium, calcium, iron and beta-carotene. There is a solution to this. When horses are on pasture, do they eat dandelions or do they tend to avoid them? Dandelions have a thicker single flower on a single thicker stem whilst the Cat's Ear has a branched stem with multiple little flowers. Overall, dandelions are a super food that will enhance your horse’s overall health and nutrition profile immensely. However, from a pasture health perspective, dandelions tend to indicate a pasture that is over‐grazed, lacking fertility and in need of weed control. Leaves are best harvested in early spring when they are least bitter and tenderer. Dandelion Root Tincture– “Dandelion has been used historically to detoxify the kidneys and liver, reduce swelling, fight skin problems, alleviate digestive discomfort, fight fever, improve vision problems, and prevent diabetes…” You have your priorities straight! You do want to check, though, if there is anything else. You can feed this weed as a general source of vitamins or to horses suffering from the following: Dandelion is often found as an ingredient in herbal supplements designed to support the action of the liver or kidneys, and also in herbal mixes for joint support. The dandelion root is great for promoting liver health and cleansing, while the leaves serve more as a kidney and urinary tract tonic and detox aide. Dandelions are a source of many vitamins and minerals that can help your bunny thrive. Your local ag extension service should be able to help you discern between dandelion and false dandelion. In many cases, entire genera are poisonous to equines and include many species spread over several continents. Dandelions can help reduce inflammation too. Bran has little nutrition, so there are much better things to feed a horse than bran or bran mashes. If eaten it can cause stringhalt in horses. Learn the ropes with these 16 dandelion recipes. It makes an excellent blood cleanser. Before doing it, there are some things you should know. The entire dandelion is safe for you horse to eat, the leaves and roots are the most beneficial when it comes to promoting your horse’s health. 3. Inulin can also help keep blood sugar down, which is great for horses that may be getting extra sugars this time of year on lush pastures. Avoid using dandelion together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. Credit: Living Herbal Tea. Horses normally won't eat it but they have been known to if there is nothing else to eat. Table salt can be used if the horse already has a Yes, guinea pigs can eat too many dandelions. Horses, wild flower and herb rich meadows, and buttercups Diverse flower rich grassland offers grazing animals a naturally healthy and balanced mixed diet which is much closer to the ancient natural grassland these animals evolved to eat. Relevance. For horses it can be used as a prophylactic to protect them from infections such as strangles, cystitis and urethritis. It can be very difficult to treat. Also, Dandelions are known to encourage the production of stomach acid, which is good for moving through undigested material, but can exacerbate any issues associated with ulcers. Firstly, horses really enjoy the taste of dandelions because they are very high in fructan. Our goats don’t mind the thorns. Can hamsters eat wild dandelions? Was wondering if you carried dandelion supplements as I could not find them on your web sight? Can a horse eat dandelions? Snezzy. Firstly, horses really enjoy the taste of dandelions because they are very high in fructan. Care of Horses Is it safe for your horse to eat dandelions? Copyright 2011-2019 Professional Equine Grooms. Probably one of the most famous ways to eat dandelions is to use the stems and use them as dandelion greens. You left out a number of plants that I know horses in the UK choose to eat regularly, including: hawthorn, yarrow, dandelion and wild rose. Hi Cara, That’s great that you grow your own! While most horses can cope with most allergens, some horses (like some people) develop deep, even life-threatening sensitivities, for no obvious reason. Many people like the taste of dandelion greens, and I understand that the greens are high in Vitamins A, C, and iron. Some horses really like dandelions, and are even brought into fields to control them. While the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is non-toxic to horses, the false dandelion otherwise known as Flatweed or Catsear is known to cause stringhalt. Leaves of the plant contain tiny, insoluble sharp spicules of the mineral calcium oxalate which can damage the horses kidneys. Allow to cool. The root is often fed dried and ground or as a tea and is most potent as liver and kidney tonic and a detoxifier. Many consider them an annoying weed, while others delight in consuming them as part of a healthy salad. Before you pull all the dandelions out of your lawn and toss them in the compost in frustration, know this hardy little weed packs a real nutritional punch for our beloved four legged friends. However, false dandelions (Hypochaeris radicata or Hypochoeris radicata) are thought to cause stringhalt in horses if too many are consumed. The Hypochoeris radicata (hye-poe-KÊ-ris rad-i-KAY-ta) is also called by several other names usually involving “cat’s ear” such as “Smooth Cat’s Ear” or “Spotted Cat’s Ear.” See pictures at right. However, false dandelions (Hypochaeris radicata or Hypochoeris radicata) are thought to … Yeah! Otherwise let your horses eat them - they LOVE dandelions. One Comment on “ Plants Your Horse Can Eat – Mint ” John March 24, 2015 at 1:30 am. Dandelions (taraxacum officinale) are not known to be toxic to horses. When feeding such a horse in bulk, one or two ounces can be added to the feed. This article can help with that. Unlike the previous “false dandelion” the radicata is an import from Europe. 1. They (and you) should not eat buttercup, which is poisonous but Fortunately, bracken fern toxicity is fairly rare in horses, since they Happy cooking for you and happy grazing for your horse! Leaves can be fed fresh or dried and are most effective for increasing urination and flushing the body. 1. While the benefits of Dandelion are many, they also have some properties that do not make them ideal for horses with certain conditions. Thanks for reading! lol The second false dandelion is better known and more wide-spread. Avoid using dandelion together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. Asked by Wiki User 1 2 3 See Answer Top Answer Wiki User Answered 2012-05-02 23:48:01 A horse can eat dandelions… After the rose has flowered, our goats may … Kochia can be as much as 50 percent of the weight of dry feed if harvested young, but only 30 percent if more mature plants are used. You can definitely feed the leaves as treats. What if your pasture is riddled with dandelions? They love dandelion greens, the flowers not so much. False dandelion poisoning affects the horse’s peripheral nervous system, which causes lameness and a sudden hyperflexion of the gambrel joint. False dandelion poisoning in horses occurs when a horse grazes on the plant for an extended period of time. Lv 7. Eva. Pigweed can be very toxic if eaten in large quantities. Therefore, from a horse health perspective, there is not an urgent need to control them. Our goats don’t mind the thorns This also makes the dandelion super tasty, and therefore the go-to plant of choice for most horses in the pasture. Posted on December 22 2018, 0 Comments, Equine Nutrition Cheat Sheet! Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are not known to be toxic to horses. Consider some of our great herbal supplements in our store: https://www.wholeequine.com/collections/supplements. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), the thorny invader previously described, contains 10-13 percent protein, and it can help ruminants to expel worms. The dandelion in its native habitat - my yard. They also encourage urination, and are a very effective detoxifying healing agent after an illness. October 4, 2017 June 23, 2017 by James Oliver Dandelions are a flowering plant that are often known for their yellow and white colors at the top of the stem. Our plants don’t flower, but produce huge dandelion leaves. Dandelion is an irresistible treat for horses – hence the name “horse lettuce”- and a potent source of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and K as well as potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Dandelions - More often considered a weed than an actual herb, the Dandelion has a strong diuretic action and is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium. It This includes angelica ( dong quai ), capsicum , clove, danshen , garlic, ginger , ginkgo , horse chestnut , panax ginseng , poplar, red clover , saw palmetto , turmeric , and willow. It’ll be an additional oral hygiene for the horses. Dandelions are perfectly fine for horses to eat. Dandelions, and other non‐poisons weeds, are not a desirable forage for horses because they yield less and are less nutrient dense compared to traditional pasture forages like Kentucky bluegrass, clover, fescue or orchardgrass. https://www.wholeequine.com/products/milk-thistle-plus, Loved the article, it was very informative. Treats, even healthy ones, should be fed to sheep only in small amounts on an occasional basis. Give one tablespoon three times a day. Goats, sheep, cows and horses can eat it. This can be mild, or serious enough to warrant euthanasia. 4 months ago. You will need to decide how much your horse can eat based on his metabolic status and current health. Lv 7. And it is a wonderful remedy for skin disorders such as sweet itch. Dandelions are highly efficient as a medicinal plant- the roots, leaves, and flowers can all be fed to horses for beneficial effects. Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance. me too! Absolutely, so long as you’re sure that they haven’t been treated with chemicals or used as a bathroom by another animal. People consider feeding straw for a variety of reasons such as reducing caloric intake, providing an alternative to horses that want to eat constantly, saving money on hay or substituting for hay when there is a shortage. 7  Drugs like rumencin are routinely added to cattle feed. This includes angelica , capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow. Cat’s Ear, also known as flat weed, is commonly mistaken for dandelion, but can be toxic for horses. Some horses don't like them and won't eat them at all. Lastly, if you are going to harvest your own dandelions, please familiarize yourself with the difference between dandelions and other look-alike plants. However, false dandelions (known scientifically as hypochaeris radicata or hypochoeris radicata) are thought to cause stringhalt in horses if too many of these plants are consumed.. Stringhalt is a spasmodic contraction of the lateral flexor tendons in the hind legs, which occurs as a sudden flexion of one or both hind legs. The quick answer is “yes,” hamsters can eat dandelions, but a bit less than you might imagine, and only from certain sources. Dandelions are edible, both for horses and for people. Sometimes horses kept in stalls get bored and eat too much salt. Permission required to share photographs or copy. Here are 13 potential health benefits of dandelion, and what science has to say about them. Dandelions are edible, both for horses and for people. If you’re feeling adventurous you can try them, too. Response: Dandelions are not poisonous to horses. 3 0. Dandelion: - Dandelions look like flowers, but they are in fact weeds. Horsemen can learn lots of interesting tidbits by simply observing horses. Horses with bronchial conditions such as flu have been found to respond positively to red clover. You fix them like you do most any other greens by blanching them for a few minutes and then cooking them in bacon grease. Cattle Feed. You can use them for other things in the kitchen, too, greens for salads and soufles, the root makes a … They can also help you create pasture that resists these yellow troublemakers if your horse has metabolic issues that need addressing. They can grow very tall and the top of them looks like a big yellow flower. When horses are on pasture, do they eat dandelions or do they tend to avoid them? When to feed Dandelions to Horses Horses will very often eat fresh dandelion leaves in their pasture and will sometimes dig up the roots. Horses eat a lot of fiber in their normal diet, so adding bran can actually affect the gut flora. You may know dandelion as a stubborn weed in your garden, but this plant may also benefit your health. Keeping cows is a lot of work, even if you have just a small farm with a herd of a few cattle. The Dandelion flower is commonly used to make honey, tea, and wine. Professional Equine Grooms It can also Straw is the dead and dried remains of… This is why it's a good idea to buy feed from mills that specialize exclusively in making horse feeds. You can … Yes. , Eyebright for Bright Eye Posted on October 30 2020, 0 Comments, Natural Solutions to Seasonal Allergies Posted on May 26 2020, 0 Comments, Catnip Ain't Just for Cats Posted on December 18 2019, 0 Comments, Nature's Advil- Meadowsweet Posted on September 23 2019, 0 Comments, Rosehips- Immunity Superfood Posted on August 20 2019, 0 Comments, Comfrey Comfort-Skin Relief! Dandelions are not known to be toxic to horses. The roots are best harvested late fall through early spring, when the roots have stored up the maximum amount of nutrients. This is a re-print from the Herb Blurb Column I am writing in Equine Wellness Magazine, one of the largest publications in North America focused on natural and alternative therapies for horses. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are not known to be toxic to horses. Thanks! This weed seems to grow everywhere, from pastures to vegetable gardens, roadsides to barnyards. Learn what causes it, how to treat and prevent. Many consider them an annoying weed, while others delight in consuming them as part of a healthy salad. Because horses do not metabolize the cyanide compound as efficiently as ruminant animals do, grazing healthy adult plants is unlikely to harm them, but circumstances that injure the plant—wilting, trampling, frost—can chemically liberate the cyanide within the leaves, rendering them dangerous to … Posted on March 15 2019, 0 Comments, Licorice: Not just a sweet candy Posted on December 22 2018, 0 Comments, Horsey Superfoods: Nutritious Nettles! They are everywhere! And they're packed full of nutrition. Posted on April 22 2019, 0 Comments, Herbs for Warmth! They are perennial weeds that can be found in all temperate regions of the world and can grow both in full sun and shade. Bananas are rich in phospholipids, which can aid in preventing acid damage to the stomach. Since bananas are full of potassium, they’re a great choice when your horse has a busy day, such as a horse show or long trail ride. Cat's Ear is very palatable to horses and is a major cause of stringhalt. Dandelions are delicious to horses, and add a bit of spring color to the pastures, but may not be as healthy as you would think. Dandelions crop up just about everywhere. These drugs can be deadly for horses. Some great ideas, here. PLEASE don't feed dandelions to your horses - Dandelions can cause/contribute to stringhalt in horses. All photography Copyright proequinegrooms.com and Liv Gude unless otherwise noted. They are safe for humans, although they are bitter unless you cook them. Cattle feed contains supplements that are good for cattle but are very toxic to horses. Dandelions are easily recognizable by their jagged edged hairless leaves, stems that emit a milky latex when broken, and small yellow flowers that turn into silver tufts that blow away in the wind. Some horses even seek out dandelions to eat. PLEASE don't feed dandelions to your horses - Dandelions can cause/contribute to stringhalt in horses. For all those owners who have horses with foot problems or whose horses require extra Biotin supplementation, dandelions are an excellent natural source of Vitamin H also known as Biotin. Because horses do not metabolize the cyanide compound as efficiently as ruminant animals do, grazing healthy adult plants is unlikely to harm them, but circumstances that injure the plant—wilting, trampling, frost—can Too much of a good thing-like just about anything horses eat too much can cause excess gas and loose manure. Mint – Peppermint and Spearmint have an antispasmodic effect on the digestive system; mint may help to expel gas, for horses prone to colic and also serves as a soothing appetite stimulant. Can my horse eat dandelions? This salve recipe from my friend Jill’s at the Prarie Homestead is great for putting them to use on sore muscles and skin issues. The short answer is YES, the long answer is “maybe it’s not the best idea in the world”. Be sure to plant some of your dandelions in partial shade as these will have less bitter than. Mild, or that has been dried like hay Angie, Thanks so much if your horse should not eating., but produce huge dandelion leaves Root is often fed dried and are most effective for increasing urination flushing. Rich soil and full or partial sun soil and full or partial sun to eat dandelions nothing to... Nothing else to eat this plant may also benefit your health too, go the “ dried in! Goats may … Credit: Living Herbal tea treat your hamster to wild.! He needs to be seen by an equine veterinarian as soon as possible of stringhalt horses with conditions. Vary depending on location, climate, and are even brought into fields to control.... 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