The summer riding season brings a flurry of activity, from long travel times, and relocations to eventing and competitions. For horses, this can mean increased stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Fortunately, nature offers a range of herbs to support your horse’s calmness and relaxation. In this article, we explore four calming herbs—Valerian, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Dandelion—and how we can use them to reduce stress in horses during the busy summer months.
1. Valerian: A Natural Sedative for Deep Relaxation
Valerian is widely regarded as one of the most effective natural sedatives, known for its ability to calm nerves and promote restful sleep. With the busy summer season involving long journeys, eventing, and periods of heightened excitement, valerian can be an invaluable herb to help your horse manage stress.
How to Use Valerian:
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Valerian Tincture: The tincture is a fast-acting form of valerian that can be added to your horse’s feed or water. A few drops before travel or a competition can help ease anxiety and encourage relaxation.
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Valerian Powder: Powdered valerian can be mixed with your horse's regular feed to provide continuous support for stress reduction.
It’s important to note that valerian should be used sparingly and not immediately before exercise or competition, as it may have a sedating effect.
2. Chamomile: Gentle, Soothing Relief
Chamomile is one of the gentlest herbs for stress relief, known for its calming properties without causing drowsiness. During periods of intense activity, such as eventing or travelling, chamomile can help to calm your horse’s nerves and promote a more relaxed state.
How to Use Chamomile:
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Chamomile Tea: Brewed chamomile tea can be added to your horse’s water or feed. It’s a simple and effective way to soothe nervousness and reduce stress before competitions or travel.
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Chamomile Tincture: Chamomile tincture can also be added to water or feed in smaller quantities, offering a concentrated dose of calming properties.
Chamomile is a particularly good choice for horses that get anxious during travel or eventing, as it promotes relaxation without sedation, helping them maintain focus without becoming too lethargic.
3. Lemon Balm: Uplifting and Calming
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, has both uplifting and calming properties. It’s ideal for horses that experience stress from travelling, moving locations, or competing, as it helps reduce anxiety while also boosting mood and energy levels.
How to Use Lemon Balm:
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Lemon Balm Tea: Lemon balm tea can be brewed and added to your horse’s water to help calm them before a stressful event or long journey. It’s a great choice for easing nerves while keeping their energy levels balanced.
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Lemon Balm Tincture: A few drops of lemon balm tincture added to food or water can be effective in alleviating tension and promoting a sense of calmness.
Lemon balm is especially beneficial for horses that experience both physical and mental stress, as it can uplift their mood while maintaining relaxation.
4. Dandelion: Detoxifying and Stress-Relieving
Dandelion is often overlooked as a common weed, but it has many benefits for horses under stress. Not only does it support liver health (which is important for detoxification during stressful times), but it also helps manage the physical effects of stress, such as fatigue and digestive issues.
How to Use Dandelion:
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Dandelion Tea: Dandelion root tea can be a useful addition to your horse's water or feed. It helps support liver function and can alleviate stress-related physical symptoms such as digestive discomfort.
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Dandelion Tincture: A concentrated form of dandelion tincture can be added to your horse’s water or feed to help detoxify the body and ease the physical toll of stress.
Dandelion is especially useful for horses that may experience digestive upset or lethargy due to the stress of travel or eventing. It helps to support the body’s natural detoxification processes while calming the mind.
How to Use These Herbs Together for Maximum Effect
For a comprehensive approach to stress relief, combining these herbs can be particularly effective. Consider mixing different herbs for a more tailored solution to your horse’s needs.
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Calming Herbal Tea Blend: Combine chamomile, lemon balm, and a small amount of valerian to create a calming tea that helps to reduce anxiety, calm the nerves, and promote overall relaxation.
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Herbal Tincture Combination: A mix of valerian and lemon balm tinctures can be added to feed or water to provide both a sedative and uplifting effect, perfect for horses who need help during travel or competition.
Conclusion
The summer riding season can be stressful for horses, with travel, relocations, and eventing putting pressure on their physical and mental well-being. You can support their relaxation and help them manage stress naturally by incorporating herbs like Valerian, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Dandelion into your horse’s routine. These herbs offer a safe, effective way to promote calmness, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall well-being, ensuring your horse remains focused, relaxed, and healthy throughout the busy summer riding season.
Try our Herbal Calmer. Our specially formulated calmer combines the powerful stress-relieving of these calming herbs, designed to support your horse’s relaxation during stressful events. Whether you're preparing for an event, travelling, or managing a hectic routine, our Herbal Calmer is a natural and effective way to keep your horse calm and balanced.