As we come out of the grey, gloomy winter and into the warm sunshine of spring, natural forage and grazing grass become richer and denser, which can be a difficult adjustment for your horse. With the change of the season, we believe it is a fantastic time to reassess your horse’s supplemental needs to ensure they are getting all the nutrients and support that they need during the springtime. More than anything, horses need a solid routine, as change can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, so during this season of change and growth some subtle adjustments to their feed supplements can really make all of the difference. The lush spring grass, increased energy levels, and hormonal shifts can lead to ‘spring fever’, making horses more likely to be reactive and anxious.

Adding a simple herbal supplement to your horse’s feed to help support their digestion can be such a great extra help as the forage and pasture becomes richer. The fresh, new grass, albeit delicious, can cause a wealth of digestive issues, such as their droppings may be looser or greener or they may become gassier. The sudden changes in temperature and weather can lead to a large shift in the plants and grass’ nutrients, which your horse’s digestive system may not adjust to quickly, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. These are some of our favourite choices to help support your horse’s digestion during the spring:

• Dandelion Leaf - Cut - this humble weed is not only loved by horses, but it also naturally helps to support their digestive system, helping to maintain regular bowel movements. It is also known for supporting urinary health, including promoting fantastic liver and kidney health.
• Fennel Seeds - if the richer pasture is causing your horse to become more gassy then fennel seeds are the perfect herbal solution. These seeds have a natural relaxing effect on your horse’s stomach, helping with discomfort caused by excess gas.
• Brewers Yeast - rich in B vitamins, amino acids, and prebiotics, this supplement naturally helps with digestion and gut health. It helps support hindgut bacteria, promoting good fibre digestion and firming up stools. It simultaneously supports the nervous system, helping with anxiety and stress.
• Digestion Support Plus - this high quality blend of natural dried herbs has been specifically formulated to support and soothe your horse’s digestive system. This combination of herbs work together to enhance gut flora, maintain a good pH balance in the digestive tact, and soothe your horse’s stomach.

Is your horse experiencing an increase in reactivity, anxiety, and spooking? This simply could be due to the high sugar, sweet spring grass increasing their energy levels, causing more erratic behaviour. By introducing some calming herbs and supplements into your horse’s diet, it can help to reduce this anxiety and keep your horse calm and steady through the dietary changes of the springtime. Additionally, spring grass often has higher potassium levels and lower magnesium, which can cause behavioural changes, such as nervousness, muscle tremors, and spookiness. These are our favourite supplements to help keep your horse calm during the spring months:

• Magnesium Oxide - this supplement will help to balance out the lack of magnesium in spring grass, helping your horse to still absorb this macromineral. Supplementing magnesium will help to mitigate stress and anxiety, whilst also aiding the nervous system, muscle function, and promoting hoof health.
• Chamomile Flower Powder - this humble flower has been used for hundreds of years for its calming and soothing effects. Chamomile can help with stress, tension, anxiety, and nervousness, whilst also supporting minor digestive problems, such as bloating.
• Chaste Tree Berry Powder - this one is for the mares who are experiencing more hormonal behaviour during the springtime. The shift in more daylight hours can trigger the start of their reproductive cycle, leading to more erratic behaviour and moodiness. This powder naturally helps with these hormonal challenges, keeping your mare calm and happy during spring.
• Calming Mix - this is one of our best calming supplements for horses as we have specially formulated it to encourage a calm and relaxed nervous system. This blend of herbs will help keep your horse calm and happy throughout spring.

Whilst we may often think of supporting hydration during the hot summer months, it is often best to start thinking about this during the springtime. With the rapidly changing weather and the shift to lush, spring grass, there is a hidden risk of dehydration. The mix of cold mornings and warm afternoons can often lead to inconsistent water intake and the increased workload of more training and riding will cause more sweat and the loss of electrolytes. Adding a supplement to your horse’s diet to help replenish electrolytes and promote water intake can make all the difference in the spring. Some of our favourites are:

• Black Salt - this supplement is a perfect choice for the springtime, as it not only promotes hydration, but it also supports gut health and itchy skin conditions. This salt will help your horse to replenish their electrolytes whilst also containing trace elements, such as iron, magnesium, and copper.
• Salt Licks - salt for horses and ponies is essential, as without it their muscles and nerves will not perform correctly. Our salt licks make it simple to provide your horse with the correct amount of salt, as it allows them to self regulate. They will help replenish electrolytes and encourage them to stay hydrated.
• Chia Seeds - when mixed with water these seeds naturally absorb the water to form a gel, which can be a great way to promote hydration. Additionally, as these seeds are rich in omega 3, they support joint health, digestion, and coat condition.
• Hydrate - Electrolyte Balance - if you are increasing your horse’s training and riding as we come into spring, this supplement could massively help replenish the essential minerals lost through sweat. Hydrate supplies all necessary minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium chloride, needed to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

Throughout March we have chosen Milk Thistle Seed Powder to be our ‘Herb of the Month’, meaning it will be 10% off for the entirety of the month. We have chosen Milk Thistle Seed Powder as it is a fantastic supplement to help support the seasonal changes of spring. Traditionally used to support normal liver function, this supplement will help to contribute to overall wellbeing and immune health by maintaining the liver’s natural processes. It will aid in the detoxification process and is beneficial if your horse needs additional antioxidant support. 

Supplements are a powerful tool to help support your horse through transitional periods such as spring. From supporting their digestive health during changes in pasture, to helping keep them calm and away from ’spring fever’, to finally ensuring they are hydrated and healthy, we believe this extensive list of supplements will help to keep your horse happy, healthy, and thriving through the spring months. 

If you need any help with recommendations be sure to get in touch with us. We also always encourage working with your vet to find the best, personalised supplements for your horse’s specific needs and conditions.