WhenS pring arrives in the White Mountains
62 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
The Herbalism of Horses
By Karin Matey
of New Hampshire
... I reflect back on the well-meant advice I received from local horse people
about keeping my horse pasture free from harmful plants. At the beginning of
my horse journey I was grateful for this well-meaning advice about how to tackle
and clear the horses’ grazing meadows of all suspicious and potentially poisonous
plants and flowers. Back then I had much to learn about horses, and the suggestion
that diverse plants and flowers could threaten their health galvanized me into action.
As the fields turned green with the new growth of Spring, I began the hard work of removing
some of the flowers and plants from the pasture that I felt might cause possible
health issues for my horses, but I soon realized that the harder I tried to remove
the plants and flowers that could be a potential threat the more they grew right
back. Quickly I saw this was a lost cause and there was no way that I could possibly
remove even a small part of, let alone all flowers and plants that could be harmful.
Actually, I love seeing all the varieties of wildflowers that grow in our area and often observe
my horses while grazing in the field eating along with their grass some of the flowers in their
favorite meadow, at the same time they pass over or avoid eating others. In the mornings
as I sat on a big rock in the meadow observing my horses graze, I could not help but notice
them eating some fresh blooming wildflowers, raspberry shoots, and other plants we humans
like to call “weeds” and even stripping the bark off and chewing on tree branches. I was
surprised to see them eat these so-called weeds and nibble on pine and birch branches.
Over the years I’ve developed a morning ritual. While spending time with my horses
and watching them in the early morning I pick a handful of wildflowers to make a
beautiful bouquet for my skin care spa from which I make part of my living. I love nature
and love the sight of the beautiful trees and flowers in our part of the world
which give me a sense of wellness. We are connected to everyone and everything,
starting with the flowers. They are not only beautiful to look at but as I have
learned also hold many long-forgotten health benefits for both humans and animals.
Continued...