Horseradish for horses: effect and application

Horseradish can be very useful for the health of the horse if the root is used properly. Horseradish is in no way just a kitchen spice: the root vegetable has also been used as a medicinal plant for hundreds of years.

Horseradish - that's why the medicinal plant is so healthy

Where the name horseradish comes from has not yet been finally clarified. One theory says that the horseradish, as it used to be called, is derived from the word mare. "Mähre" is an old word for a female horse. Whether this derivation is correct is controversial among linguists - but both in English and French, the root is also referred to as horse radish.

• What is guaranteed in any case are the health-promoting effects of horseradish for humans and animals - and therefore also for horses.
• The essential oils of the root vegetables are particularly valuable for health. Incidentally, these hot mustard oils are responsible for the characteristic taste of the kitchen spice.
• The horseradish also scores with flavonoids, mucilages, B vitamins, asparagine and arginine. There are also minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.

When it makes sense to use horseradish

The essential oils of the medicinal plant have an expectorant and antibacterial effect, which makes horseradish so valuable for horse health. This is especially true in winter when many horses barely come out of the pits or not at all.

• If there is mucus in the horse's lungs due to lack of movement or an allergy, this is loosened by the horseradish.
• The medicinal plant has also proven itself in horses with respiratory infections.
• If your horse suffers from bladder problems, a horseradish cure is also worth trying because of its antibacterial effect.

Horseradish for horses - how to use the medicinal plant correctly

As a rule, horseradish can be administered without any problems. However, if your horse has a previous medical condition, you should definitely speak to your veterinarian beforehand. If your horse has a particularly sensitive stomach, the root vegetables can cause gastrointestinal complaints.

• So that the medicinal herb has a beneficial effect on the horse's health, it is very important that you use fresh horseradish. The longer you store the horseradish, the more important ingredients are lost. This is especially true for the essential oils.
• For the same reason, for the horseradish to work, it is important that you give your horse the medicinal herb immediately after preparation.
• Preparation means that you peel the horseradish and then grate it small. In the shredded state, however, the essential oils quickly evaporate. Therefore mix the root vegetables immediately with the concentrate.
• Give your horse about ten to twenty grams of the grated horseradish per 100 kilograms of weight. Discuss the exact dose with your veterinarian in advance.
• The horseradish cure for horses usually lasts two to three weeks.

Flax seeds are also very good for horse health. Read here what you should consider when taking a flaxseed treatment for horses.