Herbal Buffets for Horses: Why I don't use them!

The trend of offering herbal baths to your horse seems to be growing, and I have had a couple of people ask me about them.

Now they could make a great addition to a pamper session on a hot day. Place a couple of buckets of water in front of them with a couple of different herbs in, to encourage them to drink. 

However, I'm not a big fan of leaving them out as a way of giving your horse their supplements, and here’s why:

1. Dosage

When you make a herbal tea, the ratio is around 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of water. The recommended dose of dried herbs for your horse is around 30 - 50g, which is around 3 teaspoons depending on the herb. Adding this to a 38 litre bucket of water is going to dilute the strength of the active ingredients and your horse would also need to drink the whole bucket. 

Working on the ratio, we first managed for a 38 litre bucket of water you would need 76 spoons of herbs, which is approximately 19 times the dose. If the horse drank it all they would be getting too much of the active ingredient.

2. Freshness and Hygiene Matter

Herbal teas are brewed for around 20 minutes with warm water or left in the fridge overnight with cold water, it is then strained and consumed straight away. The reason being bacteria will start to grow on the segments of herbs - imagine what is happening to the herbs in your bucket of water you have left in the sun all day.

3. Cost.

Once you consider the amount of herbs you need per bucket, you are looking at a lot of money going down the drain if the horse does not drink it.

Do your research to find herbs that best suit your horse’s needs and get a custom mix made up to keep your costs and time down.

If you would like help with a custom mix for your horse, book a free 20-minute consultation.

When pampering your horse, offer small buckets with herbs to encourage drinking and enrichment. If they always go for the same herbs, consider adding this to your custom mix.

These are a few herbs I would consider offering my horses during a pampering session:

Herb Name	Known Benefits
Chamomile	Calming, anti-inflammatory
Peppermint	Digestive support, palatable
Nettle	Rich in minerals, supports detox
Rosehips	High in Vitamin C, immune support
Dandelion Leaf	Liver support, diuretic

Always introduce herbs gradually, in small amounts, and observe how your horse responds.

What’s the Verdict?

Herbal buffets can be a fun, enriching addition for your horse, as long as they’re used thoughtfully. They’re not a substitute for proper herbal dosing or a replacement for a balanced diet. Cleanliness, moderation, and knowing your herbs are key.

If you’re serious about using herbs to support your horse’s health, it’s always best to work with a qualified equine herbalist who can help tailor things properly. In the meantime, offering a few safe herbs for occasional nibbling can still be a nice way to connect your horse to nature, just don’t forget the science behind the greenery.

Confused by it all? Book your free 20-minute consultation here or drop me an email.

Do you agree or disagree? Am I thinking about this in the wrong way would love to know your thoughts.