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Herbs for Breeding, Gestation,
and Foaling
Preparing a mare for breeding should begin long before she
is introduced to the stallion. Mares should be kept in good
physical shape, receiving optimum nutrition, ample exercise
and turnout, and regular hoof and dental maintenance. After
the mare has been herbally cleansed and toned (see premier
issue, Fertile or Fallow?), she will be ready for breeding.
Patti Duffy-Salmon, certified herbologist, again shares her
considerable knowledge, and cautions owners about the use of
herbs during gestation.
Ready for the breeding shed
One of the two herbal blends previously mentioned to help
tone and strengthen the system, enhance fertility, and
prevent infection (see premier issue, Fertile or Fallow?)
can be fed up until the time of breeding. After the mare has
been covered by the stallion, however, herbs should be
stopped immediately until an ultrasound has been performed.
If the mare is not in foal, the blend may be resumed again,
but always stop any herbal preparations once the mare has
been covered.
Gestation
During gestation, one must be very careful about giving the
mare herbs. Proper nutrition is essential, and high quality
feed should be provided. Attempts to supplement herbally,
however, may be counterproductive, and could be harmful. Any
herb that may be considered a muscle relaxant or a stimulant
should be avoided, and any herb that may promote cycling
should be avoided.
Patti cautions, "The following is a lengthy list of herbs
that should never be fed to horses during gestation:
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Herbs that
should NEVER be fed during Gestation |
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Angelica
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Lycii berries |
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Ashwagandha
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Maidenhair fern |
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Barberry |
Motherwort |
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Blessed thistle |
Mugwort |
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Bloodroot
(VERY DANGEROUS) |
Osha root |
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Buchu |
Parsley |
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Catnip |
Pennyroyal |
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Chaste tree berries |
Prickly ash bark |
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Coltsfoot |
Queen of the meadows |
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Devil's claw |
Red clover |
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Dong quai root |
Rue |
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Elecampane root |
Sage |
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False unicorn root |
Sassafras root |
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Garlic |
Shepherds purse |
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Ginger |
Tansy |
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Goldenseal |
Uva ursi |
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Horehound |
Wormwood |
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Juniper berries |
Yarrow |
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Licorice |
*Black
cohosh |
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Lobelia |
*Blue
cohosh |
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This is quite a long list, and
it includes some commonly used herbs. As you can see, I do
not use many herbs during the gestation period. Kelp is one
that is pretty safe during pregnancy, as long as it is not
overfed. Recommended kelp levels for a pregnant mare should
only be around 1 tablespoon two times daily. It is a great
source of naturally occurring minerals (alfalfa is the
highest land source of naturally occurring minerals), and is
very beneficial to horses. This sea herb’s primary benefit
is to help prevent iodine deficiency. Kelp is useful for
under active thyroid glands and goiter, rheumatism, and
rheumatoid arthritis, for which it can be used internally
and applied externally on inflamed joints. Kelp also can
improve the quality of the hooves.
Comfrey is listed by some sources as useful during
pregnancy, but I don't feed comfrey, leaf or root, during
pregnancy. It feeds the pituitary gland with natural
hormones. I may use it up until
breeding, but not after. Comfrey has been used for centuries
as a wound-healer and bone knitter. It helps to balance the
calcium-phosphorus ratio. Comfrey is rich in vitamins A and
C. Comfrey will help with gastric upset, duodenal ulcers and
ulcerative colitis. It has astringent properties and will
help with controlling of bleeding, such as bleeding ulcers.
Comfrey maybe used externally as a poultice to aid in broken
bones and guard against scar tissue production, such as
proud flesh, with horses.
Raspberry leaf can be safely fed during the last 2 months of
gestation only, along with chamomile flowers, in the dried
form, added to the feed. It will help tone the uterus in
preparation for delivery. Only small amounts of raspberry
leaf should be fed to the mares. |
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For delivery, I again would
only use raspberry leaf. A mare should not need any herbal
stimulant - she will deliver when she is good and ready. If
the mare has a retained placenta, then a small amount of
Blue cohosh may be helpful.
Blue cohosh may be fed during the week the mare is due to
foal, but no sooner. It will help to stretch the neck of the
uterus and aid in delivery. Blue cohosh should be fed along
with black cohosh, again, only in small amounts and only
during the last week of gestation, no sooner. If problems
are encountered during gestation, other forms of natural
therapy may be explored.
After the foal is born, raspberry leaf may be
continued to help the uterus get back into shape. Fennel and
blessed thistle may also be fed. Blessed thistle and fennel
seed are excellent for milk production.
Garlic, however, may taint the taste of the mare's
milk, so please avoid it during the early part of lactation.
Herbs can be beneficial to the broodmare when used sensibly.
Always consult with a qualified, equine herbologist
before adding herbs to your
equine maintenance program.
The herbs and herbal formulas mentioned in this article are
not intended as a substitute for veterinary or other
professional care, and may not be appropriate for other
horses. Always consult your equine professional before using
herbal preparations. |
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