Horses with colic can be helped with herbs but this is surely a major condition that will kill so be sure you ring the vet instantly if you suspect colic in your pony. Peppermint- Mentha x piperita can be used as a preventive and a wonderful digestive aid.
There are many common sorts of mint that have got the same active components like Spearmint, Watermint and Apple Mint but Peppermint would be considered the most medical out of all the mints. Spearmint is the most commonly found mint in domestic culinary gardens but Peppermint is certainly the better medical herb.
Peppermints main therapeutic claim to fame is in its ability to relieve swelling, colic and wind and perfect as a digestive help for horses. It has antispasmodic effects on the gut and is now employed in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in folk. Menthol, which is the volatile extract in peppermint is also antibacterial, antibiotic and antifungal.
These are the likely signs of colic you should look out for. Your horse will show indicators of restlessness and unable to decide on standing, rolling or laying down. Change in stool movements with either diarrhea or very hard dry manure. Pawing the ground and biting or kicking the belly. These are all possible signs of colic.
There are in fact a couple of differing kinds of colic. There is impaction colic where food has become impacted in the lower bowel. Spasmodic colic is where the intestine tends to go into a cramp. This is normally due to anxiety, stress or foreboding. Here is where herbs such as mint and chamomile can be really helpful. Bugs may also cause colic in horses.
The genesis of Peppermint is misleading but it has been around for a considerable time and dried leaves have been found in Egyptian pyramids all the way back to 1000 BC. The Greeks and Romans highly regarded this herb however it only became well-liked in Western Europe in the 18th century.
Peppermint is grown from rhizomes which need to be young and healthy to get you going. Older rhizomes which have already sent up shoots aren't so practicable and will have a tendency to be weaker. The perfect time for planting is early spring or even mid autumn. Autumn plantings has a tendency to produce a better crop as the plant has more time to get established.
Harvesting can be done up to 3 times in a season, usually starting around Nov. The 2nd crop should be prepared about 6-8 weeks later and if you're lucky with the weather a 3rd harvest should be available a little time into Autumn. If you're growing Peppermint for the volatile oils then cropping standards is critical and the timing centers around when the highest concentrated oil content is present.
Regarding using Mint in your horses feed you'll find it's got a tasty smell which is tough to refuse. It is considered one of the finest digestive aids and will help relax and ease the digestive system.
The flavanoids in Mint will stimulate the liver and the menthol oil is anti-bacterial and anti parasitic. The oils are also utilized for ulcers and to help with colic. Because Peppermint is anti inflammatory and anti-spasmodic it makes it a very useful herb for issues with the stomach and flatulence. You can easily add 20 gms of dried or 1-2 smatterings of fresh mint daily to your horses feed and revel in the sweet aroma yourself. A beautiful flavorful addition to any horses feed.
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