Can Horses Eat Lavender?

I recently visited my family on their farm and offered to help them with the daily chores every barn requires.

One of their horses, a gorgeous fellow named Wolfy, was acting a bit anxious.

As I tried to calm him, I began to wonder if there was anything they could safely give him to help alleviate the anxiety he was feeling.

I know when I have an anxious mind, lavender always helps me calm down.

Have you found yourself in the same position, looking to find natural remedies to help relieve your horse’s stress?

Knowing what plants and herbs you can safely give your horse are vital, and this article will provide you with the answer to the same question I asked myself, “Can horses eat lavender?”

The answer to the question is yes; horses can eat lavender, but only in small amounts. Lavender effectively calms and soothing an anxious horse, but you have to be careful since it is toxic in larger quantities. If you aren’t comfortable feeding your horse lavender, there are other ways your horse can still reap its benefits.

Lavender offers many benefits to your horse beyond easing anxiety.

Having your horse eat lavender utilizes one of the many methods for treating different problem areas that may arise.

Lavender essential oil is also a highly effective, fast-acting alternative to feeding your horse the actual plant.

The effects are almost immediate and can be applied to the skin or diffused into the air.

What Is The Benefit Of Feeding My Horse Lavender?

The benefit of feeding your horse lavender is most notably the ability to calm and soothe them without using prescription medication which can be expensive and have nasty side effects.

Horses by nature are flight animals, which means they are always on the alert and easily spooked by loud noises or sudden movements.

Most horses live this way with no problems, but some can begin to show signs of chronic anxiety.

Feeding your horse a small amount of lavender can help take the edge off and allow them to relax.

You will see they are still alert and able to function normally but no longer showing the effects of being in a high-stress situation.

What Are The Effects Of Lavender On My Horse?

Whether eaten, diffused, or used as an oil, Lavender has an immediate calming effect on horses.

Multiple studies conducted on the effects of lavender on horses in high-stress situations showed a horse who ingested or inhaled a small amount of lavender before or during the incident displayed an almost immediate reduction in heart rate.

The horses tested also showed outward signs of relaxation, including neck lowering, licking, and chewing.

What Will Happen If My Horse Overeats Lavender?

Although incredibly beneficial in small doses, too much lavender is toxic to horses.

It can suppress appetite or cause colic, which can lead to death in extreme cases.

What Are The Different Ways To Use Lavender On My Horse?

If your horse is picky about the foods it eats, don’t worry; there are other ways to use lavender that will provide the same great results.

Using a diffuser or essential oils is an excellent way for your horse to reap the benefits of lavender.

Each method treats different problems, and you can decide which is the best option for your horse, depending on their symptoms.

Below is a table outlining the effectiveness of each one of the application processes.

How Much Lavender Can I Give My Horse?

Lavender should only be given in tiny doses since it is toxic in large amounts.

If you are feeding it to your horse, only provide a few small buds off the tip of the plant.

If using a diffuser, one or two drops should suffice.

Essential oils are the most concentrated and can be the most effective.

Allowing your horse a small sniff either on your hand or out of the bottle will show quick results.

No matter which method you choose, you can re-administer once the effects have worn off.

When feeding the horse lavender, you must be diligent, as the digestive process may delay effects and cause you to believe it has worn off, when in reality, your horse has not fully digested the original amount given to them.

Be sure not to cause an overdose as this is toxic and, in extreme cases, can lead to death.

Lavender is incredibly beneficial to horses, and they can eat it to help eliminate a variety of different problems.

When eaten, lavender helps treat nausea, ulcers, nervous tension, muscular pain, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Picky eaters may not enjoy the taste, in which case there are other ways to utilize the benefits lavender provides.

If your horse does not eat lavender, try using essential oils or a diffuser to get it into their systems.

Along with the benefits of eating it, using oils or a diffuser can help with asthma, spasms, inflammation, burns, bacterial infections, hysteria, insomnia, and scarring.

Lavender is toxic to horses in large quantities, so closely monitoring the amounts you give them is vital for their safety.

Only feed your horse a few tiny buds from the tip of the lavender plant and wait for complete digestion to take place before allowing them to ingest more.

If using oils or a diffuser, only use one or two drops or consider putting a small amount on your hands or letting them sniff it from the bottle.

If an overdose does occur, call a vet immediately.

A lavender overdose can cause colic and decreased appetite, which can be fatal in extreme cases.

If you are looking for a natural alternative to prescription medications, why not give lavender a try.

Chances are, your horse will thank you!