Supporting Health During Autumn

Autumn is an important time to support your horse's overall health and wellbeing.  September is a time of transition, as the weather patterns change and turnout times begin to shift, autumn can be challenging time for our horse’s health.

One important organ in the body is the liver, and often after a busy summer season, many horses require extra support to cleanse and restore the body. This can be achieved with herbs that support the immune system and detox the liver.

At Global Herbs our unique blend of herbs in Restore contains Creat, Gale of the Wind and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum). These ancient medicinal plants provide potent antioxidant, soothing, and hepatoprotective properties, supporting overall wellness.

Milk Thistle supports overall digestive health as well as liver function, whilst also supporting stress recovery.

In a recent study in 2022 on performance horses fed Milk Thistle, it was found that post exercise horses had a faster return to normal plasma cortisol levels alongside reduced levels of the liver enzyme AST, suggesting improved recovery and energy levels in those horses fed milk thistle.

Our Restore Liquid has added Makoi, Trailing Eclipta and Boerhaavia Diffusa which helps maintain the production of red blood cells, supports circulation and detoxifying the liver. By helping to maintain the number of circulating red blood cells overall oxygen is available in the body allowing or horses to have increased energy and strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might horses need extra support in autumn?

Autumn is a time of significant change for horses. As temperatures and weather patterns change, turnout times may decrease and grazing can change in both quantity and nutritional composition. These changes can make autumn a useful time to review your horse’s diet and provide appropriate nutritional support for their overall health and wellbeing.

What does the liver do in horses?

The liver is an important organ involved in many normal processes, including metabolism, digestion and the processing of substances within the body. Providing a balanced diet and appropriate nutritional support can help maintain normal liver function.

Can herbs support liver health in horses?

Certain herbs have traditionally been used to provide nutritional support for normal liver function. Milk Thistle, for example, is a popular botanical ingredient traditionally associated with liver support and is included in Global Herbs Restore.

What is Milk Thistle used for in horses?

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a botanical herb traditionally used to support normal liver and digestive function. It contains naturally occurring plant compounds with antioxidant properties and can be included as part of a balanced nutritional programme for horses.

What is a horse detox?

The term “detox” is often used to describe nutritional support for the body's normal processes of metabolism and elimination. Horses have their own natural systems for processing and removing waste products, so a detox is not essential for every horse. However, seasonal changes can be a useful opportunity to review your horse’s diet and consider targeted nutritional support.

When should I give my horse a seasonal detox?

There is no single time when every horse needs a detox. Some owners choose to provide seasonal nutritional support during periods of change, such as moving from summer into autumn or changing from regular turnout to more time stabled. Always consider your individual horse’s diet, workload and management needs.

What is Restore for horses?

Global Herbs Restore is a herbal supplement containing Creat, Gale of the Wind and Milk Thistle. It is formulated to provide nutritional support for normal liver function, digestion and overall health and wellbeing, making it a popular choice when horses are going through seasonal or management changes.

Can Restore be fed during autumn?

Yes. Restore can be incorporated into your horse’s daily feeding routine during seasonal transitions. Autumn can be a useful time to review your horse’s nutritional needs as grazing, turnout and daily routines change.

How can I support my horse's health during autumn?

Maintaining a consistent feeding routine, providing appropriate forage, monitoring body condition and making dietary changes gradually can all help support your horse during the transition into autumn. Suitable nutritional supplements can also be used to complement a balanced diet where additional support is required.

References:

Effect of phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: a perspective for disease prevention, Nidia D Pucci et al, 2018.

Effect of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes by Horses Subjected to Physical Exertion. Dockalova et al, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2022

Blog by Jo Holt MRCVS