With spring in the air, everyone's mind seems to be on new beginnings, planting, and gardening. So why should cowgirls be any different? If you have a garden, or are planning to start one this year, here are three plants you should definitely be planting this spring to share with your BFF of the equine kind.
Now, I'm not a master gardener, and I don't particularly enjoy gardening, but if the plants are edible, I'm all for it. I even managed to bring an old gnarly grapevine into submission when we lived in South Dakota just so we could have homemade grape jelly. So, all three plants listed below can be eaten by both you and your horse. Of the many useful herbs for both humans and equines why only three? Partially because they're fairly easy to grow, and partially because I bet you don't have much time to spend puttering in the garden.
1. PEPPERMINT. The same way you'd drink mint tea for an upset stomach, horses prone to colic would greatly benefit from this plant too. Peppermint helps normalize digestion, and it's also said to ease stress and nervousness while having an invigorating effect.
2. CHAMOMILE. Do you drink chamomile tea at the end of a stressful day to help you fall asleep easier? That's because this plant is known for its mildly sedative and relaxant effect. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which are helpful when dealing with aches and pains. Chamomile is perfectly safe for horses too, and it's helpful in any situations where you need your equine friend to calm down or if the horse is dealing with arthritis pain. This plant is also a digestive relaxant - very helpful in mild cases of colic.
3. GARLIC. If you think garlic is only useful for adding to Italian dishes, you're wrong. Garlic is a great antioxidant, rich in vitamin C, thiamine and potassium, and also contains sulfur, which is a recognized blood cleanser. This bulb helps to reduce blood pressure in excitable horses, and has a positive effect on respiratory disorders. As a general additive, two cloves of garlic can be put into your horse's feed daily, and if you're dealing with viral infection, feed four cloves daily.
What other easy to grow, edible plants do you know that can be shared with horses? Tell me in the comments below. And if you want to do something special to reward yourself after planting your mini garden, head on over to Buckaroo Bling online shop by clicking on the button below, and shop some fine turquoise finds. A girl can never have too much turquoise.
