Confused about PSSM2? This guide breaks down the latest science and shares natural ways to support your horse with practical, real-world strategies.

Discover how human protein research can guide equine muscle support. Learn why amino acids, not just protein quantity, are key to horse health and recovery.

Biotin isn’t the magic fix for hooves. Learn what really supports hoof health - protein, amino acids, gut health - and why biotin may not help at all.

Confused by carbs and EMS? This blog clears the air on forage, fibre, insulin resistance, and how to feed smarter for true metabolic resilience.

Discover the benefits of barleygrass for horses - rich in chlorophyll, antioxidants, and nutrients to support digestion, detox, and overall vitality.

Discover the hidden cause of sweet itch in horses – and how supporting gut, liver and kidney health is key to long-term relief.

Discover the horse-friendly wild herbs of May – from hawthorn to chickweed – and why spring foraging is nature’s way to support equine health.

Discover how spring affects your mare’s hormones and behaviour – plus natural tips and herbal support to help her feel calm, balanced, and understood.

Lush spring grass can trigger EMS & IR in horses. Discover smart, simple strategies to support metabolic health this season with EquiNatural.

Could parasites be behind your horse’s mystery symptoms? Discover the hidden link between equine gut health, toxins, and the role of diet in healing.

Is your horse struggling with headshaking? Discover how stress, environmental changes, and allergies contribute to headshaking in horses. Learn expert-backed strategies for stress management, craniosacral therapy, and natural remedies to support your horse’s well-being this spring.

Spring allergies, itching, & congestion? The culprit might be KPU! Learn how histamine intolerance, hindgut health, & liver detox are all connected.

Discover how vaccines impact your horse’s inflammation levels and immune system. Learn practical tips for recovery, including anti-inflammatory diets and stress reduction strategies.

Explore the myths, legends, and herbal traditions of Christmas. Discover ancient lore, festive plant meanings, and tips for safely incorporating herbs into your horse’s care.

Discover the connection between chronic stress, inflammation, and gut health in horses. Learn how to restore balance naturally with diet, prebiotics, and herbal support.

Discover the genetic, metabolic, and detoxification links behind mallenders in horses. Learn how addressing gut and liver health can manage this frustrating condition.

Learn how leaky gut affects your horse’s health, leading to inflammation, allergies, and fatigue. Discover solutions like L Glutamine and the full EquiNatural Leaky Gut Regeneration Programme to repair and strengthen the gut lining.

Discover how steaming hay supports your horse's respiratory health and learn how to balance any protein loss with Essential Aminos for optimal nutrition.

How to utilise a hard frost to naturally disrupt parasite cycles in horses, and explore supportive, gut-friendly feed options for effective winter parasite control.

Learn how healthy fats like omega-3 and linseed can improve your horse's health, digestion, and overall vitality, while avoiding harmful oils.

Discover essential tips for supporting your horse's joint health during winter. Learn about proper movement, warming techniques, natural anti-inflammatories, and cartilage support for arthritic horses.

Learn about the role of dopamine and Mucuna pruriens herb in managing Cushing's disease in horses during Cushing's Awareness Month. Natural support for equine health.

Read the essential insights from the 11th European Equine Nutrition Workshop, including pasture mineral variations, natural steroids in horse diets, and effective PPID management.

Discover the reasons behind your horse's stumbling, including hoof integrity, diet, and health issues. Learn how to connect the dots for better hoof care and overall health.

Explore the causes and management of pain and inflammation in horses. Learn about the differences between acute and chronic pain, the risks of long-term pharmaceutical use, and effective natural therapies to support your horse's comfort and well-being.

Explore the complexities of equine sarcoids, their connection to immune function, and various treatment options. Learn how immunity and gut health play crucial roles in managing sarcoids in horses.

Discover how to manage Lyme disease in horses with natural support strategies. Learn about the role of the immune system, the importance of detoxification, and how to alleviate chronic symptoms.

Explore EquiNatural's commitment to quality with certified organic herbs. Discover our rigorous standards, sustainable practices, and the benefits of organic certification for your horse's health.

Discover natural remedies for equine bumps, bruises, and bug bites in summer. Learn to create a natural first-aid kit with herbal recipes for a happy horse.

Learn how to prevent heat exhaustion in horses with essential hydration tips, homemade electrolytes, and herbal infusions. Keep your horse cool this summer.

Discover how festival fatigue and hard ground impact joint health in both humans and horses. See insights for protecting your horse’s joints and enhancing their mobility with our organic solutions for joint comfort and flexibility.

Discover how your horse's digestive system works, from the stomach to the hindgut. Learn about the importance of stomach acid, nutrient absorption in the small intestine, and maintaining a healthy gut biome for overall equine health.

Discover the vital connections between your horse's gut health and their overall well-being. Learn how proper diet and care can prevent digestive issues and promote a healthy gut microbiome.

I think – I hope! – we’re all feeling a bit like we’ve now transitioned out of winter and are seeing sunnier glimpses of spring (it was a long time coming this year for sure). With the arrival of warmer weather, this is the perfect time to delve into the many benefits of the wonderful Calendula officinalis for our horses. If you’re familiar with herbal systems that place a strong emphasis on the energetics of herbs, i.e. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you’ll already appreciate the subtle effects that herbs can have on our bodies and minds. For example, there are warming nervines like ashwagandha, valerian, and tulsi, and cooling nervines like gotu kola, skullcap, and lemon balm. Depending on whether you run warm or cool, and depending on the imbalance you're addressing, you might prefer one over the other. Equally, if you’re into astrology, it may come as no surprise that planetary bodies can (apparently) also correspond to different herbs! Either way, an astrological perspective on plants can add a dimension to how we view and work with them, and this is the perfect time of year to start looking at plants associated with the sun. ☀️ When you think of the sun, you’ll likely think of it as warming, energising, fiery, life-giving, strong, powerful ... Plants associated with the sun also have similar qualities, i.e. Cinnamon is warming, St. John’s Wort is uplifting, and you can’t help but think of sunshine when you look at Sunflowers or Calendula. The good news is that Calendula is a valuable food for our horses, and here at EquiNatural we use a lot of Calendula, as you'll see below in our product list. So, what better than a Calendula Herb Nerd ?! We all know Calendula, sometimes called ‘ Bride of the Sun ’, as it's all over our gardens and packed full of cheerful yellow-orange blossoms, which bloom from late spring all the way through the first frosts of autumn (and self-seed like rabbits as well so you have been warned!). These sunny-looking flowers, like many other orange-coloured foods such as sweet potatoes and pumpkin, are remarkably rich in carotenoids , which benefit the eyes and immune system. We’ve all seen numerous salves and oils where Calendula is used extensively to soothe skin irritations and inflammation. And as a member of the Asteraceae family, Calendula is a relative of other helpful plants such as Chamomile, Yarrow, Dandelion, Echinacea, and Arnica. And just like its family members, Calendula has a plethora of wonderful benefits and uses. Uses Calendula has a long and extensive history of use and is probably best known as a skin herb. It soothes irritation and the discomfort of skin afflictions, while promoting skin repair through its vulnerary actions, curbing bleeding, and addressing infection. The German Commission has approved Calendula for easing inflammation of both external and internal mucous membranes and promoting healing of external wounds, which makes Calendula well known as beneficial for wounds, abrasions, rashes, burns, and bruising. Beyond skin injuries, Calendula can be used as a bodycare herb to help keep skin healthy and strong, reason being that is has a direct affinity with the lymphatic system. Why? Because Calendula has a direct affinity with the lymphatic system , helping to drain infection and reduce congestion from the skin and lungs, soothing swollen lymph glands, and along with Cleavers keeping the lymph fluid flowing. Calendula’s properties This awesome flower is full of so many useful properties. It assists in promoting healing of tissues ( vulnerary ), eases inflammation ( anti-inflammatory ), helps to stanch bleeding ( hemostatic ), and eases pain ( analgesic ). It also promotes tightening and toning of tissues ( astringent ), prevents or stops microbial growth ( antiseptic ), assists the body during illness by promoting perspiration ( diaphoretic ), and stimulates the lymphatic system ( lymphagogue ). Its slightly bitter flavour also supports digestion by gently stimulating the liver ( cholagogue ) to release bile, and it can equally stimulate menstrual activity ( emmenagogue ). As if that's not enough, it’s also used to soothe gastric irritations including ulcers. Calendula in the kitchen Calendula’s also been used for centuries as a food - its blossoms were used as both a soup starter and as a saffron substitute in the Middle Ages. To this day we can still enjoy Calendula flowers as a regular addition to many foods, the mild tasting flowers being easy to include in a wide array of foods for their nutritional content and herbal benefits. Simply pull the petals off fresh or dried flower heads and toss them into stews, soups, casseroles, sauces, egg dishes, rice and other grains, veggie and fruit salads, cream cheese, muffins, cookies, whipped butter, puddings, and so much more … 😉 A herb with history Calendula has an interesting history, much of which is based on the way it behaves, because it’s a phototropic plant, meaning it spends its days following the sun across the sky, hence why in days of yore it was called ‘the calendar flower’ because people could tell the time of year by its blooming. It was also extensively used for wound care in both the American Civil War and WW1, particularly when other emergency medical supplies had run low. With its potent anti-inflammatory and astringent actions, combined with its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, it was a common choice for a wide variety of topical issues. Calendula in the herbal remedy cabinet Calendula is a sunny, cheerful herb that brings numerous benefits to both humans and horses alike. With spring well underway and summer soon to come, Calendula is a great herb to have on hand as it can be used in many simple herbal preparations. A simple cup of Calendula tea can be an extremely useful as a topical wash, or soak a cloth in the tea to make a compress for cleaning and soothing skin wounds, rashes, bug bites, and bruises. Dunk a cotton wall ball in cold Calendula tea and you have the perfect eye wash. From soothing skin irritations to supporting the lymphatic system, and even adding a nutritional boost to your meals, Calendula is a versatile and invaluable addition to any herbal repertoire. So with the sun out, here's a nifty home recipe to embrace the healing power of Calendula. Home recipe - frozen aloe & calendula cubes If you've ever wanted a quick sunburn cooler and soother, look no further. There are few things finer than getting the shorts on for a hot day's poo-picking, but we all know how it feels if we've been out in the UV rays longer than we should. But have no fear - herbalism is here! Ingredients 250g calendula-infused aloe vera gel 250g calendula flowers, either dried or fresh Create a calendula-infused aloe vera gel by filling a washed jam jar ½ full with 200g of the calendula flowers - keep the other 50g aside for Step 2. Pour in the aloe vera gel; make sure it covers the flowers, then cap the jar and store it in the fridge for 2-weeks. Strain out the calendula flowers after 2 weeks. Make a strong calendula tea by steeping the remaining 50g calendula flowers in 100ml hot water for at least 1-hour or better still, overnight. Drain, then combine the calendula tea with the calendula-infused aloe vera gel. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. When frozen, store in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. To use, remove an ice cube from the tray and glide it over those hot spots for a cooling effect that will instantly soothe burns and other hot skin issues. The moisture and benefits from the aloe vera gel act like a cooling protector, while the calendula soothes while it works its magic as it’s absorbed into the skin. Safety Calendula is generally considered to be a very safe herb. However, due to its action as an emmenagogue , it should not be used during pregnancy. Always ensure open wounds are fully cleaned before applying Calendula as like Comfrey, it rapidly repairs tissue. Where to find our organic Calendula Our individual Calendula officinalis - available in both organic tincture and dried flower form. Tincture - Calendula officinalis (Marigold) Petals, Cold Macerated 1:3 90%, Organic Cultivated Dried Flowers - C alendula officinalis (Marigold) Flowers, Organic Cultivated, Origin Egypt Calendula&Cleavers - Puffy legs or swollen lymph glands? our Calendula&Cleavers tones the lymph and keeps it moving. LKLCARE - supports and restores the body's vital detoxification organs, the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes, aka what I call t he '3-Amigos'. Recommended to feed twice a year just before each coat change, to assist in the protein biotransformation. LymphCARE - supports the healthy function of the equine lymphatic system, in the event of lymphangitis/CPL. OptimaCARE - our superior, functional 3-stage full-body cleanse/detox programme of regenerative phytonutrients (organic), known to clean up the gut function and detox/tone the body's natural detoxification organs and circulatory systems (blood and lymph). Supports the elimination of toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, toxic moulds etc. SwItchTonic - with antipruritic (anti-itch) properties from Chickweed , known to support and tone an itchy, irritated coat and skin. DermaCalm Gel - our antimicrobial derma support. An easily-absorbed synergistic blend of organic antimicrobial oils, known to support equine derma issues. Ideal for mud issues/cellulitis/rain-scald. JSTGel - topically supports stiff joints, soft-tissue injuries, and swelling. With healing comfrey and cooling menthols. (We have more reviews from us humans using this than we do horses! And I can speak from broken bone experience too 😎) SwitchGel - topical support for itchy, irritated coat/skin, with the potent anti-itch powers of Chickweed , and healing Calendula and Lavender oils. Particularly beneficial for sweet itch.

Meet Nayana, founder of Essential Animals & Over the Edge Farm, Portugal. Animal (and human) Aromatherapist and Master Herbalist. 

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Breeding a foal can be an incredibly fulfilling experience for any horse owner, but there’s more to it than simply finding a handsome chap 😉

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Meet Susie, founder of Tower House Horses

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The Seasonal Equine Cycle - unlocking nature's rhythms. A proactive approach to sustain equine vitality year-round.

Meet Larri, founder of Horse Haven, nestled in the serene valleys of West Wales. Encompassing track-based living, individualised care plans, and a deep-rooted commitment to the well-being of each resident, Horse Haven is an extraordinary equine sanctuary which stands as a testament to Larri's lifelong passion, nurtured through decades of diverse experience, and always with the force-free, positive reinforcement ethos behind everything she does.

Perfect preventation makes perfect practice.

A gut-busting journey through how to feed our horses

Thing is, these days there's too much histamine going on out there, and it's making many already established health syndromes even worse, with humans and horses alike suffering all the more. Histamine in the right balance is the body’s friend, released when there's an allergic reaction. Simples. We know this. Histamines are a bit like a club's bouncer on the door, helping the body get rid of something that's bothering it, as in an allergy trigger, aka ‘allergen’. Histamines start the process that hustles those allergens out of the body or off the skin. Thing is, there’s a new kid on the block and we need to take notice of it because it’s a now a Big Thing - histamine intolerance. What is it? It's when too much histamine is being made by the body which causes its own allergic response, and the body feels seriously crap. The symptoms can be anything and everything from swelling to fluid retention, and so much more. It’s now recognised as a spectrum illness, with mild, moderate and severe levels to it. So let's dig a little deeper into what histamine is, and why the body is now developing a resistance to it. NB. As is usual, there's very little equine research out there, so this is based on recent human research and comparisons made to our horses. Histamine Histamine itself is found naturally in the body; the body makes it and, yes, we also consume it. It’s released by ‘mast cells’, one of the white blood cell team (the immunity protector cells) and they sit in the body’s connective tissues’ interstitial fluid, which is the thin layer of fluid which surrounds each and every one of the body’s cells. Ideally situated for when they have to spring into action. Mast cells are one of the body’s best friends, having recently been shown to have key roles in the initiation of adaptive immune responses, literally the body's killer army, and specifically relating to their role in allergies . They possess multiple pathogen recognition systems, and store large quantities of fully-active inflammatory mediators, which make them superior immunity sentinels, releasing the very earliest alarm when an offending allergy-triggering offender dares to land on the doorstep. Mast cells contain granules rich in histamine (and also heparin, the blood clot preventer), and release histamine as a first responder to those offending organisms. Yet histamine intolerance is now becoming a new label – it’s become so prevalent these days that there’s even a new medical diagnosis for it – MCAS - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome . MCAS is not just on the rise, it’s significantly on the rise. Most of us are familiar with typical raised histamine conditions/MCAS, i.e. hives, peanut allergy, raised welts from a bee sting, and dermatographia – sounds weird but you may know it - essentially it’s where you scratch your fingernail on your skin and it creates a raised red welt – you can literally write your name on your back in raised letters. Doctors actually use this letter-writing method to determine histamine levels in a patient, because when the mast cells have either excess histamine in them or they release histamine too easily, the body will develop dermatographia, so seeing letters swell up on the skin before your eyes is a surefire way to determine if there are excess levels of histamine in the body. However, there are a whole host of other multiple symptoms now coming to the fore, related to histamine intolerance, but sadly they’re poorly diagnosed, often mistreated, and they're causing real suffering. So, what’s behind this increase in mast cell activation? Here’s one clue for starters, and it’s all to do with our mobile phones and wifi, seriously. A recent Swedish study (Johannsen et al) shows that the effect of EMF - electro magnetic frequencies (mobile phones, mast towers, wifi, you name it) - on mast cells causes susceptible individuals to release more histamine that drives this allergic inflammatory response. Most conventional doctors don’t know about MCAS – their current approach remains that if there’s too much histamine, take an antihistamine. Trouble is, histamine also works as a neurotransmitter – when you take an antihistamine, what happens to you? You get drowsy. Exactly! Because – histamine’s actively involved in the sleep/wake cycle. When histamine’s at high enough levels it stimulates the brain – too much or too little histamine is bad, so when you attempt to block histamine, TaDah! You actually get sleepy. (Science nerd alert - one particular pharma drug out there, Modafinil (sold under the brand name Provigil, among others), is a pharmaceutical medication to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea - it actually targets histamine to keep levels higher to keep the brain awake.) What symptoms are now being triggered by MCAS? Food intolerances are common, as many histamine triggers are in the diet, so much so that some people are on restricted diets because certain foods trigger histamine release. Equine-related Clue No.1 . Some foods also contain an amino acid, histadine, mainly found in meat, which when digested is converted into histamine. Normally the body can process this but when there’s too much ingestion of histamine, or too much production of histamine, enter histamine intolerance, typically affecting people with food allergies. So what foods are high in histamine, and best avoided? Bacteria produce histamine, so leftover food, aged cheeses, cured meats - bacteria will start to break down histadine - that's me being careful with last night's leftovers then. I hate to kill the love for fermented foods as well – which for the record also feature highly in our kitchen - but fermented foods are fermented by ... bacteria!. These amazing health foods, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, yogurt … this is where eating these wonderfully healthful foods, in a person with histamine intolerance, is like putting petrol on a fire. Other symptoms that tend to be misdiagnosed? Allergy brain for starters, feeling fuzzy/foggy in the brain, often with associated bad headaches/migraines, due to excess amounts of histamine which is now known to have an impact on the brain. Then there’s nasal congestion, sinus issues, fatigue, digestive problems, menstrual cycle problems, nausea, vomiting … and if it’s really severe we’re into cramping, palpitations, anxiety, wonky temperature regulation. Then there’s oedema, fluid retention, swelling, puffy legs – sound familiar? Cue equine-related Clue No.2. Why? Because histamine has a direct action on the lymphatic system . Those mast cells, filled with too much histamine, sitting in the interstitial fluid surrounding every cell in the body, are now leaking the excess histamine straight into the lymph fluid, which, when it’s overburdened with toxins and twinned with lack of movement, becomes sluggish and the flow slows down, resulting in swelling/oedema. Another connection – and yes it relates to my favourite topics – leaky gut and the microbiome - cue equine-relatied Clue No. 3. When the body has dysbiosis of the microbiome (SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overload) , the negative gut microbes (bacteria again!) cause the mast cells to produce more histamine. When there’s excess histamine in the digestive tract, enter food intolerances. Equally, the negative bacteria may be causing the digestive breakdown of histadine into histamine, so it’s that old dodgy-gut thing again. Diagnosis So how does a doctor diagnose these various symptoms as a histamine intolerance? What tests - other than a SIBO test - are there? Well, as per usual, testing hasn’t reached our horse world, so we can only go by the human world. Currently, histamine can be measured in the blood; another marker for mast cell activation, the enzyme tryptase, can also be measured; also n-methyl histamine, a breakdown product of histamine, can be measured. There are many more methods, i.e. enzyme testing and so on, but if I ran through them all here your eyes would glaze over. Ultimately it all comes down to one size does not fit all . We’re all unique, whether horse or human, and it’s all about precision food medicine, as in precision nutrition. Some people do great on vegan diets; others do terribly. Some do brilliantly on Keto, others not so. Eating avocados and shellfish might be great for some, but might be killing others, never mind the wine and beer we (I) love so much as well! And as for our horses, some aren't bothered at all by the spring pollens - others are floored by it. It’s very much about personalising what’s right for that particulary genetic make-up – every individual body is different. To quote one of my favourite Function Medicine doctors, "Genes load the gun, but it's diet, lifestyle, and environment exposures that pull the trigger." Where does Functional Medicine fit in? Which links us nicely to one of the many concepts of Functional Medicine , where one disease (as in dis-ease, where the body is ill at ease) can have many causes - histamine intolerance is not alone here as it can have many causes. And one cause, such as that great masquerader, Lyme disease , can create many diseases across the board, such as neurological issues, joint and skin issues, chronic fatigue, dementia ... the list goes on. And … lyme is also associated with histamine intolerance because the lyme bacteria resides/hides in the connective tissue in the body, which in turn can activate the mast cells. There are also a lot of drugs that can interfere with histamine and warning, this list is scary – antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics; even muscle relaxants, pain meds, my nemesis PPIs ... even over the counter meds like Aspirin – all can be driving this histamine intolerance. Cue equine-related Clue No 4 - several meds here relating to horses ☹ It’s been shown that certain nutrients can break down histamine, i.e the B-vits 1, 6 and 12, folate, vit.C, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium - all critical nutrients, and foods high in Quercetin, a natural antihistamine. Ginkgo biloba is high in quercetin (also said to be beneficial for Covid), as is good old Turmeric . As is my friend, the odd glass of red wine 😉 The wondrous and super-nutritious Nettle is also known as a beneficial antihistamine as it can block the receptor sites that histamine usually latches on to, all due to its antagonist/negative agonist activity but I won't blind you with the science behind that one. And remember the enzyme tryptase from earlier, that's released alongside histamine and which promotes its effects? Nettle also inhibits tryptase - clever nettle. Both Ginkgo and Nettle feature in our PollenTonic blend. Which links us nicely to our horses Definite clues and comparisons to be had here – certainly the lymphatic connection, i.e. puffy leg syndrome, lymphangitis, CPL (chronic progressive lymphodema). And of course, all those spring tree pollens and summer grass pollens are all dumping themselves on our horses’ grazing, with no doubt plenty of pollen residue in their hay as well, which they’re then ingesting. When you look at the Big Picture, ultimately it’s yet another case of removing the bad, replacing with the right food and nutrients, looking after the microbiome, fixing the leaky gut, and letting the healing begin. Originally written Jul'21, copied over from our old website

Meet Jenny, who with her partner runs two organic farms in Cornwall. Almost a qualified BHSAI until a back injury ended her equine career, she still had driving instructor, PADI diving instructor, pet shop owner, Life Coach, Reiki Level 1, and now the UK's sole Zeolite Distributor waiting in the wings, before meeting her partner and running the farms alongside a stunning 5* campsite.