GUTBITTERS Organic Herbal Blend for Horses *Grass flush? Bitter balance, biome reset, happy gut
Grass flush? Loose droppings? GutBitters has you covered.
Herbal bitters are making a comeback, and for good reason. This synergistic blend of organic bitter herbs helps reawaken digestion, balance the microbiome, and support the gut-liver axis through seasonal changes.
Ideal during spring and autumn grass flushes or whenever digestion needs a gentle, natural reset.
✨"Within a day on GutBitters, her droppings returned to normal! Impressed!"
Overview
It's that time again - the grass flushes and our horses get cow-splatty loose droppings, especially common when our horses are switching from a winter on stemmy, fibre-rich hay to an abundance of fresh, juicy, green grass-shoots.
The reason? The sudden high percentage of water in those fresh new neon-green grass blades - up to 60% higher water content than the winter hay our horses have been eating, and with zero cellulose fibre going through the hindgut, causing disruption in the gut flora.
It's simple enough to reverse by restricting access to the green stuff and keeping an adlib hay supply on tap. But what we can also do is feed 'bitter' herbs.
While they may seem like just another flavour, bitters offer far more than meets the palate.
Bitter herbs trigger a powerful physiological response that goes well beyond digestion. Yes, they support nutrient absorption and metabolic function - but their reach extends further, influencing the cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems too. It’s this broad-spectrum impact that gives bitters their remarkable, system-wide benefits.
See our Blog The Bitter Reflex for how bitter herbs can really help your horse at this time of year.
For further insights on the equine gut system, see our main A-Z/Gut System page in the Advice Centre above.
Is GutBitters Right for My Horse?
🌿 Ideal for horses who…
- Show loose droppings, bloating, or mild digestive upset during spring or autumn grass flushes.
- Struggle to transition smoothly when pasture or forage changes.
- Are on lush grass, haylage, or richer winter hay and need extra bitter balance to reawaken digestion.
- Have dull coats or sluggish digestion, suggesting a slow gut–liver axis
⚠️ Not suitable for horses who…
- Have active or suspected gastric ulcers (bitters may increase stomach acid during acute flare-ups).
- Are pregnant or nursing mares (due to hormonally active bitters such as Artemisia and Angelica).
- Are currently on omeprazole, antacids, or prescription digestive medications unless advised by a vet (feed several hours apart if used).
- Need more targeted support for more chronic gut issues - see SiboCARE or LeakyGutCOMBO for a restorative approach.
Composition & Feed Guide
Composition Glossary
- Angelica archangelica – A classic bitter–aromatic herb that gently stimulates saliva and gastric secretions, helping prepare the digestive tract for efficient nutrient assimilation. Traditionally valued as a warming carminative to dispel gas and ease sluggish digestion.
- Arctium lappa – A mild bitter and alterative that supports elimination pathways through the liver and skin, encouraging gentle detoxification and gut flora balance.
- Matricaria recutita – A soothing digestive nervine that helps calm gastrointestinal tension and ease stress-related digestive upsets, while supporting normal motility.
- Taraxacum officinale Radix – Renowned hepatic and bitter tonic that supports liver function, aiding detoxification and metabolic stability.
- Foeniculum vulgare – Aromatic carminative that helps relax smooth muscle in the gut and reduce digestive discomfort, gently complementing stronger bitters.
- Origanum vulgare – Traditionally used to maintain microbial balance in the digestive tract, helping to moderate excessive fermentation and support healthy gut flora.
- Artemisia absinthium – A strong bitter tonic long associated with stimulating appetite and digestive secretions; used in moderation to promote digestive vigour and discourage unfriendly gut organisms.
- Achillea millefolium* – A balancing herb with gentle bitter, aromatic, and circulatory-supportive actions, helping to tone mucous membranes and support smooth digestive function.
* Grown especially for us organically and biodynamically by OHT Co. https://www.biodynamics.com/what-is-biodynamics
Feed Guide
🌿Organic Dried Herb Blend
Human grade, produced to ecological standards and free from agro-chemicals. See our Quality page for Organic Certification Documents.
- Feed 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, i.e. 25g for a 500kg horse.
- 1 x level 75ml scoop = 15-grams.
Fussy Eater?
Horses sometimes have their own opinions (and strong tastebuds!), so now and then a new blend might need a little extra encouragement. This doesn’t reflect the quality or efficacy of the product, but rather their natural instinct towards new flavours.
Check out our Fussy Eaters page, or send us a message - we've many helpful tips to make introducing new supplements easier.
Footnotes
- Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
- Human grade.
- ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
- 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.
Clinical Considerations
Advisories
- Feed during spring and autumn grass flushes, or when droppings become loose from sudden dietary change.
- Introduce gradually, allowing the gut to adapt to the bitter taste - start with a small pinch and build up to the recommended rate.
- Feed for a minimum 2-weeks to stabilise the hindgut.
- Avoid long-term continuous feeding; best used in 4–6 week seasonal courses.
- Feed alongside ad-lib hay to maintain adequate fibre intake and help stabilise the hindgut microbiome.
- Bitters are naturally stimulating - ideally feed earlier in the day to align with digestive rhythms.
- Can be paired with LKLCARE for deeper gut–liver axis support.
Contraindications
- Not suitable for pregnant or nursing mares due to the presence of hormonally active bitters (notably Artemisia absinthium and Angelica archangelica ).
- Avoid use in horses with known gastric irritation or ulceration during acute flare-ups (bitters may increase gastric acid secretion).
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