For   centuries, us humans counted on spring’s nutrient-rich plants for food and nourishment after the long winter’s hungry gap, but our horses were in on the secret way before us - you try and stop Murf hoovering up the dandelion leaves at the mo!

Here are some horse-friendly favourites to spot this spring:

Hawthorn – the heart’s favourite

Known as the Lady of May, hawthorn is one of spring’s most beautiful and symbolic trees - blooming in time-honoured May Day tradition and steeped in folklore and superstition. But it’s not just pretty - hawthorn’s blossoms, leaves and berries are celebrated for their powerful heart-supportive properties and a gentle nervine. A herb of the heart in every sense - physically, emotionally, and energetically.

Horses love nibbling the almond-flavoured flowering tops in spring, instinctively drawn to its support for circulation and emotional calm – for us humans the flowers are lovely added into a cooling gin and tonic. Hawthorn is one of EquiNatural’s major staples on the shelf, the berries into our CalmTonic and HarmonyTonic, with the flowering tops & leaves into wherever circulation needs to keep moving, i.e. SwItchTonic, JSTTonic, LKLCARE and LymphCARE. Plus providing  beneficial prebiotics, both go into our WildFed.

Ox-Eye Daisy - a pretty face with powerful benefits

Who knew the humble daisy would be one of the best-tasting wild flowers? With its cheerful white petals and sunny yellow centre, the daisy isn’t just a pretty face – it’s a gentle yet powerful herb with a long folk history. Traditionally used to support the lungs, soothe coughs, and ease tension, it’s also mildly bitter, helping nudge sluggish digestion. Horses will happily nibble the flowers when foraging, and us humans get to use the buds as capers. Springtime in floral form – simple, soothing, and quietly effective.

Dandelion – spring’s ultimate detoxifier

Bright, bold dandelion is a powerhouse of spring renewal. The whole plant is medicinal - horses instinctively nibble its bitter leaves and those spirit-lifting flowers to support liver, kidneys and digestion - Murf is currently hoovering up dandelions right now, flowers and all! The older and larger the leaves get, the more bitter they become - and right now, bitter herbs are a must-have to stabilise digestion due to the rich spring grass disrupting the gut environment. Add in shifting toxins, stimulate bile to digest the EFAs, and restoring vitality after a long winter, dandelion is a proper first-aid plant for the spring shift.
 
No surprise, dandelion leaves and roots feature in so many of our blends as a proprietary supporter in all our liver and kidney range, as well as GutBitters, B12-Balance, and so many more.

Fat Hen (aka Lamb’s Quarters, Goosefoot, Pigweed…)

So many names for one humble plant! Fat Hen (Chenopodium album) thrives in poor soils, drought-tolerant, and found happily loitering in hedgerows, ditches, and disturbed ground – you’ll find it alongside just about every farm track. Horses will happily browse its young shoots, while us humans can eat the flower tops like purple sprouting broccoli. Rich in minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, it’s one of those wild greens that quietly supports vitality from the ground up.

Chickweed - the anti-itch all-star

One of my all-time favourites, chickweed is small but mighty - and your horse knows it, because sometimes the littlest herbs pack the biggest punch!

This juicy little ground herb is one of the first to pop up in spring, jammed with nutrients and offering potent anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and lymph-supporting properties. Helping clear internal heat, soothe irritated skin, and support detox pathways, it's no wonder it’s a favourite for sweet itch sufferers. We blend it into our SwItchTonic and LymphTone (together with the renowned combo of calendula and cleavers).

Cleavers - nature’s drainage tonic

The sticky little straggler of the hedgerow, cleavers is one of spring’s most generous plants for lymphatic health. Horses will purposely seek it out, knowing its cooling, cleansing properties will help shift sluggishness and puffiness as the seasons change. Traditionally used to 'clear the tubes', cleavers gently supports the lymph, kidneys and skin – a classic choice for detox and drainage. Fresh is best, and horses love it straight from the hedgerow.
 
Cleavers features in our lymphatics range and so many other of our blends when we need to get the toxins out.

Nettle – nature’s multivit

Don’t be fooled by the sting – it’s said to stimulate serotonin! (But as for throwing yourself into a rampant overgrowth to get a hit ... I wouldn't recommend it!)

Nettle is one of the most nutrient-dense herbs in nature - a true powerhouse and a staple in too many of our blends to list here. Rich in numerous minerals including calcium, chromium, magnesium, iron, silica, and protein-building amino acids – not to mention vitamins A, C, and B1 – it’s a brilliant tonic for hooves, coat, kidneys, circulation, and overall spring vitality.

Our Cookie used to nip the tops straight from the plant, but Murf (and most other horses!) prefers it cut and wilted. Think of it as nature’s own multi-vitamin, growing right under our noses.

A few words of caution

As always:

• Take care – some plants have poisonous look-alikes, i.e. cow parsley and hemlock.
• Avoid sprayed or contaminated verges.

Happy spring foraging!

Forage mindfully, support naturally – and let your horse show you what they need ... 😉