🌿 Nettle for horses – natural health support from the meadow

June 12, 2025

Nettle is a plant most of us associate with an unpleasant stinging sensation upon contact with the skin. But in the world of equine nutrition, it's gaining status as one of the most valuable natural health supplements. Why is it worth considering nettle as part of a horse's diet?

💚 What does nettle contain?

Nettle is a real treasure trove of nutrients , such as:

✓iron, calcium, magnesium and silicon – essential for blood, bones and hooves,
✓vitamins A, C, K and B group – for immunity, skin and nervous system,
✓flavonoids and antioxidants – supporting natural detoxification processes.

This makes nettle act as a natural multivitamin for the horse.

🐴 How does nettle affect a horse's body?

Regular use of nettle supports:

✓cleansing the body of toxins,
✓liver and kidney function,
✓improved circulation and tissue oxygenation,
✓strengthening immunity,
✓improving the quality of coat and hooves.

This is especially important during periods of seasonal change , after illness or intense exercise.

✅ Why does nettle support kidney function?

Nettle has a diuretic effect, meaning it increases urine output. This means:

✓helps remove toxins from the body,
✓supports blood purification,
✓relieves the liver,
✓can support horses with a tendency to retain water or edema.

This is why it is said to “cleanse the body” – but in reality it is mainly about improving the function of the kidneys and urinary tract .

📅 When should you give nettle to your horse?

Nettle is especially effective:

✓during shedding – supports skin regeneration and the growth of healthy fur,
✓ after drug treatment – cleanses the body of drug residues,
✓ for older and weakened horses – has a strengthening effect,
✓ in spring and autumn – as a natural “detox” and immune support.

🥄 How to administer nettle?

Dried nettle is most commonly used – it can be added to feed or mash.
The recommended dose is approximately 30–50 g per day for a 500 kg horse.
🔁 Use cyclically , e.g. for 4–6 weeks, then take a break.

⚠️ What to watch out for?

Although nettle is safe and well tolerated, you should not :

✓give it all year round without a break – it may put excessive strain on the kidneys,
✓use in horses with kidney disease without consulting a veterinarian.

⚠️ Why shouldn't it be given all year round?

The diuretic effect is a double-edged sword . With long-term administration:

✓the kidneys may become overloaded – constant stimulation of their work does not allow them to naturally “rest”,

✓ electrolyte imbalance may occur, e.g. sodium, potassium or calcium leaching,

✓the body may become dehydrated , especially if the horse has little access to water or sweats heavily (e.g. summer, training).

Therefore, nettle works best in cycles – for example, 3–6 weeks of administration, then at least a month off . Seasonal administration makes sense, for example, in spring (after winter), during shedding , or after illness .