Here we examine calming herbs for horses and humans. These herbs form part of a natural approach to relieving tension and anxiety in horses, ponies and donkeys and humans.
Herbs can be used on their own or as part of a supplement. The addition to humans using herbs more frequently, it seems to be increasing in the diet of today’s horses. So, what herbs should have a calming effect on not only yourself but your horse too?
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is highly beneficial for both horses and humans, largely due to its adaptogenic properties, which help the body cope with physical and emotional stress. For horses, ashwagandha is particularly valuable in reducing anxiety and improving mental focus. It can calm excitable or stressed horses, making it useful in high-pressure situations like competitions or during transport. Additionally, it enhances stamina and endurance, making it a great supplement for performance horses that require sustained energy without the side effects of stimulants. Its ability to support immune function also helps horses recover from illness or handle environmental changes more effectively.
In humans, ashwagandha is best known for its ability to lower stress and anxiety levels by reducing cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This makes it a powerful natural remedy for managing chronic stress and promoting relaxation. It is also widely used to improve sleep quality and combat insomnia by calming the nervous system. Ashwagandha’s benefits extend beyond stress relief, as it also enhances cognitive function, improves focus, and boosts overall mental clarity, making it an excellent choice for people who want to maintain sharpness while staying calm under pressure.
Both horses and humans can also benefit from ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce joint pain and promote recovery from physical exertion. Its antioxidant properties further support immune health, preventing illness and aiding recovery. For horses, this means less inflammation in joints and muscles, improving mobility and comfort, while for humans, it can support healthy aging and reduce symptoms associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Overall, ashwagandha is a versatile and safe herb with wide-ranging benefits for both species.
Valerian
Valerian is a common herb included in calming supplements for horses and derives from the root of the Valerian plant.
Valerian is thought to interact with a chemical messenger that helps to regulate nerve impulses in the brain, called GABA. In humans, low levels of this chemical messenger have been shown to induce symptoms of stress and anxiety. However, valerian supplementation is thought to reduce the breakdown of this GABA, resulting in feelings of calmness, as well as stimulate neurological compounds acting on parts of the brain that process a response to stress.
Unlike some herbs, Valerian also hasn’t had much research invested in it as a calming herb for horses equine supplement for calming. However, it is a prohibited substance in FEI competition.
Chamomile
Chamomile offers several benefits for horses, primarily due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps soothe nervous or anxious horses, making it useful in stressful situations like travel, competitions, or during recovery. The herb acts as a mild sedative, promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness, and can support better digestion by reducing gut inflammation and spasms, which can help prevent colic.
Additionally, chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities, making it helpful for horses with sore muscles, joint pain, or skin irritations. Its antibacterial properties can aid in wound healing and reduce swelling or infections. Chamomile is often given as a supplement in the form of tea, dried flowers, or tinctures, and is generally well-tolerated by most horses.
Lavender
Humans have reaped the benefits of lavender for improved sleep quality for years. It is now even used in a range of sleep sprays and bathing products. However, only in the past few years has it come to light that it can also benefit the sleep of our horses.
A paper published in 2017 investigated the effect of inhaling lavender, as an essential oil, on horse behaviour and stress response. After a roll-on was applied, the researchers found that horses had decreased stress levels, less dedication, decreased alert stance and a slower heart rate.
Lemon Balm for Horses
Lemon balm is generally associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance, as well as reduced cortisol in horses and humans. However, Lemon Balm has only been found beneficial on cognitive function when intake was in fluid form. In addition, researchers have observed that higher doses do not necessarily mean better results, with an increased dose of the herbal extract showing signs of fatigue in research subjects.
There a few studies surrounding the benefits of lemon balm as a calming herb for horses, when supplemented in diets. Many supplement companies choose to use Lemon Balm
Are Herbal Supplements Worth Using for Calming Horses?
There is a mixed consensus among the equestrian community as to whether herbal supplements for calming horses are a worthy addition to their diets. Research suggests there are positive benefits of using herbs in a horse’s diet.
As with any calming supplement for horses, some will work better than others – ultimately, it’s a trial-and-error process that most horse owners have to go through.
We recommend using herbal supplements with caution, especially if you are on the competition circuit. There are many sedative herbs that are banned in the FEI Controlled Substances List.
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