A practitioner’s guide to what works, what to watch for, and how to get it right

Horses are athletes. Even the backyard pony carries the same skeletal architecture as a Grand Prix show jumper, hooves pounding ground, joints absorbing impact, connective tissue working hard every day. Add age, repetitive work, a hard paddock, or an unlucky landing, and joint pain becomes one of the most common complaints I see in practice.

Over 35 years as a practising medical herbalist, I have reached for the same core group of herbs time and again for joint pain and repair. These are not trendy supplements. They are clinically proven, traditionally well-established, and in many cases backed by human and animal trial data. They work but only when you use them correctly, from good sources, in the right combination for that particular horse.

This is what I use. This is what I know.

“I love how incredibly versatile medicinal plants can be. Magic.” — Angela Davison

Understanding Joint Pain in Horses

Joint pain in horses most commonly presents as osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear degeneration of joint cartilage and surrounding tissue. You might see it as stiffness after rest, reluctance to work, shortened stride, or swelling around a joint. In more chronic cases, calcifications can develop, and the horse’s way of going changes in subtle ways that experienced eyes pick up long before a vet visit.

What I have learned over many years is that joint pain rarely exists in isolation. A horse who is sore in the joints is often also carrying nutritional deficiencies, chronic low-grade inflammation elsewhere, or an emotional/energetic load that compounds physical symptoms. My Hair Assessment Protocol looks at all of this together. But for this article, I am focusing specifically on the herbs I use most for joint pain and repair, the ones that earn their place in my dispensary again and again.

The Herbs I Reach For Most

The following are not the only herbs useful for equine joint conditions, there are many more. But these are the ones I commonly use in practice, with notes on why, how, and what to watch for.

Celery Seed  (Apium graveolens)

Anti-inflammatory, and particularly useful over time for osteoarthritis. What I find so valuable about celery seed is its ability to chip away at calcifications gradually, a slow burn herb that rewards patience and consistency. A much-used extract in my practice.

Cat’s Claw  (Uncaria tomentosa)

Stem and bark used. Immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. Cat’s claw is useful for osteoarthritis, particularly in horses where immune system involvement is part of the picture. One important note: contraindicated in pregnancy.

Boswellia  (Boswellia serrata)

The oleogum resin is used medicinally. Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and with some anti-tumour activity. Boswellia is most effective in dried form — the extract is highly resinous and sticks to the tongue unpleasantly. In my experience, horses simply do not enjoy taking it in liquid extract form over the tongue, which is rare. Stick to dried.

Clinical evidence combining Boswellia with Turmeric and Withania over a three-month period showed significant reduction in pain and disability in osteoarthritis patients. This is a combination I respect.

Devil’s Claw  (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Root used. Anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, analgesic. Excellent for osteoarthritis and pain management, and one of the best herbs I know for muscle pain specifically. Devil’s Claw is a workhorse of my dispensary.

But — and I cannot stress this strongly enough — take care when purchasing. There are many adulterants on the market. Not all Harpagophytums are the same species. You need Harpagophytum procumbens root specifically for reliable therapeutic effect. Source matters. Cheap is not always good here.

Nettle Leaf  (Urtica dioica / Urtica urens)

Leaf used. Anti-inflammatory, good for osteoarthritis, and with a haemostatic action that makes it useful for bleeders, many old trainers have known this for generations. Nettle leaf is also supportive for skin conditions.

One critical distinction: nettle leaf and nettle root have different actions. For arthritic joint conditions, you want leaf, not root.

A caution worth noting: in 38 years of practice, I have seen one horse with a genuine allergic reaction to nettle leaf, presenting with large itching plaques over the body that resolved within three days of removing the formula. Rare, but worth monitoring when introducing it.

Rosehip  (Rosa canina)

Fruit (hips) used. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, high in Vitamin C, and a genuinely good all-round tonic. Rosehip has clinically demonstrated the ability to reduce arthritis pain, and it requires higher doses to achieve the joint-specific effect.

An interesting experiential observation from my practice: black, brown, bay and chestnut horses seem to respond better to rosehips than greys, coloureds or duns. This is not something you will find in the pharmacopoeias. It is something I have noticed over time. I mention it because it reflects exactly why bespoke formulas matter, individual horses respond differently, and no off-the-shelf blend can account for that.

Turmeric  (Curcuma longa)

Rhizome used. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, choleretic. Turmeric helps so many body systems that it has become something of a celebrity herb and for good reason. For joint pain and osteoarthritis specifically, the evidence is compelling.

Clinical trials in humans with osteoarthritis showed that turmeric rhizome combined with Boswellia resin and Withania somnifera root, given over three months, significantly reduced pain and disability. I have observed comparable results in horses with this combination in appropriate formulas.

Important caution: at high doses, turmeric has antiplatelet activity. Take care with horses (or people) already on antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. I am not talking about normal therapeutic doses here, I have been using turmeric in practice for decades and taking it myself without any negative effects. The caution applies specifically to high doses in conjunction with blood-thinning medications.

Willow Bark  (Salix alba, S. daphnoides, S. purpurea, S. fragilis)

Bark used medicinally. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fever. Willow bark is the original aspirin the willow species have been used for pain and inflammation for centuries, and they continue to earn their place in my dispensary for joint and muscle conditions. Much used. Reliable. Well-established.

Astragalus  (Astragalus membranaceus)

Root used. Primarily an immune-enhancing herb, which I have used for many years for chronic infections. More recent clinical evidence in human trials has supported its value in joint problems too. The versatility of medicinal plants never ceases to be remarkable.

Getting the Most From Herbal Treatment

The tea method — a tip worth knowing

If you are using dry herbs, making a tea rather than feeding the dried plant directly will hasten the therapeutic effect. Water-soluble components are absorbed immediately from a tea, rather than having to pass through the entire gastro-intestinal tract first. Leave the plant material in the liquid and add the whole lot to feed. Simple, effective, faster results.

Quality and adulteration — a real problem

The herbal market has quality issues. This is not alarmism, it is a fact I have seen repeatedly in practice. If you are purchasing dry herbs, buy from a reputable, established distributor. Devil’s Claw is a particular area of concern, but adulteration and poor-quality plant material affects many herbs. The best formula in the world will not work if the raw material is substandard.

Individual response matters

The herbs listed here are the ones I commonly reach for with joint conditions. But the right combination for your horse depends on the individual, their age, condition, history, other health factors, and what I discover through assessment. One horse’s ideal joint formula may look nothing like another’s. That is not a flaw in herbal medicine. That is its greatest strength.

“The results are only as good as the operator doing the tests and the knowledge base plus the experience of the practitioner who should be able to collate the whole picture.” — Angela Davison

Frequently Asked Questions

What herbs are good for horse joint pain?

The most effective herbs for horse joint pain include Devil’s Claw (anti-inflammatory and analgesic), Turmeric (powerful anti-inflammatory with clinical trial support), Willow Bark (natural pain relief), Rosehip (antioxidant joint support), Celery Seed (useful for calcifications), Boswellia (anti-arthritic), Nettle Leaf, and Cat’s Claw. The right combination depends on the individual horse. A bespoke formula tailored to the specific animal will always outperform a generic blend.

Is turmeric good for horses with joint pain?

Yes. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of the most widely used herbs for equine joint pain. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and clinical trials show that turmeric combined with Boswellia and Withania significantly reduces osteoarthritis pain and disability over three months. Use standard therapeutic doses — the only caution is at high doses in horses already on antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications.

Can you give a horse Devil’s Claw for arthritis?

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is excellent for equine osteoarthritis and muscle pain. It is anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, and analgesic. The critical detail is quality. Only Harpagophytum procumbens root has reliable therapeutic effect. There are many adulterants on the market and not all Harpagophytum species deliver the same results. Always source from a reputable supplier.

What is the best natural anti-inflammatory for horses?

There is no single best option, the ideal anti-inflammatory herb depends on the horse and the condition. Angela Davison’s most commonly used herbs for equine inflammation include Devil’s Claw, Turmeric, Willow Bark, Boswellia, and Celery Seed for joint-related issues. The most effective approach is always a bespoke formula targeted to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all supplement.

Is Willow Bark safe for horses?

Yes, Willow Bark (Salix alba and related species) is safe for horses when used appropriately. It provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-fever effects and is well-established in equine herbal practice for joint and muscle pain. It is one of the original herbal pain-relief medicines, with centuries of traditional use and a strong safety profile.

How do I make a herbal tea for my horse’s joints?

Brew your chosen dry herbs as a tea, leave the plant material in the liquid, and add directly to feed. This method accelerates therapeutic effect because water-soluble components are absorbed immediately rather than passing through the full gastro-intestinal tract. Always source dry herbs from a reputable distributor — quality and adulteration are genuine concerns in the herbal market.

A Note on Formulas and Individual Assessment

Everything in this article reflects what I use regularly in clinical practice. But I want to be clear: listing individual herbs is only one layer of the picture. The real work, the work that gets lasting results, is figuring out which herbs in which combination are right for a specific horse at a specific time.

An off-the-shelf joint supplement may contain several of these herbs. It may help. But a horse with a chronic joint condition, recurring lameness, or a complex health history will almost always benefit from a more thorough look at the whole horse, not just the sore joint. That is what my Hair Assessment Protocol is designed to do.

In the meantime, these herbs represent the best of what plant medicine has to offer for joint pain and repair. Used well, from good sources, they are genuinely powerful. That is not marketing. That is 38 years of clinical experience talking.

— Angela Davison, ATMS Fellow

Angela Davison

Angela Davison is an ATMS Fellow and accredited herbal medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience in natural animal health. As the founder of The Horse Herbalist, she is dedicated to restoring equine wellbeing through pharmaceutical-grade herbal formulas and her proprietary Hair Assessment Protocol, which provides a unique, whole-horse perspective on physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Angela’s passion lies in empowering horse owners to move beyond conventional limitations by harnessing the innate healing power of nature. Whether through her bespoke herbal blends or expert guidance on long-term wellness, she helps horses perform at their best while maintaining the balance, happiness, and longevity they deserve.

 

goldfreedomau.com

The post Natural Herbs for Horse Joint Pain appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

jesse

thehorseherbalist.com

The post The magic of Aloe Vera appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

jesse

thehorseherbalist.com

The post How to build Super Immunity appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

For anxiety, nerves, sleeplessness, stress and both long and short term situations where calm is required

Angela Davison

The post Equine Herbal Blends for Humans too! appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

It’s also probably not your gelding’s favourite thing either. But sometimes nature needs a little bit of a hand to keep everything clean, hygienic, and comfortable for your horse.

You certainly should never put chemicals like baby oil (which is petroleum based) in such a delicate area. Baby oil will only attract more dirt, and can actually irritate rather than clean and soothe the area.

The fabulous cartoon is used with permission from the artist, Jody Werner of Misfits Designs.  Thankyou!

Sophie

The post Read this Before You Clean that Sheath! appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Angela had only been in practice treating humans for two years. All the medical and herbal books literature said don’t mess about with septicaemia, get to a hospital, but they had just been sent home!  She was at her wits’ end,  searching through notes and books from her Herbal Diploma Course.  Suddenly, she remembered some teachings by the eclectics from the early 1900’s in which they successfully treated all manner of really nasty infections.  Using this knowledge, Angela created a powerful Infection Mix (now marketed as Bug Buster) to try and boost her partner’s immune system and halt the rampant progress of this acute bloodstream infection.

‘I gave low ‘trigger’ doses every 10 minutes overnight and into the next day’  says Angela.  ‘By 10am he looked a little better in the eyes, his temperature – whilst still too high – was much lower than the prior evening. By 1pm he felt strong enough for me to help him to the shower. Removing the clothes I was astonished and excited to see sores with pustules had erupted all over his body. This felt like it was the toxins in his body making their way out through his skin.

I increased the time between doses to hourly, then two hourly and so on over the following two days, finally reduced to one dose morning and night which he remained on for ten days. His body was a mess with pus erupting out of small sores all over his skin (even in his ears!) but despite this he was feeling and looking better and better. His temperature was normal by the end of the first 24 hours of treatment.  By day 4 his skin had totally cleaned up and his former energy had returned.’

Bug Buster is an extremely powerful formula.  For some it has been the difference between living and dying. I have thousands of case histories demonstrating its effectiveness in ridding the body of all manner of infections, including a number of bone infections in horse, human and dog.

We now live in times where infections are becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. Bug Buster can be used as a stand alone motivator and stimulant for the immune system and can also be used for 7-10 days after a course of antibiotics works as an active or preventative treatment.  Find out more here.

Angela Davison

The post Bug Buster – A Powerful Mix appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.