How Aniseed Can Be Helpful For Your Horse's Natural Healthcare

What is Aniseed?

Anise is a herb from the parsley family, and is native to Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean region. However, it also grows in other parts of the world, such as areas in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

It contains several properties including: acetophenone, anethole, anise alcohol, estragole, limonene, p-anisaldehyde, and pinene.

Why Use Aniseed With Your Horse?

Aniseed Powder is often fed to horses for several reasons, including to help:

• Support the respiratory system - for instance to alleviate coughs and sinus issues
• Support the digestive systems
• With lactation
• Encourage fussy eaters - as it has a sweet smell which some horses enjoy (see the linked research by Perry and Fenton and Francis et al, listed below which both looked at this fact)

Research relating to Anise and Animals

Safety and efficacy of feed additives obtained from the fruit of Pimpinella anisum L.: anise oil for use in poultry and horses and anise tincture for use in poultry, dogs, cats and horses (FEFANA asbl) - - 2023 - EFSA Journal - Wiley Online Library https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7976

E. Perry, J. Fenton,  An assessment of olfactory influence on equine feeding preferences, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 100, 2021,103508, ISSN 0737-0806,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103508.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080621001386)

Jesse M. Francis, Caitlin R. Neander, Mikelle J. Roeder, Erin B. Perry,
The Influence of Topically Applied Oil–Based Palatants on Eating Behavior in Horses, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 91, 2020

The effect of anise seed powder (Pimpinella animus) on performance, nutrient digestibility and infectious microbes on suckling calf intestine Journal of Veterinary Research 2016 Vol 71 No.1

Is It Safe To Feed Aniseed To Your Horse?

As with any herb OR actually any food or supplement, consider if your horse will actually benefit from it. Moderation can be key for any food or supplement, it is possible to use too much of something - even if it's a natural product.

If you're unsure, do speak to your veterinary surgeon or a specialist equestrian nutritionist for advice.

There are many veterinarians who specialise in holistic health, so if your vet is unsure, it maybe worth speaking to a specialist holistic equine veterinarian for advice.

Where Can You Buy Aniseed For Your Horse?

Many health supplements contain some aniseed. But for best results of it, buy either the straight herb or tincture. Or a product where it is one of the main ingredients. For instance specialist equine health companies like Horse Health and Equus Health both supply aniseed. With it as a main (or sole) ingredient.


Like help finding a veterinary surgeon or therapist for your animal?
Please email me at info at taranet . co. uk

Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

Exciting News About This Natural Pet HealthCare Blog
It's been selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 10 UK Animal Blogs on the web. Check out this here

About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

Love These 5 Brilliant Mud Fever Prevention Tips For Your Horse

What is mud fever?

If you have a horse, pony or donkey then mud fever is an ailment you have probably heard of. But what is it? As I talk about on my holistic mud fever tips page here, it is a skin condition. And is a condition that doesn't only always happen in wet muddy conditions.

How to know if your horse has mud fever?

If your equine has any kind of soreness or skin irritation on his or her legs, do speak to your vet. There are many different skin ailments, which can look similar. So getting a professional diagnosis is essential. Then the most appropriate treatment plan can be decided upon.

So if your horse has mud fever, here are 5 top holistic tips to help

1 Firstly, prevention is key. Try and ensure the conditions in which your horse is kept are the best possible. Although of course do remember, it doesn't matter how careful you are - sometimes your horse will still get it, so don't be too hard on yourself as a loving horse owner!

But if there is the opportunity to ensure your horse isn't having to go through lots of mud or stand in wet conditions, then that can be very helpful. You can find other management tips at my mud fever tips page here.

2 Veterinary homeopathy can be a great natural way to help treat mud fever. Speak to your veterinarian for advice. If they aren't aware or don't specialise in veterinary homeopathy, then you can find many specialist qualified veterinary homeopaths around the world. Find members of the British Association of Veterinary Homeopaths online at https://bahvs.net

3 Laser Therapy has had many great results with skin conditions with a variety of animals. The Veterinary Practice website states: "Photobiomodulation therapy has the potential to make a significant impact on the overall prognosis and outcome of veterinary patients treated for acute traumatic injuries, yet it is commonly overlooked".

There are veterinarians and veterinary nurses who've completed training in laser therapy. So ask at your practice if they offer this, or you may find a qualified veterinary professional near you.

4 Supplements - the importance of having a healthy immune system cannot be overestimated. When the immune system is compromised then illness is more likely to manifest. Although it cannot eliminate ill-health, it's sensible to do your best for your horse to be as healthy as possible (and same goes too for you or any of your other pets!). So is your horse's diet giving the most nutrition as possible?

Supplementation can be useful to help promote a healthy immune system. There are many you can buy that only contain natural ingredients. Aloe vera, rosehips , seaweed and echinacea are just four of dozens that can be useful.

Find out more information in my immune health for animals advice page here

5 Herbal medicine is vast. There are dozens if not hundreds and hundreds of different herbs that can be used for your horse's health. Many can be helpful for skin health. This includes aloe vera, seabuckthorn, plus lots more.

Your veterinary surgeon can help advice on what may work best. It maybe your horse has the herbs as a skin preparation you apply to the skin. Or as a supplement, to help 'from the inside out'. Or both.

Get more information on herbal medicine for animal health in my advice page here.


Finally….Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

Exciting News About This Natural Pet HealthCare Blog
It's been selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 10 UK Animal Blogs on the web. Check out this here

About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.