As the health benefits of Rooibos for humans have become well established over the last twenty years thanks to a growing body of evidence and ongoing research, it should come as no surprise that it is increasingly being sought out for other applications. In recent years, its use has increasingly become common in the equestrian trade, for many of the same reasons that consumers have become ardent fans.
From its utility as a healthy dietary supplement, to being useful in helping to manage allergies, and beyond to practical application in bedding due to its anti-fungal properties, the use of rooibos in the equestrian trade is an area of growing interest. In this article we unpack the various benefits that rooibos may provide to horses, and to the owners of stables and feed companies.
As Good for Horses as Humans
Horse owners are always looking to identify beneficial dietary supplements to ensure their horses receive optimal nutrition in order to maintain good health. In this area, Rooibos has come to the fore in recent years as the equestrian trade has come to understand the many benefits that it may provide, whilst appreciating how safe Rooibos is for horses.
With many horses having specific dietary needs that cannot always be met through forage and feed alone – especially those in high-performance disciplines, older horses, or those with health conditions – supplements may help address deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, supporting bone strength, muscle development, digestion, and immune function.
Additionally, and in the same manner that Rooibos offers humans a range of health benefits, horses prone to stress, joint issues, allergies, or metabolic disorders may benefit from targeted supplements to enhance well-being and longevity. By incorporating beneficial supplements such as Rooibos into their horses’ diet, owners can promote overall health, prevent potential health issues, and support their horse’s specific needs more effectively.
Putting Rooibos out front as a firm favourite when it comes to dietary supplements or horses are two key benefits which have been established through research in recent years: the antioxidants it contains, and the anti-inflammatory benefits it provides. As Rooibos contains polyphenols and flavonoids – such as aspalathin and quercetin – which help neutralise free radicals, the addition of Rooibos to horse feed supports immune function and overall health, particularly in performance or aging horses.
For the same reason, the bioflavonoids in Rooibos, particularly its ability to boost glutathione levels – a powerful antioxidant the body produces naturally – may aid in maintaining a horse’s immune defences. This could be especially useful during periods of physical exertion or seasonal changes when horses are more prone to illness.
Added to the benefits that Rooibos provides – to both humans and horses – are its natural anti-inflammatory properties, which may help horses with arthritis, joint pain, or muscle soreness, which may be beneficial for equine athletes or older horses with chronic inflammation. With Rooibos having also been noted for its calming properties, partly because it slows cortisol production, the stress hormone that can spike in horses during travel, competition, or environmental changes, sprinkling rooibos over feed or offering it as a tea could help soothe anxious horses.
Providing these potential benefits to horses is a matter of gauging the percentage of Rooibos required according to the product’s suppliers, and mixing this thoroughly into their existing feed. When this is done, dried rooibos leaves or powder can be mixed into their regular grain or forage. For equestrian and pet feed, according to company Honeyvale Herbs, a guideline amount of 20-30g/25-75ml daily for horses, and 10-15g/25-37.5ml daily for ponies, is the ideal amount to add to feed.
Rooibos Products for Horses – A Growing Category
As a demonstration of the growth of Rooibos-based equestrian products now available on the market, these are a few examples recently noted for sale online:
Rooibos Powder (Honeyvale Herbs)
A natural supplement that provides antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential minerals. Its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties make it an excellent addition to the daily diet of horses or pets.
Rooibos Horse Treats (Horse and Style)
Marketed to enhance coat shine and overall well-being, these treats serve as a healthy reward that supports metabolic function, promotes skin and bone health, and offers anti-allergic and immune-boosting benefits. The inclusion of chamomile and rooibos may also provide a calming effect, useful for training or stress relief.
Rooibos Crunch (Rooibos Aromatics for Animals)
A feed supplement or treat that enhances feed palatability while supporting immune function to combat allergies (e.g., grass, fleas), promotes skin health to reduce itching, and provides a calming effect through rooibos and chamomile.
The Herbal Horse Rooibos Supplement (The Herbal Horse and Pet)
A pure rooibos leaf supplement mixed into feed to boost immunity via antioxidants, reduce stress by modulating cortisol, and potentially soothe mild digestive issues. As a general wellness aid, the product highlights rooibos’s natural properties for daily health maintenance, with a flavour horses readily accept.
Rooibos Oil Infusion (Rooibos Aromatics for Animals)
A dual-purpose product, this is used internally when added to feed to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity. Externally, this is applied to skin irritations or as a coat conditioner to soothe allergies, hotspots, or minor wounds. The product aims to enhance liveliness and reduce itching, particularly in allergy-prone horses.
For A Healthy Skin and Coat, Add Rooibos
With the condition of horses’ coats and skin being an indicator of their overall health, those in the equestrian trade are always vigilant to ensuring that this aspect of horse health is monitored. With a shiny, healthy coat reflecting good nutrition and overall well-being – and dull or patchy hair being potential indicators of dietary deficiencies, parasites, or illness – this is an area in which Rooibos provides a natural range of benefits.
With the high levels of antioxidants and minerals (such as zinc) contained in Rooibos, these act to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat through the application of Rooibos tea or extracts applied topically to soothe skin irritations, sunburn, or insect bites. Adding to the range of benefits that Rooibos can provide to horses’ coat and skin health is another use: as an addition to stable bedding.
Keeping Horses Dry and Healthy: Rooibos Mulch in Stable Bedding
As Rooibos contains polyphenols and flavonoids which have antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, the equestrian trade has also taken to making use of Rooibos mulch, mixed in with bedding straw materials.
For the same reasons that horse owners make use of Rooibos tea as a soothing coat wash for their itchers, Rooibos mulch may be of assistance when it comes to helping alleviate sore or itchy skin – a common challenge, and one which is often a cause of discomfort for horses of all types. By mixing Rooibos mulch with straw, or dusting Rooibos mulch across stable and outdoor surfaces, horse trainers and riders have found that Rooibos helps to maintain horse hygiene and health.
Through the combination of naturally occurring beneficial compounds found in Rooibos, along with its low moisture content of less than 10%, dried Rooibos tea leaves and stems make them less hospitable to mould development compared to traditional bedding materials like straw. Added to this, Rooibos is naturally free from common allergens, potentially making it a safer alternative for horses prone to respiratory issues caused by mouldy or dusty bedding.
A Great New Way To Use Rooibos
The integration of rooibos into equine care routines offers a natural and effective means to enhance horse health. Its versatility allows for both dietary and topical applications, addressing a range of issues from stress and inflammation to skin health and digestion. As awareness of its benefits grows, rooibos is poised to become a staple in the equestrian trade, providing a holistic approach to horse care.
Klipopmekaar Rooibos Farm supplies bulk organic rooibos direct to the equestrian trade. Click here for more info.