Willow

[JanC]

Anyone feed willlow to their horses? My horse has LGL and I've just been advised to let her have willow to munch on as it is a natural anti-inflammitory. First I've heard of this - anyone the wiser??

[Mehitabel]

it's quite true - willow is what aspirin was originally made of, it contains naturally ocurring salicylic acid, whic is the active ingredient in aspirin. they can self-medicate with it to a point (not as a substitute for prescribed painkillers, but as a complement) and also if on box rest it can be comforting for them to have something to chew and relieve boredom.

[JanC]

Don't you just love this forum - that was such a fast reply! Thanks so much. My girl is off painkillers and bored. I know someone who grows willow locally (she's v clever with it and runs classes on making beautiful things out of it) - do I just go and chop some branches and stick them in the school with Chris?

[Mehitabel]

yep, as many as you like. ours tend to strip the bark and eat it, and chew the wood. the bark is where the good stuff is.

[puzzles]

its a natural painkiller

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