Garlic has traditionally been used for a very long time as a natural insect repellent. Thanks to its abundance of nutrients, this white bulb offers many other health benefits.
What are the benefits of garlic for horses?
- Insect repellent
- Reduction of harmful microorganisms in the body
- Worm and Fungus Control
- Protection of the digestive tract
- Improving lung function
- Blood purification and improvement of blood supply
Natural insect repellents
Garlic is particularly popular as a feed for pasture-grazing horses to help alleviate insect bites – by altering the body’s natural odour. However, older and low-performing horses also benefit from garlic’s valuable nutrients, as do horses during the moulting season and those prone to eczema.
Reduction of harmful micro-organisms
One of garlic’s health-promoting properties is its antimicrobial effect, which is complemented by a general stimulation of the immune system.
Its broad-spectrum antibacterial effect is attributed primarily to sulphur-containing compounds such as allicin and garlicin. The immune-boosting effect is explained, amongst other things, by the high vitamin content in garlic.
Worm and Fungus Control
Garlic contains phytoncides, which are naturally occurring substances with antibiotic properties. Together with the components of garlic’s essential oil, the extract not only has an antibacterial effect but also combats fungal infections and is effective against many types of worms (endoparasites). Nevertheless, garlic cannot replace regular worming treatments.
Protection of the digestive tract
Garlic also exerts its beneficial effects in the digestive tract. An imbalance in the gut caused by foreign bacteria can be counteracted, promoting healthy gut flora. Garlic also stimulates the production of digestive secretions and intestinal peristalsis. Abnormal fermentation processes, which can lead to an imbalance in gut flora, flatulence, colic and laminitis, are curbed.
Improving lung function
Not only does garlic help the lungs to fight off fungi and bacteria, but allicin – the active ingredient in garlic – also helps to thin thick bronchial mucus, making it easier to cough up. This has a positive effect on respiratory function.
Blood purification and improvement of blood supply
Garlic helps to purify the blood by regulating blood lipids, blood sugar and cholesterol. This can be beneficial, for example, in cases of equine metabolic syndrome. Garlic also helps to optimise cardiovascular function. Among other things, it can improve blood flow and, consequently, tissue perfusion.
Can garlic actually be harmful to a horse?
As the Swiss physician, alchemist and philosopher Paracelsus (1493–1541) once said, „… it is the dose alone that determines whether it is a poison or not“. Even small amounts of 5–10 g of garlic are sufficient to support the skin.
Knoblizem – The popular feed supplement for pasture horses plagued by insects
Knoblizem® is a successful combination of top-quality garlic, herbs such as rosemary, peppermint and coriander, and B-complex vitamins for pasture-grazing horses plagued by insects. The natural sulphur compounds in garlic support the skin, coat and hooves. Wheat germ and linseed provide valuable omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- For insect-plagued pasture horses
- Promotes blood circulation and purifies the blood
- With natural sulphur compounds for skin, hair and hooves
References:
Ankri, Mirelman (1999): Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and Infection. February 1999, 1(2):125–9.
Anthony, Fyfe, Smith (2005): Plant active compounds – a source of antiparasitic agents? A review. Trends in Parasitology 21, 462–468.
Association between maximum voluntary dietary intake of freeze-dried garlic and Heinz body anaemia in horses, 2005
Briggs (2002): Can Garlic Help Your Horse Fight Disease? In *The Horse*, August 2002.
Gachnian, Assenov (1988): Medicinal Plants in Veterinary Medicine. MBV-Verlag, Schorndorf.
Geor, Harris, Coenen (2013): Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Elsevier, 2013.
Petkov (1966): Pharmacological and clinical studies of garlic. Dtsch Apoth Ztg. 1966.
Robinson and Sprayberry (2009): Current Therapy in Equine Medicine, Volume 6. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2009.
Saastamoinen, Hyyppä, Särkijärvi (2010): Influence of garlic supplementation on respiratory health and the incidence of anaemia in horses. EAAP Publication 128, 280–282.
Souci, Fachmann, Kraut (2000): The Composition of Food: Nutritional Tables. Medpharm-Verlag, Stuttgart.
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