The Rosehip is the edible and highly nutritious fruit of the rose plant. The smooth, round berries - packed full of vitamin and mineral goodness - turn from green to red as they ripen.
The
Rosa Canina species of Rosehip also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in recent years to relieve the pain and discomfort of osteoarthritis.
Rosehips for horses are rich in bioflavonoids - which are important to build and strengthen body tissue. This makes them a useful equine supplement to feed to a horse recovering from illness or injury. The high-vitamin content helps restore the immune system and bioflavonoids also help tissue repair.
Rosehips can ease gastric inflammation, stomach upsets and diarrhoea. The vitamin and mineral content also make Rosehips helpful for strong, healthy hoof growth and good coat condition.
Many owners feed Rosehip supplement in the autumn and winter to boost the horse’s immune system. Supplementing in this way also helps horses handle stress and upset, they say.
When it comes to long-term equine joint health, Rosehips for horses have been shown in some tests to be 40% more effective than
glucosamine for horses (The Daily Telegraph 19/05/09).
Studies by Danish researchers, on both horses and humans, suggested that Rosehips were an effective treatment for arthritis. Their primary action is to reduce inflammation and protect joint tissues from damaging substances produced by an overactive immune system. Trials showed that, after a time, horse joints became less inflamed and swollen and mobility and mood improved.
Additional studies have shown that Rosehips are helpful to the circulatory system, respiratory system, the thymus gland and as a blood cleanser.
Rosehips for horses are also taken to speed up healing for bruises and skin irritations. They also prevent and treat fluid retention, lower body temperature and relieve chest infections and coughs.
Vitamin C itself is vital to ensure the body absorbs iron from the diet.
