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Herbs Recommended for Horses with PPID

When a horse develops PPID, it’s crucial to pay close attention to its diet. PPID causes hormonal fluctuations and dysregulation. As a result, many PPID horses become insulin resistant, which can lead to laminitis (hoof inflammation). A well-balanced ration and herbal support are therefore important considerations for managing PPID.

Nettle

Insulin resistance

Feeding

10 August '25 • 2 min reading time

Horses with PPID should consume minimal sugars. Low‑sugar hay or soaked hay forms the cornerstone of a healthy diet—especially important if your horse has previously experienced laminitis. The hay should serve as the base of the ration. Additionally, your horse needs a high-quality balancer with essential vitamins and minerals. Soaking hay reduces nutrient content, so supplementation of amino acids and omega‑3 fatty acids may also be beneficial.

Regulating Blood Sugar Spikes

In addition to proper nutrition, certain herbal supplements can help stabilize your horse’s blood sugar—crucial if your horse is prone to laminitis. One well-known blend is Triphala, an Ayurvedic mixture of three dried fruits: Amalaki (Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Research shows that Triphala can influence fat storage and metabolic parameters, promote weight loss, reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins, and improve insulin levels both fasting and post-meal—thus aiding blood sugar processing. In horses, Triphala is especially suitable for those with insulin resistance, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and insulin‑modulating properties

Supporting Detoxification

PPID horses benefit from gentle detoxification to help eliminate inflammatory by‑products and metabolic waste. Instead of harsh detox regimes, a mild cleanse with nettle tincture (liquid nettle) is recommended. Nettle supports blood purification and boosts the immune system. Giving a one-week nettle cure a few times per year can be beneficial—and most horses find it tasty.

Veterinary Care

If your horse shows symptoms of PPID—such as a long, curly coat, poor topline musculature, pot belly, or fatty deposits above the eyes—it’s essential to consult your veterinarian. Medications in pill form can significantly reduce PPID symptoms and help ensure your horse enjoys a comfortable older age. While around 15% of horses over 15 years old develop PPID, many owners are not aware of it!

Sources:

Harris, Pat. Nutrition and senior horses. 2013. Vettimes : 18-21. https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/nutrition-and-senior-horses.pdf

Van den Bossche, Lien. Nutritional management of PPID in horses. Diss. Ghent University, 2023. https://libstore.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/003/204/118/RUG01-003204118_2024_0001_AC.pdf

Christine Tara Peterson, Kate Denniston, and Deepak Chopra. Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Aug 2017.607-614. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acm.2017.0083

Rajan SS, Antony S. Hypoglycemic effect of triphala on selected non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus subjects. Ancient Sci Life 2008;27:45–49. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330861/pdf/ASL-27-45.pdf

Ganeshpurkar A, Jain S, Agarwal S. Experimental studies on glycolytic enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation potential of Triphala. Ayu 2015;36:96–100. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4687248/

Also interesting:

Diseases

PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, a disorder affecting the function of the pituitary gland. This condition was formerly known as Cushing’s disease. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland becomes overactive and/or enlarged. This gland is a small hormone-producing organ located near the brain.

How to Recognize PPID in a Horse

PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, a disorder affecting the function of the pituitary gland. This condition was formerly known as Cushing’s disease. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland becomes overactive and/or enlarged. This gland is a small hormone-producing organ located near the brain.. It is estimated that PPID occurs in about 15% of horses over the age of 15. The symptoms seen with PPID are partly caused by imbalances in various hormone levels, and partly by the increased pressure the enlarged pituitary gland puts on surrounding areas of the brain. Symptoms One of the most well-known symptoms of PPID is the development of a long, curly coat. In some cases, the coat even changes color! In addition, about a quarter of horses with PPID also develop laminitis. Other symptoms incl...

Weight

Insulin resistance

Digestion

Triphala

Triphala is an herbal mixture that has been used in India for centuries as a natural medicine. It is used for digestive complaints, stress, and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Triphala has strong medicinal properties in humans and rodents. This traditional supplement can also be used in horses, especially for insulin resistance.

Ancient herb Triphala supports weight loss and metabolism of horses

Triphala is an herbal mixture that has been used in India for centuries as a natural medicine. It is used for digestive complaints, stress, and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Triphala has strong medicinal properties in humans and rodents. This traditional supplement can also be used in horses, especially for insulin resistance.. What is Triphala? Triphala is a powder made from three different (dried) fruits from the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal medicine from the Aryuvedic tradition. The fruits in Triphala are: Amalaki or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Research in recent years has shown that Triphala is effective in treating various conditions. Indian gooseberry stimulates digestion, acts as a laxative, and has anti-inflammatory...

Nettle

Nettle is more than just a healthy treat for your horse, it actually has a natural healing effect. But do you know in which situations you can use nettle for your horse? It is not for nothing that it is one of our most recommended supplements during advisory consultations. We recommend giving your horse nettle for 10 to 14 days every quarter. This is a healthy but also very tasty treat for all horses. Read in this blog for which horses/situations it is extra recommended!

In which situations do you give (liquid) nettle to your horse?

Nettle is more than just a healthy treat for your horse, it actually has a natural healing effect. But do you know in which situations you can use nettle for your horse? It is not for nothing that it is one of our most recommended supplements during advisory consultations. We recommend giving your horse nettle for 10 to 14 days every quarter. This is a healthy but also very tasty treat for all horses. Read in this blog for which horses/situations it is extra recommended!. Nettle is very healing Nettle is much more than a simple "weed" that grows everywhere and itches a lot. Horse people love nettle and that's not without reason. Nettle has multiple healing effects and is healthy for every horse. This makes it useful as both a 'healthy treat' and therapeutically. The healing effects of nettle for horses are: Blood purifying Detoxifying Supporting intestinal flora and metabolism Boosting overall resistance Anti-histamine effect Anti-inflammatory Reducing...

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