It is important to ask this question because a detox is not suitable for all horses. For example, sick horses, horses with extreme overweight or laminitis and pregnant horses should not be given a detox treatment. Sometimes, a mild purification with nettles may be a good idea for these horses. So, a detox is always a matter of customization.

What are the benefits of a detox?

A detox is intended to remove toxins from the body. Toxins arise in daily life, for example from digestion or from minuscule muscle damage during training. Contaminants from the environment, such as toxic substances in drinking water or soil, can also end up in your horse. These substances accumulate in your horse's fat tissue. A detox helps to 'flush out' these contaminants from the body. Thanks to this detoxification, the quality of the skin and coat improves, your horse literally feels better. The immune system also gets a boost. Therefore, your horse is often more energetic after a detox. In humans, a detox also helps to improve sleep and reduce appetite, but that is more difficult to determine with horses. Thanks to the herbs in a detox, the accumulated toxins in the liver, kidneys, and lymph of horses are removed. It is a kind of major cleaning and 'reset' of the body.

Preventive detox: twice a year

In principle, it is advisable to give your horse a detox twice a year. This advice applies to healthy horses, as a detox helps them to stay healthy. Especially if a horse is sensitive to mites or midges. A horse that is sensitive to parasites like mites actually needs a detox twice a year. A clean body is less attractive to insects. In addition, supplements are better absorbed after a detox. For these reasons, a preventive detox treatment is also a very good idea for horses suffering from sweet itch.

Detox after deworming or medication

For healthy horses, you can also give a detox treatment about four weeks after deworming or a course of medication. Do not do this too soon after deworming or medication, but let the body eliminate the substances introduced on its own first. The detox treatment is then the finishing touch to get the immune system back in top form. The herbs in the detox support the function of the kidneys and liver.

Which detox to use?

A liquid herbal extract is the best way to give your horse a detox treatment. You can simply add such an herbal blend as a supplement to its feed. A detox usually consists of multiple herbs, usually milk thistle and also a number of supportive plants such as artichoke, turmeric and boldo. Milk thistle is known for its detoxifying effects and beneficial influence on the liver. This herb works best in combination with supporting herbs such as turmeric, which is beneficial for the skin and coat. Artichoke also supports detoxification, affecting factors like blood sugar levels. A blend of these herbs is important for the desired effect. During a detox, stored toxins are released, after which the liver and kidneys flush them out. But beware: this means that these toxins enter the blood. If a horse has a lot of toxins in its body, many toxins can be released. This can have a negative, harmful effect. In the worst case, laminitis can even occur due to all these toxins in the blood! Other diseases or conditions a horse had in the past may also resurface due to a detox. That is the reason why you should not give a detox to horses that are ill or have an underlying condition.

A detox is always intensive for your horse, even for healthy horses. All released toxins must be processed by the body. Therefore, your horse will often be a bit sluggish during a detox period. Take this into account and do not give a detox if your horse has to compete or if there is something else exciting or intense on the agenda for your horse. Also, adjust your training and only provide light exercise during the detox. Moving is obviously good for eliminating toxins, for the lymphatic system, and for the muscles, but do not overdo it.

Prefer a mild detox?

If a real detox is too intense for your horse (at this moment), then nettle is a good alternative. Nettle purifies the blood and is a good alternative if your horse, for example, has a poor coat or quickly experiences muscle pain, but you do not want to give a real detox. You can give a nettle supplement with the feed, provide dried nettles as entire plants, or add a bucket of water with nettle extract to your mineral buffet. Nettle gives a positive boost to the immune system. Liquid nettle is suitable for all horses and ponies and is very good for animals that are sensitive to laminitis, pollen allergy (hay fever), sweet itch, sugars, hoof abscesses, or muscle tying.

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