Herbal Horse Care

Harpagophyton procumbens

Devil’s Claw is a herb that is always present in my herbal medicine kit. For the horses I have it in powder form so I can add it to their feed, but for the humans in my household I just use the cut, dried tubers.

Which Parts to use:

It is the dried rhizome of the plant that is used for medicinal purposes.

It is more commonly known as Devil’s Claw Root, though the actual roots of the plants have very little medicinal value. It is thus important to get your herbal medicine from a reputal supplier to make sure you get what you pay for.

How does it work?

The main actions of Devil’s Claw is anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killing). It acts similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and thus is contra-indicated in the presence of stomach ulcers!

How to use:

If you use the powdered form of Devil’s Claw add 1 tablespoon of it to your horse’s feed 2 times a day. This can be increased to 2 tablespoons twice a day if needed. Devil’s Claw should be given for no longer than 1 week.

If you use the cut root boil 1 tablespoon of dried root in 2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes, let cool and add the lot to your horse’s feed.

I found Devil’s Claw to be a viable alternative to Bute (Phenylbutazone) and though I do give Bute as a first dose to give my horses relief of acute pain, the next dose will always be Devil’s Claw. Bute just works a little bit faster then Devil’s Claw to give that initial relief of pain, but after that Bute is banished into the first aid kit again.

As I mentioned above, Devil’s Claw is contraindicated where there is known stomach ulceration. Schooner, my 21 yo arthritic horse has stomach ulcers and I have no problem using Devil’s Claw with him. Bute causes Schooner to scour, though I never found Devil’s Claw to do the same.

Use Devil’s Claw at a dose of 1 tablespoon twice a day and if needed can be increased to 2 tablespoons twice a day. It should not be given at this rate for more than one (1) week.

At the one instance where I had to use it for 2 weeks straight I gave it at the following rates

Day 1-3   1 Tblsp root powder three times a day

Day 4-6   1 Tblsp root powder twice a day

Day 7-9   1 Tblsp root powder in the morning, 2 Teaspoons root powder in the evening

Day 10-12 2 Teaspoons of root powder twice a day

Day 13 onwards 2 teapsoons once a day

I found it worked really well for my horse Stubby who was managed for a corneal ulcer for more than 6 weeks. I also add herbs that protect the stomach lining to my horse’s feed. The best herb you can feed for that is Meadowsweet which has a protective action on the stomach lining. .

Important:

Devil’s Claw is extremely effective as pain killer and you should always tell your vet that you have been using it. Also, do not give this herb to pregnant mares and horses with known stomach ulcers.