Feeding rosehips in winter – what do I need to consider?

In autumn and winter, they’re a real eye-catcher in nature with their vibrant red and orange hues – rosehips. They grow preferably at the forest edge or along overgrown paths, precisely where we pass by during walks and hacking with our horses. Does your horse also love to eat fresh fruits directly from the bush in autumn? Then head to the nearest hedge, as these bright little fruits are not only a healthy snack but also a real health booster for your horse!

Rosehips and horses – a „perfect match“

Rosehips is’t a fad fruit: For thousands of years, they have been an instinctive staple of winter supplementation for wild horses on the Eurasian continent. They’re available almost everywhere, all parts of the dog rose are non-toxic, and there’s the high acceptance of the sweet-tart taste of rosehips – perfect conditions to become one of the most popular „superfoods“ for your four-legged friend!

You can find out what makes rosehips so healthy, and which horses truly benefit from targeted feeding of rosehips, in our guide.

Rosehips Fact Sheet

Name: Rosehip (lat. Rosa canina)

Distribution: Originally Eurasia, nowadays worldwide

Habitat: Forest and path edges

Height: Up to 3m

Blossom: White to pink

Leaves: Oval-shaped with serrated ends

Fruits: From large spherical to small olive-shaped fruits, everything is included. Colouring from light orange to strong dark red depending on the degree of ripeness.

Harvest time: October to November

Nutritionally beneficial components: Including vitamin C, A, E, K, P, B complex, galactolipids, pectin, unsaturated fatty acids

From mane to hoof – how rosehips work in winter

Rosehips are a real superfruit. Find out here which ailments and physical challenges they can particularly support your horse with in autumn and winter:

1. Immune system: Rosehips are rich in vitamins and other health-promoting plant compounds. Especially in winter, their high vitamin C content and other antioxidants strengthen the immune system and continue to provide horses with vitamin C, which is usually obtained by grazing during summer.
2. Skin & coat: Additionally, the metabolism runs at full speed during coat change season. The unsaturated fatty acids contained in rosehips offer an optimal ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, essential for healthy skin and a glossy coat.
3. Joints: Horses with osteoarthritis are particularly susceptible to joint pain during the cold season. The galactolipids found in rosehips have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
4. Hooves: Another common condition that tends to flare up in winter is laminitis. It’s crucial to ensure proper circulation in the capillaries. Supplementing with rosehips, which promote blood flow, can be beneficial here.
5. Digestion: Generally, rosehips also have a positive impact on our horses‘ digestion: Their high pectin content helps regulate the intestines, making them suitable for both constipation and free faecal water syndrome. However, always ensure proper dosage.

Feeding rosehips – our tips:

Horses love rosehips best when fresh from the bush. If you don’t have access to fresh fruits – which, by the way, are only viable for a short time unprocessed – you can purchase these red autumn messengers from Kramer Equestrian in dried form as whole fruits or powder. This allows for easy feeding regardless of season.

Dried rosehips as whole fruits make a welcome healthy treat – even for good-doers. In powder form, they can be added to feed rations or mash.

For a 600kg horse, up to 40g of rosehips per day may be fed. This is approximately a handful.