Benefits of Hawthorn for Horses

Hawthorn is the quintessential heart herb - both physically and emotionally. From strengthening the cardiovascular system ( flowering tops/leaves ) to soothing grief and heartbreak ( berries ), it’s long been cherished as a protector of the heart in every sense of the word.

Please note this is a nutritional, functional horse food supplement and not veterinary medicine. For more on this, see Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - 'Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy.

Find Hawthorn Berry in the EquiNatural range

Here’s where you’ll also find Elecampane in our supplement support for horses:

• CalmTonic - natural organic calm for high-stress situations
• HarmonyTonic - gentle support for emotional loss & grief

Feed Guide

💧Organic Hawthorn Berry Tincture

Our human-grade, certified organic tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.

• Crataegus monogyna
• Berry Fresh
• Infused 1:3 35%
• Organic Cultivated

~ Feed Guide - hawthorn berry tincture for horses

• 6ml/100kg bodyweight, daily in feed.
• ♻️ Our tinctures come in a heat-sealed, twin-neck, child-resistant HDPE plastic dosing bottle, complete with dosing chamber. *HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic is 100% recyclable, and energy-efficient to produce. Safe for food/water storage, it reduces waste and emissions while resisting wear. A top sustainable choice to match the EquiNatural ethos.

🌿Organic Dried Hawthorn Berry

Grown, harvested and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents.

• Crataegus oxycanthoides
• Flowering Tops
• Organic Cultivated
• Origin Bulgaria

~ Feed Guide - dried hawthorn berry for horses

• 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, i.e. 25g for a 500kg horse.
• Want a scoop? You can add a scoop to your basket during checkout.
• ♻️Supplied in a 100% fully recylable, resealable, food-grade foil pouch for freshness.

Footnotes

• Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
• Human grade.
• Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.
• ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
• 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.

Functional Nutritional Value

Constituents: Hawthorn berries contains several important bioactive constituents, primarily flavonoids (such as proanthocyanidins and quercetin), phenolic acids (i.e. chlorogenic acid), and pentacyclic triterpenoids (including ursolic and oleanolic acids). The berries also contain pectin, contributing to its dietary value, and various minerals including calcium, potassium), and organic acids (malic, citric).

Safety

• While there are no safety concerns for Hawthorn, always seek veterinary advice for pregnant/nursing mares before feeding.

Hawthorn in History & Tradition

✨ May Magic : In England, hawthorn blossoms are tied with ribbons at Beltane (May Day) to invite blessings.

✨ Celtic & Christian legend : Linked to the Milky Way, the crown of thorns, and Joseph of Arimathea bringing it to Glastonbury.

✨ Superstition : Cutting down a hawthorn was considered bad luck - a belief still alive in rural Britain.

✨ Popular Culture : Even J.K. Rowling gave hawthorn a mystical role - Harry Potter’s wand is made from hawthorn wood!

More ...

The hawthorn tree, with her frothy white May blossoms and ruby-red autumn berries, belongs to the rose family and is a true beauty of the hedgerows. Nearly 300 species exist, but the common hawthorn ( Crataegus monogyna ) is the one most often celebrated in folklore and medicine. Her thorns hint at protection, her blossoms symbolise hope, and her berries offer deep nourishment.

Since the 1800s, hawthorn has held its place as the premier cardiac tonic. Irish and American physicians first championed its use for angina, arrhythmias, and weak hearts, praising it as “superior to any other remedy” for heart disease. Modern herbalists still rely on hawthorn for high blood pressure, early-stage heart failure, and recovery after heart strain - truly a plant that strengthens the heart muscle while softening its burdens.

Science has caught up with tradition: hawthorn’s flavonoids improve circulation, stabilise arterial walls, and reduce inflammation. It’s protective against oxidative stress and cholesterol damage, while also gently supporting blood pressure and vessel tone.

But hawthorn’s medicine isn’t just physical. She’s also a calming nervine, working like her cousin rose to soothe grief, sadness, and emotional turmoil. Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar calls hawthorn her 'first choice for loss and heartbreak' - a remedy that offers comfort when life feels heavy.

And of course, hawthorn’s lore is as rich as her red berries. The 'Lady of May' is deeply woven into Celtic festivals, Christian legend, and even Harry Potter’s wizarding world. Beloved, respected, sometimes feared - hawthorn is more than a herb; she’s a guardian of the heart, in every dimension.