British Rewilding Mix for Horses

Daucus carota, Wild Carrot

• Horse: Known for its rich vitamin A and C content and low-calorie nature.

• Soil: Deep taproot loosens compacted soils, improving structure.

• Ecosystem: Nectar source for bees and beneficial insects; umbrella flowers attract predators (like parasitic wasps) which reduce irritating insects such as flies.

Galium verum, Lady’s Bedstraw

• Horse: Historically used in herbal traditions, adds variety for picky eaters.

• Soil: Ground cover, preventing erosion on light soils.

• Ecosystem: Supports moths, butterflies (larval foodplant for species like Hummingbird Hawk-moth).

Lathyrus pratensis, Meadow Vetchling or Vicia cracca, Tufted Vetch

• Horse: A source of protein in a diverse sward. Generally safe when grazed in balance. Grazing in large quantities has potential for mild toxicity (very rare)*.

• Soil: Nitrogen-fixer, improving soil fertility.

• Ecosystem: Great for bumblebees and long-tongued pollinators.

Lotus corniculatus, Birdsfoot Trefoil

• Horse: Non-bloating legume, high in Calcium, Magnesium, trace elements and Tannins. Historically linked with healthy coats and muscle tone in traditional farming systems and suitable for good doers.

• Soil: Nitrogen-fixing; stabilises poor soils.

• Ecosystem: Supports bees, butterflies (e.g., Common Blue butterfly).

Malva moschata, Musk Mallow

• Horse: Contains natural mucilage, adding texture and variety to pasture. Fed to horses for its diverse botanical properties and palatability.

• Soil: Taproot improves drainage and resilience.

• Ecosystem: Long flowering period for bees; seeds feed birds.

Onobrychis viciifolia, Sainfoin

• Horse: Contains condensed tannins and is high in protein, minerals and Vitamin E. Non-bloating in large amounts and palatable.

• Soil: Deep root system improves drought resistance and soil structure.

• Ecosystem: Strong pollinator plant (especially for solitary bees).

Plantago lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain

• Horse: High mucilage content. This plant is rich in foliage and seeds.

• Soil: Strong fibrous roots; improves soil aeration.

• Ecosystem: Nectar source; seeds eaten by birds.

Poterium sanguisorba, Salad Burnet

• Horse: Contains tannins. It’s drought tolerant to provide grazing when other plants fail to grow. High in potassium and magnesium. 

• Soil: Drought-tolerant; stabilises thin soils.

• Ecosystem: Extended flowering for pollinators; attracts hoverflies.

Prunella vulgaris, Selfheal

• Horses: Rich in antioxidants.

• Soil: Low mat-forming habit; great for stabilising open soil.

• Ecosystem: Early and late forage for bees; great nectar source.

Rumex acetosa, Common Sorrel

• Horse: Contains trace minerals and is suitable for fussy eaters. Contains oxalates, which can bind calcium, but risk is very low when grazed in moderation. Adds diversity and interest to pastures.

• Soil: Taproot improves heavy soils.

• Ecosystem: Larval food for Small Copper butterflies; pollinator-friendly.

Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion

• Horse: Contains high levels of potassium and other trace minerals. Palatable and often grazed by horses. Horses have been seen to selectively graze the flowers or leaves and have been known to dig out the roots with their hooves to eat.

• Soil: Taproots break compacted soils, cycle minerals.

• Ecosystem: Critical early nectar for bees; seeds feed birds.

Leontodon hispidus, Rough Hawkbit

• Horse: Low sugar forage with low NSC content for good doers.

• Soil: Prefers poor soils; helps stabilise meadows.

• Ecosystem: Flowers attract butterflies and solitary bees.

Centaurea nigra, Black Knapweed

• Horse: Strong root system improves pasture footing. Its also palatable adding variety for foraging.

• Soil: Deep roots improve soil structure.

• Ecosystem: Superstar for pollinators (one of the best plants for bees and butterflies).

Anthriscus sylvestris, Cow Parsley

• Horse: Aromatic plant often grazed. Its scent may deter some biting insects.

• Soil: Early ground cover; stabilises hedgerows.

• Ecosystem: One of the best early flowers for pollinators.

Trifolium pratense, Red Clover

• High-protein legume with calcium and magnesium. Palatable and often grazed by horses. Unlike white clover, it doesn’t dominate swards and is less likely to oversupply protein.

• Soil: Nitrogen fixer; key for soil fertility.

• Ecosystem: Supports bees, especially long-tongued species.

 

Overconsumption of any chemical, even oxygen and water, can be harmful if too much is eaten, drunk, or absorbed. This principle underpins public health standards for food, drinking water, and environmental safety.

In the same way, any single plant species can pose a risk if consumed in excess. For example, overconsumption of high-sugar grasses has been linked to metabolic conditions such as obesity, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), laminitis, acidosis, and ulcers.

Horses evolved to graze a wide variety of plants, not just grass. When a diverse pasture is available, they are able to self-regulate the amount of each species they eat, a natural behaviour that supports balance and wellbeing.

This seed mix has been developed to promote that diversity. It provides horses with a broader range of forages to choose from while supporting soil health, biodiversity, and natural grazing behaviour.

See our References & Resources page for the research behind the creation of this mix.

Note: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. If you have any concerns about plant suitability for your animals, please consult your veterinarian or nutritionist.

Batches of this seed mix may vary slightly in composition due to annual seed availability. We reserve the right to substitute varieties as needed. All seeds used are non-genetically modified, and availability depends on seasonal and ecological factors.

1. Fence off a strip, corner, paddock or track edge. If you dont own the land, prepare containers (tubs, pots or trays) to sow into.

2. Create more bare soil by using a hand rake, harrow or rotivator. If using containers, add soil to your container!

3. Scatter seed evenly

4. Press into the soil using feet, hands or hooves

5. Wait and watch it grow!

We recommend sowing between 2g and 5g per square meter depending on your goals. Whatever your goals, sow one for the mouse, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow!

Make sure to sow when there is both daylight (at least 8 hours) and daily rain forecast to give your seeds the best chance to germinate. Autumn is the best time of year to sow - before the frost - so that the shells of the seed breakdown for the seedling to grow.

Check out our "Top Tips" section for some more useful information.

As always, please dont hesitiate to contact us if you have any questions.

1.  Less grass gives more opportunity for seeds to thrive. Focus on bare, thinned-out or overgrazed areas.

 

2. Avoid rolling - it compacts the soil.

 

3. Consider outside of fencing if you can't rest land. Horses get the benefit of diversity when hand grazed and it protects new growth without additional fencing.

 

4. Pick spots open to prevailing winds - let nature spread the seed for you!

 

5. Use a hand rotivator to create strips to sow seed if you think you don't have enough bare soil or your land is very compacted. This is particularly useful for sowing along the edge of a track system.

 

6. Protect your sown seed with fencing to prevent birds from eating the seeds, especially important if you have free range chickens! Alternatively, plant extra seed in the knowledge that some will be eaten.

 

7. Feed your animals their hay/silage where you plant to mulch and seed (Note. Horses and ponies should not be fed silage).

 

8. Mulch over heavily compacted soil to give your seed a chance to root. If you don’t want much grass growing with your wildflowers, be careful not to mulch with seedy late cut hay.

 

9. If creating a bare patch for a herb garden, dig a shovel blade to make small squares. Lift each square and turn it over to reveal the bare soil. Replace the squares back with the soil facing upwards and sow your seed.

 

10. When choosing how much seed to sow, remember: Sow one for the mouse, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow!

 

11. If planting into containers, make sure they have wheels or aren't too heavy to pick up. Consider putting mesh over the top of the container for the plants to grow through. This will help prevent it from being overgrazed. 

 

 

Coverage: 2g - 5g per meter squared

Sowing Season: Ideal for autumn or spring. Can be sown in summer if there is daily rainfall or the seed can be watered daily

Shipping: Begins September 15

Grown in the UK –  never imported

Can I use this if I dont have time to rest my fields for the seed to grow?

Yes! Consider sowing outside of fencing if you can't rest land. Horses get the benefit of diversity when hand grazed and it protects new growth without additional fencing. If you do have some land and temporary fencing, fence off a strip of your field approximately 50cm to 1m in from the perimeter fence, sow, then rest for a minimum of three months so that roots can establish and the plants won't get pulled up by the roots when grazed. Alternatively, fence off any bare patches of soil or damaged areas to seed. Sow in an area subject to the prevailing wind on your land. This will help your plants to spread their seed across your land in future years.

How much area does 1kg cover?
Roughly 500m² when overseeding (2g per m²) or 200m² when sowing on bare soil (5g per m²). 

Can I use this on poor or compacted soils?
Yes – many species are chosen specifically for soil improvement and resilience (see plant benefits). Avoid use areas that waterlog. This mix is not suitable for extreme compaction unless mulching. To test the level of compaction, use your foot in a protective boot to push a pitch fork into the soil. If the fork makes no impression on the soil and cannot penetrate the ground, it is too compacted for the seed mix. If the fork does make an impression on the soil, the seed can be sown. 

Is this mix suitable for all grazing animals?
Yes – It’s safe and beneficial for horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, cattle and sheep.

Do I need fertiliser, herbicides or pesticides?
No – this blend is designed to thrive chemical-free and compete through biodiversity. It is important not to use herbicides as they will kill many of the plant varieties in the mix. It is also important not to use pesticides as they will harm the insects and pollinators that will spread the seed.

How can I keep control of Ragwort without herbicides?

If your field is more than 50% Ragwort you may wish to spray a broad leaf herbicide once, before sowing the rewilding mix to enable the ragwort to be manageable.

Once the seed mix has been sown, Ragwort should be pulled with a pulling fork, whilst wearing gloves. As the fields diversity increases, the Ragwort will struggle more to compete and take over - assuming that the field isn't over grazed.

What can I use instead of synthetic fertilisers?

Grazing animal manure is a very effective fertiliser. Assuming there is no worm burden in the animals defecating in the field, the manure can be spread using a chain harrow to fertilise the field and ensure daylight reaches the plants. If there is a worm burden in the manure, remove the manure from the field and store on a muck heap for 12 months (so that the worms die). When the manure has broken down and the worms have died (you will see greens growing out of the top of the muck heap), it can be spread back onto the fields as a natural fertiliser.   

What is mulching and why should I do it?

Mulching is leaving organic matter on your topsoil - usually uneaten hay, to promote soil microorganism activity and to retain moisture on the surface of the soil. It's helpful when seeding on compacted soil and can be a good use of old hay. Be mindful that if you mulch with hay as it will contain grass seed. While this is a cost effective way to help reseed your field, most hay contains high levels of timothy grass which most horses don't find palatable unless it's dried. It may also contain ryegrass which is unsuitable for most horses as it can be linked to EMS, laminitis. It's also thought to be linked to digestion issues such as acidosis and ulcers. 

Will it take alot of work to get the seed to germinate? I don't have a hosepipe to water the seed.

Sow in autumn so you have more reliable rainfall or in spring when rain is forecast. In Autumn, frost will also help crack the seeds open for you.

Does it matter what soil type I have?

Yes and No. The seed mix is designed to work in most soil types but some of the plants will struggle in very extreme conditions such as extremely compacted or waterlogged soil.

I planted the mix of 15 seed types but Ive not seen them all grow. Why can't I identify all 15 plants?

There are multiple reasons that this could happen. Plants favour different soil types, pH and humidity. Some prefer more rain, others less. You may find that it takes two to three years for most of the plants to come through enough to be identifiable. Some of the plants may just struggle to compete against the others in your soil type and conditions. For example, in a warm drought year, we would expect to see more salad burnet, plantain, red clover and wild carrot but in a following year that is wetter we might expect to see the vetches come through more. 

Do you recommend sowing in several areas across fields and then letting them have access to browse it periodically?

It depends on your set up, your animals needs and what you are trying to achieve.

If you're doing standard rotational grazing - we would recommend using temporary fencing (i.e. electric) to fence off a damaged patch in each field and sow on to the damaged soil. Once the seed has established you can then remove the fence and rest it when you rest the field.

If you never have a chance to rest the fields or you know you overgraze them  -  We recommend creating a section of a field you can fence off and give animals access to periodically.

If you want to be able to handgraze a horse on rest - We recommend sowing along the edge of a drive (if safe), a path, or on your yard.

If you are enriching a track system - We recommend sowing along the fenceline or sowing to creating a foraging station or enrich a herb garden.

When is the best time to sow the British Rewilding Mix?

When there is sufficient daylight and rainfall. This is usually in spring and autumn in the UK.

Can I overseed my existing pasture with this mix?

Yes, this is a rewilding overseeding mix for horses that contains wildflowers and legumes

Is this seed suitable for organic or regenerative systems?

Yes, the blend of seed is designed to improve soil therefore it is not necessary to use chemical fertilisers.

How long does it take for the plants to establish?

Seedlings will establish within 21 days under the correct conditions however, expect it to take a whole season for all of the wildflowers and legumes in the grazing mix to establish as they all grow and flower at different times of the year.

Will the mix come back each year or do I need to reseed?

If the land is not overgrazed, you should not need to reseed each year.

Can I use this on smallholdings or just large fields?

Both!

How does this mix compare to standard agricultural grass seed? 

This is a rewilding mix for grazing. It does not contain grass seed. It is designed for animal wellbeing and the environment, not for ease of harvesting, manufacturing or making profit. The blend contains wildflowers and legumes that are not agriculturally farmed with chemicals. The seeds have not been genetically modified. This ensures that the plants that grow are not artificially high in chemicals and compounds that can lead to health issues. 

You have the right to return items within 14 days of receiving them, even if you simply change your mind. This is part of the Consumer Contracts Regulations. However, the returned items must be in their original, unopened packaging and in a resaleable condition and you will need to pay for and organise shipping. Upon receipt of the item, we will process the refund.

In the unlikely event that the items that arrive with you are faulty or damaged, send us photographs that show the damage/fault and we will issue a replacement.