Glyphosate And The Risk To Our Horses

For me, this all started when I shared an educational post in a horse group on beet pulp and how it has high levels of glyphosate. The article was by Tom Mayes (a well respected equine integrative therapies specialist), and described the many physical issues/ problems he sees as a result of clients using feeds with glyphosate.  I was shocked by the number of people pushing back against the information, saying they've used beet pulp for years with great success and will not change!  I get it, change is hard.  Especially if you have senior horses.  But if you learn something bad about the food you're giving your horses daily, isn't it our responsibility to look more closely at that and maybe make the changes for the benefit of their health?!

A quote from Dr. Don Huber, Professor Emeritus Plant Pathology Purdue University, former military Colonel with NASA clearance to advise the government on biowarfare with chemical agents, referring to glyphosate...

Glyphosate was first synthesized by Swiss chemist Henri Martin, then patented in 1964 to be used as a boiler and pipe cleaner.  It wasn't until 1970 that John Franz, from Monsanto, recognized its herbicidal qualities and in 1971 patented it as an herbicide.  1974 was the year that glyphosate was commercially introduced as Round Up.

Glyphosate works to disable the Shikimate metabolic pathway in plants which serves to synthesize aromatic amino acids in plants and microorganisms making it essential for growth.  It works to inhibit the enzyme (EPSP synthase) thereby killing plants by preventing the synthesis of essential amino acids.  

Glyphosate selectively kills beneficial bacteria like bifidobacterium and lactobacilli, that both plants and animals depend upon.  At the same time, it enhances the activity of dangerous pathogens like clostridium and pythium, which cause death to the plant.

Let me start with the article from Tom Mayes that I mentioned earlier.  In it he states that Glyphosate is the perfect primer for Equine Metabolic Syndrome.   He observed an "overnight" exponential rise in EMS with clients horses showing sudden metabolic, emotional and physical lameness.  He traced this back to newly GMO crops of soy, corn and sugar beets (beet pulp) which had potent levels of glyphosate.  He further explains that insulin dysregulation is the main symptom of EMS and the number one thing that allopathic veterinarian's recommend for glucose dysregulation is beet pulp!   Because much of the supply of beet pulp is GMO, this is like pouring gasoline on a fire you're trying to put out!  

As is also true for people, there is an explosion of health problems in horses such as autoimmune issues, leaky gut syndrome, ulcers, hoof issues, cancer and so on.  What has become clear from researching this topic, is that there is a clear connection between glyphosate and all of these dysfunctions!

Let's begin by taking a look at minerals.  We know that supplementing minerals does so much for the health of our horses.  They are critical to cell function in all body systems.  So when glyphosate acts as a chelator, binding metal ions, it essentially "grabs" minerals and makes them less bioavailable thereby creating deficiencies within the body.  Here are a few examples of minerals affected by glyphosate and the impact of deficiency in the body...

* Molybdenum: inhibits the transport and absorption of sulfur.  Sulfur has everything to do with healthy joints, hair, skin and hooves.  There is also potential DNA damage and cancer.

* Cobalt: reduces methionine (which is also in sulfur) and has a direct effect on hoof health.  There is also potential for impaired protein synthesis and neurodegenerative diseases.

* Iron: this deficiency causes poor oxygen transport.

* Manganese: causes connective tissue and  bone issues, blood clotting issues and sex hormone deficiency potentially resulting in poor fat and carbohydrate metabolism, blood sugar regulation and calcium absorption.

* Zinc:  another key mineral necessary for good hoof health.  A deficiency leads to immune system disruption, loss of sense of smell and tastes, skin sores that won't heal and diarrhea.

What bifida does for the body...

* helps break down gluten

* improves bioavailability  of minerals; calcium, zinc and iron

* produces vitamin B6

* supports the immune system

* increases intestinal motility

* inhibits the growth of H. Pylori

* reduces food allergies and intolerances

* improves mineral absorption

* higher levels are present in children

* levels depleted in those with celiac

What lactobacillus does for the body...

* breaks down dairy

* combats ulcers

* treats IBS and Crohn's

* prevents allergies

* produces vitamins B9 and B12

* provides infection resistance

* lowers cholesterol

* is a liver protectant

* is anti-viral and anti-biofilm

Glyphosate severely suppresses taurine uptake.  Taurine supports muscle function, aids the nervous system and helps maintain calm by regulating stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Reading through these lists, can you see how important it is to keep these healthy bacteria in our horses' gut biome as well as mineral availability and absorption on track?!

In just about everything these days!  It pollutes up to 75% of the U.S. air supply, 74% in 70 streams and rivers sampled throughout the U.S. between 2015 and 2017 and is 96% present in soybeans, corn and cotton grown in the U.S. in 2020.  Others crops include alfalfa, tobacco, sorghum, sugar beets.

*Glyphosate is used as a desiccant on non-GMO crops like chickpeas, sunflower seeds, grapes, flax, barley, rye, peas, lentils, beans, wheat, oats.

*It is found in honey, beer and wine.

*It is found in vaccines from the vaccine growth medium from bovine or porcine gelatin and fetal bovine serum (the highest levels are in the MMR vaccine).

*It is found in gelatin, collagen, capsules and gelatin foods and supplements.

*It is often used early in the growing season to clear unwanted plants for crops like spinach, almonds, citrus groves, apple orchards, potatoes and Christmas trees.

*Many public spaces as well as private homes spray glyphosate, including ie; playgrounds, dog parks, sports fields, school yards, power line R.O.W., National Parks and forest preserves.

In British Columbia, the forest industry found that glyphosate remains in forest plant tissues for as long as 12 years. [Forest Ecology and Management Volume 493  1 August 2021, 119259

Urine testing covers approximately 1-3 weeks and detects immediate or on-going exposure from feed and or pasture.

Hair testing covers approximately 3-4 months and monitors long term exposure.

Tissue testing shows long term accumulation, and also tests tumors or when investigating deep seated toxicity.

Options for testing direct to horse (animal caregivers)...

1. Health Research Institute (HRI), hrilabs.org.  Urine tests for pets and animals.  Approx. $130.00

2. VDI Labs, vdilab.com.  Specializes in hair testing (mane or tail). Approx. $249.00

3. Parsley Pet Wellness, parsleypet.com. Urine test approx. $170.00, tissue test approx. $475.00

Or check with your regular veterinarian for testing options.

Some foods that are NOT grown or harvested with glyphosate include; chia, coconut meal and oil, hemp seeds and camelina oil (which is rich in Omega-3's).  Below is a list of forage based foods that you can seek out to use knowing they are non-GMO and glyphosate free.  Let me know if you have others to add to this list as a resource for others!

* CoolStance- coconut flesh that has been dried, baked and ground.  It smells really good too!

* SpeediBeet- dried, plain beet pulp flakes.

* Sainfoin-a forage, legume pellet.

* Season's Biome Blend- Sainfoin along with chia seeds and seasonal herbal variations that change for     spring, summer, fall and winter.

* Semican Timothy pellets- Western Canadian Timothy hay.

* Modesto Milling- similar to a ration balancer with alfalfa pellets, oats and more.

* Daily Dose Equine- Offers forage (not pelleted) and ration balancers containing whole oats, whole barley, alfalfa & Timothy hay, peas, sunflower seeds and beet pulp.

Using plants that bind or chelate to toxic heavy metals to help expel them from the body is what we're looking for.  Plants like spirulina and chlorella do just that while adding back so many of the minerals lost.  Red Clover is another potent detoxifier.  Any of these can be given to our horses through water buffets, free choice mineral set ups and even added directly to their feed.  A couple of Young Living products that I use regularly are MultiGreens (containing spirulina) and ComforTone (containing detoxifiers like barberry, burdock and Bentonite clay), both of which also include potent essential oils to round out their beneficial effects.  Bentonite clay can be used alone, mixed with water as a slurry for your horse to drink.  This is beneficial for the gut as well.  Do supplements at a different time if you use this as the clay will pull them out.

Sulfur is a key mineral in fighting the effects of glyphosate.  Dr. Stephanie Seneff has loads of research on glyphosate and sulfur.  Find her book Toxic Legacy for more information or her website stephanieseneff.net.   Foods high in sulfur that can be beneficial to our horses are cabbage, broccoli cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli sprouts and garlic.  Another thing that I feed daily that provides sulfur to my horses is Sulfurzyme.  I feed it to support their senior joints but even better that it helps to offset the effects of toxins like glyphosate.

Apple cider vinegar is great for breaking down glyphosate.  I feed it to my horses daily and it can even be offered in a water buffet.  I have fun making my own ACV from apple scraps.  You can read about it and find the recipe here.  Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchee are also beneficial to restoring the gut biome and something you can offer to your horses! 

Glycine is an amino acid in the body.  It makes up about 30% of collagen and has high anti-inflammatory  properties. It is responsible for collagen production, glutathione production, balance of blood sugar, the formation of connective tissue proteins, central nervous system health, strengthening the immune system and more.  Glyphosate disrupts glycine causing problems with the above functions.  Supplementing collagen helps to restore function.  Inner Beauty Collagen offers high levels of glycine with its fish collagen peptides along with other beneficial ingredients.  On a side note, in terms of people health, the Alberta Diabetes Institute in 2016, found that individuals with Type ll Diabetes had low levels of glycine in their bodies.

We learned earlier the disruption to the absorption of minerals by glyphosate, so it only makes sense to add them back in!  One that I use is Mineral Essence.  It is a great source of magnesium and is a full spectrum ionic mineral complex and is enhanced with essential oils.  Additionally, giving just 2 oz of NingXia Red supplies high amounts of minerals (selenium, manganese, zinc and 22 trace minerals) and vitamins like A,B,C and E.

Also disrupted by glyphosate is the gut biome.  Digestive enzymes are disrupted leaving proteins undigested (leaky gut).  Adding in enzymes has been helpful for my crew as well as myself.  There are a variety for your specific needs.  Supporting with probiotics is also helpful.  Life 9 has been beneficial for my crew.  It has 17 billion live cultures from 9 beneficial bacteria strains that help to support healthy digestion.  Another daily for my horses has been Digize.  Just 2-3 drops in their bowl daily keeps life on an even keel.

Offering your horses a variety of natural plants from your area would be a great benefit to them.  Whether you incorporate it into their environment or grow some herb flats that you bring to them, either way is offering them choices for healthful and beneficial nutrients.  And let them find the dandelions when they first come up!  These are another great detoxifier.

Utilizing herbs (as teas) or essential oils in water buffets are another great choice for our horses.  It allows them the opportunity to choose some of the nutrients they may be needing.  The detox suggestions are a great choice for the water buffet.

To learn more about some of these enrichment features, join us over in the The Hearts of Horses; Empowering Through Holistic Care community for that and so much more on holistic care.

A big thank you to Sherry Lamarche for her amazing presentations on this topic of Glyphosate at the YL Animal Conferences.  Much of my information came from notes from her presentations. This year's conference dates should be announced soon...