As we prepare for the upcoming holiday gatherings, making our favorite foods, I want you to know that you can put those apple scraps to work for you and your horses when you're making that apple pie, apple crisp or even the Waldorf salad!
One of the things I love about fall is the variety of apples that are prevalent in our area ( there are many but Mac's are my favorite!). Apple picking has always been an activity I look forward to each year. It's safe to say that I like to use apples in any way possible from eating off a tree, to making sauce, to making pies.
When I read that it was possible to make Apple Cider Vinegar from the apple scraps, I was immediately interested in learning how! Not only do I use this for myself but ACV has been a daily nutrition piece for my horses for as long as I have included it in my own daily regimen.
Quite awhile back I changed how I was eating. I learned how to fast through the morning and break my fast somewhere between 11:00 am and noon time, sometimes later if I'm involved in a project! One of the things that I began incorporating into my morning routine was drinking a tea of ACV, a few drops of Thieves essential oil, hot water and honey. This tea, with the ACV, helped to set the stage for activating my digestive system for the day. The Thieves oil helps to support my immune system and in general keep me healthy. For both of these reasons I also give the Thieves oil to my horses intermittently.
Apple Cider Vinegar offers a variety of benefits for the body (ours and our horses)...
Internal use of Apple Cider Vinegar;
* Rids the body of toxic waste, with its "mother enzyme", by what is referred to as acetolysis. Even our horses are susceptible to toxins through their environment as well as nutritionally.
*Reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Drinking just 1 Tbsp, 2 x per day lowers the glycemic index of that meal. The acetic acid that's in ACV inhibits the enzyme that converts starch into simple sugars better managing blood glucose and improving insulin response to carbohydrate meals. (study from Johnston, C.S. , Journal of Functional Foods 2013). What a great way to help the EMS horse.
*Weight loss. The pectin in apples (ACV) helps to cleanse the digestive tract while stimulating the body to burn stored fat. Again helping the horse that is an "easy keeper" and could lose a few pounds.
*Increasing weight. For those who are under weight, often they are deficient in enzymes that are necessary to break down food to be utilized by the body. Organic apples contain these necessary enzymes. When combined with iodine ( I use J. Crow Lugol's Solution for me and Sea Life kelp for my horses) to support the thyroid and digestive enzymes (Essentialzymes, Detoxzyme, Allerzyme) food is broken down readily and utilized more efficiently. For the "hard keeper" these suggestions are a good place to start.
*Cleaning the system. ACV and water, when combined with flax acts as a lubricant for the large and small intestines. The omega 3's in flax also help remove toxins. When soaked, flax becomes gelatinous helping to move things along in the intestines. Flax also provides 700x the amount of fiber in whole grains and legumes. For horses think colic. It is imperative to keep things moving!
*Supports healthy joints. ACV removes the stony acid crystals that form and deposit in the joints and cardiovascular system. ACV washes out this waste for improved function. It also helps to soothe muscle cramps and soreness. Joint, cardiovascular and muscle support are all areas of focus when caring for our horses.
*When using ACV topically it supports healthy skin by returning ph balance. It is also beneficial for sunburns, insect bites, yeast and fungus. Adding ACV to DIY fly sprays or for hoof soaks is a great use for our horses.
Now that I've gone through all the great benefits of ACV, I think I will be adding another ACV tea to my daily routine! Especially now that I make my own with this easy apple scrap vinegar recipe...
1 # apple scraps
1 cup sugar or honey
1/2 cup raw ACV
2 quarts water
Mix ingredients together and place in a warm spot, covered with a thin cloth. Stir daily and allow to ferment.
When bubbles slow or stop, remove scraps by straining through cheesecloth. Discard the scraps.
Keep the "Mother" (the white film that develops) and return her back to the ACV.
Cover again with cloth cover and let sit on shelf (warm and dark for 2-4 weeks.
This is so easy to make and add to my horses' daily routine. I add about a 4 oz of this ACV to a 12 oz jar, fill with water and divide up between my 3 horses. But as like myself, I may just start adding it to their evening meal too!
If you're looking for more holistic ways to support your horses, join us over in our Hearts Of Horses; Empowering Through Holistic Care community on Face Book.
All the best,
Marta
There’s probably a good reason that someone made up that old saying of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. My guess is because apples are loaded with all kinds of good nutrients for your body… like enzymes, minerals, trace minerals and potassium. And after all, our horses love them too! These important life building nutrients are all contained in Apple Cider Vinegar.
Quite a few years back I changed how I was eating due to the physical discomfort in my body. I did a fast (3 days without food!) and learned to gradually reintroduce certain healthful foods back into my diet.
As part of my new regimen, I learned about the many health benefits of and started using Apple Cider Vinegar, the good stuff with the “mother” in it! It contains an enzyme that “eats up” the toxic waste in the body.
Some of the amazing benefits I’ve learned about ACV include…
- Detoxifies the blood stream and organs
- Helps to achieve and more balanced pH
- Assists kidneys, bladder and liver
- Promotes circulation
- Supports digestion
Also for animals (including the above)…
- Deters fleas, ticks and mosquitos
- Relives skin and ear problems
- Promotes a healthy, shiny coat
I started drinking ACV in a tea first thing in the morning. One of the things it does is jumpstart my digestive system. All I know is that I am feeling so much better by starting my day with ACV/Thieves tea with honey!
At some point along the way I decided that it was doing so much good for me that I should give it to my horses too! I was already using it topically for their hooves for thrush by soaking and spraying. The ACV can be added to their water for drinking, but for me, I just add it to their daily feed. I add about a third of a cup of ACV to a liter bottle and fill the rest with water. Then I mix some into their milled flax and supplements.
Potassium is one of the key constituents offered in ACV. Did you know 75% of the body’s potassium is found in skeletal muscle and is necessary for function? Horses are able to excrete excess potassium through urine or sweating but when there is a deficiency in the body, there can be some pretty detrimental effects.
A horse with low potassium will exhibit…
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Reluctance to exercise
- Decreased water and food intake
- Restlessness
- Spookiness
Offering your horse a lifestyle with unlimited forage will help to avoid low potassium issues. It’s always good to test your hay to know what the levels of minerals are contained within it. From there you have a clearer picture on what to supplement.
An excerpt from the book, Apple Cider Vinegar; Miracle Health System by Paul Bragg ND PhD and Patrice Bragg ND PhD…
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, in 400 B.C. treated his patients with amazing raw Apple Cider Vinegar because he recognized its powerful cleansing and healing qualities. It is a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria in the body.
I have found that adding Apple Cider Vinegar to my horse’s daily routine has been a great boost to their health. It has added another beneficial layer to their holistic lifestyle!
Give it a try and see how your horses like it.
Marta
