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
It's here! Bug season!
The noseeums are out in full force here in VT and I have stocked up with my favorite things to keep my horses protected. Having a variety of safe options for my horses is a priority for me at this time of year. There are multiple ways I attack this, let me share with you what I use to keep my horses happy and protected from a variety of pests.
One of the things I've been doing for awhile, and attacks the problem from the inside, is feeding garlic. I started feeding it seasonally but after learning all the benefits of garlic (read about that in my blog here ), I decided I to feed it daily, year round. I think it makes a huge difference in keeping the bugs from biting my horses! I like and use the SpringTime Bug Off Granules. They are freeze-dried with just garlic as the ingredient. I feed about a tablespoon per day to each horse. Because it is so strong, this is something you really need to start off with very small amounts to introduce to your horses. Gradually you can increase the amounts as they accept the garlic. Mine have no trouble with it but I also add a couple of essential oils that may help the taste as well. SpringTime even offers a great buy 2 get 1 free option, when purchasing, along with free shipping at a certain level of dollars spent.
For the face, ears, throat and undersides ( belly and back legs especially) I have had great success with using Young Living Insect Repellent. It comes in a 6 oz container. I can use it straight from the bottle as very concentrated as it is or cut it with some ACV and add it to an aerosol spray bottle. These aerosol bottles are great for putting out a fine mist that works well on their underside area.
The Insect Repellent also comes in the form of wipes. These are especially effective and easy to use on the face, ears and neck area. I also have reused the wipes by adding more of the repellent from the bottle! They are so handy to throw in a saddle bag, keep with grooming tools or toss in the Holistic Care Equine Emergency Kit.
Last year I discovered the following recipe from a friend and have found it very effective. I'm not sure if it's the catnip tea, the essential oils or the combination of all of the ingredients but I do like how well it works. And using the Cleaner, Dish Soap and so many oils for everyday life just makes it easy to whip this up! I make and keep plenty available so that my spray bottles never run out!
Spray Recipe from Cherie Ross
1. Steep 1/2 cup catnip in 1/2 gallon of water, cover and cool to room temp. Then strain. A coffee filters works great for final straining.
2. Add catnip tea to a jug.
3. Add 1 TBSP Thieves Household Cleaner , 1 TBSP Thieves Dish Soap , 1.5 TBSP neem oil.
4. Add 20 drops each Citronella, Lemongrass, Kunzea (known as tick bush where it grows native), Basil
5. Add 10 drops each Hinoki, Copaiba, Peppermint, R.C.
Shake to mix and shake before each use.
Pour into a 28-30 oz. spray bottle. Keep out of sun.
As needed, I also use the Animal Scents Ointment on areas of the skin that may be open but I need to keep the bugs off. A finger full of this ointment, whipped up, and it soothes the area while keeping pests away. I have even slathered it on lower legs when the bugs seemed very bad and were bothering Saxon. It was amazing how well it protected him!
Perhaps this is not what you want to hear but giving your horses a place to roll in a sandy or even muddy area allows them to get relief from the bugs as well. Having areas like this to indulge in offers them more of the natural lifestyle features that promote balanced horses. When horses are able to live like horses they tend to be happier with fewer of the problems we see in traditional horse care.
Looking for more information on holistic care for your horses? Join our community The Hearts Of Horses, Empowering Through Holistic Care and learn more about supporting your horse's wellness!
All the best,
Marta
