nutrition

The Benefits of Feeding ACV to Your Horses

Nov 12, 2025 03:55 PM Central
Marta Merrick
apple cider vinegar, bug season, essential oils, feeding horses, fly spray, gut health, holistic care, hoof care, immune system, joint care, nutrition
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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

Stand up for your horse's care to professionals

Aug 30, 2022 12:38 PM Central
Marta Merrick
aligning beliefs with professionals, barefoot horses, emotions, energy centers, energy work, essential oils, feeding horses, gut health, Healing Touch For Animals, holistic care, horsecare professionals, light therapy, natural horsekeeping, nutrition, toxin free, track system, trimming, vaccines, vibrational healing
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Have you ever felt intimidated, overlooked or even minimized when it comes to working with your horse's health care professionals?

Interactions like this can leave you feeling helpless, frustrated and even angry. Especially if you, as the caregiver, have some reservations about what is happening or just plain disagree! Early on I readily accepted the information from my professionals. After all, I was new to horses and was learning! But as time passed and I dove into a variety of aspects of caring for my horses, especially hoof care, there were many things I had been doing that just didn't feel right. I now had options for new, different and what I believed were better things to do. Things that felt better to me and were more closely in line with what I have for ideas on how I choose to care for my horses.

As I learned more, it became easier for me to speak up and ask questions and even disagree with what I may have been told by my professionals, who I had chosen. At some point, we must realize when and if things may not be working with that professional and seek out another who is more in alignment with our beliefs. Remember, you are the horse owner who hires the professional. You get the last word.

It is important for caregivers to realize that they are the decision makers for their horses.

Knowing we are the decision maker for our horse and actually speaking up and standing our ground, so to speak, are two very different things. For some it comes easier to speak up while others may need some help and encouragement.

Luckily, there ARE things we can do to BUILD OUR CONFIDENCE so that we feel empowered when talking with our horse's healthcare professional. The first thing to do is learn more about the various areas of our horse's care. Dive into books, watch videos, read blogs, go to seminars and webinars and learn from as many sources as you can. I can remember when I first got started I was grabbing every book and dvd collection I could get my hands on, for nutrition and hoof care! Luckily I had a great barefoot trimmer who was willing and happy to share her knowledge and resources with me.

Just having more knowledge gives us a more solid foundation from which to ask questions and feel more secure about having a conversation with a professional. Whether the topic is nutrition, hoof care, vaccinations or parasite protocols it is beneficial for you to learn that there are a variety of ways to deal with and promote good health. And you get to choose what you feel are the best ways to handle these for your horses.

The next thing to do is find and surround yourself with people who feel the same way that you do! Whether it is the barn community you choose or an online community, finding groups who align with our beliefs goes a long way to helping us feel confident in the decisions we are making. It gives us a sense that we are not alone, or crazy, for thinking and feeling the way we do. Just because it's a bit different than the "norm", doesn't make it bad or wrong. I have created an online community for exactly this kind of support and empowerment. It's called The Hearts of Horses; Empowering Through Holistic Care. Join us there if you're ready to feel empowered!

Now get started on these two tasks and see where your confidence journey takes you! I bet even your horses will notice a difference in your demeanor and energy...😉

All the best,

Marta

Kelp...Why its great for our horses!

Jun 16, 2022 09:39 AM Central
Marta Merrick
feeding horses, immune system, minerals, nutrition, thyroid support
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Have you ever felt poorly and later discovered you were actually deficient in nutrients?

Well I had an experience like this quite a few years ago. Once I got a supply of what I was needing (iodine), I started feeling much better! Iodine is a trace element and an essential nutrient that supports healthy thyroid function. This same scenario happens for our horses if they are not getting all the minerals and trace elements to help them with healthy body functions and their ability to thrive.

Through my experience with iodine, it brought to my attention how prevalent its deficiency is in both people and horses! The experience also brought to my attention the benefit of kelp in the diet to supply iodine along with many other beneficial nutrients. Kelp are large brown algae seaweeds. They are grown in forests in shallow ocean areas. It is known for it's high growth rate, growing as much as a 2 feet a day!

⭐️ Kelp provides an array of ... trace minerals, amino acids and vitamins and also includes iodine! Some of the minerals you'll find in kelp are calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It also contains the vitamins Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), and Folate (B9), Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

⭐️ With its generous amount of iodine, kelp supports the thyroid and healthy metabolism.

⭐️ Kelp supports healthy immune function.

⭐️ Kelp has a calming effect.

⭐️ Kelp is beneficial for skin, hair and hooves.

⭐️ Kelp supports healthy joints.

And so important...

⭐️ Kelp helps to remove heavy metals from the body.

Adding Kelp to my horses' diet has a been a daily thing for quite a few years now. I feed them about half an ounce per day in one meal. It is easily digested and utilized by the body. I have been using a brand called Sea Life out of Maine, organic kelp meal for animals. A 50# bag lasts us quite awhile and is very cost effective.

If you're looking for more helpful nutrition information, grab this free guide...foundation nutrition.

And for more holistic care information, join our community...The Hearts of Horses, Empowering Through Holistic Care.

All the best,

Marta

Spring Cleaning For Your Horse... Inside and Out

Apr 5, 2022 09:55 AM Central
Marta Merrick
barefoot horses, calm horses, essential oils, gut health, hoof care, immune system, nutrition, toxin free
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With the passing of every winter comes the excitement and joy of spring…warmer weather, trees budding, plants coming up in their bright green colors and time spent getting our horses shed out and cleaned up. There are a few items that have made my life a heck of a lot easier and helped to improve the health of my horses! Let me share these with you…

Let’s take a look at cleaning up the outside first. Sooo much hair to remove and hooves to check…

The first item is one that I discovered while in my trimming practice. It became a staple of my business and I used it on all client’s hooves. I used it for its effectiveness at cleaning hooves and for promoting the healthy growth of the frogs. The fact that I could make up a 28 oz bottle for a little over a dollar was a big deal too! This spray is not only effective for cleaning hooves but it did wonders for the skin and coat of my horses. It is one of the main things to help my horse Calli get over her springtime itching situation that I would deal with every year when I first got her. This Thieves Household Cleaner has become a part of everything I clean in the barn and my home. It’s toxin free ingredients and ability to promote wellness make it a perfect option for those looking for holistic care.

With spring comes exuberant horses and with that comes minor injuries. This next item, while not so much on the cleaning side of things, it certainly goes hand in hand with them and does wonders on these injuries. It’s the thing that I turn to for any cuts, scrapes, nicks or dings on my horses. First they get the Thieves Cleaner spray, maybe an oil or two depending upon what has happened and then a finger full of the Animal Scents Ointment. It goes on easy, almost melts into the skin and provides a protective barrier. It contains powerful essential oils like Myrrh and Tea Tree, along with moisturizing base oils that make a dry, cracked frog feel better. I shared a great hack on making the Ointment more user friendly in my holistic care fb community,The Hearts Of Horses, Empowering Through Holistic Care . This is another of my must-have horse care tools and is always on hand!

With the warmer weather we can finally give a bath! While I do not go overboard on this, it is still important to me to have something that will not harm my horses’ skin and immune system, but instead supports them. I’ve been using the Animal Scents Shampoo for quite a few years now for both my horses and dog, and the occasional cat. It is a deterrent to lice, ticks and other insects so that is a big gold star in my book, especially since my horses live in the woods! This is very concentrated and only a small amount is needed. I use one of my old Thieves Dish Soap bottles and add a bit to it then fill with hot water to mix it up. This makes application and spreading it around a lot easier. Their hair comes out smelling so clean as well as looking and feeling so soft and healthy.

This next item is one that I discovered works great as a mane and tail detangler! It’s the Insect Repellent. So while I’m untangling manes and tails, my horses are getting a treatment with Vitamin E and bug (mosquito, flea and tick)repelling properties from pure essential oils like Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Geranium, Spearmint, Thyme and Clove oil. Sesame oil works on the tangles! Double duty on one product makes this one a must have with my spring readiness.

Now let’s take a look at how we can “clean up” our horses’ insides…

When we talk about cleaning up our horse’s insides, it has everything to do with their digestive system health and their nutrition. For awhile now I’ve used garlic granules for my horses. First, I began just giving it to them in their feed seasonally as a bug deterrent but after writing a blog about the benefits of garlic, I decided to feed it year round. From digestive support to fighting fungal infections to detoxifying heavy metals… garlic really helps to clean and maintain internal function.

Adding a potent probiotic will benefit the intestinal system and support proper bowel function. The bowels are so important to immune system health and without their proper function, the body is susceptible to a variety of illnesses. Probiotics are necessary to rid the body of the harmful bacteria and yeast. From personal experience with our oldest gelding Saxon, the Life 9 probiotics have been a saving grace. Saxon was experiencing very loose stools and even liquid dripping marks on his back side. Once I incorporated the Life 9 into his daily regimen, he was back on track! He gets one per day and that seems to work well for him.

The last “inside cleaning” item I will share are enzymes. Enzymes are necessary for proper digestion, nutrient utilization and waste elimination. They can help to combat such things as gas, allergies, lethargy and even behavior changes. This last thing is what caused me to try Allerzyme with Saxon. He was really acting out of sorts and being down right grumpy, which is not his usual demeanor. As soon as I started him on Allerzyme, he went back to his old, happy self. I am currently using Essentialzymes for him now with the same good results. He may even like them better as they have a peppermint coated bilayer for dual time release during digestion.

Wishing you all the best as we kick off spring!

Marta

Thrush… How to Avoid It and How to Deal With It!

Feb 11, 2022 12:45 PM Central
Marta Merrick
barefoot horses, holistic care, nutrition, thrush, track system
1 Comment

As horse care givers we know the damage that thrush can do. Or do we? There are so many horses out there who have back foot pain. It could be that slit up the back of the frog into the heel bulbs, maybe it’s the gooey, smelly junk in the collateral grooves, or perhaps it’s just a small frog that does not seem to grow. This pain causes the horse to land on the toes first creating all kinds of tearing and trouble for the hoof.

Much of the time this lameness is due to untreated bacterial and fungal infection. If let go, unnoticed for a long period, it creeps deeper into the hoof causing pain and more damage.

Needless to say, thrush is a big deal and we, as horse caregivers, need to be aware of it!

Because I am a huge proponent of a prevention philosophy when it comes to the care of my horses, I’m going to share the one big thing that you can do to help your horses to avoid thrush! The one thing that has the biggest impact on PREVENTING THRUSH is MOVEMENT!

Getting your horse out and moving on a track system is ideal for the health of their hooves. It offers stimulation to the hoof for growth, the ability to clean itself out and helps to wear the foot depending upon the terrain. If you’ve never heard of a track system or would like to learn more, I invite you to check in with our The Hearts of Horses, Empowering Through Holistic Care community. Guide 2 is all about the benefits and features of a track system.

You can get started helping your horse to move simply by giving them multiple places to eat hay, whether its from piles of hay or hay bags. They will move from one area to another. Setting up other features such as their water and salt in other areas will encourage even more movement. With a little bit of creativity and imagination, its easy to set it up for the horses’ benefit!

Another key piece in the prevention of thrush puzzle is the importance of nutrition. Sugars are food for the bacteria so removing the sugar from the diet will benefit the health of the foot. If you’ve had a stubborn case of thrush, look to changing this piece and see what happens! Sugars will be in hay, grains, supplements, mineral licks and more! Take a look at the suggestions in this guide to get your horse started off with a good nutrition foundation.

Alongside the nutrition piece comes adequate minerals. They are key to hoof growth and quality. Minerals like zinc, copper and selenium are necessary for healthy growth. You’ll want to make sure your horse’s diet contains these. I have seen tremendous growth with my own horses hooves and hair when I started them on a supplement ! The supplement, Sulfurzyme, contains sulfur which is loaded with the vitamins and minerals needed for hair and hoof growth. I started giving it for joint support to my older guy, but needless to say I was pretty happy with the hair and healthy hoof growth as well!

Another piece you’ll want to be aware of, is making sure there is no added iron in your horses diet. This can come from a variety of places including hay, water and feeds. There are barns who have discovered high iron in their water sources when they couldn’t get rid of the thrush (and other hoof troubles) issue for the majority of horses at the barn. It’s easy enough to have your water tested to figure this out. You’ll also want to check your feed labels for the word ferrous (and another word after it). These are iron related and will add to the problem.

One of the most valuable products I learned about when I had my trimming practice was Thieves Household Cleaner. I started carrying it when trimming and used it to spray every clients hooves when I finished trimming. It is a great way to keep the hooves in great shape as it promotes healthy growth while keeping trouble at bay.

If you’re dealing with thrush and working toward removing it, put these other factors that I wrote about above into place. Then, use the Thieves Cleaner as a soak in a soaker boot. Mixed with an essential oil like Melrose, it does a terrific job of clearing things up! For the really bad feet that have that painful crack in the back of the foot, I have found Animal Scents Ointment to be incredibly soothing and helpful in making the horse more comfortable.

And isn’t that really what it’s all about…? Making them more comfortable so they can heal faster. That is definitely my goal!

Thanks for reading and I hope this information is helpful to you.

All the best,

Marta

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Get Strong, Vibrant and Intentional

Do you ever hit that energy slump at 2:00 or 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon? DO you lack the ambition to carry on throughout the day, like you feel there is nothing left in your tank and you're just running on fumes?

That used to be me...Every. Single. Day.

It got so frustrating not being able to get done all the things I needed to each day. It was the simple things too, like fixing supper for my family. At the time, being a farrier for horses meant heavy lifting and hard, repetitive movements hour after hour and by 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon I was feeling wiped. My arms felt heavy, I was dragging my feet and I was cranky and moody. It didn't take much for me to snap at someone who tried to talk to me.

But then, I was given the opportunity to try a special juice for a 30 day period. I purchased two bottles and proceeded to drink the juice daily. Within the first week I felt better! I had more energy, felt happier and enjoyed working into the afternoon. On really busy days (trimming 8-10 horses) I would have some juice with lunch too. I noticed it made me feel more full and focused! As I went through the month drinking the juice, I felt strong, energized, grounded and able to happily go through my day. It wasn't until the month was over, and the juice was gone, that within a couple of days I was feeling like my old, dragged out self. I knew then that I needed to add this drink to my life. Permanently!

I've since learned to use this juice, along with other strategies, to benefit the wellness of my animals. It is now my great joy in life to empower others to care for their animals in an holistic way in order to benefit them mentally, emotionally and physically.

Are you ready to live your best life with your animals?

Where you can both be strong, vibrant, and intentional... together!

Join me on this journey...

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nutrition

The Benefits of Feeding ACV to Your Horses

Stand up for your horse's care to professionals

Kelp...Why its great for our horses!

Spring Cleaning For Your Horse... Inside and Out

Thrush… How to Avoid It and How to Deal With It!

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