When I first got started with horses, I used "bute". Phenylbutazone (a synthetic analgesic) is what everybody used and the vets prescribed readily for most problems. Later, when I learned that it creates problems in the gut, I knew I needed to look for alternatives for pain and inflammation management.
Managing pain and inflammation are a priority when helping your horse to recover from anything! When these two issues are diminished it allows the animal to initiate their own innate healing. We can help them when we put things in place that allows them to heal faster and easier. For example, while learning more about hooves, it became clear that stall rest would create longer healing times and was hard on horses mentally and emotionally. The faster we can get them comfortable and moving with their herd, the faster the healing time.
I've always been drawn to plants, so I gravitated to plants and herbs as these safer options of pain and inflammation management. Getting help form a local herbalist, I began using such herbs as yucca, devil's claw and white willow bark. It became clear that the horses liked these choices too as they never turned their nose up at eating them. I even found that branches from our willow tree, that had blown down into their track, were readily stripped of leaves and the bark was chewed! That said a lot to me! They were seeking out these options on their own.
Later, I would be introduced to Young Living Essential Oils and would fall in love with how well and how quickly they helped in every situation in which I used them! One memorable time, I went to trim a horse who was favoring one foot when I arrived. It was the left hind and he wasn't putting any weight on it. I asked the owner if I could apply some Wintergreen oil in the hopes that he may feel well enough to allow me to work on the other back foot. I applied a drop to each of the Ting points on the coronary band. In seconds that lovely, older gelding swung his head back and said, "Thank You, that feels so much better"! This is one experience that happened early on when I started using the oils and really solidified my belief in how well and quickly they work (without any ill side effects). Some of my other favorite oils in theses situations are Clove, Copaiba, Lemongrass, Helichrysum, Panaway and the Orthosport and OrthoEase Massage Oils.
One of the next tools I learned about and acquired was a red light from Photonic Health. The red light activates cell respiration, releasing nitric oxide and creating energy in the form of ATP(adenosine triphosphate). This action causes blood vessels to relax and widen allowing for greater blood flow within the tissues. The increased ATP production allows for better absorption of nutrients, eliminates toxins, triggers release of endorphins, enkephalins, anti-inflammatories, serotonin and more. I have used this tool on my horses for such things as cuts and scrapes, hoof issues and puncture wounds to regular wellness care. It's so easy to use and with the reference books, it makes it even easier!
The most recent option for holistic care that I learned to use is Healing Touch for Animals. HTA just drew me right in when I first observed it at an holistic care animal conference a few years ago! Soon after I took the online Level 1 and later went on to take the Level 2 in person, in PA. What an amazing way to support our horses (and other animals) using specific techniques and being the "tool" in helping to restore their energetic flow and balance. HTA techniques reduce and eliminate pain, stress and trauma by allowing the relaxation response to occur. When there is relaxation, the body initiates its own healing response. Addressing this energetic side of our horses, in my opinion, is the piece that is overlooked in traditional care. It is the piece, that when cared for, allows the animal to heal themselves faster and more completely. It is also the piece that when focused on, is a great tool for preventive care. A balanced energetic system is part of being well and healthy.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful and consider giving one or all a try!
And if you're not already in it, join my community for more holistic care ways to care for your horses...The Hearts of Horse, Empowering Through Holistic Care.
All the best,
Marta
If you're like me and your horse has had a reaction to a spring or fall shot, then you may already be in this frame of mind or way of thinking...
It is not normal for our horses to be sick after getting their shots.
This should be a huge, waving red flag to horse owners. Repeating the same vaccines year after year horse owners must realize that this indiscriminate vaccine schedule, that is recommended to them, is not really about protecting their horses. There are side effects like swelling, fever, hives, colic symptoms, disorientation, lethargy and more! The overabundance of these vaccines builds up in the body causing a vaccinosis. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to create a variety of health issues, some permanent, just to avoid the potential of a problem. Problems that can be avoided through good health and horse keeping.
I can remember talking with a client about their pony who had bouts of laminitis every spring. It was always after the traditional spring shots had been administered. I suggested she skip the shots from now on and see how her pony does. It was no surprise to me that the pony had no problems with laminitis that spring. He was turned out with a grazing muzzle and spent his time happily with the herd!
Did you know you can get a titer? Titers are a way to learn the protection status of your horse. This is valuable if you have a horse and have no knowledge of his background and previous care. Titers are a blood test to measure the antibodies for specific antigens which develop from previous exposure or previous vaccine against a disease. A positive titer means the horse is sufficiently protected and remains that way for a number of years. So titers can be spread out over a few years. It seems to me that this is a much safer option for the horse. When you know what the horse is already sufficiently protected from, then you don't need to vaccinate again.
Instead of staying in the same pattern of shots every spring and fall, take a look at your horse's lifestyle. There are things to consider to determine if your horses are at risk and the diseases that may be threatening in your area. Do your horses stay at home all the time? Do they travel and go to events? Does your horse have any pre-existing health conditions? This is a big one right here! Horses with compromised health of any kind should not be vaccinated (it says it on the vaccine data sheet)! Unfortunately, it happens more often than I care to know.
As your horse's caregiver, it is up to you to become educated on this and other care topics. Once you learn more, you will then be able to make an informed decision for the health of your horse. A short while back I did an interview with holistic veterinarian Dr. Barb Fox in my holistic care community The Hearts Of Horses, Empowering Through Holistic Care. She offers a great holistic care perspective on this topic along with important lifestyle features to consider when deciding on vaccines for your horse. If you'd like to watch the interview, you can see it here.
Once you become more knowledgeable on topics like vaccines, it makes it easier to ask questions of our professionals. Having the confidence to ask questions can be difficult, but when it's our horse's care at stake... it is our responsibility to do the best we can for them. Take the time to ask questions with your veterinarian, have a conversation. Hopefully, they will be open to answering your questions. If not, and they are not willing to work with you, know that you can seek out new professionals (vet, dentist, hoof care etc.) who are in line with how you feel about your horse's care.
Remember, you are the decision maker for your horse's care. You hire the professionals to work with you and for you and your horses. No one knows your horses as well as you do. The decisions are yours. Learn more and empower yourself to be the best care giver that you can be.
Join our Hearts of Horses community and learn even more about supporting the health and wellness of your horses.
All the best,
Marta
