"A Horse’s Healthy Immune System"

Howdy Friends,

All things for a horse are better with an immune system firing on all cylinders. Protecting our horse’s healthy immune system is one of the most important things we can, and indeed should, do in my opinion. The thoughts I’m about to share are mine, you may take them into account or disregard.

Kessy taking in the sun on a chilly winter morning

Recently while working with a client and her horse we began discussing immune health and skin issues. I believe rain rot, inside ear rash, scratches and even thrush are signs of a weakened immune system. I also believe they must be most effectively cured from the “inside out.” I subscribe to the theory that topical treatments treat the symptom, not the root cause. Less than glowing, shining coat and any skin condition always, for me, points to the immune system. I think of it as the earliest warning sign, and if not heeded many things can go wrong leading to more significant disorders.

What can we do to be sure our horses have the most powerful immune system possible? There are many products available; supplements, vitamins, herbs, immune boosters. For a long time I researched many, and indeed used many different approaches. Thanks to the blessing of being allowed to write for “Natural Horse Magazine,” I’ve had the honor and privilege of interviewing some of this country’s most knowledgeable and respected holistic doctors and veterinarians, animal health care providers, herbalists, acupuncture practitioners, trainers and more, and have learned so much I often joke I should pay Lisa Ross Williams, owner publisher, for the college education she’s provided me!

Among those I’ve met is Dr. Joseph Thomas, the world’s foremost Chinese Herbalist, and founder of “For Love of the Horse,” and like others I’ve written about we’ve become friends. Having been convinced that the best long term defense/maintenance for the battle against Lyme disease is in fact the horse’s own immune system, I have for several years been working to build my mare Kessy’s, as she has chronic Lyme and has ever since I’ve owned her.

I knew that Dr. Thomas had a proprietary blend of pharmaceutical grade herbs, “Total Immune Health,” and I asked him about using it to help my mare. He assured me it would and explained his blend, after years of research, is designed to, and proven to, boost the immune system at its very core, in the bone marrow—which he has many times proven with before and after blood work showing the increased white blood cells. I put Kessy on it and indeed within the first week saw results, even though she had started at a good place.

I mentioned my client the other day that I do a Dr. Thomas treatment each spring getting ready for summer insects, ticks etc. She asked why only once a year and why not stay on it year-round.

I explained while I totally believe Dr. Thomas’ products are the very best available to us today, and indeed are scientifically backed up; they can only be part of the whole.

Management, I explained, plays a huge, perhaps the biggest role in protecting a horse’s immune system. Many, many things we do can help or detract from it. I truly believe that once a year is all my mare needs in that I am fanatical about not doing anything to lower, or stress her immune system throughout the year. Things to avoid (all things I'm about to list we now know, can indeed damage or confuse, or in some cases shut down immune operations) ... I don't re-vaccinate (immunologists have known sine the '70's once a lifetime is enough for everything except tetanus,) ... I don't use chemical wormer only herbal, I use no chemical fly sprays only natural (most fly sprays don't work very well anyway) ... I don't blanket (I know this one is confusing, but it matters) ... I don't stall ever ... I feed no grain, and I'm a barefoot practitioner. Now I understand some of these are difficult to agree with, believe, believe in, buy into, or even want to accept and I understand that... I understand peer pressure, habits, lifestyles etc, but there ya have it ... I was not always a believer either, but I've seen with my own experiences the truth behind the practices I try hard to promote, "It's for the Horses." ... We must always remember as well, horses have a strangely fragile immune system when it comes to man-made interference especially.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry.

"Susan Domizi—SOURCE Micronutrients"

Howdy Friends,

Yesterday I had the honor of interviewing Susan Domizi, innovator, entrepreneur, and a woman of vision. Over 40 years ago she founded SOURCE(R) Micronutrients, a seaweed-based supplement supplying the micronutrients so lacking in today’s foods, plants and so necessary for optimum health. My full story will appear in my Holistic Hall Of Fame column in the July/Aug/Sept issue of Natural Horse Magazine, and I thought I’d share excerpts here for our Coffee Clutch Friends.

How does a company stay in business forty years? Commitment to being the very best it can be in all aspects from product development, customer service, research, and most of all honesty. Honesty in everything they do for, and with, the products they produce, and the people, horses and animals they serve. At the core of SOURCE Micronutrients are founder Susan Domizi’s desire, pledge, and heart to produce the very best, highest quality, seaweed-based supplement possible with the God given nutrition in tack. Her commitment and diligence have become self evident in the health and longevity of those she serves. And the longevity of her company. 

From harvesting the many varied types of seaweed, to processing, to testing, packaging and shipping, and customer service, every detail is managed by the team. No products are purchased; everything is harvested, processed and packaged by SOURCE Micronutrients. A promise no other company can match. This absolute commitment to quality guarantee has been often recognized worldwide. From the very first bucket of SOURCE Micronutrients sold, a money back guarantee has been in place, with no regrets.

From the earliest days when Susan began formulating SOURCE she quickly learned there are vast differences in seaweed. Realizing that purchasing seaweed from mass suppliers and “mixing her own formulas” was not nearly good enough, it was certainly not reliable in any quality control standards she held, Susan set about learning the highest and best types of seaweed for each particular micronutrient, where it grew, and how to harvest. Today, and from the beginning, they stand alone as the only company to totally control each and every aspect of their seaweed-based product. From selection, to harvesting to drying, packaging, shipping and customer service it is all done by the Source team. 

But what are micronutrients and why should you care, or feed seaweed to your horse? Today’s farmed, and even wild plant life, have been shown to be alarmingly low in micronutrients. Most vitamins and mineral supplements are as well. Essentially every metabolic process in the body requires micronutrients to function properly. It is impossible to achieve optimum health without adequate micronutrients. It is little wonder we are witnessing the proliferation of auto immune diseases in our horses, for instance the widespread occurrences of insulin resistant horses.

Longevity, not only the company has stood the test of time, but their products have too. And the horses who benefit from them have proven it. Several years ago a major feed company ran a campaign to find the oldest living horse to kick off its own, “senior feed.” The two horses proven to be the oldest in the country were both fifty years old. Both owners had been feeding SOURCE for decades. It truly makes a difference, a big and noticeable difference.

Our Holistic Hall of Fame column exists to honor and pay tribute to “Those individuals who have made a difference in the horse world, holistically.” Susan Domizi most certainly has. It is an honor to know her and celebrate her—and recommend SOURCE Micronutrients. She, her products and her company can and do make a difference, every day.

To learn more about this amazing woman, her team and the products they produce for our horses, pets and humans, please CLICK HERE to visit their website. You’ll be glad you did.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry