"Dr. Thomas Cures Kessy’s Heaves"

Howdy Friends!

Kessy and me.

Well Kessy has had a rough winter and spring, but thanks to Dr Thomas, she is all better now. I share story this in the hopes some will find it useful.

I’ve written about Dr Thomas several times. Recognized as this country’s foremost Chinese Herbalist he practices Contemporary Chinese Herbalism, and heals many people, horses and dogs worldwide. For Kessy’s Lyme disease issues, it is my protocol to administer one round of Dr Thomas’ Total Immune Health each spring to boost her immune.

About 2 years ago Kessy had developed a transient cough, so I began steaming her hay, and continue to. That stopped the cough and the rare short breaths went away too. But late this winter her cough came back, I steamed the hay longer. I have her teeth done each February and as her coughing seemed to happen while eating, I blamed the teeth and had her done. It did indeed seem to help. But in a few days the cough returned. By the end of February she was coughing 4 or 5 times a day; these were real coughing spells of 5 to 10 coughs. I noticed her respiration rate was poor sometimes throughout the day, but mostly acceptable. For some time now her breathing had gone through little spells where that happened but quickly improved to normal, so I figured it was doing the same.

As most of our rides are less than 2 hours and largely at a walk, I noticed no problems there either ... Until our last ride February 28, when she coughed several times. I didn’t notice shortness of breath, but now know she must have had. That night she woke us with a coughing fit that lasted an hour! I stood with her in near panic administrating TTeam Touch circles. Her breathing deteriorated very quickly over the next days. Her respiration at rest was well into the twenties. Sometimes as high as 40.

The first week of March I’d started her on Dr Thomas’ Total Immune Health and figured that would fix it. I found out a few days later that while part of Doc’s protocol to heal Heaves is his Total Immune Health, it won’t heal it alone. By now Kessy was coughing nearly every hour. I spoke to Doc and after a very comprehensive questionnaire he indeed diagnosed Heaves and shipped his Heaves Formula immediately. At this time, early March, Kessy’s reparation was always in the thirties. She coughed while eating, laying down, rolling and other times. Her breath, shallow and short.

Within days of starting Doc’s Heaves formula her breathing began to improve, her coughing spells were cut in half the first week. By the end of the second week of Doc’s treatment her respiration was in the twenties and she coughed about 3 to 5 times a day. I kept a journal and documented every coughing spell and respiration rate 4 times a day. Then we stalled, and even slipped back. She had 2 very bad relapses.

I sent detailed reports to Doc weekly, and he responded. After the second relapse he formulated a special blend for Kessy.

Now here we need to be sure you understand, what Doc’s pharmaceutical grade herbal blends do is “heal” not mask or manage. I have known folks whose horses have heaves for years and typical treatments are ongoing and never heal, and that was not what I wanted for Kessy. Doc explained we were indeed “healing” her bronchial passage ways and capillaries in her lungs and more, and it would take time. But would indeed heal her.

With the new blend beginning in early April she improved remarkably. Within the first week her coughs were single quiet coughs and only once or twice a day. Her at-rest respiration was in the low twenties. We began short rides mid April, no coughs.

Today we are still on full protocol of treatments, Total Immune Health and Kessy’s Special Cough Formula. She has not coughed a single time since April 28; her respiration is 14 to 16 at rest. Through these past weeks we’ve had days of 80+ temps and “high pollen” alerts, nothing has fazed Kessy.

We’ve begun riding again last week, no coughs nor any short breaths. Yesterday we rode for 2 hours, all was perfect. Kessy even insisted on a few canters and some gaiting. Post ride her respiration was 44, within 10 minutes, it was 18. It was a very warm day too, 84 degrees.

I was truly amazed 2 things. How quickly Kessy deteriorated. And how well Dr Thomas’ blends, and knowledge, can truly heal, not mask and manage. Yes there will be more treatments but only for a little longer, then she’ll be all better. I will though, always steam her hay, many benefits to that.

Hope you find this little story thought provoking and helpful.

You can find Dr. Thomas here www.forloveofthehorse.com He truly is a healer.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry.

The Feet Matter

Howdy Folks,

My mare Kessy's, beautiful feet. I do maintenance trim every 3-4 weeks. Takes about 20 minutes.

The feet matter. You bet they do and I have come to believe that they matter a whole lot more than a lot of folks realize they do. Yes just about everyone who has a horse can recite that old axiom, “No foot no horse.” But why then are so many horses allowed to endure all the structural damage of poorly managed feet?

In recent months I’ve traveled more than normal working with folks and their horses on posture. For me, just about everything good, great, not so good, bad and horrible can be traced to posture, the horses, and the human’s—but mostly I focus on the horse. Since I’ve been traveling more than normal, I’ve seen more horses than I have been for a while. And I’ve seen a lot of feet causing poor posture. And I’ve begun to speak up, sorry.

For a long time now I’ve devoted a fair amount of my time to helping folks understand and learn the exercises Peggy Cummings put together to promote proper posture, body carriage and self awareness. As folks who know me know, I’m all about the horse’s posture and I’ve often written about it. And for a long time I’ve “mentioned” the feet, but went about meeting with folks, doing a few clinics and trying to help. Inside me though, I was well aware that even though by the end of the day or clinic we’d have the horse in great, healthy posture and body carriage, I knew it could not hold. Not on a poor foundation.

The purpose of the clinics is to teach the basic exercises so that the horse owner can continue to do them, but if the feet, the very foundation, is out of whack—no amount of exercises, bodywork, training or gadgets will keep the horse in healthy posture, free moving and happy.

So I’ve begun to speak up more about feet ... And please believe me it is not always easy. It’s not always easy for me to say, it’s not always easy for folks to hear. It’s certainly not always easy for folks to accept and change, I get that. However, I now always address feet right away, at the very beginning when I first analyze the horse. Instead of simply studying and discussing posture and what the horse needs and what we’ll work on, I talk about the feet. In fact I may not, in some cases, even begin until I trim feet. I’ve found that to be the biggest eye opener when folks can watch the pasterns, legs, chest and topline change right before their eyes.

Folks who know me know I’m an unwavering believer in that all horses can and should be barefoot. If I’ve lost you here, that’s okay. For those of you still interested we’ll go on a bit more.

Sadly I see way too many barefoot horses with poor posture brought on by poorly managed feet. All I’m hoping to point out today is, the feet do matter. In fact, they matter most of all. When posture begins to fail, everything goes downhill with it, health, attitude and money. And posture will always fail if the foundation is lacking.
Gitty Up, Dutch Henry 

 P.S.For a bit more about my thoughts about foot care please read "For a Beautiful Barefoot Trim-Keep it Simple" HERE

You might also be interested in my book, "It's for the Horses." Find it at www.itsforthehorses.com  

"Suddenly—Don’t Use in Writing or Horsemanship"

Howdy Folks, "Suddenly—Don’t Use in Writing or Horsemanship" ... 

I often think about, and write about, how living and working, or playing and learning with our horses, and writing have so many similarities.

The other day I was reading a writer’s blog about the overuse of the word “suddenly” in a manuscript. Every word she said was exactly correct, and I’d hoped she would say more. I’ve always found the word “suddenly” to be a speed bump in a story or novel. Instead of propelling me forward with the action as the writer intends, it stops me dead in my reading tracks. Pushes me away. In fact most “ly” words have that effect on me. If the author replaces the “ly” word with the action she’s trying to portray, we readers can be drawn in and feel the action. Instead of “hearing” about it. But “suddenly” for me is the worst of the “ly” words.

Here’s a brief example. “Suddenly she burst into tears.” Not much there, even if we knew why she had to cry. How about something like, “She needed to see him again. Where was he? Why can’t she find him? Sucking short breaths, she tried to be strong, but her burning eyes flooded, tears streamed down her face.”

I’ve always found while I’m editing, if I re-write scenes or sentences replacing “ly” words, the scene embraces me more. Adds depth, meaning and emotions. Yes it will add words, but I suggest they are words that build emotions and connection with the reader. And for writers, aren’t they the two most important things?

In our relationship with our horses, “emotions and connection” are most important as well. If we do anything “suddenly,” it’s more than a speed bump to our horse. It’s a “failure to communicate.” And as “authors” of the moment, it’s our job to “re-write the scene.”
If we replace that “ly” word, or action, with a more descriptive series of words and actions, our horse will follow us, feel the emotion, and sense the connection. And our relationship will deepen.

It makes no sense to the horse when we bark commands, jerk on the lead rope or wave our hands and arms. Sure, we get a reaction, and that’s just what it is, a reaction. It’s not a connection. It’s best, even if the horse is making a mistake, to follow through that mistake, see where it takes you, then build on it. Write the scene with easy to embrace description.
Engage your imagination, your intuitiveness, let your horse help write the scene in a way that embraces both of you. It’ll add words, but those words make all the difference.  ~ EXCERPT from "It's for the Horses: An advocate's musings about their needs, spirit, gifts and care." Find it here, www.itsforthehorses.com

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"What I See"

Howdy Friends!

My mare Kessy looking to me, and all of us ...

When I look at a horse I see the horse it can be, wants to be. Somehow I look right beyond the stiffness, lacking posture or inverted body carriage ... Much like a sculptor who looks at a chunk of granite and chips away all the tiny pieces hiding the beauty of the masterpiece that lays hidden beneath. The artist sees the beauty from the inside out, and reveals it to the world. That is how I see every horse I meet, and I know by chipping away at the stiffness, unbalanced body carriage and uncertainty ... we can reveal and empower the beauty, grace and splendor that lay inside yearning to be free. It’s not about training–it is about freedom and comfort of confident movement. ~ www.itsforthehorses.com

 

Gitty Up, Dutch. 

"Horse's Growth ... Starting too Young"

Howdy Friends!

After a recent lengthy discussion about “issues” with a horse I was again re-enforced in my belief in the work/teachings and wisdom of Peggy Cummings, I learned from my mentor Diane Sept. Her groundwork, exercises and posture correctness is indeed the single best route to a healthy, happy equine partner—it is the reason I’m so devoted and encouraged to help folks learn and understand how to master them. This chart indicates the growth patterns and maturity of the skeletal system of horses. It has long been my experience and belief that most, if not all, “issues” with horses are pain, discomfort or confusion driven. Many of these “hidden” issues were caused years earlier by horses started under saddle too young, and show up later. Helping the horse find correct posture, freedom of movement is, in my belief, the very best thing we can do for our horses.

Gitty Up, Dutch.

"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.

"Snowy Day Read"

Howdy Friends,

Snowed in? Gonna get snowed in? Forgive me for making an unapologetic push for my book. But what could be better than a good read, a quest that whisks you away, thrusts you into an adventure, or sweet love, or read about understanding horses, while nestled inside watching the windblown snow. All my books are available on Amazon Kindle here, www.itsforthehorses.com ... You can start reading right now! “We’ll Have the Summer,” a love story that I promise will grip your heart. “Tom Named by Horse,” an adventure that you’ll long remember. “It’s for the Horses; An advocate’s musings about their needs, spirit, gifts and care,” even if you don’t have horses I promise you’ll love the thoughts provoked, if you do enjoy horses in your life it may awaken new ideas and attitudes for you and your horse. Enjoy the snow, stay safe, and I hope you’ll have a read—or three.

Gitty Up, Dutch.