Dr Thomas Eased my Pain & can Help You Too

Howdy Friends!
You’ve seen me write about Dr Thomas and his healing ability for our horses with Contemporary Chinese Herbalism, but now I have a story to tell about how he is helping me. A few close friends know how I struggle with managing my back, leg and hand pain – most of you don’t, as I tend not to talk about it. It is what it is. And it’s been my lifelong unkind companion. You see I was born with 2 conditions, neurofibromatosis and acromegaly. They created what we used to call birth defects, each in their own way. I have among other things a twisted pelvis, spinal issues; nerve and bone, hands and shoulder blades formed wrong. I can’t remember not hurting somewhere. On the farm where I was farmed out on at 9 (dropped off like an unwanted cat and was put to work for my keep; I had no childhood) they always told me I was lazy. I believed them, I didn’t know then that everybody didn’t hurt like I did in my back and legs. Enough back story, but to properly credit Dr Thomas, you needed to know.

I can once again do my morning chores, thanks to the pain relief Dr Thomas gave me.

As I got older the issues became more and more bothersome, painful. I’ve walked with a cane for about 25 years now. From my shoulder blades to my hip there are almost no disks, my hands hurt so badly everything now is an effort. Some of you may have read stories I wrote over the years about Equine Assisted Therapy, there is a rooted reason I have a fondness in my heart for those special horses and people. I ride so I can walk, numerous doctors have said without the core strength riding creates I’d surely not be walking. In recent years I’ve ridden when I didn’t really want to, but I had to. 

Now let’s talk about Dr Thomas, and why I’m writing this. I’m writing this for you, my friends, to help you understand how he can help you, as he has me. Anyone who knows anything about Dr Thomas and his company “For Love of the Horse,” understands he can help horses truly heal from a wide variety of ailments. He healed my Kessy from both Heaves and Lyme. And I’ve seen many other horses he’s healed. He is the world’s foremost authority on Contemporary Chinese Herbalism, you can find his credentials and much more on their website www.forloveofthehorse.com .. What most folks don’t know is he began his practice treating and curing humans for over 25 years. Then he began healing horses when his wife’s horse had been given a death warrant by 3 veterinarians for founder. He swung into gear and saved her, that was nearly 15 years ago and she is still thriving today.
 
As I mentioned not too many folks today know he can, and will, heal humans, but I did because the first story I wrote about him for Natural Horse Magazine I learned it in the interview. And wrote about it. Some 8 months ago my back, leg and hand pain had gotten so severe I became unable to function. Even sitting or laying was no relieve. I was forced to purchase hospital grade sheepskins just to find any comfort sitting or laying. Robin had to assume the chores, I could not manage to move around. I’ve been on a spiral down for years but a sharp decline had begun about a year ago, or longer. Eventually it simply shut me down. No relief could be found with our family doctor or specialists, though we tried. Eventually I was taking as many as a dozen advil a day! And still not much help.

So one day I decided I’d ask Dr Thomas for help. I knew him well now, have become friends and written much about him and for him, but had never said a thing about my personal issues. I wish now I had! Long before this! I had no clue if he could help me, but I’d seen horses he’d cured from arthritis (I have no arthritis, all my issues come from nerve compression from the spinal deformities and bone on bone pain and something he called “referred pain”) and other structural issues so I thought, perhaps.

Dr Thomas was surprised at my condition, and eager to help. After a very long series of questions, conversation and reasoning he assured me he could indeed offer some help and relief. He formulated a Chinese Herbal blend he called my, “upper and lower spine degeneration,” and I had it in 3 days!

I was sure excited the day they arrived! The excitement was short lived – they tasted awful! However I mixed them in 2 ounces of water as directed, took them 3 times a day … And on the third day I began to notice a change in my pain! He had asked me not to take Advil after starting the herbs as they would interfere so I didn’t. My blend has a strong anti-inflammatory component which began to work quickly. It is difficult to explain how much better I felt within a week.

After taking Dr Thomas’ formulation for about a month I was riding with my friend Chris, when we got back to the barn and I stepped down from the saddle I was overwhelmed with a startling sensation. I could feel the bottoms of my feet. Something I’d not felt in 20 years! It was wonderful and shocking!

I continued to take the his herbal formulation and things continued to improve. In a few more weeks I noticed my legs not only had lessened in pain, but felt stronger too! I wrote Dr Thomas and told him that fact. He responded, “I am not surprised that your legs are getting stronger – I placed an herbal group in your spinal formula that very, very few physicians of Contemporary Chinese Medicine are aware of. If there are a handful of us in the US that know about the pharmacological actions, related to bone strength/function, of these herbs I would be most astounded. I know of this "lost/new" information from my beloved, illustrious teacher Dr. Leon Hammer, MD through his teacher, the late great Dr. John HF Shen, considered the greatest physician of Chinese Medicine for at least the last four centuries. Trauma rooms in China all make sure to keep these herbs in supply to treat bone fractures, breaks, diseases of the bone.....One of their primary care functions is to develop strength of/in the bone, recover bone strength.”

Friends I’ve been taking Dr Thomas’ formulation for over 3 months now and while I will always have some issues that come with my conditions, the back and leg pain has been vastly reduced. Haven’t taken an Advil in months. My balance has improved, my ability to function has been restored to a level I’ve not enjoyed in some time – and I’m doing my chores again. Yes if I do something exertive for more than an hour or so I’ll get all stove up and need a day or so to recover, but just living life and being careful I can be nearly pain free. I still need my cane to walk, but now I can do that again. My hands, while somewhat improved seem not to want to totally get with the program, hoping more time on the herbs will help them too.

I share this story with you so that you might know, perhaps you can be helped by the wonderful Dr Thomas too. Don’t hesitate to contact him if you have any issue, (or your horse does) he is truly a rare blessing. And Thank You Dr Thomas for all you do.
~ Gitty Up, Dutch.

"Fly Masks and Fly Sprays"

My girl Kessy

Howdy Folks, 

The other day a young woman emailed me this question: “What's your opinion on fly masks and fly spray?”

I answered with my “opinion” this way ...

Correctly fitting well made fly masks that include the ears are great. They even have been proven to help light eyed horses avoid eye damage from the sun.

On fly sprays—over the many years of my life I have found none of them really do all that much in the long run. Certainly not worth the health damage to the horse. Hair works as a wick to suck those deadly chemicals right into the horse's system causing vitality degradation, organ problems, breathing issues, immune issues and even contributing to founder. ... The problem here is people never make the correlation to healthy, attitude or vitality issues with their horses and the chemicals and toxins they expose their horses too.

People look at horses and only ever think "how big and strong" they are. They are indeed. But they also have one of the most fragile systems in all the animal kingdom when it comes to dealing with toxins and infections. They lack the ability to shed, or discharge toxins they way most mammals do. So the toxins accumulate and do slow, long term damage throughout. This applies to all toxins, vaccinations (I believe in some vacs, just not over vacs—once is enough), wormer, sprays, commercial feeds, certain bedding, muddy manure laden paddocks—and many more.

Here is how I recommend, and practice, fly and pest control. First cleanliness; all areas where the horse lives must be free of manure, mud and filth. No horse should ever be forced to walk in mud. This is easy to correct, and I view horses forced to wallow in mud as abuse. 

Then no clipping; no muzzle clipping, or mane, or face and ear clipping, or leg or fetlock trimming—the hair is there for a reason.

We must also do all we can to be sure our horses have immune systems that can (and will) handle the pesky fly, mosquito and tick bites. The first step in this is stringently, doggedly, preventing toxins from entering the horse's system. And the very best, bar none, immune system booster, in my opinion, is Dr Thomas' "Total Immune Health" herbal blend. I put Kessy on it each late winter early spring, and blood work has proven how it increases the white blood cells in the system. A side note here, Dr Thomas has proven to be the best overall health provider I have ever met. I whole heartedly recommend him and his company. Find him here www.forloveofthehorse.com .

Another side note, a VERY healthy horse, with a very strong immune system, will be bothered far less than horses not so well off. Insects are not as attracted to horses in shinning health on great diets (all forage). They go after horses with lesser health and immune.

Lastly I do have on hand all natural spray and will, very rarely, spray her belly. But I think I spray her 2 or 3 times a summer. I do check her ticks often, but even that is not too bad. She does have chronic Lyme from before she was mine, so that takes management, again with Doc Thomas’ help and herbs.

Hope this helps!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry.

"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.

"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.

"Lyme Disease—What can you do to protect your horse?"

Howdy Friends,
 

Lyme Disease has now been found to be carried by all ticks and last year it was discovered in biting insects! It is spreading almost completely across the country north and south, from coast to coast. Sadly it is still often misdiagnosed as other ailments, often disregarded as behavioral issues, or confusing lameness. Many times it is not treated effectively. Even if treated you should know once a horse has Lyme Disease it is never “cured.” This disease can and does cripple, and even kill horses. What can you do about Lyme Disease to protect your horse?

Kessy has been dealing with chronic Lyme disease ever since we've been together, but with sound management we are winning.

Lyme was first discovered by Dr. Allen Steere in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975 hence the name, and today according to some experts nearly every horse along the East Coast is affected, and many carry the subclinical, or even clinic conditions for years, slowly but determinately chipping away at the horse’s health, and sanity. Lyme disease has spread all the way to Florida, and it's not just an East Coast thing anymore, it's in Kentucky and recently been reported in Texas and even California. Today, Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the United States. Lyme Disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the United States.

Lyme Disease is a disease of inflammation resulting in pain and discomfort. It enters via the blood and quickly moves into soft tissues, burrowing its way into organs and eventually into the central nervous system and brain. It is a progressive disease that can, and will cause irreparable damage to the whole body. And studies have shown that long standing, chronic Lyme can cause arthritic changes to joints.

Lyme is the one thing we can test for, treat and manage. So why not? Cornell University’s Lyme Multiplex test is easy and affordable. Currently it is the most accurate test available. This test is finally catching nearly all the chronically infected horses. If your horse has any Lyme symptoms, for her sake PLEASE TEST. But even if this most reliable test comes back negative or low numbers, if you see any symptoms TREAT HER—this disease is crafty and you need to be too.

What are the symptoms? Many and varied! But don’t let that stop you! Everything from temperament change, to suddenly becoming “spooky” to lethargy, to aggressiveness, sensitivity to touch, mysterious and “wondering lameness” (first one leg than another) and generally being “off,” mildly or grossly unhappy, disinterested, grumpy ... this disease causes chronic pain and different horses deal with pain in different ways. Your horse may have any one of theses symptoms or several, or they come and go and you might think it was “nothing.” Trust me it was “something.”

How do we treat? First treat aggressively with antibiotics, don’t hesitate, treat. Of course consult your vet, but in my opinion start with 100 Doxycycline pills a day for 8 weeks. You should see changes within a week in her willingness, carriage and demeanor. But you are never done ... This disease is persistent and the spirochetes are masters at hiding when under attack by antibiotics, and when the coast is clear and antibiotics are out of the body they sneak out again and attack another system—one big reason Lyme is so often misdiagnosed.

Antibiotics cannot win this battle for your horse by themselves, Lyme is too crafty. But your horse’s immune system can! How? And why?

Each time we treat a horse with antibiotics it does indeed help stop the infection, but it also damages the immune system, and sends the spirochetes into deep muscle and tissue hiding, just waiting to resurface—then it will attack another system in the body. Our most effective weapon is the horse’s own immune system, STRENGTEN IT!

A strong immune system can change on a dime and attack and defeat the invader, antibiotics cannot. No matter which system Lyme attacks, blood, muscle, bone, nervous system, cartilage, spinal column—the healthy immune system can instantly send an army to stop the attack, and it will win. This has been proven in recent years to be the very best in long term defense against Lyme we can give our horses.

How can you strengthen your horse’s immune system? First is a healthy forage based diet (I believe in a total forage diet, no grain— you can read my mare’s diet HERE) and of course plenty of exercise (no stall living). Then stop over vaccinating, if you haven’t already, every time a horse is Re-vaccinated it harms the immune system ... immunologists have known this since the 1970s—you can read my story about Dr. Falconer HERE EXCERPT — "Most vaccinations for horses are for viruses, and veterinarian immunologists have proven scientifically that, once vaccinated for a virus, resulting immunity lasts a very long time, perhaps a lifetime." Dr. Falconer explained that repeated vaccinations not only confuse the immune system, but often cause it to turn on itself, and even attack healthy red blood cells.” Also follow this link to his website for more info and information on TRANFER FACTOR a proven immune system booster supplement. It works.

I’ll introduce you to Dr. Thomas as well, a noted Chinese Herbalist. Read his story HERE – and follow this link to his Website. He has a very high quality blend of herbs proven to boost the immune system, my mare Kessy is on it and I have seen and loved the results. No matter your thoughts, I recommend you give this to your horse.

You can help your horse deal with the horrors of Lyme disease— and flourish! The disease is going to be here no matter what we do, we cannot prevent it, but with these simple techniques we can empower our horses to WIN! As always, email me or talk to me on Facebook to discuss more. After all, It’s For The Horses!

Gitty Up~Dutch Henry

P.S. If you’ve not yet signed up for my newsletter please follow this link - http://eepurl.com/bknmnf and join our newsletter family ... Be part of the fun! AND just a head’s up my book “It’s for the Horses, An advocate’s musings about their needs, spirit, gifts and care,” will be released MAY 12 ... you can email me to order an autographed copy or watch for the  link to Amazon on my Facebook page next week. Thanks!

"Feature Friday – Dr Joseph Thomas, Ph.D– Chinese Herbalist - For Love Of The Horse"

Howdy Folks,

 

Last week I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Dr Thomas for my "Holistic Hall Of Fame" column in Natural Horse Magazine. In speaking with him it was easy to feel his deep compassion, really a driving desire, to help horses, and their people. I wrote the story about his life's journey to become a most noted authority on Chinese herbalism in the equine world. Having studied and apprenticed for years under masters such as Dr. Leon Hammer MD, regarded by many as the father of Contemporary Chinese Medicine. Dr Hammer had in turn studied under Dr John H.F. Shen, considered to be the world's foremost expert in both diagnostic and Chinese herbalism.

Dr Thomas

Where his life's journey led him was to eventually, with the help of his wife Crystal and their daughter Allison, create For Love Of The Horse website; a Chinese Herbal healing and health enriching place for horses. Dr Thomas has, and continues to do more than any other individual, to bring the power of Chinese Herbalism to the equine world.

On their website you will find 26 premixed solutions, their famous, "Horse health support service questionnaire," and "Dr Thomas' custom formulations protocol." Dr Thomas can create specific solutions for any horse after detailed examinations by way of questionnaires and if necessary, blood work. They have succeeded in making a healing place as close as your keyboard.

Also there to support your horse's health, answer your questions and guide you along your own journey to understanding Chinese herbalism is the For Love Of The Horse, horse wellness team; Melissa, Shelley, Leah and Amy.

Chinese herbalism, Dr Thomas explains, is not just about understanding herbs and their usage, but also understanding how each of the herbs in a given treatment interact with each other. And how each herb interacts to support the body in the healing process. The benefit of each herb must be weighed and understood singularly and collectively. Each situation and treatment is unique and must be carefully orchestrated to match the patient and situation, illness and condition.

But how did Dr Thomas come to create this healing place so ready to help so many?

Excerpt from my story, "Two veterinarians had been to the farm to inspect Jesse Doe, Crystal's beloved mare. They had both decided the only course of action for the foundered horse was euthanasia. They were both escorted off the farm. Crystal turned to her husband. "You save her," she pleaded. "You've been saving people with horrible diseases for twenty years. Please use everything you've learned to save my Jesse Doe." That moment changed everything. For Jessie Doe, Crystal, Dr Thomas and people and horses everywhere."

We hope you'll watch for my story in the Oct/Nov/Dec issue of Natural Horse Magazine. There is a lot to the man who heals horses with herbs, and I'd like you to read his story.

It is important to Dr Thomas that folks understand he is there to help and they should not hesitate to contact him at customer service with their questions, concerns and dreams. For Dr Thomas and everyone at For Love Of The Horse the motto is, "We are here for the horse."

Have a stroll through their website –  www.forloveofthehorse.com  Your horse will thank you.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry