"Why DETOX your Horse"

Howdy Friends,

In the summer months many horse owners and care givers see an increase of itchy skin, scratches, sores, dull coats and bad reactions associated with biting insects. In my opinion, a horse that has more than a minor local reaction to an insect bite is sending a message loud and clear, things internally are not are not quite as they should be. And no, no pharmaceuticals are called for in this. Detox (homeopathically) and examine the horse's diet, exercise and other "human" practices.

Kessy strolling along without a care

Toxins build up in horses (and humans) it is long believed that biting insects are attracted to bodies heavy with toxins and sugar—It is also a certainty horses high in toxins (ie. over vaccination, worming, commercial feeds, fly sprays and other common chemicals) have immune systems weakened and therefore have more negative, sustained and problematic reactions to insect bites, weather changes, fungus and other things that should be simply a part of life. If your horse is experiencing reactions, scratches, coughing, restlessness, lethargy ... Seek out a homeopathic Detox Therapy that best suits your thinking and detox her. 

Areas related to high toxin levels can be scaly hooves, dull skin, back pain, diarrhea, dull eyes, slow healing wounds, mood swings, recurrent colic, frequent tendon injuries and other “symptoms” often misunderstood and treated by administering even more toxins specifically targeting the “symptom,” rather than healing the “whole horse.” A horse’s health radiates from the inside out.

There are many varied ways to detox your horse. I recommend homeopathic herbal detox methods. I’ll leave which route you chose up to you, there are many great resources available today, but remember, to detox your horse thoroughly takes a little time. Liver detox with herbs can take 2 or 3 months. You’ll also want to cleanse the blood and kidneys, but I like to start with the liver.

It matters not what you’re doing with your horse, nothing needs to stop and wait while you detox, so for your horse’s health and contentment hop on the internet and search for “herbal equine detox remedies” or words to that affect, and cleanse your horse. I recommend doing this even if you think you see no symptoms.

I’ll leave you with one first hand recommendation, and that is Dr. Thomas and his company, For Love of the Horse  ... I have the link going directly to the page on his website to “liver support,” and I suggest you have a read. A quote from this page, “For the horse there are many contemporary influences that stress the capabilities of the liver. Every vaccination, medication, dewormer or synthetic analgesic, such as phenylbutazone (bute) is its own stress. But there is also exposure to pesticides and the remnants of herbicides in hay. Any toxic plant our horses nibble, or bug bite or sting put toxicity into the blood that the liver filters. Healthy livers can handle some of any of these things well but when the liver is overloaded, its function is impaired and that affects the entire system of the horse.” 

Dr. Thomas is a highly regarded Chinese Herbalist and he studied under the esteemed, Dr. Leon Hammer, MD. Dr. Thomas told me recently, “detoxification is not needed when the organs are healthy, so what I do is formulate herbal blends for organ and system health.” (Truly the ground floor of homeopathic holistic health.)

By the very nature of Dr. Thomas’ Liver Support herbal blend you will be detoxing your horse in a most holistic and healthy manner. I wrote a story about Dr. Thomas for my column in Natural Horse Magazine last year and have used his products, which are all pharmaceutical grade, and highly recommend them. I currently have Kessy on his Total Immune Health (treating her for Lyme Disease, but that’s another story) I’ve seen beautiful results.

The sad truth about toxins and our horses is they are typically loaded, and most certainly take their toll. I hope this is an area you’ll consider, but also remember some of the quick detox remedies fall far short of a truly healthy horse. And when a horse is “truly healthy” they blossom with energy, shiny coats, eyes full of life and light, and a willingness unparalleled. 

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

P.S. If you've not yet had a look at my book, "It's For The Horses" please have a look HERE on Amazon 

"Natural Horse Magazine-Feature Friday"

Howdy Friends,
 

Natural Horse Magazine is one of the finest, if not the finest magazine available to equine enthusiasts who endeavor to care for their horses, naturally. A quarterly publication, both on line and in print, each issue is packed with valuable information, resources, contacts and knowledge, and pages graced with stunning photographs. Each issue is a journal on equine wellness, and should be kept for future reference. In the manner of full disclosure, I have a column in Natural Horse Magazine, "Holistic Hall of Fame."

Natural Horse Magazine was founded by Randi & Gene Peters in January 1999 as a result of the holistic rehabilitation of one of their mares. Prior to this rehab, the mare had developed several problems, one of which was a severe reaction to fly bites that traditional treatment could not cure. After attending an holistic veterinarian's seminar on herbs and homeopathy, his examination of the mare's real problem (immune system derangement from over-vaccinating), was revealed and through homeopathy, her health was restored. It became Randi and Gene's vision to offer an educational resource on holistic horse care and Natural Horse Magazine was created.

On Auguest1st, 2012 Randi and Gene Peters, co-founders of Natural Horse Magazine, handed its reins to one of the industry's most recognized holistic equine experts, Lisa Ross-Williams. Lisa is not new to the world of educating people about the advantages of caring for their horses in a natural manner she hosted a radio show on the topic for a number of years, was an editor of Equine Wellness Magazine, has been the Associate Editor for Natural Horse Magazine for a number of years, owns the successful Equi-Spirit Toys Company, and is the author of the bestselling book, "Down-to-Earth Natural Horse Care," which I reviewed HERE, and recommend every equine caregiver have as resource.

"Our focus is on humane and natural alternatives to today's traditional means of horse care, including topics in alternative and complementary medicines and therapies as well as wholesome nutrition, cooperative training, natural care and maintenance of the horse and his environment, book and video reviews, special events, a youth section, and more," Lisa explains. "We are proud to be working with many prominent, naturally-inclined equine professionals who share our goal of educating horse lovers about natural ways FOR the horse."

In today's busy, busy world many of us simply don't have the time to read magazines. Friends, I highly suggest you subscribe to Natural Horse Magazine, read and explore the articles. Your horse will thank you.

Have a look at their web site HERE    And their Facebook page HERE

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry 

"The Barefoot Paradigm"

Howdy Folks,

On Monday our Coffee Clutch was "Going Barefoot-Sometimes A Touchy Subject," and it surely can be, for the horses, their people and friends. I'm a supporter of the barefoot paradigm, not any surprise to folks who know me. But what is the barefoot Paradigm? I can only speak for myself, as I'm always ready to do. (That was supposed to make you smile.)

To me, the barefoot paradigm is about the whole horse. It's really a way of life. I believe it embraces the holistic approach to living with, loving, and enjoying horses. Do as little as possible that might upset the natural life style of the horse. Every horse caregiver has limitations; financial, geographic, time, conditions, housing, the list goes on. There are always decisions to make, some easy, some challenging. If we make those decisions from the horse's perspective those decisions can often be made less challenging. Many times decisions made by horse caregivers' are made for, and by, the human's perspective – Which can be in contradiction with the barefoot paradigm.

Much of what I consider the barefoot paradigm is really simply good horse sense. What are the most important things to keeping a horse happy, healthy and thriving? We'll not get into why I think pounding nails through a living tissue isn't healthy or happy, but to quote, Dr. Thomas Teskey, "You can't nail a shoe on without doing damage to the lamina." And the lamina is pretty important to the hoof.

Kessy loves to romp in her playground

The barefoot paradigm is not only about yanking shoes, or never putting them on, it's about a lifestyle that promotes total health, as close to the natural state that our equine friends thrive on as possible for the caregiver to provide. We don't all have large sparsely grassed acreage for them to romp free on. But we can, say no to stalls, and yes to run-ins on as large a lot as possible. And we can make that lot resemble wide open spaces by placing our, water and "slow hay feed nets," here and there encouraging movement. We can add obstacles or even allow trees and brush to add a little dimension to our horses' wanderings. Free and roaming movement is paramount to the health of a horses' hoof, and the entire horse. 

We can say no to grain, and create a healthy all forage diet. We can test our hay so we know what if any high quality supplements are needed. We can sprinkle fresh vegetables on the hay bags, for fun and nutrients. I'll not talk here about vaccinations, perhaps I never will, but it is something I consider in my barefoot paradigm for my mare, Kessy. As are all unnatural chemicals, feeds, treatments and applications. Keep in mind, toxins travel to settle in the feet, so if we don't introduce them, or greatly limit them, they can't get lodged in our horse's hooves.

So you see, for me, the barefoot paradigm is about considering the horse's health, well-being and happiness first, in our management practices. Housing that provides for uninhibited exercise, fresh air and engagement. Nutrition in line with what their bodies are designed to understand. And keeping as many toxins out of their systems as possible. Just about that simple. Of course there is also hoof care to consider. 

If a horse is being transitioned from shod to barefoot, the first thing to do is simply remove the shoes, and with a rasp take the toes back where they should be, and nothing else. Give the horse a few days or a week to begin to shape the hoof to a more natural state. Be sure select a qualified barefoot hoofcare specialist to maintain the hooves. Barefoot care should really be scheduled every 3 - 4 weeks, but that may vary some depending on riding, terrain etc.

Hoofcare and maintenance in the barefoot paradigm is really surprisingly simple. Today you can find a wealth of information out there on the barefoot paradigm, hoof maintenance, boots etc. I'll suggest Yvonne Welz's magazine, The Horse's Hoof. I highly recommend subscribing to it. I wrote a blog about Yvonne and her magazine –here-"Feature Friday Yvonne Welz - The Horse's Hoof" 

I write for, and surely recommend Natural Horse Magazine as well.

There you have it, my thoughts on the barefoot paradigm. Really nothing to it. It's just a little different in the way we do some things as humans. But it's a world of difference for the horses.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry   

I hope you'll read my other 2 posts on going barefoot -"Why Barefoot" and "How can I Transition To Barefoot?" 

Feature Friday – “Unspoken Messages – Spiritual Lessons I Learned from Horses and Other Earthbound Souls” by Richard D. Rowland”

Howdy Folks,

The pigeon landed on the edge of the roof, its golden chest shimmered in the sun. Its eyes focused directly on Richard. Paying no interest to the other back yard guests, the stunning bird watched Richard’s every move for 2 hours with eyes that spoke only to him. “Before my eyes were opened to things like this, I would have thought something wrong with the bird and there was probably a scientific reason for its presence. Now I know differently.” Richard explains he was told God can send messengers in the form of animals. “Now I know this to be true.”

But he didn’t always. Richard, a retired Kentucky police officer and Vietnam Vet had lived most of his life in what he describes as a world of black and white. “I was hard headed, opinionated, absolutely sure of my place in this world, and convinced that science-based ideology was the only truth.”

That was before his journey. A journey that started only a few years ago. A journey guided by the hearts and wisdom of “horses and other earthbound souls.” A journey that carried Richard from where he was to the spiritual and believing person he is today.

Ingeniously he broke the story of his journey into 2 halves. The first half of the book is stories about horses, a few other animals, and people, whose lives and circumstances began to teach him to see beyond the vision of his eyes. From them he learned there are no coincidences, and how to see with his spirit.

You’ll meet Buffy and her foal Peanut, and witness a spiritual goodbye from the rest of the herd. Whiskers and Sarge will climb onto your lap, and into your heart. Pal, a horribly foundered Paso, will show you how his physical challenges helped Richard face his own terrible health scare. “I was able to apply what I learned from him to go forward myself.” You can visit Pal HERE on Facebook. “Pals page has become another medium for us to teach others that founder is not the end of a horse, and cancer can sometimes be treated with nutrition, and we need to move forward with humor and hope.”

 Pearl will trot of the pages to tug your heartstrings, and wet your eyes, as her story with many layers unfolds, and you meet all the people in her life. From her you’ll learn, “There are no coincidences.”

There are others you’ll meet too, who will become your friends, and perhaps your guides. Together you’ll share a few chuckles, tears and deep thoughts. As you read these stories, sometimes your mind will race ahead of the words on the page and, you’ll wonder, as I did, why is he telling this story? Why did he let this happen? Then you’ll realize it was necessary for us to feel the spiritual growth, just as Richard did.

Your journey will carry you from part one to part two with the wisdom and reassurance that “animals are old souls with deep and ancient abilities to communicate with us, if we let them.”

In part two Richard shows how people, and their loved ones, faced with life ending, or altering prognoses and challenges, can use that ancient wisdom, and the listening learned to explore new, AND ancient, paths, ideas modalities.

Richard was given a blunt prognoses on August 21, 2008, “You have a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, and it’s incurable.”

Of course at first he and his wife were devastated, terrified, angry and scared. Then they turned their focus toward determination, hope and dedication. Using some lessons learned from Pal, and the others, and guidance from his wife, who is a holistic nutritionist by training, they marched forward to meet the challenge.

Part two tells of their choices. How things worked for them. It is not a knock on Western medicine, though at some points it might feel like it. But just as with the stories in part one, some facts and thoughts had to be shared for the reader to fully understand the journey. The journey that led Richard to find balance.

Unspoken Messages” is at times happy, at times sad, but always touching. Richard invites you into his most private moments wrestling with confusion, enlightenment, joy and sorrow. I not only recommend it, but suggest "Unspoken Messages" be required reading in our High Schools.

Back Cover

Join Richard on Facebook HERE for the book. And HERE to become friends.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Feature Friday – Happy Natural Horse – Lorrie Bracaloni

 

Howdy Folks,

Dedicated to helping folks learn how their horses can live naturally and pain free Lorrie Bracaloni has published 2 books, a vast number of short films that can be viewed on YouTube (HERE) and her website (HERE), maintains an active blog (HERE) and a facebook page (HERE) and (HERE). While she is a hands-on, certified Equine Holistic Practitioner and is very busy visiting clients and horses, she also believes strongly that with these methods of outreach she help many more horses live pain free, healthy lives.

Lorrie & Boogie

Lorrie began seeking answers to questions 12 years ago when she lost her beloved Thoroughbred Romeo to colic when he was only 3 years old. Not satisfied with the standard answer, "I do not know, it just happens to horses sometimes," she embarked on a mission to learn how to maintain a healthy, happy, pain free horse. Lorrie was led to a workshop given by Dr Regan Golob on nutrition and pain reflexology. There is where Lorrie found her answers to equine health and nutrition. Later that year she set out on a life long journey of going to school and becoming certified in equine health. She devoted several years to studying and practicing acupressure pain release on rescues horses at horse rescues and area race tracks.

Currently Lorrie holds seven different certifications in areas such as, Homeopathy, Acupressure and Herbal Remedies. She is a favorite clinician at Horse expos such as Ohio Equine Affaire, Timonium Horse World Expo, Harrisburg Pa Equine World Expo, where she freely demonstrates what she has learned.

A big passion of Lorrie's is to continue to donate her time and knowledge to help the rescue horses return to a happy, healthy, pain free life. She provides free workshops at Lost & Found Horse Rescue in Darnstown Md, and helps man their booth at local horse shows bringing in much needed donations.

 Her books – "How To Identify And Release Your Horses Pain Points (with DVD)" and "Natural Equine Remedies – Prevention – Solutions – Results " can be purchased on her website (HERE).

Lorrie demonstrating checking the Atlas 

Lorrie also gives workshops and demos all across the country teaching natural health and nutrition for horses, keeping them sound, happy and healthy. Thanks Lorrie for helping the horses and their people!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday-Jessica Lynn and "Earth Song Ranch."

Howdy Folks,

Jessica Lynn's passion in life is to share with, as well as connect with and be a resource for, as many people as possible about the healthy, homeopathic, more natural, holistic way of life for horses, cats, dogs and their people.

 Jessica grew up living a natural and homeopathic life. Her mother was on the cutting edge of the organic and homeopathic lifestyle having discovered healthy living in the 1940's when she worked at a health food store. Jessica's mother met Adelle Davis, Dr Bronner, Dr Bernard Jensen and all of the people who in the 1950's and 1960's were the gurus of health and nutrition. She raised her children naturally and protected the health of her family with all she had learned.

 

Throughout her life Jessica continued, and continues, to live and learn and share with others, the homeopathic, holistic lifestyle for animals and their humans. She witnessed the healthfulness and healing it affords every living person and animal. Momentum continued to build within her to teach others the benefits and even necessities of homeopathy, proper nutrition and the holistic approach to living and healing.

In 1998 Jessica met a microbiologist who taught her about using probiotics and digestive enzymes for her horses, cats and dogs. Convinced of those remarkable benefits to animals, Jessica teamed up with Dr Anne Smith, a holistic vet out of Arizona, who was also a homeopathic vet and together they developed some of the main formulas they still use today at Earth Song Ranch for small animals, including K-9 and Kitty Zymes.

 Earth Song Ranch is Jessica's on line store for not only probiotic and digestive enzyme blends for horses, cats and dogs, but also a wide variety of homeopathic products and treatments for animals. This is just one way she reaches out and offers help to those seeking a more natural approach and holistic life for their animals

For advice, top quality products and consultations visit her website www.earthsongranch.com . You can also sign on there to receive her monthly newsletter, and I highly recommend you subscribe at ESR News or through her FB Fan page at this link  ESR Newsletter .

A longtime friend and student of Dr. Glenn Dupree, one of the country's leading homeopathic veterinarians who recently passed away, Jessica, along with Char Raby, are in the process of setting up a Yahoo group in his name where like minded folks can gather electronically to share advice, ask questions and learn more about homeopathy. Please contact Jessica and sign on to be part of that group which is going to launch in just a few weeks. 

Jessica is also a certified equine nutritionist and consultant and offers a service to review and make recommendations for your horse's diet. This is a very helpful and healthful program. As Jessica says, "All health begins with nutrition and a healthy gut, be it horse, dog, cat or human." Just email her your questions and information regarding your horse's health, diet and lifestyle to  jessica@earthsongranch.com

Emails, consultations and education are another way Jessica helps others and their animals. Each day she receives over one hundred emails from customers and clients as well as folks just discovering the benefit of a natural path to health offers. "Please write me with any questions." Jessica invites. "It's my honor to help you help your horses and pets."

 Serving as the editor for Natural Horse Magazine's Newsletter is another area Jessica lends her talents to help animals. Visit Natural Horse Magazine here.

Thank you Jessica for all you do to help animals enjoy a healthier life!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry