"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 

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- Holistic Horse Care Cooperative-Robin Davis"

Howdy Folks,

 

The Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is a community of like minded animal lovers. Originally conceived by Robin Davis who was inspired by her mustang, Windman, it's a virtual Yellow Pages of holistic practitioners. Windman was rounded up as a young horse, snatched from the wild herd where he was being groomed to be a leader. Robin and Windman found each other after Windman had lived in 5 different homes. He brought with him a lot of emotional scarring. "Windman will not talk about his scarring. He wants us to see him, not his scars," Robin said.

Some of the horses at Mustang Hollow- Windman is the grey.

"Windman wants us to know that leadership is not about domination, but inspiration and compassion." Robin explained. "He wants us to help all horses really be horses and recognized for the gifts they bring. No matter how big or small those gifts."

It was with Windman's wisdom and guidance that Robin set out to create a way to encourage people to seek wholeness and harmony with all of Creation. Horses are such servants that Robin believes it is easy to lose connection with the harmony that can exist. "As we connect with our horses we begin to see them as the whole being they are, their mind, body spirit, and emotions, we begin to connect more deeply with Creation," Robin said.

Robin created Mustang Hollow, a few years ago, so her horses could run free on 80 acres near Nunn Colorado. She was exploring different healing and training techniques there and found how wonderfully wide the variation of themes could be. Recognizing the beauty of that variation, in 2009 she hosted the first, "Holistic Horse Affair "at Mustang Hollow. Many different practitioners came together to share ideas, learn from each other, and provide a means for horse owners to have available resources to care for their own horses, in a way that fit their needs. This hugely successful event was the birth of Holistic Horse Care Cooperative.

Harmony is a key element at Holistic Horse Care Cooperative. Dozens of holistic practitioners, all coming together to honor the horse (humans, and other animal companions). Many post articles, photos, and have events around holistic practices.  Most membership also give back to community, either humans, and/or animals in a variety of ways.  You will find craniosacral practitioners, bodyworkers, acupuncturists, holistic vets, homeopaths, natural hoofcare practitioners, whole horse balanced dentistry, EFT practitioners, Reiki practitioners, natural horse trainers, animal communicators, cold-laser and light therapy, nutrition, whole horse health and wellness, aromatherapy, equine assisted therapy, energy healing, horse rescues, hands on bodywork, the list goes on. Recognizing that each horse (and animal) is an individual which calls for individualized treatment.

The Mission of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is to:

1. Enhance the quality of life for the horses in our care.

2. Activate interest in Holistic Horse Care.

3. Encourage dialogue and information sharing surrounding Holistic Horse Care.

4. Educate participants (horse owners, suppliers, care providers, educators and trainers) of holistic modalities, their appropriate implementation and integral partnership with existing methods of care.

5. Empower horse owners to make informed, effective and sustainable decisions.

"Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is a circle of influence that honors the horse (and other animals and people as this ripples out). Although this is primarily about horses, I am going to cast the net out to include all beings we come in contact with.  Dutch, as you know, once you start down this path, what we do for our horses transfers on to how we are with each other and with other beings. This happens organically." Inez Donmoyer, a very active and devoted member, told me. She is so very correct.

Robin Davis on the road manning the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative booth.

Whether you are a long time believer, or just beginning your journey into the holistic way, you'll find a wealth of information on their website http://holistic-herd.com/ . Please consider becoming a member, your horse will thank you.

You can join them on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/Holistic.Herd

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

"Let's Talk About Lyme Disease"

Folks, this is a long post, but a very important one. Please read it all ... Lyme Disease is a painful and progressive disease that can, and will cause irreparable damage to the whole body ... So many horses are being trained for behavioral issues when really they may just be suffering with Lyme.What are the symptoms?

Howdy Folks,

Saturday I attended the final installment of Diane Sept's winter "Equine Discussion Group," always informative, productive and enlightening. This week Diane had a guest speaker, Jeanne Starr, an AHA certified barefoot trimmer owner of Feet First Natural Hoofcare and Whole Horse Homeopathy and overall equine wellness coach who promotes "the whole horse approach." She's also been studying and promoting the homeopathic way of living and caring for horses and other animals. One of her topics as guest speaker was Lyme Disease, and as I listened I knew I had to share some of the discussion here.

The Lyme problem is spreading farther and farther and the effects on people, pets and horses can be very bad, and even life threatening. Bold statement, but friends, sadly it's true. We'll focus here on Lyme and horses.

 So what are the symptoms of Lyme Disease? ... Remember Lyme causes pain. Many horses are open about their pain and let you know they are hurting. Others are more stoic and internalize it, dealing with it on their own level, turning inward. For the open communicative horses you'll see a change in their behavior such as spooking in ways that surprise you. They may become grouchy, excited, begin bucking when asked for the canter, become cinchy, develop a sensitivity to being brushed or touched. They may develop an unexplained lameness or stiffness, or begin tripping. They may not be eager to great you anymore. They may exhibit foot tenderness from regular use or after a trim ... The more stoic horses will appear lethargic, tired, have a lack energy and/or are unwilling to move about. Many horses actually become depressed. Some folks say their horses suddenly become "stubborn." They are not stubborn or lazy, they simply hurt. And they hurt all over! A lot ... If you see any signs of behavioral change, or even suspect your horse is in pain, please test. You owe it to your horse. And treat aggressively.

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 in the New England area is affected, and many carry the subclinical, or even clinic conditions for years. 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. Lyme is a tick born disease and was originally believed to be carried mainly by the common Deer Tick, but leading researchers reported almost a decade ago that 85% of all tick species were carrying the disease. Today, 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?" Jeanne said. "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." She went on to explain that all tests are just a snapshot in time and all have the potential for false negatives. "It just depends on where the spirochetes are hiding at the time you pull blood. And remember, a horse has roughly 34 liters of blood and we are pulling a very small sample."

With the help of a few local licensed veterinarians, Jeanne has drawn and tested hundreds of horses in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania and reports that at a rough estimate 75 – 85 % turn up positive. And that was before we had the Cornell Multiplex test! ... She recommends if you suspect Lyme, please test. And if you get a negative result but see symptoms, you can always request that your veterinarian treat to see if there is any improvement in your horse. At the very least, retest in 1 month.

There are many variations of treatments and your veterinarian will be able to advise you. Be sure to retest about 6 months after the last treatment to make sure that your treatment was effective and produced a drop in titer levels. Once positive, Jeanne also recommends that you have your horse tested for titer levels once a year, preferably in the spring before riding season starts. In Jeanne's experience she has found that aggressive treatment is needed. The more chronic the disease the longer the treatment will need to be.

There are also Homeopathic remedies that show promise, and you should seek the counsel of a qualified Homeopathic consultant to pursue these remedies effectively. Jeanne’s homeopathic consultant and teacher, Rob Bannan, LCH, LCCH is a wealth of knowledge for those of you seeking more information homeopathic healing. He can be reached at  http://www.innerhealthworks.com/ .

I will share the story of my own mare, Kessy … She had days of moodiness, unwillingness, even displayed clear signs of anger, and a little spooking. Then other days she was absolutely perfect. I suspected Lyme – for a year! … But because she had many more "perfect days" than "bad days" I continually talked myself out of it. Foolishly I blamed it on her cycles. Finally I tested her. The results came back from Cornell that she was "chronic" with very high numbers. We treated her with 100 Doxycycline pills a day for 8 weeks. We saw changes within a week in her willingness, carriage and demeanor.

We will be testing her again today as a matter of fact. It's been 5 months since her last treatment, and sorry to say, but about a month ago I began to see questionable behavior. We'll be pulling blood this afternoon and I will begin treatments even before I have the results from Cornell. Jeanne explains that in her experience it's quite common to see the symptoms reappear. Especially in horses as chronic as Kessy had been. Diane, Jeanne and my vet all suspect Kessy came to me with Lyme 33 months ago. When treating a chronic horse Jeanne has found often that there will be immediate noticeable results, only to have some symptoms return in a few months, or sooner. She suspects two things, the obvious is re-infection as ticks are everywhere, but often during treatment the spirochetes find a way to hide from the antibiotics. This is where alternative healing modalities from immune boosting nutrition to acupuncture and homeopathy give the horse a true fighting advantage.

Remember too, it is very important to care for the overall health of your horse during treatment. Feeding good quality probiotics (not the ones full of sugar) keeps the gut strong and maintains both the number and quality of the immune cells produced there. In fact the healthier the gut, the stronger the immune system.

Lyme is not going away anytime soon so be vigilant in your observations and care. If for any reason you suspect Lyme, test and treat. Even if your test comes back negative suggest to your veterinarian you want to treat anyway, and watch for the changes in your horse's health and attitude, which will reveal the truth. So many horses are being trained for behavioral issues when really they may just be suffering with Lyme. Also, consider a Lyme test part of your pre-purchase exam when buying a horse.  It is often much more revealing than a set of xrays.

Another thing Jeanne has found in her practice is there seems to be a link between Lyme and Insulin Resistant (IR) horses. Lyme is an inflammatory disease which attacks and weakens the immune system and opens the door to all sorts of metabolic chaos as well as other disease states. Many well-respected researchers now believe that there is an immune component to IR. Which came first, Lyme or IR, that’s the question. In any case, Jeanne recommends that any horse with a metabolic disorder be tested for Lyme disease as well. She has found that on more than several occasions with her IR horse clients, Lyme disease was a possible trigger. And when treated effectively and in conjunction with a low None Structured Carbohydrate (NSC) diet, (http://ecirhorse.org/) often results in a quick return to wellness. “It’s always about treating the Whole Horse!”

Feel free to contact Jeanne at  gofeetfirst@gmail.com with any questions.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry