equine
Inside:
WELLNESS
wellness resource guide
Your natural resource!
How to fix it!
Our experts’ guide to integrative rehab
5 tips
for raising a naturally healthy foal
Natural Horsemanship
How to feel your horse’s feet when you ride
Trailer loading for women
Achieving balance Why good hooves = good health
Acupressure
for your “ole gray mare” March/April Display until April 15, 2007 $5.95 USA/Canada
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2
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features Click on this icon to visit featured links
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Feel your horse’s feet in each gait Walk, trot or canter
24 Photo: Julie Elliott
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Acupressure helps your “ole gray mare” stay fit and healthy Try this effective modality on your senior horse
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How to fix it!
38
Achieving balance
42
5 tips for raising a naturally healthy foal
56
Our experts’ guide to integrative rehab
The connection between hoof care and a healthy body
How to ensure he grows up balanced
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Embracing the Elements: Part two The Elements of Chinese Medicine: is your horse “fire”?
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7 ways to reduce stress
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Trailer loading for women
Help him keep his cool with alternative therapies
The secrets of success
equine wellness
From “Essential for All of Us“, an original watercolor by Jan Royce Conant
SOURCE : Essential to Thrive! ®
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Original SOURCE
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FOCUS : Special Help! ®
Contains the proprietary blend of SOURCE micronutrients to help correct the underlying deficiencies plus ingredients from leading edge research to address the specific condition.
FOCUS HF (hoof)
For superior hoof growth, texture and strength.
FOCUS SR (seniors)
Provides extra help for the special needs of older horses.
FOCUS WT (weight) For weight gain and maintenance under stress.
800-232-2365 • www.4source.com
SOURCE, INC. the pioneer in micronutrient supplementation since 1975
equine wellness
How to
fix it!
integrative rehab Our experts’ guide to
Photo: Carsten Issels
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equine wellness
D
Diana smiled, watching her two rambunctious geldings race around the turnout. Seconds later, her smile turned to a scream as Apache, the older of the two, caught his leg in an upper rung of the corral panel while descending from a rear-up. He frantically pulled back until his foot came free and then stood still while Diana checked him over. Her primary care veterinarian diagnosed a muscle pull. Within 24 hours, Apache was extremely sore in his right front shoulder and left hind end. Let’s face it – horses are active animals and it’s inevitable almost all of them will sustain a muscle pull or strain at least once in their lives. But what are the best ways to deal with it? While conventional medicines may have their place when a horse is in serious pain, many alternative therapies can ease discomfort and promote healing. For this article, we asked several veterinarians and other equine care experts for their input on how to support muscle injuries in a holistic or integrative way.
Nutrition
minerals and vitamins, especially from natural sources, are all critical to health and healing. Protein is the main component of muscle while omega fatty acids structurally surround every cell as part of the cellular membrane. They also nourish joints. Minerals and vitamins can be considered “spark plugs” that actually make every activity work to begin with. Without these nutrients, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues are certainly more prone to injury and simply can’t heal if already injured. Because most grains and hays are grown in poor soils, it’s best to supplement these nutrients on a daily basis. I also suggest daily antioxidants because any time there is an injury, “waste byproducts” of inflammation need to be removed from the body. Glucosamine helps rebuild the connective tissue or “glue” that holds joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments together. A supplement that contains both glucosamine and antioxidants is ideal.” Dr. Dan Moore is a practicing holistic veterinarian known as
Natural Horse Vet “Dr. Dan”. He has been featured on RFD TV’s “Ask Dr. Dan” series as well as the Outdoor Channel and is founder of The Natural Horse Vet, an online source of information, products, and services about natural alternatives. His mission in life
Western herbs
“Herbs support and stimulate the horse’s healing potential by working with his body. Anti-inflammatory herbs might include white willow bark, Maritime pine bark and devil’s claw. Millet and linseed, herbs high in silica and gamma linoleic acids, support muscle and ligament strength, while comfrey, yarrow and horsetail support the actual replication of healthy cells. These herbs are also traditionally known to reduce scarring and minimize the chance of re-injury. Corked muscles benefit from a topical application of herbs. Linseed oil with added arnica and wintergreen can stimulate circulation to the affected area, reducing swelling and allowing freedom of movement. Arnica topically applied to a sore muscle (as long as there is no wound) is excellent first aid to help prevent bruising of the area.
the
or simply
“When I approach muscle trauma, I think of diet, because good nutrition can prevent injuries and be used as therapy. Protein, including amino acids; fats, specifically omega fatty acids; and
is to find alternatives to drugs and chemicals for people, pets, and horses, and he has formulated dozens of products. www.thenaturalhorsevet.net
When considering a serious muscle injury with massive swelling and possible infection, we want to support the lymphatic system with herbs like violet leaves and fenugreek. Yarrow as a topical application along with calendula can act as an antiseptic and is very beneficial for open wounds and exposed damaged muscle.
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