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The Holistic Horse

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Supporting Digestive Health in Dogs and Cats

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Like us, our dogs and cats are no strangers to experiencing digestive issues. These problems can stem from an imbalance in gut bacteria, the wrong diet, or from disease or malfunction in any of the digestive organs. No matter the cause though, there are often steps you can take to improve your pet’s digestive issues. 

To begin with, understanding the parts of the digestive system and their basic functions is important:

Mouth and Teeth: where the digestive system begins and where food is broken down into smaller, more digestible pieces.

Esophagus: pathway connecting the mouth and stomach.

Stomach: where partially digested food is stored and broken down.

Small Intestine: the first part of the intestinal tract where most digestion and nutrient absorption takes place. 

Large Intestine: the last part of the intestinal tract where water and nutrients are absorbed. 

Pancreas: produces enzymes that digest food and break down fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

Liver: produces bile and substances released into the bloodstream; metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Colon: where food waste becomes fecal matter and is stored until bowel release.

If there is a problem in any one of these digestive organs, it could result in symptoms including sluggishness, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, etc. Your holistic veterinarian can help you narrow down possible causes of digestive issues.  

The Importance of Diet

No matter the cause of your pet’s digestive issues, taking a careful look at their diet should be a top priority. Because dogs and cats are carnivores, they do best on a high-protein, low fat diet. An all raw meat diet or a diet supplemented with raw meat can be extremely beneficial since the enzymes found in raw meat can help to support enzymes naturally found in your dog or cat’s body, helping them break down and digest food.

Other Ways to Support your Dog or Cat’s Digestion

  • Regular Exercise: A dog’s digestive system can store large amounts of food for long periods of time, but the more exercise a dog gets, the faster their digestive system will convert food into caloric energy. Likewise, obesity in cats has a negative impact on their gut microbiome and overall health. Active cats tend to have a decreased risk for developing chronic digestive diseases.      
  • Prebiotics and Probiotics: These ingredients either support (prebiotics) or contain (probiotics) the “good” microbes needed by the gut to digest food. They also help the body make B vitamins and support the immune system. Probiotics are especially helpful if your dog or cat has recently been on antibiotics for any reason. Proguard Probiotics for Dogs or for Cats contain three strains of “good” bacteria which promote healthy digestive function.
  • Digestive Supplements: Sometimes your dog or cat may need even more digestive support and this is when a digestive supplement may be beneficial. Containing anti-inflammatory properties which soothe the digestive tract, Slippery Elm Powder is also high in fiber, making it useful in the relief of both diarrhea and constipation. 

Digestive issues in our pets are common, but armed with the right knowledge, pet guardians can help to reduce symptoms and help their dog or cat feel better. 

The Many Uses of MSM

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Methylsulphonylmethane, more commonly known as MSM, is a supplement with a variety of uses—for us and our animals—and it’s most known for its ability to fight inflammation. Derived from DMSO or dimethylsulfoxide, MSM is an organic sulfur compound naturally found in fruits, vegetables, grains, as well as fresh forage. MSM is also naturally occurring in the bodies of all vertebrates, where it helps create methionine, an important amino acid for forming connective tissue, metabolizing foods, and absorbing nutrients. 

Sulfur levels in the body often drop as we or our animals age, during times of stress, or when consuming a low-nutrient diet. Supplementing with MSM during these times can be helpful. Likewise, here are some other instances when MSM can be beneficial. 

Osteoarthritis

One of the most common uses for MSM is for reducing symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Sulfur plays an important role in making collagen and glucosamine, both vital for healthy bones and joints. Sulfur also needs to be present for our cells to release many byproducts and excess fluids that can accumulate and cause swelling and tenderness.

Allergies

Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, MSM can also help to alleviate symptoms of lung or skin allergies in our pets and ourselves. MSM decreases the release of cytokines and prostaglandins, which are present in allergic reactions. 

Muscle Recovery

With hard training sessions, athletes can experience oxidative stress and muscle damage. The good news is that, if taken regularly, MSM can help to reduce muscle pain after strenuous exercise. MSM acts like a natural analgesic, helping to prevent and treat muscle aches, pain, and swelling. MSM also helps to counteract certain byproducts such as lactic acid that contribute to muscle soreness after exercise. 

Skin and Coat Benefits

MSM also has benefits for skin and hair since it helps to produce new collagen and keratin—two nutrients needed for strong, healthy hair, nails (or hooves), and skin.

For people, MSM comes in a variety of forms, including:

  • Powder 
  • Cream/lotion
  • Gel
  • Pill/tablet
  • Liquid eye drops
  • Crystals

For animals, it’s easiest to feed the powder form of MSM. The Holistic Horse offers several MSM products for animals and people:

MSM Cream

Our MSM Cream is an all natural pain relief and skin care cream. Containing MSM from natural sources, five essential oils in a goat milk skin care cream base, this cream is both nourishing and healing. It can be used on you or your animals (except cats due to the essential oils).

MSM Ultra Pure Powder

This product is 99.9% ultra pure powder with no additives. It can be easily be top-dressed on food for dogs, cats, or horses. 

Su-Per® MSM Blend

This product can help provide dramatic improvement and relief for many joint conditions. The blend contains MSM in a rice hull and stabilized Flaxseed base with natural flavoring and comes in formulations for horses, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, cattle, and llamas and alpacas. 

Our Su-Per® Sound Plus Powder for horses also contains MSM, along with Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid for complete joint support. 

 

 

Sources:

https://draxe.com/nutrition/msm-supplement/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-msm#1

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324544

Healthy Treats for Cats and Dogs

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Treats can be a great training aid and, of course, many people love to give their pets a treat every now and then just because. But if you’ve ever taken a close look at of some popular dog and cat treat brands, you may have been disappointed to find that they contain all sorts of not-so-great ingredients. 

The good news is that there are some healthier options available when it comes to treats for our cats and dogs. So if you’re one to pay strict attention to your pet’s diet, you can opt for treats with wholesome ingredients that your pets will love. 

Healthy Cat Treats

Whole Food Treats

You want to be careful feeding human food to cats, but there are a few foods that are safe to feed that can be given as an occasional treat (in small amounts). These foods include:

  • fish such as mackerel or tuna;
  • chicken or beef;
  • bananas;
  • berries;
  • spinach;
  • pumpkin; and
  • eggs.

Not all cats will enjoy all of the above foods, but if you find one your cat likes, you can use it as a special treat or add it to their food dish on occasion.

Catnip

Made from a plant in the mint family, catnip is quite healthy and probably the most well known treat for cats. In fact, they find it intoxicating and many will get silly and playful after eating it. Other cats may get sleepy. Not only can catnip be given as a treat, but you can also rub it on your cat’s toys and scratching posts or even sprinkle it on their food as an appetite stimulator. 

The Holistic Horse offers “Silly Cat” Organic Catnip.

 

Healthy Dog Treats

Whole Food Treats

Though many dogs love table scraps, those aren’t the healthiest option for obvious reasons. However, giving your dog small bits of whole foods on occasion as a treat is fine. Many whole foods that dogs enjoy are the same as those listed above for cats. However, you can also try out these foods as an occasional treat:

  • pear;
  • strawberries;
  • watermelon;
  • carrots; and
  • apples.

If you’re looking for a packaged treat, The Holistic Horse offers Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats, which are baked with human-quality ingredients that your dog will love. These treats are all-natural and contain no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. They’re made with 100% human-grade ingredients and certified kosher.

We have three flavors available in Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats: 

Pumpkin: loaded with vitamins C, K, and E, beta carotene, fiber, and several other antioxidants; great for maintaining the digestive health of our pets.

Banana & Sweet Potato: high in potassium, bananas are good for the heart, kidneys, bones, and nervous system. They are also one of the highest sources of vitamin B6. 

Sweet potatoes are great source of dietary fiber, rich in potassium, as well as antioxidants. They’re also an excellent source of beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. 

Blueberry: an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber associated with colon health; blueberries are also rich in many vitamins and antioxidants. 

Grandma Lucys Organic Banana & Sweet Potato Dog Treats Grandma Lucys Organic Blueberry Dog Treats Grandma Lucys Organic Pumpkin Dog Treats

 

 

 

Managing Hormonal Mares

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Anyone who’s ever had a mare can likely tell you that their behavior is prone to changing throughout the year and especially when they’re in season. Of course, some mares may show behavioral changes more than others, but understanding what’s normal and what’s not is important for any horse guardian. Knowing available holistic options for managing hormonal mares is important as well. 

A Mare’s Cycle

Mares are seasonal breeders with most of their cyclical behavior and inclination to breed occurring in the spring. A mare’s cycle lasts 21 days and is influenced by hormones released from the brain and ovaries. The cycle begins on the day of ovulation, and the first 16 days are mainly regulated by the hormone, progesterone. However, during days 17-21, progesterone levels decrease and estrogen increases. It’s this specific hormone that is often responsible for what we describe as ‘hormonal’ or ‘moody’ mare behavior. The estrogen phase typically lasts 5-7 days, but clinical problems can affect the length of this phase and lead to increased behavioral problems.

In the northern hemisphere, a mare’s cycle usually starts in March/April and extends until October/November. The amount of daylight hours regulates reproductive activity. However, keeping a mare under artificial lights can also affect/extend their reproductive cycles. 

Signs Associated with Hormonal Mares

It’s important to remember that some behavioral changes are normal and to be expected during estrus. Common signs include gait abnormalities, tail-raising, frequent urination, and altered interactions with people and other horses. Some other signs associated with hormonal mares which may be of more concern include:

  • Poor performance;
  • Lethargy during riding/exercise;
  • Aggression;
  • Increased sensitivity to being groomed, tacked up, or touched;
  • Pain/sensitivity in lower back; and
  • Low grade colic.

If these issues continue for an abnormal amount of time or if you are concerned about how they may be affecting your mare’s overall well-being, it’s worth having her evaluated by your veterinarian.

Conditions to Rule Out

A veterinary evaluation is also important to determine if your mare is displaying behavioral changes due to estrus or if there is an another underlying issue. Several clinical conditions which may result in similar behavioral changes include:

  • back problems;
  • poor saddle fit;
  • gastric ulcers;
  • lameness; and
  • dental problems.

Helpful Herbs for Managing Hormones

If other conditions have been ruled out, you may want to consider adding certain herbal remedies to naturally help balance your mare’s hormones and reduce unwanted behavior during estrus. The Holistic Horse offers Organic Chasteberry Powder for moody mares (as well as aggressive horses and bolshy geldings). This herb helps to correct hormonal disturbances and supports progesterone levels which, in turn, counteracts irritability and unpredictability that mares in season may display.  

Another product in our Signature Herbal Formula line includes Balance-Natural Support for Hormonal Mares which contains Chastetree powder, Holy Basil, Passion Flower, Inositol, Magnesium, Chamomile, and Raspberry leaves, all of which help to balance hormones, relax muscles, and help your mare to stay calm during estrus. 

 

Sources

Mares and Hormones

Managing Hormonal Mares

Moody Mares—The Vet’s Perspective

How to Detox Safely

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We hear a lot about detox these days, and a number of products claim to help you do this. But what does it mean to detox exactly and how can you do it safely? 

Detox is short for detoxification, which, scientifically speaking, is defined as the metabolic process by which toxins in the body are changed into less toxic or more readily excretable substances. It’s important to know that the body has its own natural detoxification mechanisms, mainly carried out by the liver and kidneys. However, the lungs, digestive system, lymphatic system, and even the skin all help to rid the body of toxins. 

These detox pathways are always at work, helping to eliminate toxins. However, in some instances, the body can become overburdened by too many toxins and make a person ill. 

Examples of toxins we’re around on a regular basis include:

  • Outdoor air pollutants such as vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and industrial emissions;
  • Indoor air pollutants such as mold, chemicals in carpet or household cleaning products;
  • Drinking water which may contain pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and chemicals from agricultural runoff;
  • Foods which can also contain pesticides and heavy metals;
  • Household products such as food containers, cleaning products, or air fresheners;
  • Beauty products such as lotions, makeup, deodorant, etc.

As you likely have gathered, some of these toxins are impossible to avoid. However, you can reduce the amount of toxins you’re exposed to by using water filters, buying organic food, and using natural, chemical-free cleaning and household products. There are many low-toxin skincare and makeup products available as well these days. 

How to Help your Body Detox Safely

When our bodies become “toxic”, it means that our natural mechanisms for ridding ourselves of metabolic waste (which is normal), environmental pollutants,and toxins ingested from a poor diet become greater than what our body can naturally deal with on its own and people become chronically ill.

One of the best ways to support the body’s natural detoxification processes is by eating a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables. Again, buy organic whenever you can. Also, limit sugar as much as possible and focus on eating fresh foods as opposed to processed foods which are often full of preservatives. It’s also important to stay hydrated, preferably with filtered water. 

Exercise is also an important part of maintaining those detox pathways, and sweating is actually good for you as it helps to release some of those toxins through the skin. 

In addition to eating healthy, hydrating, and exercising, adding a natural detox supplement such as Pure Bentonite Clay can help to safely remove toxins from the body. Bentonite Clay contains more than 70 essential trace minerals and is known for its drawing abilities, which can help to remove heavy metals and chemicals from the body. 

Detox is more about a change in lifestyle than it is a “quick fix”, but if you follow the above tips, you should be able to gently bring your body back into balance so that your detox pathways can once again function correctly. 

 

Sources

https://nourishedbynutrition.com/how-your-body-detoxes-naturally/

https://www.doctoroz.com/detox-made-safe-and-simple

Natural Pest Control for the Farm

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No one likes pest insects, especially those that bite and might transmit dangerous diseases to our animals, as well as ourselves. But what’s the best solution to this problem? Many products targeted toward these pests, ranging from premise sprays to topicals, are indeed effective in killing insects or thwarting their reproductive process, but at what cost to our safety? 

Traditional pest control products typically use chemicals that, in the long run, can cause harm to your animals, the environment, and even you and your family. One group of ingredients found in fly spray for horses are pyrethroids, which are considered a neurotoxin and, according to the EPA, may have reproductive and developmental toxicity to humans.

And what happens when we spray our animals, pastures, or barns with products containing chemicals such as this? While many pesticides break down quickly, some stick around for a long time. These are known as persistent pesticides, and they can build up in the bodies of animals, as well as in streams, ponds, and other waterways. 

One persistent pesticide is cypermethrin (in the pyrethroid family), commonly found in chemical fly sprays. Cypermethrin stays in the environment for approximately sixteen weeks and is extremely toxic to aquatic life.

Pesticide exposures have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproduction problems, neurotoxicity, kidney and liver damage, birth defects, as well as developmental changes in many animal species, so it’s best to avoid them whenever you can. 

 

Safer Alternatives

The best way to combat the negative impact of pesticides is to use organic practices around your farm and to support organic agriculture rather than conventional agriculture, which heavily depends on pesticide use. Likewise, using natural alternatives to traditional pest control is also a great way to keep your animals and the environment safe. 

The Holistic Horse has a variety products aimed at controlling different types of pests. Here are a few: 

     

Topper’s Bug Buster All Natural Fly Spray – Peppermint Tingle: This all-natural fly spray includes a blend of essential oils and is safe for both horses and dogs. 

Note: never use products with essential oils on cats. 

Fly Die: An all-natural, safe, non-pathogenic product containing diatomaceous earth and herbs that kill pests without the use of toxic chemicals.

Mosquito Die: A 100% all natural, chemical free product which contains a pest attracting herb. This product kills mosquito larvae before they hatch, thereby disrupting the breeding cycle.

Stall Guard: This product eliminates odor, moisture, and flies for clean odor-free stalls. It’s a 100% natural organic compound that will kill larvae in bedding and manure. 

Flea Guard for dogs and cats: This flea and tick powder contains flea repelling essential oils (for dogs) or flea repelling herbs (for cats). Both products are 100% natural, safe, and effective. These products can also be applied to carpets and animal bedding for maximum results.

Flea and Tick Wellness Oil: A safe and effective topical application for flea control in dogs. This product contains certified organic ingredients and has no side effects, synthetic preservatives, petroleum based ingredients, or harsh chemicals.

 

Wellness Oil - Flea and Tick

Sources

Impacts of Pesticides on Wildlife

Pesticide Use and Wildlife

Bute Alternatives for Horses

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There is no doubt that Western medicine has made some remarkable advances in the health of humans and animals alike. Many of the drugs that have been developed in recent decades have not only helped to save lives, but have also increased the quality of living for many. 

However, that doesn’t mean that prescription drugs don’t come without risks. Unfortunately, many have severe side effects and can easily become overused, especially when people aren’t aware of safer, more natural options. One of the most popular types of drugs used with horses are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and one NSAID in particular—phenylbutazone, or bute, for short—has become the common ‘pill for every equine ill’, with owners administering the drug to their horses for a vast array of reasons.

Bute can certainly be helpful in certain circumstances, but it’s also important to keep in mind that it is a pain reliever, meaning, it merely masks pain for a while. When injury or inflammation occurs in the body, it sends a message to the brain that something is wrong and healing needs to occur. Pain tells the horse to slow down, to rest, and to protect the injury. If we numb that pain and continue to use the horse for the sake of our own enjoyment (as so often happens in the horse world), we’re only going to make the problem worse.

When dealing with chronic equine conditions like arthritis or intermittent lameness, bute and other NSAIDs are not the best option. In fact, multiple studies have shown that bute has a number of negative side effects when used long-term. These include:

  • gastric ulcers;
  • mouth ulcers;
  • right dorsal colitis; and
  • kidney damage.

In some cases, these side effects are deadly. 

The good news is that there are several natural alternatives to bute that can be used on a long-term basis, without the dangerous side effects. Modalities like acupuncture/acupressure or physical therapies such as cold/heat therapy, stretching, or massage are often helpful for chronic pain. There are also several natural supplements that can bring pain relief, making them a good alternative to bute. 

Herbal Alternatives and Nutraceuticals

The Holistic Horse offers several bute alternatives, including: 

Bjute-Natural Pain Relief for Horses provides relief for pain and inflammation without harmful side effects. With turmeric, which contains a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory and white willow bark, which contains salicylic acid (Mother Nature’s version of Aspirin®), as well as boswellia (frankincense), which has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, “Bjute” is gentle on the stomach and contains no devils claw (research has shown that devil’s claw can also lead to irritation of the stomach and ulcers). This product is also show safe. 

MSM Ultra Pure Powder for Horses reduces inflammation and enhances circulation. This ingredient also assists in the management of lameness issues, arthritis, epiphysitis (inflammation of growth plates most commonly seen in young horses), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and developmental orthopedic disease (DOD).

MSM Powder for Horses

Su-Per MSM Blend Powder for Horses provides dramatic improvement and relief for many joint conditions. This product provides all the benefits of MSM but comes in a rice hull and stabilized flaxseed base with natural flavoring. 

 

How to Help Your Nervous Horse

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Is your horse nervous, excitable, or spooky, especially when put in new situations? This is a common complaint of horse owners that often requires a thorough investigation. 

Horses, by nature, are “fight or flight” animals, and they may revert to these instincts when dealing with stressful situations. There could be several reasons as to why your horse is behaving this way, and detecting the source (and working to correct it) is critical.

Horses who suddenly develop nervous habits or “misbehavior” should have a full veterinary evaluation, as pain is an often overlooked source of negative behavior. Additionally, the horse’s diet should be evaluated since imbalances or deficiencies in certain nutrients can contribute to behavior disorders in some instances.

If your horse’s health and diet checks out, then you might move on to implementing some new management strategies. For example, giving your horse an outlet for nervous energy, such as additional turnout time or longeing before riding can help in some instances. In other cases, a horse may benefit from additional training and desensitization from an experienced trainer. 

However, if your horse is still displaying nervous behavior after trying all of the above, it might be time to try a calming supplement.

Calming Supplements

Though there are a variety of these types of supplements on the market, the main goal should be to increase your horse’s focus while encouraging relaxation (not drowsiness). Most calming supplements have a variety of ingredients which may include herbs and specific nutrients. If you show your horse, you will want to make sure you do not use a calming supplement with a prohibited substance.

The Holistic Horse offers Zen Zone-Calming Formula for Horses as part of our signature line of herbal products. This product is show safe. 

Zen-Zone contains the following organic ingredients: 

Organic Chastetree: (Vitex agnus castus) – supports normal function of the pituitary gland by allowing it to thrive and perform properly; helps to maintain dopamine levels in the blood and supports regulation of both the pituitary and adrenal glands.

Organic Cinnamon (Cassia): The compound and main ingredient MHCP found in cinnamon bark, has been found in numerous studies to mimic the effects of insulin to lower blood sugar (glucose). Provides digestive and metabolic support.

Organic Stevia: A natural sweetener, anti bacterial, anti oxidant; promotes proper digestion; contains potassium zinc, magnesium and vitamin B3.

Organic Wood Betony: Natural sedative used for relaxation and anxiety.

Thiamine Mononitrate: Vitamin B1, important in carbohydrate metabolism and in the transmission of impulses along the nerves.

Inositol: Vitamin B complex family member (B8); found in every cell in the body; assists the central nervous system improving nerve function and has a natural calming effect. It helps breakdown and redistribute body fat and maintain proper levels of the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Magnesium Glycinate: Naturally occurring essential mineral that is important for many systems in the body, including bone formation, for muscles (relaxer), and nerves.

Calming supplements can be helpful for horses with nervous temperaments. Just make sure you have ruled out training issues, pain, and nutritional deficiencies before using them. 

 

Sources

https://thehorse.com/186763/taking-the-edge-off-calming-supplements-for-horses/

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/calming-aids

Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden

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Sometimes, we can do our best to create a beautiful flower or vegetable garden, and no matter how much we water, pluck, and tend to it, things just don’t turn out the way we want. Believe it or not, this is more likely to be due to poor soil than a lack of gardening skills. 

The key to any successful garden is starting with healthy soil. When soil has the nutrients it needs, it is then able to support healthy, beautiful plants that are less prone to pests and disease. However, having healthy soil isn’t as simple as buying a few bags of fertilizer. There’s a little more to it than that.

Several key components of healthy soil include:

Good Texture

Good gardening soil should be crumbly and soft. Loam is the best soil to use due to its nice, crumbly texture. If you have clay or sandy soil, however, you can make some improvements in order to make them work for your garden. 

The Right pH

Your soil’s pH level can make or break your garden since it will affect the minerals your plants receive. In order to produce healthy plants, your soil needs to be as close to neutral as you can get it. You can assess the pH level of your soil with a simple test and your local county extension office can help with this. Your results will come with recommendations for either increasing or decreasing the acidity of your soil (such as applying lime or sulfur).

Organic Matter

Organic matter is simply dead plant or animal material that adds nutrients into your soil as it continues to decompose. Organic matter will help to improve your soil’s texture, it’s ability to aerate, as well as its ability to retain and drain moisture. Adding organic matter is the best way to improve any type of soil and this can be done by applying compost as well as ingredients like coffee grounds, grass clippings, autumn leaves, or aged manure. 

Applying OST-Organic Soil Treatment is also a great way to replace nutrients and minerals that have been depleted from your soil without using manmade chemicals. 

Making Compost

Every successful garden needs compost which will improve soil structure, provide nutrients for plants, and stimulate beneficial organisms in the soil. Compost can consist of a variety of discarded organic matter, but it’s best to include both brown (high carbon) and green (high nitrogen) materials such as:

Brown

  • straw
  • dry leaves
  • corn cobs
  • sawdust or wood shavings

Green

  • eggshells
  • coffee grounds
  • kitchen scraps
  • fresh weeds

Mix your compost at the ratio of at least 3 parts brown to 1 part green matter and keep compost in an aerated container outdoors. Covering your compost to increase heat and turning it every 3-5 days will help to speed up the decompisition process. You can also add EcoGuard-Compost Starter, which can cut composting time by 50% or more.

Gardening doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you start out with healthy soil, and though achieving this takes a little work, the results will be well worth it!

 

Sources

https://www.thespruce.com/healthy-soil-and-how-to-make-it-2539853

https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/all-about-composting/5061.html

Nutritional Support for Equine Allergies

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Spring is often known as “allergy season”, thanks to mold and pollen that tend to rise during this warmer, wetter time of year. And unfortunately, we, humans, aren’t the only ones prone to allergies; horses can suffer from them as well.

For horses, allergies typically manifest in the skin or lungs, but they can also affect the digestive system. Traditional allergy treatments often include antihistamines or steroids that work to treat the allergy symptoms, but unfortunately, these medicines don’t get to the root cause of the problem.

According to holistic medicine, allergies result from an imbalance within the immune system and are caused by a hypersensitive state that develops because of this imbalance; certain allergens are just the trigger that set off a reaction. 

Holistic medicine also aims to get to the root of the problem and restore balance within the immune system. Sometimes, the allergy symptoms can be eliminated, but in other circumstances, they can only be managed.

Nutrition is one of the best ways to address allergies (as well as many other issues) in horses, but the key with any holistic allergy treatment is sticking with it, as it may take up to a year or more to see results.

 

What to Stop Feeding

For skin allergies, many nutritionists and holistic practitioners recommend eliminating sweet feeds and high-protein feeds as they can contribute to inflammation. Feeds with molasses, sugar, or corn should be the first to go. Another ingredient to eliminate is corn oil or any other vegetable oil which is high in omega 6 content, as these are also pro-inflammatory.

For lung allergies such as heaves, eliminating dust and mold is crucial. This could mean avoiding dusty feeds and hay (especially round bales) and also possibly soaking hay or feed to eliminate dust.

 

What to Start Feeding

The Holistic Horse offers several supplements that can help support the immune system and provide nutritional support for allergies:

  • Flaxseed: The high omega 3 content present in flaxseed can help reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Flaxseed is especially helpful for skin allergies.

 

  • Allergex—Allergy Support for Horses: This herbal formula is part of our signature organic line created by an equine veterinarian specializing in endocrinology, herbs, and nutrition. Allergex addresses the underlying immune system with Echinacea while calming and relaxing your horse’s mind with Inositol, a B-Vitamin derivative, and Magnesium. Nettle and Burdock address allergic skin processes directly and Eyebright assists with respiratory reactions and allergies. (Note: This formula is show safe.)

 


  • Breezee—Respiratory Support for Horses    : Also from our signature organic line, Breezee addresses respiratoryallergies in horses, reducing inflammation of the airways with Thyme, bronchial contraction with Mullein and Lobelia, and mucus with Elecampane and Peppermint. To assist the immune system, Astralagus has been added to the formula. (Note: Withdraw this supplement 48 hours before competition. Do not use on pregnant or lactating mares.)

 

  • Icelandic Organic Kelp: Containing 60 trace minerals, micro nutrients, and amino acids as well as many natural vitamins, kelp can help boost the immune system, balance hormones, and support the endocrine system–all important for horses with allergies.

 

  • Bee Pollen: Interestingly enough, bee pollen can be beneficial for horses with allergies since it strengthens the immune system and is also a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other nutrients.

Allergex - Allergy support for Horses