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).
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.