Fall is a wonderful time of year with cooler weather and beautiful scenery. However, the season also brings an increased risk of several equine health problems. Being aware of the risks and understanding how you can prevent and/or treat these problems naturally is important for all holistically-minded horse owners.
Reduced Immunity
A common health issue that horses experience in the fall is reduced immunity. This is often a culmination of increased stress from colder weather and seasonal changes, along with decreased levels of the important antioxidant, vitamin E, as horses transition from grass to stored hay.
To combat reduced immunity, we recommend two products: Equine ImmuneGuard and Vyrex Natural Immune System Support, which both contain herbs and ingredients known to support the immune system and help horses fight off infection and/or viruses.
Photo by Parsa Mahmoudi on Unsplash
EPM
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disease that often develops in the fall. This may be due to the fact that opossums—the primary hosts of the parasites that cause EPM—become more active in cooler weather. When feed or water is contaminated with opossum feces, this can expose your horse to the parasite that causes EPM. As noted above, horses also tend to experience increased stress levels in the fall, which negatively impacts their immune system and increases susceptibility to health problems like EPM.
To reduce the risk of EPM, keep your barn and surrounding areas clean and free of food or waste that might attract opossums. It’s also important to manage your horse’s stress levels by giving them ample recovery time after hard work. Keeping horses in a pasture with at least one herd mate can also go a long ways to reduce day-to-day stress.
For horses with EPM, we recommend ProtoEase-Natural Support. This formula contains herbs with anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, anti-protozoal, stress-reducing, pain-relieving, and detoxifying properties. It also promotes lymphatic cleansing and muscle function.
Laminitis
Laminitis is a debilitating hoof condition that can occur in any season, but spring and fall bring a higher risk due to changes in grass and hormonal fluctuations caused by shorter daylight hours. You can help prevent laminitis by monitoring grass intake, especially in overweight horses.
For horses that are prone to laminitis, we recommend Organic Ceylon Cinnamon. This type of cinnamon helps cells to recognize and respond to insulin and also acts as a powerful antioxidant, providing additional health benefits for horses at risk for laminitis.
Thrush
Thrush is an infection in the frog that tends to occur when horses are kept in damp or muddy conditions. Therefore, it often occurs in the fall. Having a dry space for your horse is important, but horses may still develop thrush. If they do, we recommend Bentonite Clay which can be used both topically and internally.
A hoof poultice can be made by adding water to Bentonite Clay. Then use a medicine boot or diaper wrapped with vet wrap to keep it in place for several hours. Feeding Bentonite Clay can also help with detoxification of the bacteria that cause thrush in the first place.