In Episode 13 last year, I covered some of what I discussed in my free webinar series, Become Your Horse’s Healer.

We have a replay of that episode today, so tune in to learn how to reset your expectations for your horse’s health.

Understanding Healing Patterns

Horses usually respond to healing programs in four different ways. Some horses respond positively to a new program and show rapid improvement. Others experience a temporary worsening of their conditions as their bodies start the healing process, often marked by fatigue or increased inflammation. Some horses show initial improvement followed by a later setback, while others progress gradually.

Emotional and Physical Health Interplay

Healing is a complex journey that involves physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. In addition to addressing their physical symptoms, owners must understand the emotional aspects that might impact their horse's well-being. Challenges may arise when a horse’s physical and emotional health are misaligned. Recognizing all the interconnected elements is essential for comprehensive care and successful healing.

Setting Realistic Expectations and Goals

It is essential to set realistic expectations at the start of a health journey. Each horse has a unique healing trajectory, and patience is paramount. Making rushed decisions due to having unrealistic expectations could lead to setbacks. Owners need to acknowledge their horse's individuality, taking their age, constitution, and any chronic conditions they may have into account. Horses with a more robust constitution and those at risk due to breed characteristics may respond differently. Understanding these factors allows owners to tailor their expectations and approaches accordingly. Setting achievable goals and celebrating small victories allow owners to navigate the healing process with more of a positive mindset.

Addressing Obstacles to Recovery

In some instances, despite your well-intentioned efforts, obstacles may still hinder your horse’s progress. So it is crucial to identify physical and emotional sources of toxicity or address the lifestyle factors that impede the healing process. Gradual changes, observation, and responsiveness to the horse's cues help create a more effective healing environment.

Chronic Nature of Diseases and Pathology 

Chronic diseases in horses are particularly challenging. Conditions such as side bone, ring bone, and bone remodeling in the feet or joints that show tissue changes complicate issues. Horse owners must learn to distinguish inflammation from degeneration because once tissues (especially bone) start changing, it complicates recovery. Setting realistic expectations is crucial for determining whether or not full recovery is possible. 

Genetic Predispositions and Melanomas 

Genetic predispositions, like melanomas or related conditions, impact a horse's health. (White and grey horses often have melanomas due to genetic factors.) Improvement is possible in those cases, especially when owners can recognize the genes that influence the disease expression. Managing a horse’s diet, nutrition, and lifestyle is crucial for modulating genetic expression and switching off detrimental genes to mitigate their effects.

Constitution and Environmental Factors 

The constitution of a horse is influenced by factors starting in the womb. In some horses, constitutional weaknesses show up as susceptibility to allergies or illnesses. With proper care, strengthening a horse's constitution is possible. With certain breeds, especially easy-keepers that are predisposed to conditions like insulin resistance, owners may need to tailor their expectations to incorporate genetic and environmental factors.

Managing Expectations for Aging Horses 

Owners of senior horses must manage their expectations. They need to understand that complete recovery may not always be possible and shift their focus instead to preventing further damage and supporting connective tissue for prolonged mobility. Adjusting expectations for older horses with long-term conditions (such as PPIID) involves looking for visible improvements, such as higher energy levels and reduced inflammation, rather than expecting rapid recovery.

Obstacles to Recovery 

It is essential to recognize any obstacles to recovery, like sources of toxicity or stressful lifestyle factors. Parasite infections, viruses, bacteria, and medications can all hinder progress. Emotional factors can also impact a horse's well-being. Identifying and addressing those obstacles requires a comprehensive approach. The absence of any change might suggest the need to reevaluate the strategy to pinpoint any elements omitted in the care plan. 

Emotional Connection Between Horses and Owners 

The emotional connection between horses and their owners is significant because it influences how the horse responds to stressors. Some horses may even prioritize the well-being of their owner over their health. 

Making Gradual Changes

Owners must make gradual changes to avoid becoming overwhelmed or overwhelming their horse. By changing one aspect at a time, owners can be more focused while assessing the horse's response, reducing guesswork and potential self-sabotage in their care plan.

Conclusion

Navigating a horse's health journey involves embracing the unpredictable nature of healing patterns and considering various factors influencing the recovery. By understanding those dynamics, owners can set realistic expectations, foster a positive healing environment, and celebrate the gradual progress that ultimately leads to improved well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.

This week, we are revisiting the topics of insulin resistance and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

Those issues have been on my mind recently due to the many questions I have received, and because I am currently working on a project with an insulin-resistant mare that is struggling to make any progress at the facility I manage.

Join me as I share my insights on how these recoveries typically unfold.

Act Early and Monitor Progress

Recognize any changes in your horse before they become serious problems. Prevention is always the key, as long-term, unmanaged insulin resistance can lead to laminitis and permanent damage. 

The Danger of Repeated Relapses

Each time a horse swings between recovery and relapse, it becomes harder to reverse insulin resistance. Aim for consistent recovery, with no symptoms and healthy blood work. After that, you will need to maintain those results through controlled management.

Safe Grass Reintroduction

Horses benefit from a natural herd life and grazing, but returning to pasture should be gradual. Monitor the horse closely for swelling, fat pads, or any early sign of regression, and adjust its turnout times accordingly.

Key Physical Signs

Fat pads behind the shoulders or on the tail dock, and a crested neck, are usually indicators of insulin resistance, even before blood work confirms it. Unexpected weight gain or puffiness can also signal trouble.

Behavioral Clues

Food aggression and irritability can result from poor satiety-hormone regulation and blood sugar swings. That is often mistaken for personality, but improving the metabolic balance usually reduces that behavior.

Thirst and Urination Changes

Increased thirst and urination may indicate that the horse's body is working hard to flush out excess sugar. That often tends to occur in spring or when grass intake increases.

Edema and Fluid Retention

Swelling in the sheath, udder, legs, or above the eyes often links to high sugar intake and reduced movement. Increasing the horse's daily activity can quickly improve that.

Laminitis Risks

High insulin can damage hoof tissues, and reduced movement worsens the problem. Support hoof comfort, but keep the horse moving to break the inflammation–insulin cycle.

General Inflammation and Soreness

Insulin resistance can cause full-body soreness, joint stiffness, and mobility issues, which can sometimes be mistaken for aging. Addressing diet and movement can often reverse those symptoms, even in older horses.

Consistent Management

Recovery is not always linear. Track the symptoms over 30, 60, and 90 days, and adapt your management, if necessary, for any setbacks caused by weather, limited movement, or dietary slips.

Final Thoughts

Insulin resistance and equine metabolic syndrome require early recognition, consistent management, and ongoing monitoring. Watching for key physical and behavioral signs, addressing issues before there are any changes in the blood work, and maintaining a steady diet and movement routine will allow you to break the cycle of relapse and protect the long-term health of your horse.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.

Today, we are focusing on how much a horse should eat.

Horses should not eat continuously, but determining the right amount of food and finding the right balance between enough and too much can be complicated, particularly for horses with insulin resistance or metabolic issues.

Metabolic and Insulin-Resistant Horses

Feeding horses with metabolic issues and insulin-resistance the correct amount can often be the missing piece once their exercise and nutrition are optimized. Some horses can self-regulate easily, while others need careful management to avoid overeating.

Feeding the Right Amount of Hay

A widely accepted guideline is to feed horses between 1.5% and 3% of their body weight in hay per day. That is not a hard and fast rule, however, as hard keepers and some thoroughbreds may require more, while easy keepers and metabolic horses may need less. The key is to adjust the quantity according to the individual needs of each horse.

Finding the Right Balance 

Horses can usually cope with three to four hours without food, but extended gaps should be avoided, especially within a 12-hour window. Feeding them too much can increase weight gain and metabolic issues, while over restricting can slow their metabolic rate, raise their stress levels, compromise their immunity, delay healing, and increase the risk of ulcers. 

Factors That Matter

The needs of horses vary according to their breed, body condition, health status, and even past experiences with food scarcity or starvation. Herd dynamics can also influence intake, as dominant horses often consume more than their share, leaving others with less. Noticing which horse controls access to the hay and how it interacts with its herd mates can reveal any hidden imbalances in feeding.

Managing Intake 

Slowing their eating tends to be more effective than feeding horses less. Using small-hole slow-feed nets, providing smaller portions often, and placing hay in different locations can help owners control their food intake. Owners should also encourage their horses to move by using track systems, ponying them, or taking short walks, as that supports their metabolism, increases satiety, and reduces the urge to graze constantly. The increased muscle mass will also increase the metabolic rate of a horse, helping to manage its weight more effectively.

Special Considerations 

Horses with insulin resistance or other metabolic issues tend to become hungry more often, as blood sugar fluctuations affect their satiety hormones. Owners should provide those horses with a low-glycemic forage and high-quality nutrition. They should also ensure they exercise regularly, using track systems, ponying them, or taking short walks to support their metabolism, increase satiety, and reduce the urge to graze constantly. As their nutrition improves, those horses may even naturally reduce their eating to play and interact with other horses.

Practical Feeding Adjustments

When horses have free access to food, it can be challenging to know exactly how much they eat, so observing their behavior is often the best way to gauge their intake. It is also essential to consider pasture consumption, especially when the grass is abundant, to prevent calorie overload. Proper storage and presentation of hay will reduce waste, which sometimes means holding off on topping up until the horse has finished eating.

Planning Strategically 

Horses train their humans to feed them on cue, so when owners become strategic about their feeding times, it helps to maintain a healthy balance between satisfaction and overfeeding.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.