This week, our focus returns to the equine diet.

Whether you are supporting overall health or addressing a particular issue in a horse, it always starts with their food. That often means identifying and removing dietary intolerances or introducing an anti-inflammatory or alkaline diet. 

Since each horse has a unique constitution, their diets must be individualized to support their specific sensitivities.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Horses

Offer a variety of fresh produce like melons, shredded beets, cucumbers, watermelon rind, apples, blueberries, and carrots. Chop them into small pieces for easy eating, and avoid feeding large amounts of stringy celery to horses with dental issues or a history of choking.

Using Cauliflower and Other Veggies

Many horses enjoy nibbling on cauliflower occasionally. However, you should only feed it in small amounts since large quantities can cause gas. Always observe how your horse reacts to new foods and adjust accordingly.

Incorporating Herbs

Add herbs (chamomile, mint, raspberry leaf, chickweed, plantain, and milk thistle) to salads or treats. Herbs provide added health benefits, especially raspberry leaf for mares and other reproductive support. Let your horse explore different herbs to see what they prefer.

Preparing and Serving Salads

Make fresh horse salads once or twice a week, using any available clean or organic produce. If using non-organic items, wash them thoroughly. For picky eaters, introduce one ingredient at a time or mix new foods into their regular mash to help them adjust.

Enrichment Through Foraging

Scatter chopped fruits, veggies, and herbs around the pasture to encourage natural foraging and gentle exercise. This “Easter egg hunt” approach is stimulating and rewarding for your horse.

Enhancing Flavor

Some horses enjoy a splash of apple cider vinegar or a little olive oil as a salad dressing. Experiment with small amounts to find what your horse likes best.

Benefits of Fresh Salads for Horses

Feeding horses fresh salads regularly promotes better overall health, shinier coats, improved hoof condition, reduced inflammation, and more contentment. Fresh, live nutrients support the cells and tissues naturally.

Moderation and Variety Are Key

Avoid feeding too much of any single ingredient. Provide a varied mix to allow your horse to enjoy different flavors and nutrients without overindulging in one thing, and always pay attention to its preferences and sensitivities.

Tips for Horses with Specific Conditions

Avoid or chop stringy vegetables like celery finely for horses with dental problems or a history of choking. Salads and fresh foods can be particularly helpful for horses managing metabolic issues (EMS) by providing live nutrients without excess sugars or fats. Introducing fresh produce gradually and mixing it with regular feed helps sensitive horses adapt. Feeding a variety of herbs and fresh foods can support inflammation reduction, hoof health, and hormone balance, especially for mares. Always observe how your horse tolerates new foods and adjust accordingly.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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June has arrived, and everything is turning green again. With no more mud and ice around, it becomes much easier for horse owners living in wet and snowy areas to get their horses moving as they should once more. 

This week, I share some tips to get your horse moving in spring, which is particularly important if your horse is on grass, with few other options.

Movement Matters

Spring and summer grasses are rich in sugars, which can be risky for horses with metabolic issues like insulin resistance or laminitis. Supplements may help manage those conditions, but regular physical activity is essential for maintaining their metabolic balance and general health.

Small Steps

Small, regular efforts are more effective for horses than occasional intense workouts. Just 15 minutes of walking a few times a week can help to improve circulation, metabolism, muscle tone, detox pathways, and mood in horses. 

Encouraging Natural Movement

Some horses are naturally less active when hay is readily available. You can encourage more movement by spreading their hay stations out, placing food and water at opposite ends of a paddock, or using slopes and snow to make horses do a little work for their meals, even in winter.

Engaging the Body and Mind

Scavenger hunts for alfalfa pellets or small pieces of carrot or cucumber will encourage your horse to move and provide mental stimulation without overfeeding. If your horse is not getting ridden, consider groundwork or short walks to boost circulation and muscle use. Use hoof boots for extra comfort if needed, and increase exercise gradually as your horse improves.

Make It Work for Both of You

Combine exercising your horse with your fitness goals. If your goal is 10,000 steps a day, you can spend some time walking your horse around the pasture or driveway. For minis or horses that cannot be ridden, ponying or trotting them alongside another horse or a slow-moving vehicle can be an effective alternative.

Prioritize and Plan Movement

Make scheduled movement a priority for your horse. Aim for 2–3 sessions of 15-30 minutes per week. Over time, even brief, consistent activity will offer meaningful improvements. Supplements can support equine health, but movement is still a non-negotiable for managing sugar levels in horses, building their strength, and maintaining their long-term well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

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This week, we are taking a closer look at equine sarcoids. 

Equine sarcoids are a common issue that can be concerning for horse owners. These skin growths are neither serious nor life-threatening, but they can be unsightly and sometimes tricky to manage. They tend to vary in appearance and location, and in some cases, can go unnoticed until they become more visibly pronounced.

What Are Equine Sarcoids?

Sarcoids are skin tumors that account for 36 to 40% of equine tumors. They can be flat, raised, crusty, weepy, or ulcerated, and can grow and spread at different rates. There are two main types: dry sarcoids and ulcerated (weepy and inflamed) sarcoids. They are generally benign and don’t spread to internal organs, but they can cause serious problems if they obstruct bodily functions like urination or defecation.

Conventional vs. Holistic Approaches

With traditional veterinary treatments, which include cutting, freezing, or surgically removing sarcoids, recurrence is common. Holistic practitioners aim to understand why the sarcoids appeared in the first place. Removing growths will not solve the internal imbalance that allowed them to develop.

Potential Causes and Triggers

Sarcoids, which may originate from the bovine papillomavirus, behave like viruses, flaring up with stress, toxicity, and nutritional deficiencies. Horses with compromised immune systems due to anxiety, malnutrition, or chronic stress are more prone to developing sarcoids. Events like moving farms, losing a herd mate, accidents, poor-quality hay, or vaccines can act as triggers.

Chemical Toxicity and Vaccines

Sarcoids could result from exposure to chemicals. Sprays on hay, some feeds, and vaccines can attack horses’ immune systems. When their immune system is under strain, dormant viruses can activate, allowing sarcoids to spread rapidly. Sarcoids often tend to appear soon after vaccinations, especially in compromised horses.

Skin as an Elimination Organ

The skin acts as a pathway for the body to release toxins and reflect internal imbalances. When sarcoids appear on the skin, they are often signs of an internal issue.

Malabsorption and Nutritional Gaps

A horse may seem to be getting good nutrition, yet still be malnourished if it does not absorb nutrients properly. Ulcers or chronic nervous system stress can interfere with their nutrient uptake and contribute to a weakened immune system.

Environmental and Age Factors

At around 15, horses often start showing signs of conditions that have been building silently for years. Chronic stress, aging, and accumulated exposure to harmful substances can contribute to immune dysfunction and tumor development.

The Role of Detoxification and the Liver

The liver detoxifies chemicals, medications, and environmental toxins. If it is overburdened, the immune system suffers. Many horses show signs of liver strain if they have been on long-term medication or exposed to repeated vaccinations and chemical-laden feeds.

Immune System and Pathogen Load

Chronic issues like thrush, scratches, or recurrent parasite infections indicate a compromised immune system. Parasites, bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi often coexist, increasing the toxic load and making it harder for horses to maintain internal balance.

Using Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional therapy is a preferred holistic strategy. It involves using single nutrients in specific doses to clean up toxicity, correct imbalances, and support immune health. Antioxidants like selenium and vitamin C can help to detoxify chemicals and support liver function.

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.