Today, we are focusing on the importance of exercise for horses. 

Exercise is essential for a horse’s health plan, even though it can sometimes be challenging for owners to find the time and space for it. 

Each horse and owner face unique obstacles, so you must develop an exercise program that works for you. Join us as we explore ways to create an exercise routine to fit your horse’s specific requirements.

Overcoming Challenges

Horse owners face hurdles like mud, ice, and limited daylight hours, making it hard to stick to exercise plans. Those factors, combined with owners’ personal schedules and space constraints, can make it even more challenging to keep horses active.

Why Exercise Matters

Regular exercise is crucial for keeping horses healthy, especially when tackling insulin resistance and inflammation. Exercise helps horses utilize glucose better. It also reduces fat, improves insulin sensitivity, and assists in preventing metabolic problems.

Fighting Inflammation

Exercise helps to fight inflammation, so it is essential to prevent conditions like laminitis. It also boosts the metabolism and helps the body rid itself of inflammatory chemicals and toxins through increased blood flow.

Managing Stress and Boosting Brainpower

Exercise is excellent for managing stress in horses, as it lowers cortisol levels and improves brain function. It also provides an outlet for excess energy and helps horses feel happier.

Ways to Get Moving

There are many ways to incorporate exercise into your horse’s routine. You could set up pastures for movement or engage in activities like walking, trotting, or riding. Structured environments, like track systems and round pens, are also helpful, especially for horses recovering from injuries.

Long-Term Benefits

Creating a personalized exercise plan is an excellent way to ensure the well-being of horses and owners alike. Consistent exercise leads to lasting benefits, improving insulin sensitivity and boosting overall health. Even short bouts of exercise can help horses cope with dietary challenges and live longer healthier lives.

Links and resources:

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about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

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

I have been working with horses and formulating health programs for them for the last 13 years. Some of my biggest mistakes during this time have become my most valued lessons- leaving me with lasting impressions I will never forget. Now, when similar situations come up, I revisit those moments to ensure I never have to repeat the same mistakes. 

Today, I dive into three monumental blunders I made, sharing what they taught me about equine health.

Simplifying Solutions: Lessons from Managing Horse Infections

My experience has taught me that the solutions for big problems do not have to match the enormity of the problem. Horse infections are a good example because some infections are tricky to overcome, even when treated with antibiotics. I have often witnessed the stress and desperation of horse owners facing infections that defy conventional treatments. However, I have also seen that sometimes, a simple solution works best. In my annual signature program, Healing Horses Their Way, which is currently open for registration, I describe a situation where a puncture wound on a pregnant mare from a trailer accident became a severe septic infection. When the antibiotics failed to work, a simple remedy, costing less than $100, worked remarkably well, saving the mare from being euthanized after giving birth to her foal.

Supplement Pitfalls: Addressing Toxicity Beyond Supplements

Another common pitfall I have encountered is trying to supplement horses facing toxicity-related issues. While supplements may alleviate symptoms temporarily, they often fail to address the underlying source of toxicity. Sugar, for example, is a toxin that regularly gets overlooked, yet it can wreak havoc on a horse's immune and digestive systems. Similarly, leaky gut syndrome can trigger intolerances and allergies, exacerbating health issues. No amount of supplementation can fully counteract the effects of toxicity, demonstrating the importance of addressing root causes rather than relying solely on supplements as a temporary solution.

Avoiding Assumptions: Embracing Individuality in Equine Care

One of the most humbling lessons I have learned is to avoid making assumptions based on my past experiences with other horses. Each horse is unique, with individual sensitivities and different responses to treatment. Take the case of Irma, whose mysterious illness stumped veterinarians despite extensive testing. Even though I was initially skeptical about using homeopathy because Irma was on a complex schedule of medications, I reluctantly decided to try it as a last resort. To my surprise, she showed a marked improvement within 24 hours. That challenged my preconceived notions, reinforcing the importance of remaining open-minded and adaptable when caring for horses.

Conclusion

Navigating equine health requires humility, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace unconventional solutions. By learning from my past mistakes, like overcomplicating treatments, relying solely on supplementation, or making assumptions based on previous experiences, I have gained valuable insights into effective and holistic ways to approach horse care. 

Each horse presents a unique puzzle, and by approaching each case with an open mind and commitment to addressing the root cause, we can ensure the best possible outcomes for our equine companions.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

Healing Horses Their Way is now open forregistration

Today, we are focusing on a condition called leaky gut.

A leaky gut can sometimes be elusive, so owners often fail to recognize it as a digestive problem when looking at their horse’s health profile.

In this episode, I dive into what a leaky gut is, explain how it starts, and discuss how you may be able to identify it. I also clarify why you need to be mindful when trying to detect it and share some health problems that may result from a leaky gut in horses.

The Connection Between Leaky Gut and Other Health Conditions

There is often a link between a leaky gut and various health conditions and symptoms beyond typical digestive issues. While it is not always possible to diagnose a leaky gut directly, the impact is pervasive, affecting the horse’s immune system, skin, muscular-skeletal system, and overall health. Toxicity, which underlies many equine diseases, usually stems from a leaky gut. A leaky gut also contributes to conditions like laminitis, where the toxicity exacerbates inflammation, particularly damaging the specialized laminae tissue in the hooves. Even though a leaky gut can be hard to pin down, the symptoms call for careful attention and management.

Understanding Leaky Gut and its Role in Digestion

A leaky gut primarily affects the hindgut. The hindgut includes the cecum and large intestine, which comprise a significant portion of a horse’s digestive system. Those organs host a vast community of bacteria that ferment carbohydrates, converting them into the vital energy that horses require. However, over-fermentation, often triggered by excessive starches and sugars, can lead to lactic acid production, which lowers pH levels. That acidic environment compromises the integrity of the gut, allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested proteins to leak into the bloodstream, sparking a cascade of health issues.

Factors Influencing a Leaky Gut  

Many factors may contribute to a leaky gut, including diet (especially high-starch and high-sugar forage), stress, dewormers, medications, and age, all of which disrupt the delicate balance of the gut, raising acidity and harming gut function. 

Symptoms of a Leaky Gut

Horses with a leaky gut could show symptoms like weight loss, irritability, fatigue, colic, bloating, poor appetite, diarrhea, and skin issues. Identifying those symptoms and the potential risk factors will help you detect and address problems early.

Preventing Leaky Gut

Preventing a leaky gut involves meticulous dietary management, stress reduction, and minimizing exposure to toxins. That requires paying close attention to feed ingredients, avoiding stressors, and using medications wisely. 

Managing Leaky Gut

Probiotics and dietary changes can help restore your horse’s gut health and support their liver and kidneys. 

The Benefits of a Holistic Approach

Adopting a holistic approach and considering how different body systems are connected will make it far easier to manage a leaky gut effectively, boosting your horse’s overall health and increasing its resilience to diseases.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

Sign up for my 4-part FREE series: Become Your Horse's Healer