Today, I will be exploring a concept that I call healing layers. 

Healing layers is a framework for guiding equine healing while also helping us manage our expectations. The concept is not new to this podcast or my programs, and it often gets used by healers and homeopaths. It involves dealing with equine health issues in stages and allowing the horse's body to push the problems out gradually. 

The healing layers approach is helpful when figuring out how to deal with equine health issues and understanding the consequences.

A Personalized Approach to Understanding How Horses Heal

Healing is a nuanced concept. Everyone has their way of looking at healing, especially when dealing with horses. In this podcast, we advocate for an individualized approach to equine health issues and highlight the need for each horse owner to gain a unique understanding of what healing means for them and their horse.

Setting Realistic Expectations in Horse Healing and Looking Beyond Test Results

When dealing with equine health issues, it is much better to start by looking at the bigger picture of your horse's health instead of basing all your healing expectations on test results alone. For example, if you are dealing with conditions like ulcers or equine metabolic syndrome, consider how your horse feels overall rather than just looking at the numbers on paper. Pay close attention to the horse's energy levels, look for signs of inflammation, and check its general well-being. 

Recognizing Patterns in How Horses Heal

Dealing with any current health problem in a horse is not just about focusing on that specific issue. It is about looking at the entire health profile of the horse. You can begin thinking about healing in layers by imagining a timeline of your horse's health issues. Then, start looking for patterns and notice any issues that keep returning. 

Being Patient when Helping Horses Heal

Even though we would like our horses to return to health as fast as possible, healing does not always happen quickly. We must consider the horse's age and how their diet and lifestyle over the years may impact their healing. Horse owners must also learn to be patient and understand that horses take time to heal. True healing requires commitment and a plan encompassing every aspect.

Understanding the Ups and Downs of Horse Health

It helps to think about a horse's health in terms of a journey in which their health goes up and down. When flare-ups occur during a horse's recovery, they should prompt the owner to notice any signs of progress, like less inflammation and a better attitude, because healing is not always a straight line. Sometimes, there are bumps in the healing path that require lots of patience and careful attention.

Helping a Horse to Heal One Step at a Time

The idea behind healing layers is to help your horse heal one step at a time. (For example, if your horse has ulcers, start by looking at its digestion.) It is best not to overwhelm the horse with too many changes at a time. Instead, have a focused plan that takes things step by step, peeling back the layers, one by one, to understand and address each emerging health issue.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

In this episode, I explore a widespread nutrient deficiency among horses, focusing on the remarkable benefits of one particular nutrient.  

Magnesium has multifaceted properties, making it as indispensable for horses as it is for us as humans. 

Magnesium deficiency in horses is a common concern. Today, I tackle that problem head-on, sharing the process I use to determine the nutrient that would be most effective for the unique health profile of each horse.

The Prevalence of Magnesium Deficiency in Horses: A Startling Reality

Magnesium is a vital mineral for the wellbeing of all horses. Yet, reports show that approximately twenty percent of horses are deficient in it. While horses can adapt to functioning with less than optimal nutrient levels, about fifty percent of horses suffering from illnesses or health issues have a magnesium deficiency, and there are various ways in which those magnesium deficiencies can show up. 

Common Signs of Magnesium Deficiency in Horses

Common signs of magnesium deficiency include anxiety, nervousness, muscle spasms, tension, muscular pain, stiffness, and sometimes even insulin resistance. Recognizing these symptoms can be a vital step in improving the health of your horse.

The Multifaceted Role of Magnesium in Horse Health

Magnesium plays a multifaceted role in equine health, with its primary functions revolving around bone and muscle function, nervous system support, and sugar metabolism. Magnesium is an essential mineral for healthy bones, as it aids in calcium absorption. It is also crucial for muscle relaxation because it is an effective antispasmodic. Moreover, magnesium supports the nervous system by regulating neurotransmitters, facilitating nerve transmission, and managing the stress response in horses. It also plays a pivotal role in sugar metabolism and energy production, making it especially valuable for horses with insulin resistance. Understanding these roles can go a long way in helping you identify when magnesium supplementation might be beneficial for the needs of your horse.

Causes of Magnesium Deficiency in Horses 

Several factors could lead to magnesium deficiency in horses, making it vital to assess the specific risk potential of your horse. Inadequate magnesium levels in grass and hay are common culprits, as is stress induced by confinement, loneliness, and food restrictions. 

Understanding the Risk Factors

Diarrhea, the use of diuretics, and exposure to toxic heavy metals can all deplete magnesium levels. Medications like proton pump inhibitors could hinder digestion and magnesium absorption, and overtraining- both physically and emotionally, could create stress that depletes magnesium stores. 

Becoming aware of these risk factors can help you identify whether or not your horse might be at risk of magnesium deficiency.

Choosing the Right Form of Magnesium for Your Horse

Not all magnesium supplements are created equal. It is essential to understand the difference between organic and inorganic forms of magnesium because that could impact your horse's ability to absorb and benefit from it. Organic forms of magnesium, such as citrate, gluconate, and bisglycinate, are more bioavailable because they are attached to carbon-containing molecules, closely resembling natural compounds found in plants. In contrast, inorganic forms, like magnesium oxide and magnesium sulphate, lack carbon in their chemical structure and are less easily recognized and absorbed by a horse's body. 

Opting for organic magnesium forms could significantly improve the absorption and utilization of this essential mineral in your horse.

The Hidden Challenge of Competition for Mineral Absorption 

Many minerals found in commercial feed programs, including magnesium and calcium, compete for absorption in the body of a horse. When inorganic minerals get broken down into ions, they can interfere with the absorption of other minerals. That highlights the need for a careful approach to mineral supplementation, as horses may only absorb a fraction of what they get.

The Complex Interplay of Minerals

Recognizing the interplay between various minerals and how they get absorbed allows us to understand why some horses continue exhibiting nutrient deficiencies despite regular supplementation. That is why it is essential for you to understand the nuances and familiarize yourself with the specific nutrient profile of your horse if you want to make informed choices around supplementation.

In today's world, horses live in environments far from their natural habitats, so they often face challenges like insulin resistance, laminitis, and sugar sensitivities. 

Many frustrated horse owners think they are meeting all the requirements for the health of their horses, yet they have seen little to no improvement- sometimes even a decline in their horse's well-being. 

Today, I aim to shed light on this critical aspect of horse care by helping you navigate the complexities of equine nutrition.

The Insufficiencies of General Standards 

After seeing many horses struggling despite receiving what appeared to be an adequate supply of multis and nutritional requirements, I realized that meeting the general standards was not quite enough because, in so many cases, horses showed no improvement or got stuck in a plateau. 

The Challenge of Meeting General Equine Nutritional Requirements

That demanded a closer look. So, over the past five years, I have been focusing on it and becoming increasingly aware of how much our horses need that they are simply not getting. I saw horses with subtle signs of poor health, like dull hair coats, brittle hooves, runny eyes, and a heightened sensitivity to allergies- all indications that those horses may not have all the nutrition they need.

The Flaws in Traditional Nutrient Requirements

Even though guidelines for nutrient requirements exist, it is crucial to understand their limitations. Those guidelines often rely on studies conducted decades ago, which may not reflect the conditions horses face today. Many individual variations and countless factors could deplete nutrients for each horse, making it extremely challenging to apply general guidelines universally. The reality is that each horse has unique nutritional requirements, and it is a mistake to assume that the basic guidelines will ensure the optimal health of all horses. 

Nutritional Deficiencies and Chronic Health Challenges

Horses facing chronic health issues, from insulin resistance to laminitis and digestive problems, are often grappling with nutrient deficiencies. Those conditions can hinder their recovery and well-being, as horses require the essential building blocks to regain their health. I address that by looking at various nutrients, categorizing them into macronutrients and micronutrients, and emphasizing what each one does for a horse's health.

Overlooking Critical Nutrients

The emphasis on specific nutrients, like Vitamins A, D, and E, mandated by regulatory agencies, tends to overlook other essential nutrients like B vitamins and Vitamin C, which can significantly impact a horse's health. A lack of attention to these overlooked nutrients could lead to nutritional imbalances, which may not get detected with conventional testing methods. That is why it is crucial to recognize that horses require more than the minimum to thrive, and the absence of clinical signs does not necessarily mean that a nutrient is unnecessary.

Individual Factors Affecting Nutrient Status

A myriad of individual factors can contribute to nutrient deficiencies in horses. Lack of exercise, overmedication, overtraining, high stress levels, feed toxicity, illness, and imbalances in sugar, protein, and fats can all play a role. Those factors, when combined with inadequate nutrition, could lead to a substantial decline in a horse's overall health.

The Holistic Approach to Equine Nutrition

In light of all these challenges, we need to take a holistic approach to equine nutrition and address the individual needs of each horse. We must learn about the various nutrients, their roles, and how they can benefit the health of our horses. 

The Importance of Becoming Proactive Researchers

The lack of readily available information on nutritional therapy and holistic health highlights why it is essential for horse owners to become proactive researchers. By keeping in mind that each horse is unique and may require a specific approach to address its individual nutritional needs, we can work toward improving the well-being of our equine companions.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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