Happy New Year, and welcome to the first episode of Healing Horses with Elisha for 2024! 

I am excited to kick this year off with a topic to spark your thoughts about health goals for your horses for 2024. In mid-February, I will host my free webinar series, called Become Your Horse’s Healer, again. Today, I will cover some of what I have discussed in that series to help you set your expectations for your horse's health in the coming year.

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 involving physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. In addition to addressing the physical symptoms, owners must understand the emotional aspects that might impact their horse's wellbeing of their horse. 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

When starting a health journey, it is essential to set realistic expectations. 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. That is why 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 like 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) undergo changes, 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 are able to recognize the genes that influence the disease expression. Managing a horse’s diet, nutrition, and lifestyle is crucial for modulating genetic expression and keeping detrimental genes turned off to mitigate the effects of those conditions.

Constitution and Environmental Factors 

The constitution of a horse gets influenced by factors starting in the womb. In some horses, constitutional weaknesses shows up as susceptibility to allergies or illnesses. Strengthening a horse's constitution is possible through proper care. With certain breeds, especially easy keepers 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 like 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 wellbeing. 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 wellbeing 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 wellbeing.

Free Webinar Series

I will release the sign-up information for my free webinar series before the webinar begins. Please check the opt-in page at the bottom of the show notes. 

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving EquineMetabolic Syndrome Naturally

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

I am delighted to have a special guest joining me on the show today as we wrap up

for 2023!

Dr. Lizzie McCready is an expert in equine veterinary medicine, having worked in bustling referral hospitals and as an ambulatory vet in the UK and Australia. Her passion lies in handling emergencies, with colic and various medical crises constituting her daily round-the-clock responsibilities. 

Dr. Lizzie has dedicated herself to educating horse owners about effectively managing emergencies. Stay tuned to learn from the insights, knowledge, and veterinary experience she has accumulated over the last ten years. 

Mindset and Making Informed Decisions  

Mindset is crucial- especially when dealing with emergencies. Dr. Lizzie also underscores the need for horse owners to be well-informed and proactive because their quick and informed actions can positively impact their horse before the veterinarian arrives. 

Clear Communication  

Clear and effective communication between horse owners and veterinarians is essential because it helps owners understand the veterinary advice and feel confident in asking questions. 

The Importance of Trust 

Trust is crucial for an owner's relationship with their horse and for collaborating with veterinary professionals.

Energy Exchange Between Horse and Owner

Horses can sense emotions. So they feel everything their owners are feeling. If thereis an emotional connection between a horse and its owner during times of crisis, it helps the horse maintain positive energy and trust in the healing process. 

Leadership 

Leadership is essential for handling horses, particularly in stressful situations like vet visits. Dr. Lizzie emphasizes the need for owners to stay grounded and calm as horses look for emotional leadership. When horse owners are rushing or panicking, it can increase their horse’s stress, making difficult situations even more challenging.

Pressure and Stress Levels

Horse owners often feel pressured to resolve their horse’s issues instantly. Dr. Lizzie explains that chronic pressure and stress will only hinder the healing process. She points out that owners who remain calm and confident during emergencies will positively influence their horse's response.

Training and Mentoring

Foundational training, continuous learning, and being open to new information are all crucial for veterinary practitioners and horse owners because they face a constant learning curve. Dr. Lizzie highlights the value of having mentors in the veterinary field and encourages horse owners to find mentors who inspire them. 

Guilt and Shame in Owners

Lizzie shines a light on the guilt and shame often experienced by horse owners, especially when dealing with long-standing issues. She advises owners to let go of their guilt, focusing instead on the present and the future. 

EmergencyPreparedness

The three-step framework for emergency preparedness:

1. Assess
2. Communicate
3. Treat

Lizzie emphasizes the value of having a systematic approach to emergencies. She highlights the importance of proactive prevention rather than reactive responses.

Intention, Mindset, and Perspective in Assessing Injuries

Horse owners will benefit from setting positive intentions and maintaining a proactive mindset when assessing their horses’ injuries. Dr. Lizzie encourages owners to retain their perspective and asses the entire situation rather than fixating on the most visible issues. She stresses the need for thorough assessments and a routine and structure for managing horse’s health.

Continuous Learning and Prevention

Continuous learning is an essential and ongoing process. Dr. Lizzie also emphasizes the significance of prevention, encouraging horse owners to prioritize their horse's health through lifestyle choices, nutrition, and stress management. 

Master Class on Colic

Colic is currently the leading cause of death amongst horses around the world, and Dr. Lizzie wants to change that. She is offering a free Colic Masterclass on the 3rd of January, where she will address what veterinarians wish horse owners knew about colic. The class will cover the causes of colic, preparation for emergencies, and mental and emotional readiness for decisions like hospitalization or euthanasia. She invites all horse owners to join the free class! 

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving EquineMetabolic Syndrome Naturally

Links for Dr. Lizzie:

EquineEmergency Response Training 

Register for the Colic Masterclass  [January 3rd, 2024] 

This week, I dive into more ways to support a healthy equine microbiome.

In the last episode, I explained what a microbiome is and why it is essential for every aspect of a horse's health. If you have not already done so, I suggest you tune in to that episode to understand why supporting the microbiome is crucial for the hindgut and every organ in a horse’s body.

Maintaining Healthy Gut Bacteria

Maintaining a healthy population of bacteria in a horse's digestive system is essential, especially considering that 75% of their energy comes from fermenting fiber. When the balance gets disrupted due to poor feeding practices, exposure to toxicity or chemicals, or stress, health issues like colic, ulcers, fecal water syndrome, diarrhea, or immunity-related problems like scratches, rain rot, festering infections, and chronic thrush may arise. 

Creating a Supportive Environment

A supportive environment starts with carefully considering the horse's diet, avoiding high-sugar and high-protein intake, managing fat levels, minimizing exposure to chemicals and preservatives, and regulating pH levels.

How Medications and Stress Affect the Microbiome 

Apart from diet, medications and stress levels also significantly impact the equine microbiome. Medicines can alter bacterial populations, so it is always essential to evaluate how necessary they are and their potential side effects. Emotional or physical stress can elevate acidity levels in a horse’s body. That could affect their bacterial populations and cause inflammation. Assessing lifestyle factors, addressing stressors, and making necessary changes will all contribute to maintaining a healthy equine microbiome.

Introduction to Prebiotics for Gut Health

Providing your horse with prebiotics is a proactive way to support their gut health. Prebiotics are in the soluble and insoluble fibers of plants. Foraging horses can access their probiotics naturally from the grasses, leaves, and shrubs they eat. In a domestic setting, however, you must give those to your horse in a feed bucket. Beet pulp, chia seeds, cooked barley, cooked oats, and certain herbs are all options that will help in creating an environment conducive to healthy gut bacteria.

Understanding Probiotics and Their Benefits

Probiotics are living biological organisms crucial for modifying the microbiota, producing beneficial compounds, and enhancing intestinal immunity. Studies have shown that common strains, like bifidum and lactobacillus, positively affect equine digestive conditions, immunity, weight gain, and energy levels. When selecting probiotics, it is best to choose refrigerated options that do not contain any added ingredients.

Dosage and Timing of Probiotic Supplementation

Dosage for probiotics gets measured in colony forming units (CFUs), typically ranging from 50 to 100 billion CFUs for horses. Specific circumstances, such as post-deworming or antibiotic use, may warrant probiotic supplementation. 

How Effective are Probiotics?

Even though the studies on the survival of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract vary, I have seen how effective probiotics are for improving gut health, especially in colic situations. Monitoring how your horse responds to probiotics will help you determine their efficacy. 

Assessing Probiotic Effectiveness

To truly understand the effectiveness of probiotics, you will need to observe their immediate benefits, re-evaluate after long-term use, and recognize the instances where they do not produce your desired outcome. If the probiotics consistently offer no improvement or cause adverse effects, you must reassess your horse's overall health, diet, and environment. 

Valuable Contributors to Gut Health

Probiotics are valuable contributors to gut health. They are most effective when you use them as part of a comprehensive approach to your horse's well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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