Elisha’s Podcast

ELISHA’S PODCAST

Ready to get your horses on the path to better health?

This podcast was created to do just that.

Tune in to get new insights, perspectives, horse health tips, and real-life horse healing stories.

Take what you learn and apply it to your horse TODAY.

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From learning what to feed your horse and how to use nutrition effectively, to practicing prevention and approaching specific health challenges naturally, to just bringing your horse more joy and better health…

I’ve got you covered!

 

Check out my recent episodes

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

The use of beet pulp in equine diets has sparked a wave of controversy, igniting fiery debates and arguments within the equestrian community. 

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the use of beet pulp, and people want to know if it is safe and beneficial for their horses or if it could be harmful. 

In this episode, I share safe feeding practises and explain what you need to watch out for when feeding beet pulp to your horse to help you decide whether or not it will benefit your horse.

Understanding Beet Pulp

Contrary to common misconceptions, beet pulp is not a high-sugar feed. It is primarily the fibrous material left behind after sugar extraction. It has an 18% crude fiber content that includes insoluble and soluble components, with a significant amount of pectin. Pectin is highly digestible and easily absorbed by horses, making beet pulp an exceptional source of dietary fiber. Given the importance of gut health and digestion, beet pulp offers a viable option for horses that require additional fiber, detoxification support, and improved microbial balance.

Debunking Sugar Myths

Concerns about sugar content often overshadow the benefits of beet pulp. While it originates from the sugar beet industry, beet pulp is not inherently high in sugar. It is essential to distinguish between sugar content and the glycemic index, which measures how carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels after consumption. The fiber in beet pulp mitigates its glycemic index, making it a suitable option for sugar-sensitive horses. Pelleted beet pulp, for example, ranks at approximately 69 on the glycemic index scale, well below the 100-mark set by oats. By soaking and rinsing beet pulp, the glycemic index can be further reduced to about 34, making it a crucial consideration for exceptionally sugar-sensitive horses. 

Concerns about Toxicity and GMOs

There are some concerns regarding the potential toxicity of beet pulp. Yet those issues largely depend on the manufacturing process and supplier practices. Chemicals used to remove beet tops, inorganic iron content, and soil mineral composition are all factors that affect the toxicity risks of beet pulp. Conducting thorough research and selecting reputable suppliers allows horse owners to minimize those concerns. The debate surrounding genetically modified organisms has prompted a growing demand for non-GMO beet pulp. Horse owners can find those products through diligent research or networking with fellow equestrians. Even though some concerns exist, the overall health benefits of the fiber content of beet pulp outweigh the potential toxicity issues, particularly when focusing on gut health and detoxification.

Feeding Practices To Ensure Safe Consumption

Choking is a concern when feeding horses beet pulp, especially when it is served dry or inadequately soaked, so proper feeding practices are essential to ensure safe consumption. Beet pulp can expand up to four times its volume, necessitating a four-to-one ratio of water to beet pulp during soaking. Soaking for two and a half to three hours, preferably with warm water, facilitates this process and prevents the pulp from absorbing vital fluids from the horse's digestive tract. I recommend a cautious approach for horses with compromised gut health or a history of digestive issues, starting with small quantities of soaked beet pulp and gradually increasing it to ensure their digestive systems can adapt. While choking incidents are rare, proactive soaking and proper feeding practices can mitigate this risk.

Is Beet Pulp a Valuable Addition to Equine Nutrition?

Beet pulp does emerge as a valuable addition to equine nutrition. Despite the ongoing debates and concerns, the potential benefits of beet pulp for digestive health, microbial balance, and detoxification remain substantial. Beet pulp provides a safe source of dietary fiber, especially for horses requiring additional support. However, horse owners must still exercise caution regarding toxicity and GMO concerns. Ultimately, the overall benefits of beet pulp outweigh the potential risks, and it remains a valuable option for promoting the well-being of a broad spectrum of horses.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Owning a horse is a demanding journey that can severely test our emotional resilience!  

Confronting health issues like chronic laminitis, COPD, PPID, or behavioral concerns with our equine partners can stir up a whirlwind of emotions that can significantly influence the way we make our decisions. Yet, regrettably, there is little support available out there. So, in this episode, I will explore the importance of mindset for horse owners.

I firmly believe that working on your mindset can profoundly impact all aspects of your life. Join me today to discover the crucial role mindset plays in equine care and learn how working on it can help you overcome any challenges you may encounter with your horse.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection 

Mindset is a powerful force rooted in our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and beliefs that influence our everyday lives and shape our approach to equine health. A single thought has the potential to impact our entire physical well-being, even raising our blood pressure. In horses, those thoughts can lead to detrimental beliefs. So, we must become more aware of how our thoughts influence our emotions and actions.

Harnessing the Energy of Thoughts and Emotions 

Thoughts are like energy, and emotions represent that energy in motion. With their extensive energy fields, horses perceive our thoughts and emotions, directly influencing their health and vitality. So, we must be mindful of the signals we are sending.

Distinguishing Low and High Vibration Emotions

Low-vibration emotions, like fear, worry, anger, jealousy, shame, guilt, and grief, can hinder healing and lead to stress, inflammation, and negative behaviors. However, high-vibration emotions, like love, joy, peace, acceptance, inspiration, and confidence, can promote healing and strengthen your bond with your horse.

Mindset Tips for a Positive Equine Health Journey: 

1. Avoid Catastrophizing: Don't jump to worst-case scenarios when facing health challenges. Focus instead on the outcome you desire. Setting clear intentions can help you direct your energy positively.

2. Make Informed, Not Emotional Decisions: Emotions can cloud judgment, and heightened emotional states can lead to poor decision-making. Recognizing your emotional triggers will enhance your emotional intelligence and help you differentiate between your emotions and those of your horse.

3. Distinguish Your Emotions from Those of Your Horse: You must separate your emotional baggage from the reality your horse experiences. Projecting your emotions could exacerbate your horse's health issue. Avoid doing that and learn to recognize which emotions are coming from your horse and which emotions belong to you.

Embracing a Positive Mindset

Embracing a positive mindset can enhance your life and the healing journey of your horse. Understanding the power of your thoughts and emotions will allow you to create an environment conducive to healing, growth, and mutual well-being.

Horses Are Emotional Mirrors

Horses have emotional intelligence and an uncanny ability to sense our emotions. They inherently come from a place of service, always eager to assist and support us. However, they can also absorb our stress, anger, grief, and frustration. When already grappling with a chronic or severe health problem, taking on our emotional baggage will hinder their progress. Being accountable for your emotional state is essential during your healing journey.

Be the Emotional Leader

You must be the emotional leader of your horse, especially when dealing with health issues characterized by ups and downs, such as COPD and allergies. Horses yearn for consistency, clarity, and security and rely on us for emotional stability. Being a constant source of emotional strength will help you guide your horse toward its recovery.

Realistic Expectations for Recovery

Healing is a gradual process, especially for horses with chronic health challenges. Steady progress is more valuable than abrupt change, and setting achievable and realistic healing goals is essential. Being clear about your objectives can offer your horse the same clarity and instill a sense of security and stability.

Decisive Leadership

Horses require consistent leadership that includes confident decision-making. Making informed choices can lead to better results for you and your horse, while indecision can hinder their progress. Your horse looks to you for guidance, and its health journey will benefit from your consistent approach.

Avoiding Emotional Instability

Horses do not appreciate unpredictability or frequent changes in your emotional state. Your emotional stability contributes to your horse's security and their emotional stability and helps minimize stress, which could suppress its immune system and cause inflammation.

Mitigating Stress

Horses can detect stress with astonishing precision, even by scent. Your high stress levels can make your horse worry about whether you can protect it. Stress suppresses the immune system and leads to inflammation. Prioritizing your emotional health can ultimately minimize the stress that your horse experiences.

A Guiding Light in the Healing Journey

I hope you find this episode helpful, especially when navigating a challenging healing journey with your horse. Revisit this information as often as needed to reinforce your role as the emotional leader and ensure a smoother road to good health! 

Meet your host

Hi there, I’m Elisha Edwards

Meet your host

Hi there, I’m Elisha Edwards

I have helped guide thousands of horses back to good health over the years from a variety of different health challenges. And through my courses, webinars, and speaking engagements I educate and empower horse owner’s from around the world to take charge of their horse’s health using the holistic model of health care.

So I know first-hand how difficult and overwhelming it can be to navigate all the different opinions and conflicting information that you come across especially when your horse is faced with a health problem. In many cases, the journey is just as hard on the owners as it is on the horses.

I started Healing Horses with Elisha to guide you, support you, and encourage you through the process of prevention and recovery so you feel good about the decisions you’re making for them.

Here’s what I believe

I have seen countless horses with seemingly impossible health conditions that have been resolved so easily with the right combination of diet, nutrition, and natural remedies. In many cases, it is not the health conditions that prevents the horse from recovering, it is the lack of education, resources, and options that are available.

If the insight and information you gain from this podcast gives you some newfound hope or inspires you to take
a new approach then it has served it’s purpose.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help you improve your horse’s health.
Keep listening and learning. Your horse is worth it.

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What my Listeners are saying

“Every time I think there is no way to top what you do – you elevate us to yet another level. I wish I had a fraction of your communication skills. You’re amazing and I am so grateful to be apart of the magic you are creating for horses and their humans.”

Tracey

“Your podcasts are fantastic! I get so excited to listen to the next one. I have 6 geriatric horses and your podcast has really opened my mind to new possibilities in their health and given me the strength to help them through hiccups in their well-being the past few months. I have a nursing education and you explain pathology better than my university professors.”

Sharon

“I can’t thank you enough for the Mindset Tips podcast. I really needed this reminder. It was just what I needed to hear to today.”

Julie