Elisha’s Podcast
ELISHA’S PODCAST

Ready to get your horses on the path to better health?
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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…
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Check out my recent episodes
This week, we are continuing with our discussion on Equine Metabolic Syndrome. As spring approaches in many parts of the world, horse owners are on high alert, looking for signs like weight gain, crested necks, foot inflammation, or shedding due to PPID. Grass and sugar levels play a pivotal role in metabolic conditions like insulin resistance, PPID (Cushing's syndrome), and PSSM, all of which require the same approach for holistic management. That involves supporting horses by focusing on proper detoxification, efficient metabolism, and their ability to convert sugars efficiently in the muscles, liver, and tissue through lifestyle adjustments where necessary and ensuring correct nutrition for a successful recovery. Stay tuned to learn how to avoid three of the most common mistakes horse owners make, which could impede their horses’ recovery from Equine Metabolic Syndrome. The Food Restriction Misconception One common misconception is that restricting food intake is an effective way to manage weight gain and reduce the sugar levels of horses. This approach stems from the belief that reducing calories will lead to weight loss. However, excessive food restriction can detrimentally affect a horse's overall health. In other words, prolonged periods without food can cause stress, increase the risk of ulcers, and lead to digestive issues like colic. Moreover, a horse deprived of food for extended periods may experience heightened levels of anxiety and frustration, impacting their well-being and behavior. While it is essential to monitor calorie intake, extreme food restriction is not a sustainable or healthy solution for managing equine metabolic syndrome. Commercial Grain Feeding Another mistake horse owners often tend to make is relying heavily on commercial grains marketed for metabolic horses. While those feeds may claim to be beneficial for insulin resistance and other metabolic conditions, they often contain many ingredients that can contribute to the toxic load of the horse. Commercial grains may be high in sugars, additives, and fillers, leading to inflammation, digestive disturbances, and immune system imbalances. These feeds may not account for individual sensitivities and the nutritional needs of all horses, potentially exacerbating metabolic issues rather than alleviating them. A more effective approach is to focus on whole foods and natural supplements tailored to the horse's specific needs, promoting better digestion, metabolism, and overall health. Relying Solely on Balanced Minerals Balancing minerals to match the forage is essential for equine nutrition, especially for horses with metabolic conditions. However, relying solely on balanced minerals to meet all the horse's nutritional requirements can be a mistake. While balanced minerals are crucial for maintaining proper bodily functions and supporting metabolic health, they may not address specific nutrient deficiencies or imbalances that could be contributing to metabolic issues. Additionally, some commercial mineral mixes may contain excessive or unnecessary ingredients that do not benefit the horse's overall well-being. Customizing the horse's diet with targeted nutrients and supplements based on individual needs and health goals is essential for achieving optimal metabolic function and overall health. The Importance of Monitoring Stress Levels In addition to dietary considerations, horse owners must monitor and manage their horse's stress levels, as stress can significantly impact their metabolic health. High stress levels could cause increased cortisol production, linked to insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders. Other factors, like inadequate exercise, social isolation, and environmental changes, could also contribute to stress in horses. Implementing strategies for stress reduction, like regular exercise, proper socialization, consistent routines, and a comfortable living environment, can help mitigate the negative impact of stress on metabolic health. By addressing dietary and stress-related factors, horse owners can effectively support their horse's overall well-being and metabolic 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 Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally now This week, we are diving into the best approach for your horse regarding Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). As April and May approach, many horse owners start thinking about insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome, PPID, and PSSM due to the rise in pasture sugars. Common strategies include reducing sugar intake, moving horses to dry lots, checking hay quality, and increasing exercise, but some horses remain sensitive despite those changes. Even after a long time remaining off the grass, they still react strongly, which indicates a need for a more comprehensive approach. Stay tuned to learn how a holistic approach can help you find solutions beyond conventional recommendations and band-aid quick-fixes. The holistic approach recognizes that health issues like insulin resistance and laminitis are complex and require a broader understanding than surface-level solutions. It involves looking at the horse’s overall well-being, including diet, exercise, stress levels, and environment, to address underlying imbalances. The band-aid approach generally involves removing sugar from the horse's diet, supplements that have been labeled beneficial for metabolic issues, and focusing on temporary symptom management. Despite implementing common strategies like restricting sugar intake, providing ample exercise, and using supplements, some horses continue to struggle with metabolic issues. That could be due to the differences in how horses metabolize food, undetected nutrient deficiencies, ongoing stressors, or other underlying health conditions contributing to metabolic dysfunction. Many factors could influence a horse's susceptibility to metabolic issues. Breed predisposition plays a role, with some breeds being more prone to metabolic imbalances than others. Health history, including past illnesses or injuries, can impact a horse's metabolic health, and genetic factors and past traumas may also contribute to ongoing health challenges. Stress levels, diet composition, lifestyle factors, nutritional status, and food intolerances are all interconnected aspects that can affect a horse's metabolic function and overall well-being. To effectively address metabolic issues, it is essential to identify and target the underlying causes directly. That involves understanding how the condition developed- either a gradual progression or sudden onset due to specific stressors. Stress management also plays a significant role, as chronic stress can disrupt metabolic processes and contribute to health issues. Nutrient deficiencies, especially in essential minerals like selenium, can hinder metabolic function and must be addressed through targeted supplementation or dietary adjustments. To support the metabolic health of a horse, you must avoid unnecessary toxicity in the diet and ingredients that could cause inflammation or allergic reactions. Food plays a crucial role in supporting metabolic health. A clean and balanced diet, tailored to the needs of the horse, is essential to provide essential nutrients and support optimal metabolic function. That includes ensuring adequate fiber intake, managing sugar and carbohydrate levels appropriately, and addressing any specific food intolerances or sensitivities that could contribute to metabolic issues. By focusing on nutrition as a primary tool for health, horse owners can lay a solid foundation for metabolic wellness and the overall well-being of their horses. 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 This week, I offer guidelines for supplementation and acclimating your horse to a brand-new natural health program. Introducing new foods can be challenging, especially if your horse has never tried certain things. Some horses are naturally suspicious of new foods, while others may be picky eaters. Today, I break down ways to introduce various categories of supplements, herbs, single nutrients, and homeopathic remedies and explore common questions related to getting your horse to eat new foods, managing their flavor preferences, and how long to continue supplementing. Introduce new foods slowly, paying attention to how the horse responds. Some horses may not enjoy the taste of certain foods or may have digestive issues. To determine if a horse is reluctant to eat new food due to digestive issues, look for signs of digestive problems. They could include nausea-like behavior, flipping dishes, or simply looking unwell after eating. Introduce new foods, like beet pulp, alfalfa pellets, or crushed flaxseed, one at a time, starting with one new item at a time. Observe how the horse reacts and gradually reintroduce disliked items later. Mixing disliked foods with preferred ones can sometimes help a horse accept them. Adding herbs and plants, like blueberries or cucumber, can provide additional nutrients. Start with small amounts and monitor how the horse responds. Some herbs, especially those with intense flavors, should be added gradually. Ensure your food preparations are fresh and store them correctly to avoid bacterial growth or rancidity, especially items like beet pulp or higher-fat supplements. Adding small amounts of unsweetened applesauce, grated carrots, or small fruit pieces can make food more appealing for horses reluctant to eat new foods without significantly increasing their sugar intake. When giving horse supplements like vitamins, minerals, and herbs, it is essential to be cautious and cater to their specific requirements. Opt for single nutrients whenever possible to avoid adding unnecessary extras. Periodically evaluate how your horse reacts to supplements, adjusting them according to any improvements or lack of progress. Seek professional advice for accurate dosing and supplementation guidance. The duration of supplementation will vary, depending on how the horse responds and the type of supplement. While herbs can be supplemented long-term, single vitamins and minerals should be reassessed periodically. It is essential to check your horse's health regularly and notice how it responds to supplements. If necessary, make changes based on the improvements to balance the nutritional support without overdoing it. When using homeopathic remedies for acute symptoms, the general advice is to discontinue the remedy as soon as the symptoms have resolved. That can be challenging because people often want to continue if they see improvement. However, the idea is to stop only when the symptoms disappear. If the symptoms reappear later, you can resume the remedy. Even after stopping a homeopathic remedy, the benefits sometimes continue. For long-standing or chronic issues, you can continue using homeopathic remedies for several weeks or longer if there is a clear benefit. However, a homeopathic consultation may be necessary for proper remedy selection, remedy potency, and help in understanding new or disappearing symptoms. With all supplements, including herbs, nutrients, or homeopathic remedies, the question is whether they provide clear benefits. To make informed decisions about supplementation, observe whether or not removing the supplement would worsen the horse's condition. Horses can be sensitive to homeopathic remedies, sometimes leading to aggravations where new symptoms appear. That is not necessarily bad, but it does indicate a response to the remedy. Discontinuing the remedy will usually resolve the aggravation. However, consulting a homeopath or experienced professional is advised to address any underlying issues. Homeopathic remedies are energy medicine and can be used alongside nutritional supplements. They should be administered separately from food and into a clean mouth to ensure their effectiveness. 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 NaturallyHolistic Approach vs. Band-Aid Approach
Why Your Current Approach Might Not Work
Factors Affecting Health
Addressing Underlying Causes
Using Food as a Primary Tool
Links and resources:
Introducing New Foods
Identifying Digestive Issues
Gradual Introduction of New Foods
Adding Herbs and Plants
Considerations for Food Preparation
Methods to Encourage Eating
Managing Supplements: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Assessing Supplement Effectiveness
Duration of Supplementation
Monitoring and Adjusting
Discontinuing Homeopathic Remedies
Observations and Long-term Use
Supplementation Guidelines
Handling Homeopathic Aggravations
Homeopathic Remedies
Links and resources:
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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