This week, I cover an essential aspect of formulating an effective wellness, preventative, or recovery program for your horse. 

Plants are essential for horses because they are super-vegans, but we took away their ability to choose what they eat when we domesticated them. Now, it is up to us to choose their food. However, we sometimes make mistakes about what they need. 

We are all trying to find the best way to feed and care for our horses. So today, I explain the benefits of supplementing your horse’s diet with plants and herbs. 

The Importance of Plants in Horse Health Programs

When considering health programs for horses, plants often take a back seat. For domesticated horses, however, plants should be a priority as they mimic the varied diet horses would have in the wild. Wild horses derive vitality and strength from a diverse plant-based diet, and that is often lacking in domesticated horses. The decline in health for many horses stems from nutritional gaps, which can be challenging to address, especially for horses with no access to pasture. In those cases, incorporating plants into their diet is crucial.

Quick and Affordable Solutions: Medication vs. Plants

Medication provides quick and permanent solutions for horse health issues. While medication has its place, herbs and plants also offer valuable benefits. Unfortunately, many horse owners lack knowledge about herbs and their applications, which leads them to underestimating their potential. Natural options that include herbs provide substantial benefits for many equine health challenges, offering a safer alternative that aligns far more closely with the needs of a horse.

Plant-Based Solutions for Nutrient Deficiencies

A critical aspect of any horse’s health is their nutrition. Domesticating horses has resulted in nutrient deficiencies, one of the leading causes of equine health conditions. 

Live Forage is Crucial 

Many domesticated horses have become so digestively compromised that they cannot even absorb nutritional supplements, making live forage a crucial component for horses unable to access pasture regularly. Plants fill the nutritional void and promote better digestion, absorption, and well-being. That is why it is essential for horse owners to understand the significance of plants when addressing nutrient deficiencies or creating effective health programs.

Medicinal Properties of Plants in Horse Health

Beyond their nutritional value, plants also carry a number of medicinal properties. Various plant compounds, like flavonoids, tannins, and coumarins, work synergistically to promote and restore equine health. The potential of plants for supporting detoxification, reducing inflammation, strengthening the musculoskeletal system, fighting infections, and discouraging parasites is substantial. Plants also play a crucial role in balancing hormones and promoting healthy digestion. By recognizing and harnessing the medicinal properties of plants, you can contribute significantly to your horse's overall health and vitality.

Plant-Based Solutions vs. Pharmaceuticals

Distinguishing between plant-based solutions and pharmaceutical drugs is essential for understanding how they impact a horse’s health. Medicinal plants provide a holistic approach for addressing underlying causes such as toxicity, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. In contrast, pharmaceutical drugs primarily target symptoms, offering quick relief without necessarily resolving the root issues. The holistic nature of plants for natural nutrition and minimal side effects contrasts with the isolated, potent compounds found in pharmaceuticals. Striking a balance and learning about the nuanced differences is vital for making informed decisions in horse healthcare.

Incorporating Herbs and Plants

Incorporating herbs and plants into a horse's health program offers a threefold advantage: Firstly, it reintroduces the food variety lost through domestication, mirroring a more natural diet. Secondly, leveraging the diverse medicinal properties of plants helps with healing and recovery from a broad spectrum of health problems. Lastly, the unlikeliness of any side effects makes plants a safe and effective option. 

By recognizing the importance of plants in addressing horse health, we can embrace a holistic approach that aligns far more closely with a horse's natural requirements for optimal well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

This week, I will be covering the fall flare-up.

Horses tend to face their most significant health struggles in spring and fall. It happens in spring because the grass sugars increase as the grasses transition from hay, heightening the risk of flare-ups for horses with metabolic conditions like laminitis. Yet, fall could trigger even more issues- especially in horses with pre-existing imbalances or health problems.

Fall Hormonal Shifts and Their Impact on Metabolic Conditions

As we transition into the fall, I have noticed a surge in health issues, particularly in horses diagnosed with PPID or Cushing's disease. The fall season brings about a natural rise in ACTH levels, exacerbating those conditions in horses already grappling with hormonal imbalances. That surge in ACTH also leads to elevated cortisol levels, which, if prolonged, can pose various health risks, from muscle wasting to laminitis. That highlights the need for proactive management strategies, and makes it essential for anyone owning horses predisposed to metabolic conditions to understand those hormonal shifts.

Laminitis Challenges in the Fall

Preventive measures are essential for mitigating the risk of laminitic flare-ups during the seasonal transition. Horses that have enjoyed a seemingly healthy summer outdoors sometimes experience acute episodes of laminitis as the fall sets in. The trim plays a crucial role in preventing that, as an unhealthy trim could compound the impact of hormonal triggers.

Dietary Changes in the Transition from Grass to Hay

Fall can bring significant dietary challenges, particularly for horses transitioning from grass to hay. Without proper management, an abrupt shift from grass to hay could impact the digestive system and trigger other health issues. A gradual transition- especially for horses prone to metabolic conditions, will ensure a much smoother adjustment. That is why horse owners who want to prevent laminitic episodes must know about the higher sugar concentrations in the fall grass.

Supplementation and Maintaining a Low-sugar Diet

Supplementing essential fatty acids and maintaining a low-sugar diet will go a long way in contributing to the overall nutritional support of a horse during its dietary transition in the fall.

Environmental Allergies and Respiratory Conditions

In the fall, there is a rise in environmental particulates, like pollen, which may exacerbate equine respiratory conditions, especially in horses with pre-existing issues like COPD. Switching to round bales or using hay nets could also contribute to dust inhalation and further impact any existing respiratory health issues. Strategies like adjusting feeding setups and using netting to minimize dust exposure, are essential for horses susceptible to respiratory allergies.

Temperature Fluctuations and Circulatory Impact

Drastic temperature fluctuations are common in the fall and could challenge a horse's ability to regulate its body temperature. Older horses or those with existing metabolic challenges may struggle with those temperature fluctuations, potentially leading to compromised circulation. That, in turn, could contribute to winter laminitis. Proactive measures, including proper hoof care and trimming, help to maintain healthy circulation and prevent temperature-related complications.

Strategies for Prevention and Well-being

A holistic approach is essential for navigating the challenges of fall flare-ups. Prioritizing digestive system support through gradual dietary transitions, probiotic supplementation, and essential fatty acids are needed for a horse's overall well-being. Managing their stressors, maintaining the three Fs (forage, freedom, and friendship), and promptly addressing any signs of distress will help to reduce their stress. Taking a proactive approach to hoof care, focusing on the trim, and addressing laminitic tendencies will also ensure that your horse is better equipped to handle all the potential triggers associated with seasonal changes.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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

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