This week, we are looking at uveitis, sometimes known as moon blindness in horses.

Uveitis is a big concern for horse owners because it can lead to blindness and, in severe cases, even result in the horse losing an eye. Even in traditional medicine, the exact cause of this complex and chronic condition remains elusive. 

So, today, I approach uveitis from a holistic perspective, exploring its various facets and potential treatments.

Understanding Uveitis

Uveitis, indicated by the suffix itis, denotes inflammation, specifically chronic inflammation of the uvea, which is one of the layers of the eye. The uvea comprises three structures- the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, which could get damaged in uveitis cases.

Possible Causes and Holistic Approach

The causes of uveitis are diverse and often unknown. A holistic approach considers dietary, lifestyle, and nutritional interventions to reduce inflammation and potentially save the affected eye. Many believe uveitis is triggered by infections or autoimmune responses, leading to continuous inflammation and tissue damage.

Genetic Predisposition

Appaloosa horses are eight times more likely to develop equine recurrent uveitis, indicating a genetic predisposition. Despite that, horse owners should focus on mitigating the condition with an appropriate diet and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation and support tissue repair.

Stress and Toxicity

Stress and toxicity are significant triggers for uveitis flare-ups. Stressful events, like separation from the herd or lifestyle changes, can exacerbate the condition. Toxins from medications or vaccinations can also overload the immune system, leading to increased inflammation.

Free Radical Damage

Free radicals cause considerable damage to tissues, contributing to conditions like uveitis. Antioxidants play a role in neutralizing free radicals, as they protect the tissues from oxidative stress and potential DNA mutations.

Connection to Metabolic Disorders

Horses with metabolic disorders like insulin resistance or Cushing's disease are more susceptible to uveitis. Those conditions cause chronic inflammation and tissue breakdown, particularly affecting the eyes.

Importance of Liver Health

A healthy liver is crucial for eye health, as the liver is responsible for metabolism and detoxification. Supporting liver function through proper diet and supplementation can help reduce the toxic load on the body, protecting the eyes from further damage.

Dietary Considerations

Dietary management is essential, as a diet that minimizes metabolic stress and supports liver function helps to manage the progression of uveitis. It is crucial to eliminate excess sugars, fats, and proteins, as they can exacerbate inflammation and put additional pressure on the liver. Instead, focus on a balanced diet rich in fiber and essential nutrients.

Antioxidants and Supplements

The antioxidants most beneficial for uveitis include zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and Coenzyme Q10. Those help reduce inflammation and support overall eye health. However, supplementation should be approached cautiously and tailored to the individual needs of each horse.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies like Apis, derived from honeybees, can reduce inflammation and swelling in uveitis cases. However, addressing underlying factors such as stress and metabolic imbalances is also essential.

Conclusion

Managing uveitis requires a comprehensive approach that includes dietary adjustments and addressing underlying health issues. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, owners can improve the outcomes for horses suffering from this chronic condition.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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This week, we are shifting our focus to hormones in mares.

Many horse owners are eager to learn how to manage hormonal mares and better understand their behavior. While the most intense symptoms of hormone changes tend to surface in spring, chronic issues can persist year-round, making them challenging to handle, as hormonal imbalances can significantly alter their brain chemistry, behavior, and well-being.

As most women know, hormones are powerful and can cause severe symptoms. Unfortunately, horses cannot easily communicate what they are experiencing. So, today, I share tips on approaching hormonal issues with mares naturally and holistically.

Introduction to Hormonal Imbalances in Horses

Hormonal imbalances in horses, particularly mares and geldings, have become normalized in the industry. That has led to a lack of awareness about healthy hormone levels. The primary causes of hormone imbalances are stress, nutrient deficiencies, and toxicity, which disrupt homeostasis in the body.

Seasonal Hormonal Changes

In spring, increased daylight triggers hormonal changes in mares. Their eyes absorb more light, activating the endocrine system, including the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus, known as the master gland, orchestrates these changes by stimulating various hormones in response to environmental factors such as temperature, fluid balance, hunger, and stress.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland Interaction

The hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine systems, receiving environmental information and eliciting a response by stimulating the pituitary gland with neural hormones. This complex interaction prepares mares for reproduction, producing follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones for estrogen and progesterone production in the ovaries.

Estrus Cycle and Hormonal Symptoms

A healthy mare experiences a 21-day estrus cycle, with ovulation around day 16 and heat lasting 4-6 days. However, many mares suffer from hormonal imbalances, leading to chronic heat cycles and symptoms such as uterine pain, colic, sweating, frequent urination, back pain, and general stiffness. These symptoms often go unrecognized as hormonal issues.

Behavioral and Emotional Impact

Hormonal imbalances also affect the behavior of mares, causing agitation, anger, depression, fatigue, and anxiety. That can impact their ability to cooperate with humans, making them unsafe and hard to handle. Recognizing and addressing the imbalances through nutrition and lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve their behavior and overall well-being.

Conventional and Holistic Approaches

While hormone replacement therapies are commonplace, they come with many side effects, including weight gain, uterine infections, and risks to human handlers. Medications like synthetic progesterone and medroxyprogesterone suppress estrus, but their risks often outweigh the benefits. A holistic approach focusing on diet, nutrition, and natural remedies is better for long-lasting results.

The Role of Stress and Nutrition

Stress significantly impacts hormonal balance, as elevated cortisol and insulin levels disrupt the physical equilibrium. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin B6 and magnesium, contribute to hormonal issues. Essential fatty acids, calcium, and Vitamin B12 will also support hormone regulation and overall health.

Protein and Alfalfa

Excessive protein intake can lead to behavioral and anxiety problems in horses. While protein is essential, horses do not require as much as some owners might think. Be cautious with alfalfa, a high-protein forage, and ensure it is relevant and appropriate for your horse.

Commercial Feeds and Hormone Impact

Commercial feeds can contain various ingredients that affect hormone levels in horses. Some ingredients, like soy, have phytoestrogens and preservatives that interfere with endocrine pathways. Adjusting or removing commercial feeds from their diet can significantly improve their behavior, health, and hormone balance.

Managing Stress Levels

Chronic stress in horses can imbalance hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, adrenaline, and cortisol. That is why owners should minimize their stress levels and become aware of any stress-related signals. Movement is also essential for proper hormone metabolism and detoxification.

Importance of Movement

Movement is vital for the equine metabolism, circulation, and lymphatic system. Confinement and lack of social interaction can lead to health issues that no amount of nutrition or supplements can fix. Ensuring horses have regular exercise and playtime with other horses is crucial for their overall health.

Liver and Hindgut Health

Liver and microbiome health are the keys to proper hormone metabolism. Horses with liver toxicity or an imbalanced microbiome cannot metabolize hormones effectively. So, owners must consider the overall health profile of their horses, including signs of chronic infections or skin conditions, as part of managing hormone regulation.

Horse-Human Relationship

Horses can mirror the hormonal imbalances and stress levels of their owners. If an owner has high stress or hormonal issues, it can affect the health of their horses. When owners manage their health and stress levels, it can positively impact the health of their horses.

Practical Steps for Managing Hormonal Mares

To manage hormonal mares, consider these five steps:

1. Dietary Adjustments: Monitor sugar andalfalfa intake, as excess alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland and disrupt the microbiome, contributing to hormonal issues.
2. Stress Reduction: Implement strategies to minimize stress, especially in competitive horses.
3. Nutritional Support: Ensure adequate intake of key nutrients like vitamin B6, magnesium, essential fatty acids, calcium, and B12.
4. Liver Health: Support liver function through a balanced diet and supplements to improve hormone metabolism.
5. Holistic Management: Adopt a holistic approach to address underlying causes of hormonal imbalances, focusing on diet, lifestyle, and natural remedies.

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

We are currently experiencing an epidemic of stress-related conditions in horses, affecting virtually every aspect of their health. So, this week, we are focusing on ways to prevent or reduce stress in horses.

When a horse becomes stressed, various physiological changes occur, exacerbating any health issues or challenges that may already exist.

Join me as I explore why horses tend to get stressed, examining the biochemical processes that unfold when they do and how their organs respond, highlighting how these factors can ultimately lead to either the success or failure of their health.

Categories of Stressors

Stressors in horses can be physical or emotional. Physical stressors include chronic illness, injuries, surgeries, pain, inflammation, high physical demands, and chronic hunger. Emotional stressors stem from the social nature of the horse. They may include weaning, grief, anger, frustration, loneliness due to confinement, and chronic hunger.

Physical Stressors Chronic Illness and Injuries:

Chronic illnesses place constant stress on the equine body as it struggles to restore balance. Injuries, such as pulled ligaments, broken bones, or muscle damage, require the body to activate resources to reduce inflammation and begin healing, which is a significant stressor.

Surgeries and Pain:

Surgeries are invasive and traumatic for the tissues of horses. Pain and inflammation, whether from injuries, food allergies, or high-sugar diets, create a constant state of low-grade stress, hindering tissue repair and allowing degenerative processes to take place.

Performance and Chronic Hunger:

High-performance physical demands can be stressful, so the necessary tools and resources are essential to help the horse recover. Horses are natural grazers, so chronic hunger can lead to chronic stress, affecting their physical and emotional well-being.

Emotional Stressors Social Nature and Weaning:

Horses are highly social beings with a strong emotional IQ. Weaning is a significant emotional stressor and is often the first traumatic event for a horse. Some horses adapt well, while others carry the trauma long into adulthood.

Grief:

Grief from losing herd mates, whether due to death or separation, can affect horses. They may exhibit signs of depression and a loss of zest for life, potentially leading to physical health issues like ulcers or laminitis.

Anger, Frustration, and Loneliness:

Poor human-horse relationships, where the horse feels misunderstood or unheard, can lead to frustration and anger. Loneliness, often due to confinement and lack of social interaction, is another emotional stressor that could affect their health.

Impact of Stress on Horses

As prey animals, horses have a pronounced and severe stress response hardwired for survival. This response, necessary for escaping predators, includes hypervigilance and neuroses. Genetic factors can influence their stress response, highlighting the importance of breeding calmer, less stressed horses to ensure better future generations.

Fight, Flight, and Freeze

The natural stress response in horses is flight. However, in unnatural environments where fleeing is impossible, this energy has no outlet, leading to frustration, anger, and irritability. Chronic stress without release can result in shutdown and withdrawal, further compounding any existing health issues.

Physiological Effects of Stress

Stress significantly impacts the digestive system, reducing blood flow to vital organs, slowing gut motility, inhibiting nutrient absorption, and reducing digestive secretions. That can lead to malnutrition and colic. Chronic stress also increases acidity in the stomach, contributing to ulcer formation, especially in performance horses.

TheEndocrine System

Stress triggers the release of hormones like glucagon and ACTH, which increase blood sugar and cortisol levels. Long-term cortisol production can lead to tissue breakdown, immune system suppression, and metabolic issues such as insulin resistance and PSSM.

Immune System and Healing

Prolonged stress affects the immune system by delaying healing and contributing to leaky gut syndrome. Chronic stress can lead to adrenal burnout, affecting cortisol production and exacerbating health issues.

Cortisol and Anti-Inflammation

Cortisol is produced naturally as an anti-inflammatory response in horses, playing a crucial role in managing inflammation from chronic conditions like laminitis and the overall immune response. However, persistent cortisol production, particularly in autoimmune conditions such as uveitis, can lead to oxidative stress and harm tissue integrity.

Stress and Immune System Impact

Chronic stress significantly impacts the immune system of horses. Since 70% of the immune system is in the gut, stress can disrupt digestion and redirect resources away from immunity. Suppressing the immune system increases susceptibility to infections and other health issues.

Thymus Gland and Stress Response

The thymus gland, responsible for producing white blood cells and other immune cells, can shrink by up to 50% under stress. That leads to a drastic drop in immune defense, making horses more vulnerable to infections. Chronic stress, often seen in horses rescued from neglectful situations, severely compromises their immunity.

Supporting Immune Function

Horses under chronic stress experience delayed healing and increased vulnerability to infections. You can support their recovery by providing nutritional support for the adrenal glands to create a healthy immune response. That includes addressing stressors, improving the environment, and ensuring they have a proper outlet for stress.

Healing and Stress Management

Healing is delayed in horses under chronic stress, especially when dealing with conditions like laminitis or metabolic syndrome. That is why owners must address their mental and emotional states and provide outlets for stress relief to promote their healing.

Sleep Deprivation and Narcolepsy

Stress and lifestyle factors can lead to sleep deprivation and narcolepsy in horses. Those conditions can cause horses to fall asleep while standing, posing a danger and making it essential to address lifestyle factors that could contribute to their stress and sleep issues.

Lifestyle Changes for Stress Reduction

Supplements alone cannot resolve stress-related issues in horses. It is crucial to make lifestyle changes, like providing more playtime, adjusting feeding schedules, and ensuring social interactions. Even by making small changes, you can significantly reduce stress levels and improve a horse's overall health.

Importance of Rest

Allowing horses to rest is essential for their recovery and health. Adequate sleep supports the immune system, tissue repair, and digestive health. Owners should avoid disturbing resting horses, especially those recovering from traumatic or neglectful environments.

Conclusion

Understanding and addressing physical and emotional stressors in horses is crucial for their health and longevity. By recognizing the signs of stress and implementing stress management strategies, owners can promote better health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for their horses.

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