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 this episode, I explore feeding strategies to enhance equine health- particularly the digestive system, sharing tips for promoting better digestion and overall health. Ensuring a healthy digestive system is the first step in managing equine health conditions. It is essential to focus on the digestive system when addressing issues like ulcers, colic, or leaky gut, as many of those problems stem from hindgut and microbiome damage, allowing toxins to circulate throughout the body. Horses must graze continuously, moving and foraging throughout the day. They naturally balance their eating habits in the wild, but that becomes more challenging in domestic settings. With limited movement, domestic horses tend to overeat when given free access to hay, leading to issues like insulin resistance and weight gain. So, owners must provide better nutrition and implement strategies for managing their intake. Slow feeders are an effective tool for controlling how much a horse eats, especially easy keepers prone to weight gain. Slow feeders allow owners to moderate hay intake, preventing overeating while ensuring the horse can access food throughout the day. Slow feeders are helpful for horses with a history of colic or ulcers, as they provide a steady food supply, reducing stress and promoting digestive health. If your horse is on pasture and changing the setup is not an option, a helpful strategy can be to offer hay alongside the grass. Hanging slow feeders on fences around the pasture can encourage horses to choose hay, which provides more fiber than grass. That supports better digestive health and lowers the overall glycemic index of the diet, reducing the risk of conditions like laminitis. Movement is essential for all horses as it aids their circulation, detoxification, and nutrient delivery. Spreading feeding stations around the pen or using a track system can encourage horses to move while they eat, mimicking their natural environment while promoting better health. Set up feeding stations that require your horse to move to support its overall health and well-being. Those strategies can significantly improve digestion and reduce stress in horses,allowing them to live a longer and healthier life. In the final episode of this podcast series, we will explore how feed intolerances can affectthe well-being of horses. Every element of the diet is significant for the overall well-being of horses. That is why informed choices are essential to support their health and vitality. By carefully managing their diets, owners can ensure their horses thrive both physically and mentally. Strange or mysterious symptoms in horses can often confuse their owners, leaving them unsure of how they should move forward. So, owners must learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of food intolerances and understand the pivotal role that food can play in providing them with insights and solutions. Symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, lethargy, or depression are often indicators of dietary issues in horses. Feed intolerances can also lead to physical reactions, like inflammation, itchy skin, and hormonal imbalances, affecting their mental and physical well-being. Horses with compromised digestion, especially those with metabolic conditions, often develop food allergies. Leaky gut syndrome, caused by excessive starches, sugars, and chemicals, leads to inflammation and allergic reactions. That can result in behavior changes, irritability, and physical discomfort. Recognizing and addressing those allergies is vital for overall equine health. Reducing sugar intake is critical for horses, particularly those with allergies or metabolic issues. High-sugar hay, pasture grass, and certain supplements can exacerbate problems. Pay attention to ingredient lists and avoid feeds with long lists of additives and preservatives. Instead, opt for a simple diet to minimize the chances of allergic reactions or toxic build-up. Alfalfa is a common allergen despite its benefits for protein-deficient horses. Symptoms of alfalfa allergy include anxiety, digestive discomfort, and inflammation. Horses with a history of high-alfa diets may have accumulated toxicity. Although Timothy cubes are generally low in sugar, they can cause allergic reactions in some horses. Changing to hay can sometimes resolve those issues. Use a process of elimination to identify feed intolerances. Start with hay for a few days and watch for any improvements. If the symptoms persist, consider the possibility of a hay allergy and check for quality issues, like mold or dust. This method helps owners to pinpoint dietary triggers and allows for more precise adjustments. Every element of the diet is significant for the overall well-being of horses. That is why informed choices are essential to support their health and vitality. By carefully managing their diets, owners can ensure their horses thrive both physically and mentally. This week, we focus on Cushing syndrome, now known as PPID. There is currently an epidemic of horses being diagnosed with this issue. It is a complex condition involving much chemistry and many hormones. So, I will continue exploring it in the next few episodes. Even though the term Cushing's Syndrome in the horse health industry recently transitioned to Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), I still prefer referring to it as Cushing's Syndrome, as that term encompasses the complexity of the condition, which involves multiple glands, not just the pituitary gland. Cushing’s Syndrome might be defined more accurately as a hormonal imbalance rather than a pituitary issue. It is a complex condition involving many hormones and bodily systems, and many believe that underlying factors such as diet and lifestyle contribute to it, as it cannot be due to random occurrences. Stress and inflammation are the key contributors to developing PPID or Cushing's Syndrome. When overstimulated due to stress or inflammation, the pituitary gland produces ACTH, leading to an overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. That hormonal imbalance can lead to various health issues in horses over time. In advanced stages of PPID or Cushing's Syndrome, a growth known as an adenoma may develop on the pituitary gland, which complicates treatment. Addressing the underlying causes, like diet and lifestyle, can sometimes reverse early-stage symptoms and reduce ACTH levels. A multi-faceted, individualized approach is essential for treating horses with PPID or Cushing's Syndrome. Since symptoms, conditions, and history of horses vary, a one-size-fits-all treatment is ineffective. For that reason, customizing programs to the individual horse is crucial for managing the condition. Horses with PPID often exhibit symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, like changes in shedding patterns, hair coat, excessive sweating, and fatigue. The symptoms can vary from horse to horse, making it essential to assess each case individually. PPID affects the metabolism of horses, often leading to weight gain or loss, depending on the stage of the condition. The immune system also gets compromised, making horses more susceptible to infections and other health issues. Long-term elevated cortisol levels can cause muscle wasting and a weakened immune response. Diet plays a significant role in managing PPID, as there is a link between sugar and inflammation in the condition. It is crucial to ensure that horses receive proper nutrition without any inflammatory ingredients. Monitoring and adjusting diet based on individual needs can help manage symptoms and improve overall health. Managing PPID in horses requires a holistic approach that considers the complexity of the condition. By addressing underlying factors such as stress, inflammation, diet, and lifestyle, horse owners can help regulate hormonal imbalances and improve the quality of life 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 Register for Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally, nowDigestive Health
The Importance of Continuous Grazing
Slow Feeders for Better Health
Managing Horses on Pasture
Encouraging Movement
Summary of Key Practices
Encourage Movement:
Looking Ahead
Conclusion
Unidentified Symptoms
Digestive Health and Food Allergies
Removing Sugar and Monitoring Ingredients
Common Allergens and Their Impact
Process of Elimination for Identifying Allergies
Conclusion
Cushing's Syndrome and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)
A Holistic View
Stress and Inflammation as Root Causes
Pituitary Gland and Adenoma Development
Holistic Treatment Approaches
Hormonal Imbalance and Related Symptoms
Metabolic and Immune System Impact
Importance of Diet and Nutrition
Final Thoughts on Managing PPID
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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