“But isn’t he cold?” As a horse owner, you’ve likely heard this question from non-horsey friends or family members. You smile and assure the well-intentioned onlooker that your horse is fine, quite comfortable in the -20 winter day. The sun is shining, the frost is sparkling on the fence rails and Trigger is out enjoying a bit of winter grazing. Continue reading »
Sep 202010
Marshmallow is extremely soothing and healing while removing excess mucous out of the system.
It is a great “healing” herb.
Mallows have a sweetish, bland taste and are cooling, moistening and nourishing to the system. They can be eaten as a food.
Marshmallow is extremely good for bloody urine, kidney problems, kidney stones, urinary problems, urinary tract-inflammation, and general weakness. Continue reading »
Sep 202010
Question: I had you work on my horse’s teeth in 2002 and the horses are still in good condition , when do I need to get them looked at again?
Answer: Young horses: (especially in training), need to be checked every six months to ensure that their baby teeth are falling out and erupting at the appropriate ages. If you follow this article each month, you will know that a young horse is changing 24 teeth between the age of one to five years old. They shed 24 baby teeth and find homes for 12 additional permanent teeth within that five year term – finding space for 36 permanent teeth (males, 40 permanent teeth “ canines). Some baby teeth refuse to fall out on their own and can easily act as slivers in a young horse’s mouth. Continue reading »
By Betty Lindquist
www.HorseCoursesOnline.com instructor
Equine Massage course
Practice makes perfect – yes? Not always – too much practice can create problems.
Yes, our horses do have to practice in order to perfect movements, but there can come a time when, because of practicing one particular thing over and over again, their bodies begin to lose the ability to do other movements easily.
What makes this happen? As a horse practices moving in a certain way, a movement pattern can gradually become so firmly entrenched the body loses the flexibility to use itself in other ways. The muscles tighten into a pattern that is comfortable just performing in that one way; other movements become difficult. Muscles and tendons begin to develop in a way that accomplishes one movement well, but begins to lose the flexibility to do other movements equally as well. The muscles become “specialist” that do one thing very well, but may not have a wide variety of equal skills. Continue reading »
Jul 042010
By Terri Fisher, Equine Connections:
Eyebright is one of my favourite herbs, I have used it as a tea, eyewash and capsules at the first sign of an eye problem. It is an antibacterial and astringent herb, effective in maintaining the health of the optical system.
It is very good for treating a variety of eye problems, conjunctivitis, cataract formation, ulcers, weak eyesight, eye strain and to help remove cysts caused by chronic eye inflammation. Eyebright will strengthen all parts of the eye and provide elasticity to the nerves and optic devices responsible for sight.
Eyebrights antiseptic properties fight infections in the eye. Externally it can be used as a lotion or drops for the eyes or as a compress.
Herbal Compresses are made by soaking a clean cotton cloth in a strong herbal tea and applying it as hot as possible to the affected area. The heat engages the activity of the herbs and opens the pores of the skin for fast assimilation. Alternating hot and cold compresses are also successful therapies, to stimulate nerve function, circulation, veins and capillaries. The hot compress should contain the herbs; the cold compress should be plain.
Steep herbs in an egg cup, open 2 capsules into the cup fill with boiling water to make a strong tea. Strain only the liquid off. Make fresh every day to be used as an eye wash or drops.
Internally it is great to stimulate the liver and can be fed for nasal congestion, catarrh, sinusitis and other congestive states.
Added to the feed give 30-40 grams daily.
Always consult a veterinarian for eye injuries or problems.
Be Well
Terri Fisher
connections@platinum.ca
Every year about this time we get brief glimpses of spring. With every brief glimpse comes the realization that it is time to get our horses ready for the up coming riding season when a large percentage of horse owners engage in the majority of their activities. Dentists and farriers alike refer to this time of year as the “Spring Rush”. This article will provide you with a Horseman’s Dental Checklist to help you determine if your horse needs to see the dentist. As a horse owner, it is my belief that annual dental maintenance is the key to consistent function, condition and performance. As a horse dentist, just like the feet, teeth continually grow; as it is with hooves, it is easier to regularly maintain good teeth than it is to continually chase after and repair Continue reading »
May 072010
Devils Claw is an anti-inflammatory and blood cleansing herb, specifically used for joint pain relief. It is looked upon as a natural alternative to bute and cortisone, since it has many similar actions. There are no apparent adverse side effects with devils claw. Continue reading »
Grant D. MacKinnon C.Eq.D.
To understand the importance of dental maintenance you have to first realize how the horse’s jaw moves while under saddle or masticating his food. Understanding the structural requirement for full and free movement of the jaw (forward/backward and side to side) is imperative if you are seeking to have a comfortable, willing riding companion. Continue reading »
Apr 092010
Garlic is often deemed as “Nature’s Antibiotic”. This is the best-known herb most commonly used for horses and it has many qualities and benefits. It stimulates all organs of digestion, helps to prevent coughs, improves digestion, and prevents worms. One of the active substances in garlic which holds the antibiotic properties is allicin. Among other substances garlic contains, fluorine, iodine, phosphorus, and sulphur, along with vitamin C, vitamin B6, nicotinic acid and a trace of Vitamin A.
This is one of the most effective foods for improving the physical condition of the body. It is a rich source of organic sulphur, which rebuilds and strengthens tissue cells. Garlic protects the immune system and strengthens the veins in the body. It will help increase endurance. Garlic is a valuable nervine tonic. It’s natural soft oils helps to strengthen blood vessels and has a special affinity for the respiratory tract, beneficially influencing bronchial secretions and is a useful expectorant for all respiratory affection and infections. It stimulates the gastric juices and has active carminative properties to correct any fermentive and gaseous conditions in the stomach.
Garlic promotes sweating and in doing so excretes through the skin to repel flies and insects. It is a perfect time as you start on your spring program to incorporate garlic for many different reasons. Any herb identified as a vermifuge will expel or repel intestinal worms. Garlic is a definite leader among the herbs. Others are alfalfa, aloe, couch grass, hops, marigold, valerian, wormwood and willow. Garlic can taint the milk in a lactating mare but it does transfer its benefits to the foal. Externally garlic can be applied to bites, ringworm, or boils. Add 40-50 gms. In a daily feed program Always question your product. Pure Garlic Granules are best to work with.
For more applications call your equine therapist!
If you have any questions or comments please send me an e mail.
Be Well Terri Fisher coachyou@telus.net
By Grant D. MacKinnon C.Eq.D.
In my career, I have seen a lot of damage to horse’s mouths caused by the misuse of bits. Many of the injuries have come by definition, ”when using a soft bit”. It is sad that most riders don’t ever realize the soft tissue trauma they inflict on their horse’s mouth until I show them when I am called to balance their horse’s teeth. Most riders are unaware of the specific mechanics of the bit(s) they use. After asking to see the bit, once identifying such tissue damage, I am again reminded how important it is to learn everything you can about the bits you use and the damage they can cause. The following information are excerpts taken from an article written by principal master equine dentist Dale Jeffrey PCEqD, Glenns Ferry, Idaho that provides data about the first bit control. This information provides a better understanding of how little pressure is needed to gain adequate control of the horse you ride.
“For longer than any of us know, we have depended on the horse for survival. Man’s very existence is linked inextricably to that of the horse. Early horses were used for milk and food, clothing, shelter and transportation of goods and people. It is thought that horses may have been bitted as early as 6000 years ago using antlered bits connected to rawhide mouth pieces and reins. If the truth were known, it wouldn’t surprise me if man had accomplished this task much, much earlier, maybe 10,000 or 20,000 years ago.
“The amazing thing about the progressive behavior of human populations is the different rates at which early civilizations discovered things. One group will come up with an idea 2000 years before another, the next group will build upon the idea and take it to a whole new dimension. Communication is the key to great knowledge; the slower the communication, the slower the development of a body of thought. “6000 years ago, simple ways were the order of the day. It was understood that if you control the head, you control the animal. For example the use of a piece of rawhide thong, simply tied around the lower bars of the mandible was a way of controlling the animal. Since there is nothing tougher than rawhide, once tied to the jaw, this rawhide string could be left dragging the ground, making it easy to catch the animal then press it into service upon command. It also made it hard for the horse to run off when continually stepping on an extended length of rawhide. Shy animals could also be gathered from a distance using the same ground length method. Rawhide hobbles and leg lines were other simple methods of control that are still use today. “At first, horses were led and packed. They were used with a travois, two poles crossed and tied over the withers. A passenger could ride aboard to help control the poles, with the aid of what we call a surcingle and or a breast collar. The horse could be led using the rawhide jaw thong and guided by the same rawhide when ridden. If the thong was long enough, it was passed around the neck and tied to the other side with a loop, turning the lead portion of the thong into a set of reins. When used as a single rein, the thong was flipped over the front of the horse’s head and from one side to another riders could turn the horse.
“The rawhide thong located on the horse’s jaw was the earliest documented form of head control. Once the thong was understood, early bits made of antlers or bones would be incorporated into the loop around the lower jaw to create a mouthpiece. The bit was originally designed to be a subtle form of communication between horse and rider. Original horsemanship skills with the intent to develop a bond, partnered with this new form of head control was the intent. Early bitting practices focused on communication. Regardless how crude these early forms of bitting were, they accomplished their objective. Over time, man has transitioned from subtle communication to screaming control and the bit’s design reflects today”s progressive development. As a horse dentist that sees the lasting result of bit mis-use, I urge you to be mindful of your intent and aware of the effects from the bit you choose. Remember, all undesirable actions are compensatory to any point of pain and attributes to a horse’s balance and ability to perform. If you are experiencing undesirable behaviors while riding your horse, have a certified equine dentist take a look, to get the answer straight from your horse’s mouth.