Horses can be affected by ailments that cats and dogs can experience but they do have some unique issues. A holistic veterinarian should be consulted to make a diagnosis and agree on the remedies used if the horse is on prescription medication or has a diagnosed health issue.
Laminitis
Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae which is inside the horse’s hoof. It is a painful and stressful condition for the horse if it is left untreated the laminae could break apart, causing the pedal bone to shift and rotate. You will see lameness in the horse that does not want to move around. If you place your hand on their hoof, you will feel warmth which means there is inflammation present. An excessive amount of starch in the horses diet can cause laminitis, eating too much spring grasses or when the horse is given too much grain. These horses need rest and put on a strict diet, that means being taken off lush pastures. A veterinarian may put them on an analgesic medication to manage with the pain. Running cool water on their hooves can be soothing and help bring don’t the heat and inflammation. After speaking with your holistic veterinarian and getting their approval, you can work with the remedies that have been known to be effective in zoopharmacognosy sessions with laminitis horses.
These remedies for laminitis include:
- Arnica Infused Oil – paint on the horse’s hooves for healing, pain and inflammation.
- German Chamomile – essential oil for topical use and dried herb for internal use as an anti-inflammatory.
- Dead Sea Mineral Mud – used as a paste and applied on the hooves.
- Neroli Essential Oil – for inhalation and diluted for topical application. Addresses their emotions to their painful condition that leaves them with discomfort and isolation which has an effect on their wellbeing.
- Seaweed – applied on the hoof to decrease inflammation.
- Rosehip Shells – a source of vitamin c which supports their immune system, promoting healing.
When you are applying topical remedies for laminitis, be sure to apply them on all surfaces of the hoof, as well as the bottom. It would be very soothing to the horse if you placed the remedies into the fridge to increase the cooling and anti-inflammatory effects.
Thrush Of The Hoof
Thrush of the hoof tends to come with an odour that the handler will notice. Black secretion from the hoof can also be present. With this condition there is a chance that the horse could become lame. Thrush of the hoof is caused by a fungus so a holistic veterinarian will need to intervene. You can offer your horse antifungal remedies to select, these include:
- English Marigold (dried or infused carrier oil)
- Thyme (dried herb or essential oil)
- Lemongrass essential oil
- Green Clay powder (soaks up moisture to dry out fungi)
Anti-inflammatories, nutritive and healing remedies can be included in their array to allow the horse to strengthen themselves.
Rain Scald and Mud Fever
A long stretch of wet weather can cause these types of conditions which is caused by bacterial growth on the horse’s skin. Oozing lesions can be seen with rain scald. Your holistic veterinarian may want to prescribe antibiotics for this and an antiseptic wash.
Mud fever is an irritation and dermatitis on the lower limbs caused by microbes. Mites and allergies can also trigger mud fever. It looks similar to rain scald but on the lower limbs. You can work on mud fever the same way you would rain scald but for a longer period of time due to the location of the lesions. On the legs there is more vulnerability for the lesions to become dirty.
Remedies of rain scald and mud fever include:
- Aloe Vera – coats, soothes, cools and protects (can be used as a carrier oil of essential oils)
- Bitter Almond Essential Oil – antibacterial
- Garlic Essential Oil – fights bacteria and boosts the immune system
- Thyme Essential Oil – antiseptic
- German Chamomile – essential oil topically or dried herb internally for inflammation and healing
Be aware that the behaviour of your horse may change since they have been introduced to these lovely healing plants. They may become more present on rides, stoping to check out or select foliage as they have now been open to the wonders of self-medication! Zoopharmacognosy is a beautiful form of bonding with your horse, it is a time and experience that you will both value and treasure. Being present and in the moment with our animals, just to slow down, can create the most precious memories with them that you will hold in your heart forever.
If you are interested holistic services from Maria for your animal feel free to learn more here.
