AlternativeHolistic Equine Medicine

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Alternative/Holistic Equine Medicine

• Lisa Gutridge

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Main Types of Holistic Medicine

• Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Massage
• Magnet therapy
• Hands-On Therapy Osteopathy and Physical Therapy

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Before Using Nontraditional Medicine

• One should know the signs of illness
• Look for visible injuries, especially if blood is
  present
• Any trouble when walking pain, discomfort, or
  limping/lameness
• Abnormal drinking and/or eating habits
• Laying on the ground for several hours or more
  (check to see if the horse is lying because
  he/she is resting or if the animal seems to be
  distressed)
• Trouble breathing quick, high, or groans
• Coat dullness
• Weight loss
• These are just a few signs that tell us that
  something is not right and as always follow every
  direction given by your veterinarian.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses Pg 115, 119

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Most Widely Used Methods

• Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• http//www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/homeopath
  y/homeopathy-for-horses.shtml

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Herbal Medicine

• Before choosing which herbs to use, get
  professional advice to avoid poisoning
• When giving herbs, they can be fresh or dried
• The horse can sense and will know what they need,
  so if the horse refuses the herb, dont force
  feed them
• Only use clean sources for herbs (ie away from
  roadsides, etc)
• Grow them yourself
• Mail order from equine herbal supplies
• Buy at health stores
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 173-174

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How to Give herbs

• Feed by mouth
• Make infusions or decoctions
• Pour boiling water over dried leaves
• Let soak
• Strain leaves and use liquid as remedy
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 174-175

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Key Herbs Used

• Dandelion
• Devils Claw
• Garlic
• Kelp/Seaweed
• Marigold
• Mint
• Stinging Nettle
• St. Johns Wort
• Valerian
• Yarrow
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg 175-176

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Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale)

• This herb is useful to a horse when they need a
  good source of potassium.
• Acts like a diuretic when a horse is afflicted
  with laminitis.
• Acts as a tonic to liver and mainly helps relieve
  arthritis or skin conditions.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 175

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Devils Claw(Harpagophytum procumbens)

• Devils claw is often a constituent of herbal
  compounds that are sold for relieving pain and
  inflammation, for example, foot infections.
• Not to be administered to pregnant mares
• Only administer under the directions of a
  veterinarian with prescribed painkillers or
  willow. The willow that they are talking about, I
  believe to be the willow tree (primarily the bark
  or leaves are used medicinally).
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 175

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Garlic (Allium sativum)

• The wild type of this plant, ransoms, is found in
  pastures that are well-watered.
• It acts to loosen mucus (expectorant), kills
  bacteria and parasites, and aids in allergies
  (anti histamine).
• The garlic smell perforates through the skin to
  aid as a bug repellent.
• Even helps horses with laminitis as a blood
  cleanser.
• A daily ration would be up to five clover per day
  in general.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 176

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Garlic (cont)

• Good Effects
• Coat conditioner (due to Iodine content)
• Can benefit arthritic or rheumatic horses
• Bad Effects
• Can cause water loss through increased urine
  production
• Can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination
  in horses afflicted by Cushings Disease
• Alternative Therapies for Horses Pg. 176

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Kelp/Seaweed

• The type of seaweed desired is Fucus vesiculosus
  or Bladderwrack.
• Rich mineral source, but might be detrimental to
  horses health if large amounts of metal are
  present in the seaweed (soaks them up from
  environment).
• One dose of seaweed 1 oz (30 g) per day (dried
  or powdered).
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 176

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Marigold(Calendula officinalis)

• This is the traditional culinary herb pot
  marigold, not the French marigold of formal
  garden displays.
• The crushed petals have antifungal,
  antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties
  and are very useful for cleaning and encouraging
  healing of wounds. Calendula cream is widely
  available from pharmacies and is useful both for
  application to wounds and to soften and remove
  scabs of mud fever.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses Pg 177

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Mint(Mentha piperata or Mentha spicata)
Mint(Mentha piperata or Mentha spicata)

• Both piperata (peppermint) and spicata
  (spearmint) species can be fed to horses.
• Mint relaxing the stomach when a horse is ill and
  even during mild colic.
• It is better to give fresh mint than dried mint
  because it is the oil in the leaves does not work
  as well when the leaves are dried.
• Can relieve insect bites
• Mentha piperata
  Mentha spicata
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 177

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Stinging Nettle(Urtica dioica)

• While we often see this plant as a a painful
  plant to run into, it does have some benefits for
  horses and humans.
• Good source for Vitamin C and iron
• Horses
• wont eat on own, but accept if given to them
  slightly wilted. Eaten better if dried and mixed
  in feed.
• Can make an infusion of the leaves-soak in
  boiling water, let cool for 24 hrs and then pour
  on coat/skin where there is an affliction to
  improve the conditions of these areas (i.e. sweet
  itch).
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 177

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St. Johns Wort(Hypericum perforatum)

• The oil from this plant, available from
  health-food stores, is very useful for
  stimulating wound healing. It can also be
  massaged into inflamed joints and tendons. If the
  oil is purchased in undiluted form, it should be
  diluted at the rate of five drops to five
  teaspoons of a suitable (almond or sunflower)
  carrier oil.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 179

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Valerian(Valeriana officinalis)

• Soothes colic and hormone inbalance (in mares)
• Can combine with skullcap or chamomile to have a
  similar effect as tranquilizers without causing
  the horse to be hungover.
• Very powerful-follow directions when giving this
  herb.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 179

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Yarrow(Achillea millefolium)

• Found in Great Britain and North America
• Effective at stopping bleeding when applied to
  wounds unless profuse
• When bleeding profusely-seek immediate attention
  from your local veterinarian
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 179

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Homeopathy

• Was founded by Samuel Hahnemann
• Deals with life forces in a living being
• Unbalanced life forces lead to illness
• When a homeopathic remedy is to be used,
  symptoms similar to a disease (ie malaria) can
  occur if the animal is not actually suffering
  from the disease
• It is said that the more you dilute a remedy, the
  stronger it is
• Equi-therapy.net states that the difference
  between using a drug (ie Clavamox) as compared to
  using one of these remedies is that the drug
  takes care of the symptoms and the remedies take
  care of the cause of the disease
• http//www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/homeopath
  y/homeopathy-for-horses.shtml

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Common Remedies

• Apis mellifica- is an tincture prepared from a
  bee and its venom and is used to treat edema
  (fluid accumulation swelling). It can also help
  with synovial joint fluid and mucous membrane
  swelling.
• (honey bee wax)
• Arnica- is used to treat bruising (i.e. when
  kicked by another horse).
• Aconite- treats shock, fright, panic, early
  inflammation, and even feverish conditions.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 181

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Common Remedies (Cont.)

• Belladonna- treats laminitis or horses that are
  difficult to handle.
• Calcarea- heals afflictions of the bone. This is
  known as crystals that come from epidermis, bone,
  and tooth enamel.
• Calenda officinalis- pot marigold that can be
  given as the herb or prepared homeopathically
  and helps make sure wounds heal.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 181

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Common Remedies (Cont.)

• Hepar sulphuris calcareum- This remedy is used
  for conditions that tend to produce pus, such as
  respiratory infections in which there is a thick
  nasal discharge. It is also useful for treating
  suppurating wounds, especially when they are
  painful to touch.
• Hypericum perforatum- This remedy is for wounds
  derived from St. Johns wort. It is particularly
  indicated in wounds in which there may be nerve
  damage. It can be useful to prevent proud flesh
  (an overgrowth of tissues when a wound heals),
  which can be an important consideration in show
  animals.
• Graphites- This remedy is indicated for skin
  conditions in which there is a sticky, clear
  discharge, such as sweet itch or mud fever.
  Graphites is often available in a cream that is
  effective as a topical application.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg.183

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Common Remedies (Cont.)

• Rhus toxicodendron- This is often called the
  creaking gate remedy and is primarily used for
  conditions with pain and stiffness that improve
  after exercise. Old horses with arthritis often
  do well on this remedy.
• Silica- This remedy is used where there is a
  deep wound, especially if the bone might be
  involved. It can also be useful to counteract
  poor hoof growth.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg.183

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Acupuncture

• Been around since 2000-3000 B.C. in China (Shang
  Chow dynasties)
• Bai-les Canon of Veterinary Medicine 650
  B.C.-first veterinary text on Equine Acupuncture
• It has been known in the Far East for centuries
  but has received little attention by Western
  equine practitioners until the past decade.
• Acupuncture is actually the treatment of choice
  for one-quarter of the world's population," Dr.
  Schoen states, "which is surprising when
  acupuncture is theoretically considered a natural
  occurring phenomena. No one mechanism can explain
  all the physiological effects observed. This lack
  of concrete explanation causes some to disbelieve
  and doubt acupuncture's validity.
• In horses, back problems, navicular disease,
  founder (laminitis), "bleeders" (heaves) and many
  types of lameness have been treated using
  acupuncture.
• http//netpets.org/horses/reference/gencare/acupun
  .html

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Four Types of Acupuncture

• Type I- where nerve enters muscle (67 of all
  acupoints)
• Type II- superficial nerves on back dorsal line
  and midline of belly
• Type III- where nerve networks or dense areas of
  nerves are located (i.e. leg)
• Type IV- where a special organ that tells the
  brain muscle tension (located in tendons)
• http//netpets.org/horses/reference/gencare/acupun
  .html

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Acupuncture Facts

• This method is used to restore energy balance or
  qui in the body, which flows through the body by
  way of meridians
• These meridians are what the acupuncturists use
  to know where to position needles
• No pain involved
• Sessions 5-30 min long
• Animals often fall asleep during treatment
• Can use dry needle (traditional-just use
  needles), electroacupuncture aquapuncture,
  moxibustion (heat combustion), laser
  stimulation, gold implants, or acupuncture
• Check with your local veterinarian before
  starting acupuncture
• http//netpets.org/horses/reference/gencare/acupun
  .html

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Chiropractic Medicine

• This type of medicine deals with the health of
  the spinal column (head, neck, and pelvis also)
• The main problem that chiropractics deals with it
  joint issues
• If something goes wrong in the joints then the
  rest of the body is affected
• http//www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID10381
  nID18nChiropracticcase2

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Massage Osteopathy

• What is Equine Massage?
• Equine Massage is the therapeutic application of
  professional sports massage techniques applied to
  the horse.
• http//www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/equine_mass
  age.htm
• What is Equine Osteopathy?
• Osteopathy is similar to massage except that it
  focuses on misaligned joints and manipulating
  them to re-align them.
• Alternative
  Therapies for Horses pg.186

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What does massage do for the horse?

• Increases flexibility
• Decrease stress and tension of muscles
• Improves chances for faster recovery (inc blood
  circulation)
• Increases muscle relaxation and decreases muscle
  atrophy
• http//www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/equine_mass
  age.htm

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Magnotherapy

• In use over 100,000
• Two types of magnet therapy equipment
• Bipolar magnets
• Pulsating electromagnetic field (PEMF)
• Helps most by increasing blood flow
• Increases flow of nutrients and toxin removal
• Besides treating the horse, magnotherapy can also
  be a great preventitive medicine
• http//www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/veterinar
  y/magnotherapy-horses.shtml

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Other Forms of Non-traditional Medicine

• Flower Essences- use flower scents to heal
• Aromatherapy- use the scents of oils to heal and
  soothe (dont eat, just smell)
• Cranial Osteopathy- massage of cranial bones to
  stimulate cerebrospinal fluid movement.
• Zero Balancing- putting pressure on horse using
  just fingers and holding stretches. Developed in
  1970s by Dr. Fritz Smith.
• Tellington Touch- combines body work, ground
  work, and riding exercises to improve
  co-ordination, balance, and athletic ability
  while deepening the understanding between horse
  and rider. pg189
• Crystal, Sound, and Light Colour Therapy- using
  crystals to heal by sewing into his/her blanket
  or attaching to bridle. Sound is listening to
  music to calm a horse. Light colour is using
  the sunlight to heal (affects hormone levels).
• Spiritual Therapy- Where healers sense a channel
  of energy which displays disturbances and is how
  the healer can send healing energy through to the
  horse.
• Reiki- essentially this is equivalent to laying
  of hands on a person and praying or even
  performing what is known as horse whispering.
• Alternative Therapies for Horses pg. 183, 187,
  189, 194-197

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Conclusion

• Most of these methods are seen as being very
  effective in horses today. You may be reluctant
  to try any because they are not what you
  traditionally see from a veterinarian, but dont
  ignore this rediscovered area in medicine today.
  It could be the future of veterinary medicine.

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Works Cited and Referenced

• Bergeron, Jan Agar, VMD, veterinary consultant,
  Morgan, Jenny. Natural Healing for Horses The
  Complete Guide to Preventive Health Care and
  Natural Remedies. Storey Publishing.
  Massachusetts, 2002.
• http//www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/homeopath
  y/homeopathy-for-horses.shtml
• http//www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/homeopath
  y/homeopathy-for-horses.shtml
• http//netpets.org/horses/reference/gencare/acupun
  .html
• http//www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID10381
  nID18nChiropracticcase2
• http//www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/equine_mass
  age.htm
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow
• Pictures from Google