Holistic Horse Feb/March 2017 by Holistic Horse

Integrative Care for Horse and Rider

FEB/MAR 2017

What’s in Your Horse’s Water? Turmeric

ISSUE 107

Free-Choice Forage for Laminitis?

Paste Recipe

Herbs for Moody Mares

Hooves vs H2O

Integrative Care for Horse and Rider

Statement of Purpose Encouraging an environmentally conscious and natural approach to integrative care for horse and rider. Helping horse handlers since 1995.

P u b lishe rs

Karen Tappenden • karen@holistichorse.com Stacey Small • stacey@holistichorse.com

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E d itor

Wendy Williams wendy@holistichorse.com

Features

D e s ig n

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erbal Support for H Seasonal Mares

Yoga for Riders

A s s is tan t to the E d itor

Maryanna Phinn holistichorse15@gmail.com

Ad v is ory B o ard

Horse’s Water?

19 I ron Overload

in Horses

Andrea Baldwin

R unning Wild

Departments 2 COMMENTARY Holistic & Conventional Medicine 4 N UTRITION Laminitis: Free-Choice Forage 12 NATURE’S

HIDDEN REMEDY Colostrum

13 RESEARCH ROUND-UP 20 SUBSTANCE ABUSE Fluoride 21 HOOF CARE How Moisture Affects the Hoof

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Holistic Horse™ is published bi-monthly. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. BUSINESS PROFILE LOGO DESIGNATES A PAID ADVERTISEMENT. Opinions expressed herein are those of the experts consulted and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors and publishers. The information in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to medically prescribe or diagnose in any way.

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COMMENTARY

Holistic & Conventional Medicine

Working Together

Don’t assume your vet isn’t learning about alternative therapies.

ou know the stereotypes: Maureen on the left, an owner totally into alternative therapies and on the right, the veterinarian who is exclusively traditional. In fairness, both perceive unintentional abuses from the other side, so their perspectives have personal validity. For example, owners have experienced improved wellbeing in their horses from the use of alternative medicines, sometimes after the failure of traditional medicine to solve a horse’s problems. And veterinarians have found themselves in an emergency fight for a horse’s life, when traditional treatment hours earlier could have averted the crisis. While extremes are real, they’re not the norm. People on both sides are doing the best they can. The good news is that times are changing, and it’s time to bury the stereotypes. You may be surprised to find that some veterinarians are leading the way. The recent AAEP Convention (American Association of Equine Practitioners, the association for equine veterinarians) included a fascinating mixture of topics, both high-tech and high-touch. An enlightening opening session featured veterinarians who have distinguished themselves in the past year in the news and affecting veterinary medicine. Another segment of the presentation paid tribute to AAEP members who had passed away during the year. As I watched the faces click past, I was struck with the dedication these people had for their patients, their clients, and their profession. It was inspiring. At the trade fair, manufacturers of natural products took their places alongside high-tech digital equipment and pharmaceuticals, underscoring the market for “alternatives.” Those of us with years of practical experience as horse owners or trainers usually see vets from a field perspective, or perhaps reading X-rays or examining fecals. Modern veterinary medicine goes far beyond basic science and practical experience. It’s incredibly sophisticated, with science pointing the way to cell-level activity we can barely imagine. Sitting in sessions with veterinarians, I was impressed that they didn’t miss a beat—asking

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relevant questions from both a field and scientific perspective. But today’s diagnostics and treatments are hands-on, intuitive, and stress listening to the horse owner, who may have a sixth-sense about what’s going on with his or her horse. I was impressed to see sessions that we would include within the scope of “holistic,” such as evaluating a saddle as a potential cause of back pain, use of acupuncture to potentially aid post-breeding clearing of uterine inflammation, and the conditions that may arise from the physical disharmony (i.e., weak core muscles) between horse and rider. When talking about lameness rehabilitation, a variety of factors were addressed, including nutrition, the patient’s environment and mental status, and the use of massage and carrot stretches. We’re seeing where science can help pin down optimal use of what we might think of as common-sense horse care, such as hosing a leg with cold water to reduce swelling. I learned that applying the cold for 30 minutes three or four times a day gives the best response. The keynote speaker, Chuck Gallagher, spoke on “Ethics, Integrity, and the Power of Choices in Life and Business.” He stressed that when life gets out of balance, human nature seeks quick solutions. He told his own story—a CPA who lost his business and ended up in prison because of an ethical lapse. Fortunately, someone spoke truth into his life, telling him, “son, you’ve made a terrible mistake, but you’re not a mistake.” What if we all took that message to heart? I’m not a mistake, and neither are you. That means we can learn from each other. If we take the best of the holistic approach and add the best of the traditional and scientific, then horses and the people who love them all come out winners.

Gallatin

Maureen Gallatin is founder of Horses on a Mission, helping horse lovers and equine professionals lengthen their stride, live out their faith, and make a difference in the world. She is author of the inspirational devotional, An Extra Flake. Visit www.Horsesonamission.com

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NUTRITION

Free-Choice Forage

A More Thoughtful Approach to Laminitis? Alexandra Fraser

hen dealing with a laminitic horse or pony, we’ve all heard this solution: “Lock them up and restrict their food intake.” Starvation has long been lauded as the only solution for managing founder, but can that method do more harm than good? The other option, controversial though it may be, is to provide free and unlimited access to forage. Preferably more than the horse can consume. It may sound counterproductive but it’s important to consider that laminitis is a complicated physiological and anatomical condition that, in many ways, has been oversimplified. The problem has more to do with than just sugar intake. It is absolutely true that a diet low in sugar and starch is essential, but the horse should still be permitted to behave instinctively and eat with regularity. In fact, reducing availability to food is laying the foundation for laminitis. Horses have evolved to eat continuously throughout the day, in small quantities, moving as they chew. Today, we keep them confined to small areas and in many cases restrict their food consumption to two to three large meals a day, while feeding nothing in between. Then, the more weight they gain, the more we restrict their intake. Research has shown undoubtedly that the primary cause of laminitis is raised insulin levels, and we know that insulin levels increase in response to the consumption of simple sugars. However, insulin levels are also increased by other factors—namely stress. Stress can occur as a result of travel, intense exercise, mental or physical discomfort, pain, and last but not least, an empty stomach. When an animal (or a human) experiences stress, the body responds

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by releasing cortisol and adrenaline. When the body has a stress response by increasing those hormones, glucose that was stored in the liver and muscle is released into the bloodstream in order to provide energy. More sugar in the blood results in greater secretion of insulin. So, the equation we’re working with is Stress + insulin = increased risk of laminitis. The fact that they’re continual grazers makes an empty stomach a stress response situation for horses. A lack of activity in the gastrointestinal tract and ongoing production of digestive acid results in rising stress levels. The more a horse is starved, the more the body releases stress hormones and the more insulin continues to be secreted as a result. Insulin resistance is a survival mechanism employed by the body to avoid starvation–an excellent evolutionary function. When insulin levels in the body are high, the cells of the body cannot release fat to be used up and burnt away. By restricting access to food, we are actually manufacturing a survival response in the horse. The outcome is more stress, reduced muscle, and an increasingly sluggish metabolism. It very quickly becomes a vicious cycle that seems nearly impossible to break. The good news is that it can be broken and with relative ease. The research and experiences of equine nutritionist Juliet Getty (PhD) has demonstrated the complex workings of laminitis and other equine health conditions related to insulin levels, such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing’s. Her teachings and philosophy are leading the way for this approach. There is a wonderfully simple way to manage an equine with laminitis (or any other metabolic condition) and F E B R U A R Y

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return their metabolism to a healthy state, ensuring that they can experience a lifetime of normal nutrition and eating routines. The answer is a free-choice forage approach. Because they are foragers, horses need to be grazing almost continuously every day. When they stop eating for even a short period of time (15 minutes or so), the stress response is triggered. The equine gut produces acid constantly with the expectation that fiber will be continuously entering the stomach and require acid to begin the digestive process. When there is nothing to absorb the acid, the excess begins to cause pain to the unlined segment of the stomach, and the hind gut struggles to remain active and empty normally. By providing ad-lib forage a horse can eat using the instinctive intake it has evolved to engage in, and, in the process, recognize and restore the feeling of being satisfied. Many owners find this type of feeding a challenge because it is so difficult to watch a laminitic, overweight horse or pony wolfing down hay. The adjustment can take anywhere between one week to two months depending on how extensive the damage in the metabolism. Initially, the horse may gain some weight, as its instinct is to eat as it has been— to get enough as quickly as possible because it could be hours or even a day before it next gets the chance to eat. As they come to realize that every time they feel the desire to chew, roughage is available for them, and that they can keep food flowing through the digestive tract continuously, they will consume less and the weight-loss process will begin. The horse will self-regulate its intake and the metabolism will adjust to a healthy state that allows the animal to burn fat and reduce the amount of insulin being secreted. As unpleasant as it is to acknowledge, laminitis is a product of horse management practices and can be easily avoided and rectified by returning to a free-choice forage diet. In addition, there are a number of other key elements that will help to manage and/or eliminate laminitis:

1. Exercise - Exercise plays a crucial role in managing weight loss. Any amount of exercise is good and the more the better. Finding a way to get and keep your horse moving is essential to ensuring that repeated episodes of laminitis are avoided.

2. Keep dietary sugar and starch low - The best way to know the sugar and starch levels of your roughage is to have it tested. The simple sugars and starch should come to less than 12 percent when added together. The digestible energy (DE) of the roughage shouldn’t exceed 879 kcal/lb.  continued on page 17 F E B R U A R Y

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5 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

Herbal Support for

Seasonal Mares Love your mare but not her moods?

y good friend Kate they happen and why. Mares typically Melanie Falls insists that she only have their seasons between April and likes mares. “Only mares, no geldings, no September in North America. The rest of the year, their thank you!” I always thought she was crazy. cycles are normally dormant. The timing of this activity is I mean, why would you want to put up with an animal related to the amount of daylight during any period during who was testy and irritable more than half the year? As a calendar year. This is why a mare’s shedding season often a woman, I sympathize with mares’ cycles, but I love my correlates with her going into season. A mare’s cycle also always-the-same, ploddy, mellow gelding, so I really didn’t lasts 21 days (not 28 days, like a woman), with typically get her perspective. “Because, they have that oomph! You 5 days of being “in heat,” and exhibiting various forms know, they have that extra boost to keep them going, while of irritability. gelding are just … well boring!” You can prepare your mare in advance for her cycles, The good news is that Regumate, one of the more popular and everything that comes along with them. If you are equine progesterone treatments for mares on the market, looking for a herbal remedy for her, it is best to start her is not the only option you may have to regulate her cycles. on the herbs as she is entering her cycles, especially if the To understand fully how these drugs work, first, let’s purpose of the supplement is to balance her hormones, versus briefly review the science behind mares’ cycles—when ease her symptoms and make her more comfortable. Herbal

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supplements must be used for over one month before you may see a major change (give herbs two cycles, or six weeks). Herbs work in an additive way, where prolonged use over time will compound so that you see an eventual change, as the horse’s body absorbs more of the ingredients.

WHAT KINDS OF HERBS ARE IDEAL? It completely depends on what you are treating. Do you know why your mare is irritable? Is it a hormonal imbalance or is she simply uncomfortable? We ladies know how bad cramping can be, and it certainly can make us irritable and low energy as well—even if our cycles are regular. You should consult with your veterinarian and keep a journal of your mare’s cycles and symptoms so that you can figure this part out. Please note that mares can have abnormal cycles during the transitional periods as well—at the beginning and end of the cycle season.

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HERBAL SOLUTIONS For mares with hormonal imbalances that cause issues, this is what is recommended:

Chaste Tree Berry — Chaste Tree Berry has been

shown in multiple studies to regulate the pituitary gland, and as such is often a recommended treatment for Cushing’s, but can also be very helpful for hormonal balances. The pituitary gland regulates hormones in horses, and this herb can act as a progesterone-creator of sorts, so as to even out the effects of hormonal changes throughout the cycle. Of the herbal remedies, this one is the closest to Regumate in how it works on the mare’s cycles. For mares whose irritability may be physical in nature, such as cramps, back pains, etc., it would likely be more effective to feed her herbs that are anti-inflammatory and calming so that you can ease her pain. If one does

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not produce the desired results, try another herb—and remember, not all herbs interact with each mare’s body in the same way.

Vervain, Cramp Bark, Yarrow, Rosemary, Lemon Balm — These herbs are known to relax the uterine muscle and be antispasmodic. Top-dress her feed with dried flowers or an herbal powder or infuse in water and add to feed.

Valerian, Chamomile — Chamomile is known for

its anti-inflammatory properties and can help with cramps and uterine bloating. These herbs are also used commonly for reducing anxiety and stress, which of course can be an issue for mares in pain. Top-dress her feed with dried flowers or an herbal powder or infuse in water and add to feed.

Rasberry Leaf, Blue Cohosh — Both herbs are

them. Be sure to consult your veterinarian prior to use, especially if you are planning to breed your mare or if she is pregnant, as some of these herbs can have a negative impact on pregnancy. Lastly, enjoy your mare, embrace her cycles, and, in my friend Kate’s words, take the oomph with the spice! Many of these herbs have contraindications. Please reference an authority before using any herbs. Melanie Falls is a holistic health aficionado and advocate, having healed her own horse, 21-year-old Desario, with natural methods. Melanie writes articles for various equine publications and online blogs and is the owner of Whole Equine, an online store featuring a large catalogue of top quality, all-natural horse care products including supplements, fly sprays, first aid, and much more. She offers free consultations to all her customers and is passionate about improving the lives and health of our large four-legged friends. https://www.wholeequine.com, info@ wholeequine.com, 844-946-5378

s e s r o h r o f The Ultimate e r a how Equine Guide d s n b a e r s u e o h st t which one

known as a “uterine tonic” for mares; they both contains alkaloids that strengthen the uterus and pelvic region that can help with making your mare less susceptible to cramping, and relieve the intensity of the discomfort. The best way to feed Blue Cohosh is in liquid form; Rasberry Leaf can be fed as a tea or in the form of a dried herb. Since both herbs ide G help strengthen the uterine area, it may be advised tou feed e c n e r e f e syonRher cycle. these even while your mare E is a not ts

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women, this Chinese herb contains ferulic acid that can relieve cramping and relax the uterine muscle. The most common way to feed this is via an herbal powder.

Dandelion Leaves — Dandelion is a known diuretic

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Yoga How

Crescent Pose is relevant to riders for a number of reasons, including: T It stretches the hip flexors,

and because of this, prevents and helps managing lower-back pain;

T It stretches the quadriceps, assisting with knee mobility;

T It opens the hips through

elongating the quads and iliopsoas, relieving tightness that may follow long or intense riding;

Can Make You a Better Horseback Rider

T It opens up the front body, tones the upper-back muscles, and encourages drawing the shoulder blades down and toward the midline, all important elements of proper upper-body position when riding.

trong core, limber hips, Daniela bala nce a nd po st u re control over jumps and flat work: this is what you need to maximize proficiency and safety while riding, right? Have you ever thought that practicing yoga can enhance your horseback-riding abilities? Yoga and horseback riding are very similar at their core. Riding lessons, same as yoga classes, are nothing but condensed expressions of real life experiences: We face our fears, learn to relax in the face of adversity, stay focused, and burst with exhilaration with the feeling of being alive. Riding, like yoga, is challenging, and makes us aware of our strengths and weaknesses. And like yoga, horseback

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riding inspires, and motivates us to improve. But how does one practice complement and enhance the other? Here are some insights from the perspective of a horseback-riding yogi.

Simina

Core strengthening

Yoga postures aim to develop core muscles and cultivate the habit of engaging them throughout practice. The core strength and awareness developed through yoga comes in handy when riding. Getting on a horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back and remaining there while the horse moves around, demands your abdominal, back, hips, and F E B R U A R Y

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rear-end muscles to engage. Riding, like yoga, develops core awareness and strength. However, on a moving horse we experience core engagement differently than we would on the mat. Consequently, the memory of the experience we’ve had while riding carries into the yoga class; we connect deeper with our core muscles in different poses and breathing techniques, and engage them even better as a result. And the stronger our core muscles get, the better our riding becomes.

Abdominal muscles and back pain prevention

Failing to engage the abdominals, or lacking the ability to do so because of low muscle tone, leads to lower-back pain and injury. This holds true in both yoga classes and riding lessons. In yoga classes, we learn and practice engaging the abdominals to brace the lower back; and we aim to do so consistently. When mounted, the discomfort we feel in the swaying back signals us to immediately engage the abdominals to correct the overarching, and keep the back neutral. The body “memorizes” this mechanism in the less forgiving environment of a riding lesson, and reproduces it during the yoga class. As a result, the riding–yoga combination reinforces the habit of consistently engaging the abdominals to support and protect the back. This results in an improved riding posture, better shock-absorbtion in a seated canter or trot.

Balance on the mat and in the saddle

Lack of balance often results in falls and injuries. Through yoga we aim to develop the physical balance that we need in daily life, as well as sport-specific activities. Whether balancing in a yoga pose, or riding, we need to maintain proper body alignment and engage core muscles. Losing balance in a yoga pose is less likely to result in a dramatic fall with serious impact on both body and self-confidence, unlike falling off the horse. Challenging poses done in a yoga class improve the ability to balance on the horse’s back, and can help reduce the risk of falling.

Breathe to relax

Rapid breathing has an anxious, rushed whiff about it, and tells the horse that the rider is not relaxed. The horse picks up on that signal, and tenses up too. In response, the rider tenses up even further, breathes more rapidly and shallow, releasing stress hormones that change the composition of perspiration. The horse picks up on this right away, through its sense of smell, and gets more tense. The resulting combination, a very tense rider on a very tense horse, is a perfect script for disaster—unless the rider has learned how to use breath to relax. F E B R U A R Y

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Many of us come to yoga classes to learn how to relax. We all want to know how to deal with anxiety, fear, and stress of different types. In yoga, we learn primarily that long and slow breaths, expanding prevalently the abdomen, help release tension, stay focused, and override the moment’s stressful load. When I get tired or nervous in riding I lengthen my breath, remind myself to relax face, shoulders, and arm muscles. I feel the breath acting like a catalyst, connecting my mind to my body. The yogi in me shows up right there on the horse’s back, and I suddenly engage my muscles without tensing unnecessarily. I can relax easier around breath in challenging situations, and approach everything else with more clarity.

Awareness, presence, and focus

The practice of yoga develops focus and increases awareness. Whether seated still in meditation or engaged in active posture practice, we become absorbed in the process, witnessing through awareness, and participating in activity, fully focused. In this respect horseback riding is an extension of yoga. Whether mounted or on the mat we stay focused and aware. When riding, awareness, presence, and focus expand into an all-encompassing experience: the rider and the horse become one, perfectly aware of each other, and fully present to the ongoing conversation that makes up riding. When present and aware, we become more receptive to subtle cues. We can tune in better to our horse-partner and make a stronger team. Olympic athletes from all disciplines practice yoga routinely for physical and mental preparation; equestrians should be no exception. Unroll the mat, join a class, and give yoga a try. Then, get on the horse, and see your practice from a useful vantage point! When the rider and the yogi empower each other, they are both likely to discover a stronger, more skilled, and more balanced practice—on the mat and on the horse. Daniela Simina is a yoga instructor, practitioner of energy healing, author, and rider. Daniel a teaches yoga to equestrians who seek to improve skills and optimize performance, expand their potential, and get in charge of their own wellbeing. To find out more, follow Daniela on [http://siminayoga.com/yogafor-equestrians] and [https://www. facebook.com/SiminaYoga/] 11 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

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olostrum is known as the mare’s first milk and a crucial supplement for the foal. It is produced a few days before foaling and only for 24 hours after birth. The foal is not able to receive any immune support or infection-fighting antibodies from the mother’s bloodstream, so it is critical that it gets these first protections from the dam’s milk. Healthy colostrum should be pale yellow, thick, and sticky. If it is white, thin, and runny it is not of much value to the foal. In the event of unavailability from the mare, bovine colostrum can be used as a replacement, for horses as well as humans. Immunoglobulins are a protein produced by the blood plasma cell and lymphocytes that play a critical role in helping the body to fight off foreign substances and keep the immune system healthy. Cows happen to have the highest immunoglobulin levels and are easily accessible. Colostrum is used today to support a wide variety of equine health issues. The immune system is mainly housed in the digestive tract so it makes sense to keep it healthy and balanced. Foreign bodies are easily ingested and can compromise the horse’s digestion, causing diarrhea, colic, ulcers, and possibly founder. Bovine colostrum helps keep the intestinal mucosal lining sealed, thereby preventing the absorption of various allergens and toxins, as well as promoting new cell growth for healing. Antibodies in the proline-rich polypeptides present in colostrum can help to reduce the pain, inflammation, and swelling known to occur during allergies and autoimmune diseases. As a supplement it has benefits for respiratory issues and bacterial infections since it is so nutritive to the immune system. It can also aid in the repair of joint and ligament damage. Colostrum can be frozen and stored for about two years, but it is also readily available in a powder form as a supplement, and many breeders swear by it. Certainly one of Mother Nature’s ingenious components, colostrum is one of the most beneficial natural substances for horse health. F E B R U A R Y

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RESEARCH ROUND-UP

THE MILK-MICROBE CONNECTION By: Tracy Shafizadeh, PhD Director, Scientific Communications, Evolve BioSystems

he role of the gut microbiome, or the collection of microorganisms that reside in the intestinal tract, is a rapidly expanding area of clinical research, in both human and animal care. The organisms that comprise the gut microbiome are initially acquired at birth, and that community is shaped over time by diet, gut physiology and environmental exposure. It is now increasingly recognized that this early composition of the newborn gut microbiome plays a major role in lifelong disease risk, as well as the acute risk of infection by opportunistic or overt pathogens. In equine health, an unhealthy gut microbiome has been linked to a variety of disease states, including laminitis and colitis. Given the importance of these diseases to equine care, there has been great interest in characterizing the equine gut microbiome from a variety of genetic backgrounds and stages of life. Supplementation with probiotics is thought to be a promising strategy to modulate the gut microbiome and may be especially effective in nursing newborns. This is due, in large part, to recent discoveries around the role of mammalian milk in shaping the newborn gut microbiome, specifically with respect to protection against gut pathogenesis. To better understand this milk-microbe connection, scientists at UC Davis have pioneered new techniques to characterize the components of mammalian milk, and the specific role they play in supporting the newborn gut microbiome. Of particular interest is a diverse set of carbohydrates in milk called oligosaccharides, naturally found in a variety of species, including mare’s milk. Remarkably, these complex carbohydrates are not actually digestible by the newborn foal. Instead, mare’s milk oligosaccharides (MMO) are utilized as fuel by specific bacteria in the newborn foal’s large intestine. The key to this milk-microbe interaction is that not all bacteria can utilize MMO equally. MMO are preferentially consumed by certain beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, which can convert these carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids in the foal’s intestine. In the scientific literature, intestinal short chain fatty acids have been shown to lower intestinal pH, improve gut barrier function and serve as energy signaling molecules during growth and development. This process allows for maximum nutrient utilization from milk and a symbiotic relationship between microbe and host. However, if beneficial bacteria are not present, other potentially

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harmful bacteria can partially utilize these milk oligosaccharides for growth. An appropriate gut microbial community, fed by mare’s milk, will flourish and minimize the effect of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, this specific interaction between milk and microbes is thought to drive key processes in newborns, including metabolic and immunological programming that establish a lifetime health trajectory. As microbiome research and development continues to grow, a specific focus on establishing the newborn gut microbiome may be key to long term health across various mammalian species. References: Sela et al. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011; Marco et al. Environmental Microbiology, 2009; Fukuda et al. Nature, 2011; Bergman et al. Physiological Reviews, 1990; Gladden et al. The Journal of Physiology, 2004

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How Safe is Your You Toxins and high levels of minerals in your horse’s water pose serious health risks

Carolyn Crew

ater could be called the quintessential element of life. Nothing has greater influence on the overall well-being of a human—or a horse. Water consumption and absorption affects fluid balance, of course, but also temperature control, exercise tolerance, and digestion. Maximizing your horse’s water intake is imperative and can be a major factor in determining your horse’s health. Water quality issues are important and cause for concern. If the quality of water is poor, it can affect consumption, cause toxicities, or serve as a carrier of disease. Almost all sources of water contain contaminants. At issue is whether contaminants are present in toxic amounts and detrimental to human and animal health.

Water Sources

How can we determine if water is safe? Public utilities provide extensive purification and filtration services and constantly monitor and regularly test for contaminants such as disease-causing bacteria or toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean there’s no possibility of contamination. Natural water sources, such as ponds, lakes, and streams, can provide horses with suitable water; however, they can collect harmful chemicals from runoff. Agricultural runoff and activities are the leading cause of water pollution in America’s streams and rivers. “Blue-green algae” or cyanobacteria are true bacteria that function like algae and a natural part of ecosystems. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) part of the U.S. Department of Interior, some forms of cyanobacteria have potential to produce natural toxins called cyanotoxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Cyanotoxins may cause health issues in humans and animals ranging from mild skin irritations, rashes, difficulty breathing, headaches or nausea to more extreme situations such as organ failure, paralysis or even death. 14

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Toxic Compounds Toxic water contaminants include pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, nitrites/nitrates, industrial pollutants, and microorganisms. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology reports there are few toxicities to horses from ingestion of natural constituents in drinking water. For example, horses are tolerant of high nitrates. Toxic levels for humans are in the 45ppm (parts per million) range, while there is little concern for horses up to 450ppm. In many situations, bacteria in water pose a greater threat than other water contaminants. Most infectious diseases can be transmitted via contaminated water.

Cumulative Effect

It is generally assumed that minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, chloride, and sulfate at levels commonly found in water are not toxic to F E B R U A R Y

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ur Horse’s Water?

also interfere with the uptake of other nutrients such as zinc and copper. High levels of manganese have a similar effect. (See “Iron Overload” page 18)

Testing For Contaminants Be sure to test annually if your water comes from a private well or spring. Local cooperative extension offices and county health offices are good resources. In general, water tests fall into three categories: biological contaminants, organic chemicals, and inorganic elements. Biological contaminants are determined by testing for an indicator bacteria, or coliform. Elevated total coliform counts indicate the water is contaminated and other diseasecarrying viruses, bacteria, and protozoa may be present. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration is a standard water-quality test that measures organic materials including pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, and industrial wastes and inorganic metals in water. Increases in TDS are a clear signal for further testing to identify specific problems. Water contaminated with calcium, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, iron sulfate, copper, lead, or other material may show high TDS levels. Some of these materials cause serious health risks, others are considered nuisance factors. A TDS of 6,500 ppm constituting common mineral contaminants is generally considered the safe limit in water for horses.

horses. However, the risk of adverse effects associated with any individual contaminant in the water should not be dismissed based exclusively on a perceived safe concentration in water. The overall nutrient content of your horse’s diet that is present in hay, feed, and supplements, along with water contribution, needs to be evaluated on a cumulative basis. The quantity of minerals in forages can vary significantly. Knowing the nutrient content of your hay is a vital step in evaluating any health concerns. There are several noteworthy components of the hay analysis report, depending on the health of your horse. For example, most forages already contain iron levels that are too high. If the horse’s drinking water also contains high levels, it could lead to iron overload and additional health issues, like insulin resistance and Cushing’s Disease. It may F E B R U A R Y

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“I personally have seen better dorsal wall and heel angles in horses ‘just’ from filtering iron rich water.” —Ute Philippi Preventative Solutions—An effective water-management plan will help minimize the agricultural impact of horse farms on local streams, lakes, groundwater, and other water sources. In addition, installing a purification system on your farm can provide clean, healthy drinking water for horses in areas where the available water supply contains high levels of minerals or other undesirable contaminants. “I personally have seen better dorsal wall and heel angles in horses ‘just’ from filtering iron rich water,” says Ute Philippi, a natural hoofcare provider and bodywork specialist. 15 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

Monitor Contaminants — Check contaminant levels in any drinking water source. Many local municipalities or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices test water samples.

Move Manure Piles — Keep manure piles at least 500 Natural Animal Care Solutions

to 1,000 feet away from any pond, stream, well head, or other water source.

Limit Chemical Use — Excess chemicals will leach into your groundwater and eventually end up in your home’s drinking water. Follow use instructions for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Clean Waterers Often — Remove leaves, hay, insects, and other debris daily. Then refill your horse’s bucket with fresh, clean water. Scrub buckets with a bristle brush and vinegar.

Control Access to Natural Water Sources— Limit horses’ access to streams and riparian areas (land near streams) and install fencing to greatly reduce pollutant loads to surface and groundwater.

Maintain Wash Areas — Elevate or slope wash areas so water drains to a vegetated filter. Runoff from wash areas could transport soap, manure, or chemicals and pesticides from grooming and health products to surface or groundwater.

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and harrowing in pastures to reduce over-grazing and polluted surface runoff. test it frequently if a pond is used as a primary water source.

Collect Rainwater — Harvest water from all roof surfaces on the facility. In addition, install gutters and downspouts with screens to filter debris into a rain barrel or cistern for later use.

Compare Options for Water Treatment — Compare water treatment solutions to help filter and/or treat water impurities.

Tips for Buying Water Filters It’s important to understand that not all filters can reduce all contaminants. Advanced filtration systems such as ultraviolet and reverse osmosis may be needed. The type of filter you need can be determined once you know what contaminants are in your water. In addition to permanently installed filtration systems for your well or city water supply, there are several portable options that can be considered depending on your needs. F E B R U A R Y

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Free Choice Forage continued from page 5

²² Portable

nano-filtration systems can be wheeled out to the barn, paddock or fields.

3. Monitor body condition score - In the early days

²² RV

filters can be used at the tap or hose end and offer multiple filter selections.

²² Small

garden-hose charcoal filters are great for removing chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and pesticides/herbicides.

When to Test Your Water? Horses’ drinking water should be tested periodically for various contaminants, even if the animals do not show any signs of disease or toxicity or when any of the following situations arise: ²² Changes ²² Heavy

in color, odor, or taste of the water

rains or flooding occuring near the water supply

²² People

or animals becoming sick from a suspected waterborne disease

²² After

maintenance on the water system.

Carolyn Crew is an award-winning freelance journalist and Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner. Her company, ECHO (Equine Connections Helping Others), holds experiential learning workshops for both personal and corporate leadership development. www.echoconnections.com

of managing laminitis, check the body condition score * of the horse every 7–10 days. Once the severity of the situation lessens and the animal’s health normalizes, perform a monthly body condition score check. Once the acute situation of obesity, insulin resistance, and laminitis has passed it may be worth providing access to a vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure that the horse is getting its daily needs. It is crucial that feed doesn’t contain added sugars. A salt and mineral lick should be sufficient in the early days of the free-choice forage approach. The most important thing to remember is that starvation is not the answer, and that when feeding your laminitic horse, simplicity is key. Alexandra Frazer is Founder and CEO of EquiNutritive. She is an Equine Scientist and nutritionist. After spending several years in private consultation she developed her own brand of natural, herb-based equine supplements with a focus on supporting metabolic and gut health. She is especially fond of off-the-track thoroughbreds and their retraining for dressage. *http://holistichorse.com/health-care/equine-body-score-system/

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MORE ON WATER ISSUES...

HARD TO DIGEST: Greenwashing Manure Into Renewable Energy Most food animals in the United States are grown on highly concentrated factory farms, and the vast amounts of waste those animals produce poses a huge environmental and public health problem. Historically, farmers used animal manure as fertilizer, but factory farms produce far more manure than can be used responsibly on local fields. The over-application of manure leads to runoff from agricultural fields into waterways. The runoff dramatically alters the ecosystem, contributing to algae blooms and “dead zones” as well as impacting fishing and recreation economies and public health. http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/insight/hard-digestgreenwashing-manure-renewable-energy

LOCATE POLLUTION AND SUPERFUND sites in your local here. Also, learn what states are high animal waste hazards, water, air and environmental sites Superfund Site Report The environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation’s most contaminated land and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters. To protect public health and the environment, the Superfund program focuses on making a visible and lasting difference in communities, ensuring that people can live and work in healthy, vibrant places. http://scorecard.goodguide.com/env-releases/land/site.tcl?epa_ id=PAD980692693

HEALTH ALERT: Germs Thrive in America’s Water Systems. The corroding pipes that bring water to Americans may be carrying dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, including legionella, pseudomonas, and mycobacteria. An analysis of 100 million Medicare records from 1991 to 2006 found that more than 617,000 older Americans were hospitalized as a result of becoming infected with these three common bacteria. Despite treatment in public water systems, when chlorinated water leaves the treatment plant, it may have to travel such a long distance that chlorine content becomes depleted and no longer kills bacteria lurking in pipes. Lynn Thorp, the national campaigns director of Clean Water Action writes, “We are only beginning to understand what goes on inside our buildings in the plumbing… I don’t think people should be alarmed; I think they should understand that this is something we can’t ignore.” Journal of Public Health Policy, September 2016

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Iron Overload in Horses

ron is absolutely essential for between cells. Work in other species Eleanor Kellon, VMD life. The high affinity of iron for has shown that the volatile fatty oxygen is what makes it so useful in trapping oxygen acids produced from fiber fermentation enhance iron in hemoglobin for delivery to the body tissues. Iron is absorption in the colon. Because the horse is a hind gut also incorporated in some very reactive enzyme systems. fermenter, this likely is a significant source of iron. Iron However, iron’s high affinity for bound to metal transporters is oxygen and high reactivity also taken inside the intestinal cells. make it dangerous. From there, it may be bound to Free, ionized iron will react blood proteins and released, or with peroxide or water in the continue to accumulate and body, ending in the creation of eventually be lost into the OH*, hydroxy radicals. OH* manure when the cell dies. By damages lipids in cell structures regulating how much iron gets and membranes, in the process released into the blood, the generating more radicals to body has some control, but other Liver, black from iron overload produce a chain reaction pathways for absorption cannot of destruction. be regulated. Iron is absorbed by binding to specific metal transporters If you ask any veterinary pathologist they will tell you in the small intestine, and also passively via the junctions that finding black, iron-overloaded livers at necropsy is common in horses. The color comes from iron deposits called hemosiderin. This is so common it is considered “normal.” There are reports of iron causing liver disease, even death in foals, but chronic conditions related to iron overload were not recognized in horses. Iron overload in humans is usually caused by genetic ANTI-BACTERIAL • ANTI-FUNGAL SPRAY disorders resulting in over absorption, or diseases that require frequent transfusions. However, overload related Scratches to diet is also possible. Liver damage or liver failure does occur, but is a late stage. Earlier symptoms include fatigue, Fungus joint pain/arthritis, and often metabolic syndrome/ Wounds Non-Toxic & Odor-Free insulin resistance. banixx.com • 877-944-0795 Rain Rot The same syndrome and consequences have been recognized in a variety of animal species, including several Thrush birds, black rhinoceros, tapir, lemur, and dolphin. It may also be linked to Insulin Resistance in other Old World primates, but iron overload has not been studied in them.

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Eleanor Kellon, VMD of Equine Nutritional Solutions, Robesonia, Pennsylvania, is one of a handful of experts in the field of applications of nutraceuticals for horses. She is an authority in the field of equine nutrition as well as conditions affecting performance horses. She is past veterinary and contributing editor to John Lyons Perfect Horse and Horse Journal magazines, has written 8 books and thousands of articles on equine nutrition, care, and health issues. F E B R U A R Y

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NO!

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Fluoride

luoride is an organic mineral that has become very widely used—and abused. It is found naturally in our soil, air, plants, and animal tissues, but it is most widely present in our water supplies. More than 50 years ago, adding fluoride to our water became official public health policy, as it was proven to help prevent cavities in children’s teeth. Some research recently suggests, however, that fluoride can be overused, and it now affects every species, including our horses. According to the 1974 dietary f luoride reference standards for livestock issued by the US National Academy of Sciences–National Research Council (NAS-NRC), horses can safely tolerate up to 60 ppm F in the dry matter of their diet. Subcommittee on Fluorosis. Effects of Fluoride on Animals. Washington, DC: US National Academy of Sciences; 1974.1 Excessive amounts of artificially added fluoride added to drinking water has been documented to cause dental fluorosis, colic, stiffness, lameness,

and even poor reproduction as well as crooked legs, hyperostosis and enostosis, hoof deformities, and microscopic evidence of reduced bone resorption. 2 Mother Nature has an ingenious way of regulating and balancing systems. When we as human beings see a benefit in a substance, as with fluoride, we often decide to capitalize on it, mistakenly believing that “more is better,” but when used in excess, fluoride can accumulates in the bones and soft tissue. It can reach toxic levels and become “Fluorosis,” also known as fluoride poisoning. Arm yourself with as many facts as possible, and make informed choices when using fluoridated water. Japan and 97 percent of western Europe, do not fluoridate their water. “Around 70 percent of community water supplies throughout this nation are fluoridated. Most other nations have banned it or otherwise do not fluoridate. Fluorides are also used in about a third of pharmaceutical drugs, such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics and some psychotropic pharmaceuticals.” In humans, lower doses of poisoning

may be seen as tooth or bone abnormalities and rapid death can come from a very high dose, although this outcome is very rare. Reverse osmosis (RO) processing can slow down fluoride contamination and rid the system of it, but it is also important to replace the minerals that are leached out by its absorption. Real sea salt measured out as a pinch per pint can help. Supplement with foodgrade iodine since fluoride salts tend to take up the iodine that is needed by the thyroid and can cause goiters. Supplementing with magnesium, calcium and vitamin D3 can provide some protection to the bones. It is important to consult an equine nutritionist for the proper balanced diet for your horse in your region. 1. N ational Academy of Sciences–National Research Council Committee on Animal Nutrition. 2. Quarterly Journal of the International Society for Fluoride Research Inc. (ISFR) 2006 http://www.fluorideresearch.org/391/files/3911-2.pdf Resources: https://fluoridealert.org/issues/water/ http://www.naturalnews.com/048549_fluoridated_water_ detoxification_nutritional_supplementation.html

FLUORIDE SIDE EFFECTS IN HUMANS Cancer Brain Damage in Unborn Fetus Bone Weakness Dental Fluorosis Low Estrogen & Testosterone Levels Damages Stomach Joint Problems Skeletal Fluorosis Osteoarthritis & Accelerates Osteoporosis Lowers I.Q. Memory Loss

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Lack of Motivation Apathy and Passivity Inhibits Melatonin Production Impairs Immune System Attacks Your Pineal Gland Kidney Stones & Kidney Failure Interferes with White Blood Cells Kills Brain Cells Makes you Dumb Lower Sex Drive Infertility

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Sedative Accelerates the Aging Process Attacks Thyroid Attacks Hypothalamus Promotes Mental Disturbances Receding Gums Affects Heart Circulation Makes you Docile and Obeisant Autism DNA Damage Alzheimer's Disease 20 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

HOOF CARE

How Moisture Affects the Hoof Monique Craig

any readers are already well aware of problems that sometimes arise with hooves when moisture is present. A couple important questions are: why does this occur, and, what to do when wet hooves become problematic? In order to answer these questions it is important to take a closer look at the hoof capsule. The hoof capsule is made up of a dead material called keratin. Keratin is found in the outer layer of skin, hair, nails, horns, and hooves. It is the product of a process called keratinization. This process starts with the production of live cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis (outer layers of the skin) called the stratum basale. This layer consists of one row of single cells that are continually being produced through mitosis (cell duplication). This layer is firmly anchored to a basement membrane. The new cells are produced in an interesting process involving a special type of cell, the stem cell. These cells are generally the only cell type in the epidermis that can go through cell division. When a stem cell divides it produces two cells: a new stem cell and a cell that will change as it migrates through the layers of the epidermis. The bulk of these cells that undergo changes are called keratinocytes. The keratinocytes are the cells that migrate through the layers of the epidermis.

The internal structure of the keratinized hoof capsule. The bottom figure shows a sagittal view of the keratinized hoof capsule. Labeled are: 1) bar papillae, 2) frog, 3) sole, 4) coronary band, 5) periople ring, 6) lamellae, and 7) wall.

The keratinocytes end up dying at the top layer of the epidermis to form a protective keratin “crust” or stratum corneum. This crust has different architecture depending on its use. In the horse’s case, the stratum corneum is the layer that most horse owners and hoof care practitioners handle routinely. Figure 2: A cross-sectional view of the hoof wall is shown in (A). The round structures are the tubules that begin at the coronary band. One can see how their shape changes throughout different regions of the wall. The inner tubules have a different shape and mechanical properties than the outer tubules. The intermediate structure that contains the tubules are represented in (B) and (C). The various orientation that the keratin takes on within the wall are shown in (C). The complete structure of the hoof wall can be

viewed as a composite material (such as plywood) re-enforced with a mesh. The hoof walls help deal with the tremendous energy generated from impact. They also provide structural strength against cracks. A crack forming along the grain of one plane of the keratinous material will be resisted by a neighboring plane whose fibers have different orientation (Figure 2C). The tubules lend some flexibility to the hoof capsule. The tubules can stretch, compress, and bow to some extent. The tubules closer to the dermis are more moist and flexible than the outer tubules. The inner tubules—being close to the sensitive laminae—need to match somewhat the mechanical properties of the dermis, meaning the tubules need to be able to flex. The outer tubules are designed to absorb the brunt of each landing concussion and to protect against the ele-

(Figure 2) There are different regions of the hoof capsule (Figure 1), each of which has a different architecture. The most intricate design is found in the hoof wall.

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ments—this area needs to be very strong and more rigid. The difference in mechanical strength of the tubules is largely due to the number of hydrogen bonds within the keratin molecule. The keratin of the inner tubules contains fewer bonds, whereas the keratin of the outer tubules contains more bonds. The bonds provide mechanical strength, but are not impervious to outside factors. Moisture plays a role in weakening these bridges. Keratin loses some of its mechanical stiffness and strength when excess moisture is present. Due to their complex design, the walls have better structural strength than the keratinous sole, frog, and bar papillae. The design of these other structures is somewhat simpler, and closer to that of simple plywood. Hooves are capable of adjusting between wet and dry conditions without too much trouble. In moist conditions, hydrogen bonds of the keratin molecule detach, thus making the hoof keratin somewhat weaker.

This is the reason why hooves tend to look more “splayed out” during the wet season (Figure 3A). This is not an issue when the ground is moist. As the conditions become drier the detached hydrogen bonds reconnect and the wall regains mechanical strength, allowing hooves to deal with harder surfaces (Figure 3B). Hooves are designed to adjust without issue as long they are of good quality and moisture is not excessive or persistent. However there are situations due to moisture that need to be addressed, especially when wet conditions are prolonged. Here are a few tips to avoid some issues caused by moisture.

Implement Pasture Management Ideally, give your horse a place to spend some time in dry conditions, such as a large covered pen that is kept dry, or at least drains well. Better would be to stall your horse at night.

Figure 3: Same hoof, same trimming method, but in image (A) was on a very wet pasture, while image (B) was a year later on a very dry pasture.

Do Not Over-hydrate Hooves Regular washing of horses affects the hooves since water weakens the hoof keratin. Instead, try to sponge horses off rather than using the hose, in order to

Moisture, Temperature, Ground Conditions.

Environmental Factors Affecting the Foot. Moisture softens the foot allowing for excess exfoliation, increased chances of thrush, foot expansion, and over hydration leading to abscesses. Extreme cold or heat slows hoof wall growth. Sole bruising and hoof wall chipping occur on hard, rocky terrain, and sandy terrain wears away sole.

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22 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

avoid soaking the hooves. If you live in a dry area, constant bathing can be hard on hooves as they constantly adapt back and forth between wet and dry.

Prepare for Seasonal Changes Depending on the hooves, it is important that the sole, frog, and bars be lightly trimmed under wet conditions. Have the excess wall length and distortion removed but make sure that your hoof care practitioner is “zen” with the

hoof. When traveling with horses be very careful when moving from wetter areas to more arid areas. Hooves do not necessarily re-adjust instantly to a fast change in moisture. It often takes a least a month for a hoof to adjust to such changes. Often wet hooves are a bit flakier than dry ones. Make sure that your hoof care practitioner knows that the hoof needs to adapt to its new environment and does not remove too much

Figure 4: A lateral radiograph can help you assess the thickness of the sole. The radiograph on the left shows a hoof with good sole depth. The radiograph on the right shows a hoof with marginal sole depth.

material until the hoof has adjusted to its new environment.

Beware of Early Signs of Hoof Sensitivity or Tenderness Hoof tenderness is caused by different factors. Some horses do not naturally produce enough sole, even under the best management. In order to be comfortable while under saddle, a horse should have at least half an inch or more of quality sole. I would advise that you take quality lateral (side view) radiographs of your horse annually as part of a preventative hoof-care program. Radiographs will help with assessing the sole depth of your horse (Figure 4). This will not only help your horse’s hooves but also give your hoofcare practitioner a better read on how to address such issues. Monique Craig is founder of the Epona Institute (www.Epona-Institute.org ) and may be reached at Monique@eponatech.com

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soyBEAN

free Finally, there’s a horse feed on the market featuring a recipe that’s GMO Ingredient Free, Soybean Free, and never includes artificial flavors or colors. Introducing Naturals Pelleted Horse Feed from Triple Crown. Fortified with EquiMix® Organics, Naturals Pelleted Horse Feed is one of the few horse feeds that can boast about what’s in the bag by highlighting what’s not. Because, sometimes, what you leave out is more important than what you put in.

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Running A film raising awareness on prisoner rehabilitation while saving wild horses

train the horses, and then returned t’s a story of the perseverance of Diana De Rosa home to their cells at night. one determined lady, betrayal by The idea for the story of the convicts helping the horses extremists who feel all horses should run free, and, (and vice versa) came from Brian Rudnick and Christina ultimately, one possible solution to saving our wild Moore. Moore not only co-wrote the script, but also horses and the convicts who train them. produced it and played Jennifer Hutchins, the sister of the When Stella Davis (played by Dorian Brown Pham), a powerful billionaire and animal rights extremist Meredith California ranch socialite, is informed of her husband’s Parish, played with supreme (and lusciously nasty) intensity death in a tragic car accident, sadly it’s only the beginning by Sharon Stone. of her troubles. Stella soon learns that unbeknownst to We spoke with some of the actors, staff, and crew to her, the Double Diamond Ranch where they live and learn more about the care of the horses and what we which has been in their family for four generations, was as an audience can take away from this film. mortgaged off by her husband to keep it afloat. Q: Where did the horses come from? With only 90 days before the bill collectors come for Dave Duquette (Lead Wrangler/Trainer): Most of them their six million dollars, Stella needs to either allow the came from “loose horse” pens (which means they were saved bank to foreclose or come up with a plan to save the ranch. The answer comes in the form of a herd of wild from being slaughtered). horses that have escaped the government land through Q: What was the motivation for the writing of this film? a broken fence and onto her property. Brian Rudnick (who co-wrote the story with Moore): Stella is horrified by the poor condition of these ESX Entertainment presidents, Ali Afshar and Forrest animals. When ranch manager Brannon Bratt, played Lucas, wanted to heighten awareness of the plight of by Jason Lewis, tells her the wild horses in the it’s illegal to feed and western United States water these horses and and hired us to add the instead she must return human element through them from whence they a narrative story. came, Stella finds herself Q: What about the at yet another crossroads. horses? What were they A possible solution fed and how were they then presents itself cared for? when Stella, partnering D ave D u qu et te: with the local prison T hey got reg u l a r system, begins a Prison feedings of organic Rehabilitation Equine hay and in between Program. Each morning the filming were turned five inmates are dropped out in paddocks. They off at the ranch, are Convicts On Horses: The five convicts riding on the range with ranch manager were in poor condition taught to care for and Brannon Bratt are being followed by a police escort. (Photo Courtesy Running Wild) when they arrived and

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gained substantial and noticeable weight by the time filming was over. Christina Moore: There were four handlers on set and on the property that cared for the horses around the clock. These included Derry Mayfield and his family. Michael Giergenti (who played the convict Matt Barker): I definitely saw changes in the horses throughout the film, besides weight increases, the seemed overall happier and healthier. Q: What happened to the horses after the filming was over? Dave Duquette: The two three-year-old geldings (Scooby and Blue) were bought by me and are now fat, happy ranch horses. The rest are rodeo/ranch horses in Nebraska. Q: To Tom Williamson, one of the actors who played the convict Debrickshaw: Tell me about your part, the meaning it held for you, and the hope it gives to the wild horses. As to the horse-convict rehabilitation program theme, I feel it’s useful and important because of how much we as humans yearn for loving connections. Debrickshaw’s relationship with Aces (his horse in the movie) provided him with a family and that sense of responsibility that gives meaning to many people’s lives.

Q: What are your thoughts about the Wild Horse Inmate Program (W.H.I.P) and its connection to this movie? Rudnick: At first glance, it looked like an opportunistic partnership—direct the convicts away from violent pursuits while also providing a PR-friendly, albeit small, fix for the crisis. Christina and I looked at it more granularly and were moved by the individual stories of redemption. These troubled men are profoundly affected by working with horses; almost every case we researched was transformative. For the rest of the story you’ll have to go see the film, which was produced by ESX Entertainment and will be available in theaters and Video on Demand in February with the DVD coming out in April. For more information check out the website at www.RunningWildMovie.com. Diana De Rosa is a veteran equestrian journalist, who has traveled the world and has recorded equestrian history for close to 30 years. She has over 1000 published stories and photos to her credit. She is presently the president of the American Horse Publications and is on the Executive Board of the Press Club of Long Island.

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26 W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Equine Mastitis Dear Holistic Horse, What would you do for treating mastitis herbally? Ellie is in her early 20’s and was a broodmare. We’ve been together for 11 years now. The mastitis started last summer and we had her treated by the vet both times it occurred. It seems to come on whenever she’s in heat. We’ve had no issues during her “off season.” I’m thinking it’s a hormonal imbalance. I’ve had her on garlic, but it stopped being effective, like she became immune to it. I’m thinking of putting her back on it for the immunity factors. I have her on Seminole feeds: Leisure, Senior Wellness, Plantation All Grain 10, and beet pulp, along with a mixture of coconut oil, corn

oil, and Cocsoya as a top dressing. What would you consider as another booster? Dena Dear Dena, If the mastitis is a result of hormonal imbalance, you could add chaste tree berry extract to her diet to help regulate her hormones. Hilton Herbs’ Vitex Gold product is a good source. Mastitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, so adding herbs and food sources rich in vitamin E, A, C, B complex and omega-3s are helpful for supporting her immune system: dandelion, alfalfa, rosehips, and flax seeds are some to consider. Lastly, do note that coconut oil and soybean oil are both very

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Turmeric

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urmeric has become recognized for its use in curing or reversing arthritis pain, bursitis, liver damage, large intestine inflammation, liver detoxification, and more recently for its use in many anti-cancer protocols. It can be added to many things like drenches, drinks, and salad dressings. Turmeric can be used for people, pets, and horses. Making it into a paste helps increase the absorption rate. There are many recipes, with slight variations, and they all can work

if you follow the basic formulation. We suggest you use the purest ingredients you can find. Use organic turmeric powder if you can. Golden Milk Smoothies can be made by adding the paste to yogurt and blending. The paste can also be added to your dinner plate as a condiment. Last but not least, remember to add some to your pets’ dinner and your horses’ feed … don’t forget about them!

GOLDEN PASTE RECIPE Ingredients: 1/2 cup turmeric powder 1 cup water (keep an extra 1/2 cup of water on hand for thinning the mixture, if necessary) 5 Tablespoons to 1/3 cup (70 ml) Raw/Cold Pressed/Unrefined Coconut/ Virgin/Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Flaxseed-Linseed Oil 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Quick and Easy Steps: • In a medium saucepan, mix turmeric powder and water • Slowly heat the mixture, stirring for 6–10 minutes until you get a thick paste (add the additional ½ cup water if mixture is too thick) • Remove from heat and add oil and black pepper (you do not want to heat the oil) • Continue stirring until all the ingredients are fully blended. • Allow the paste to cool. • Store in the refrigerator in a jar for up to 1–2 weeks. You can freeze any extra paste if you have more than you can use in 2 weeks’ time. T Please Note: Black pepper has been found to help synergize the blend. If you cannot tolerate the pepper, it is okay to remove it, but it may reduce the paste’s effectiveness.

Resources: http://turmericlife.com.au/turmeric-recipes-golden-paste/, Equine Herbal & Energetics Book Pages 210-211, http://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-recipes/how-to-make-turmeric-paste-or-golden-paste Sources for Organic Turmeric www.Organic-wise.com, www.pinnercreekorganics.com

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