Keep Your Horse’s Lungs Healthy (Especially During Fire Season)

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Wildfires. It seems like they’re everywhere these days. If you live in the Western US or Canada, then you know them all too well. And even the Eastern states have gotten wind of the residual pollution this summer. Put all that on top of dust from the pasture or the arena that gets kicked up when you’re riding, and seasonal allergies, too. (Hello, ragweed!) As humans, we have the benefit of escaping into our well-ventilated homes after a day in the barn, but our horses don’t. They’re still out there, surrounded by all of it 24/7.

Wildfires and Air Quality

The recent surge in wildfires has led to poor air quality in many regions. Just as humans can experience respiratory discomfort due to smoke and particulate matter, our horses are also vulnerable to these adverse effects. Smoke inhalation can irritate their lungs and compromise their breathing. Not to mention all of the toxins that are in the air when things are burned like carpet, paint, roofing, and other household chemicals. It’s important to monitor local air quality reports and limit your horse’s outdoor exposure on days when air quality is poor. Providing proper ventilation in stables or shelters can also help reduce their exposure to smoky air.

In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love tackles a crucial concern for horse owners this summer: how to safeguard our equine companions from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. Join us as we delve into expert insights shared from firsthand experience.

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Pollen and Dust

With summer comes the inevitable presence of pollen and dust in the air, which can exacerbate respiratory issues for horses. Horses are particularly sensitive to airborne irritants, and these particles can lead to discomfort, coughing, and even more serious respiratory problems. Regular grooming can help reduce the accumulation of dust on their coats, and maintaining clean bedding in their stables can minimize dust exposure.

Herbs for Better Breathing

Now imagine trying to run in a competition on top of all that! While an air-conditioned barn probably isn’t in your budget any time soon, there are still some steps you can take to protect the integrity of your equine companion’s lung health! (And they’re much more affordable.)

The Better Breathing Bundle from Silver Lining Herbs is a unique combination of supplements that have been specially formulated to promote and maintain optimal respiratory health in horses. The herbs in these supplements work synergistically to support lung function, aid recovery after strenuous activities, and provide much-needed support in the face of environmental stressors like smoke, pollen, and dust.

These supplements can play a supporting role in safeguarding your horse’s lung health during this challenging season. They help maintain the integrity of the respiratory system, enhance endurance, and reduce the effects of environmental stress. Whether you have a performance horse or a cherished companion, their respiratory health is important!

By staying informed about air quality, implementing proper stable management practices, and getting extra support with the Better Breathing Bundle, you can continue to provide the best support for your horse.

Better Breathing Bundle for Horses

Better Breathing Bundle for Horses includes everything you’ll need to care for an active horse and prevent lung bleeding. The Bundle includes the following products: Respiratory Support for Horses and Immune Support for Horses.

Respiratory Support for Horses helps maintain normal respiratory functioning for your equine companion.

Immune Support for Horses helps your horse comfortably expel and evacuate substances from the body, helping your horse be in peak shape and ready for performance.

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How to Find the Cause of Lameness in Horses

How to Find the Cause of Mysterious Lameness in Horses

December 18, 2024

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When a horse shows signs of lameness, pinpointing the exact cause can be challenging due to compensatory mechanisms. Horses often redistribute weight and movement to avoid pain, making the actual injury difficult to locate. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to help you identify the root cause of lameness in horses.

Step 1: Observe and Note Symptoms

Start by watching the horse closely. Look for signs like head bobbing, uneven movement, or reluctance to perform certain tasks. A bobbing head is usually a red flag for something serious since horses tend to hide their pain as much as possible. Keep in mind that where the lameness shows up might not be where the actual problem is. For example, if your horse seems lame in the left front leg, the real issue could be in the right hind leg. Pay attention to how they move and document anything that seems off. These notes will come in handy as you dig deeper.

Step 2: Consider Compensation Patterns

Horses often compensate for injuries, which can create a chain reaction of secondary problems. For example, if a horse has a high-low hoof syndrome or a misaligned first rib, other parts of the body might be working overtime to make up for it. If the horse seems lame in the left front, check the right hind leg. Compensation patterns often work diagonally. Look for areas where the horse is avoiding putting weight or where muscles seem overworked. Tracing these patterns can help you find the root cause of the problem.

Step 3: Palpate the Legs

Use your hands to feel for tightness, swelling, or sensitivity. Start with the front legs by palpating the suspensory ligament along the cannon bone and the tendon groove at the back of the leg. Compare the left and right legs to see if one feels more sensitive than the other. Then, do the same for the hind legs, focusing on the muscles in the hips and thighs. Tighter areas are often a sign of overcompensation due to an injury elsewhere. This step can give you valuable clues about where the issue might be.

Step 4: Inspect the Hooves

Hooves are often the source of lameness, so it’s essential to check them thoroughly. Run your hands over each hoof to feel for heat or unusual textures, and look for signs of bruising, abscesses, or punctures. Take a close look at the frog and sole for any discoloration or damage. You can also use a hoof tester to apply gentle pressure and see if any areas are sensitive. If you suspect an abscess or bruising, try soaking the hoof in a mix of Epsom salt, Dynamite Liquid Trace minerals, and warm water. Cleaning out debris and stones is also a good idea to rule out simple irritants. Make sure to check all four hooves to get a complete picture.

Step 5: Check for Heat and Swelling

Heat and swelling are key indicators of injury, so don’t skip this step. Run your hands along each limb, paying close attention to the areas where muscles transition to tendons and ligaments. Compare both sides of the horse’s body—if one side feels warmer or more swollen, that’s a good place to focus your attention. Heat and swelling can help you narrow down the affected area and understand the nature of the injury.

Step 6: Use Diagnostic Aids

Sometimes, you need a little extra help to figure out what’s going on. Products like Dynamite Release can be applied to the suspected area, and they’ll foam up where there’s an issue. Bigeloil is another handy tool. Use it diluted as a spray for prevention or undiluted on problem areas. It tends to stay wet longer on injured spots, making it easier to identify trouble zones. These aids can save you time and help pinpoint subtle issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Preventative and Therapeutic Measures

Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to take action. Here are several specific measures to help the horse recover and prevent future issues:

Topical Applications: Use products like Bigeloil or Dynamite Release to target sore or inflamed areas. Apply them daily to help reduce pain and improve healing. Bigeloil can be diluted in water and used as a spray for warm-ups or undiluted for direct treatment.

Horse Yoga: Incorporate the Holistic Horseworks horse yoga exercises to improve flexibility and support the horse’s natural movement patterns. These exercises can help realign the body and reduce strain from compensatory behaviors.

Equine Bodywork: Perform bodywork like Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding to release tension, improve circulation, and address compensatory imbalances caused by lameness. This hands-on approach is an essential step to help the horse recover alignment and comfort.

Hoof Soaks: For issues originating in the hooves, use a hoof soak made of Epsom salts and Dynamite Liquid Trace Minerals to draw out inflammation and promote healing. This is especially effective for bruises or abscesses.

Consistency and Patience: Apply treatments daily and monitor progress. The key is to address the root cause while supporting the horse’s natural healing processes.

Your journey with holistic horse care starts here

Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding is our Level 1 program that will get you off to a great start with horse care! Along with many physically supportive techniques, this course goes over balancing chakras and aligning acupressure meridians, along with techniques in “listening” so that you can finally hear what it is your horse has been trying to tell you!

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How to Find the Cause of Lameness in Horses

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DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet, and always consult them in the case of an emergency.

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5 Must-Know Horse Care Tips for Winter

November 19, 2024

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As the days grow shorter and the temperatures start to drop, it’s time for horse owners to start thinking about how to best care for their equine friends through the winter months. With the right preparation and proactive steps, you can help ensure your horse stays healthy, comfortable and thriving all season long.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share five essential cold weather horse care tips straight from the experts at Holistic Horseworks.Whether you’re dealing with freezing temperatures, icy conditions or relentless mud, these strategies will help you keep your horse happy and healthy through even the harshest of winters.

Blanket Horses at Night When Temperatures Drop Below 45 Degrees

As the temperatures start to dip, it’s important to pay close attention to your horse’s comfort and ability to stay warm. If a horse has to shiver to stay warm, they are burning extra calories just to maintain their body heat.

This can be especially problematic during the winter months when hay and grain prices are already high. By providing a blanket for your horse at night when temperatures drop below 45 degrees, you can help them conserve that precious energy.

Of course, the ability to blanket at night may depend on your specific situation. Some horse owners who board their horses or have multiple pens may find it challenging to put blankets on and take them off each day. In those cases, investing in an automatic, heated water trough may be a better solution.

The key is to monitor your local temperatures and your horse’s behavior closely. If you notice shivering or other signs they are struggling to stay warm, a lightweight blanket at night could make a big difference in their overall health and comfort through the winter months.

Make Sure Horses Have Access to Unfrozen, Lukewarm Water

Another critical component of cold weather horse care is making sure your equine friend has access to unfrozen, lukewarm water at all times. Not only is this physically uncomfortable for the horse, but drinking ice cold water can actually discourage them from drinking enough. Horses that don’t consume adequate water are at higher risk of impaction colic, as the lack of hydration causes the digestive system to slow down.

But it can be a real hassle to constantly break through ice that forms on top of water troughs, especially if you have multiple pens to maintain. To combat this issue, try investing in some type of automatic, heated water trough. This will keep the water temperature around 45-50 degrees, making it much more palatable for your horse. You can also try adding a bit of salt or electrolytes to their water, which can further encourage drinking.

For those times when you can’t provide heated water, offering a warm mash can be helpful. The warm, wet feed will help increase your horse’s overall hydration levels. Just be sure to monitor their water intake closely during the winter months.

Provide Warm Mashes with Electrolytes and Supplements

In addition to ensuring access to lukewarm water, I like to offer my horses a warm mash as part of their winter feeding routine. This can be an effective way to get more fluids into their system, especially if they are reluctant to drink enough on their own.

One of my favorite recipes is mixing a warm mash with ingredients like shredded beet pulp, timothy hay pellets, and a bit of an electrolyte supplement like Dynamite Dynaspark. The warm temperature and added electrolytes can help stimulate thirst and keep the digestive system functioning properly.

For older horses or those prone to impaction colic, you can even try adding a small amount of Epsom salt or sea salt to the mash. This can help draw more water into the intestines and prevent blockages. Feeding a warm, hydrating mash a few times per week, especially before any strenuous exercise, can be a game-changer for your horse’s winter health and comfort. Just be mindful not to let the mash freeze before they can consume it.

Prioritize Hoof Care in Wet, Muddy Conditions

While keeping horses warm and hydrated is essential during the winter months, it’s also important to maintain hoof health, even in the face of challenging, wet, and muddy conditions.

I’ve seen horses’ hooves just rotting away due to constant exposure to unsanitary, moisture-laden environments. To combat this in the past, I’ve resorted to using a diluted bleach solution to help kill off harmful bacteria and thrush. Around 1 teaspoon, into a 16 oz water bottle as a makeshift hoof treatment solution. However, now I would use a more natural solution, my Hoof, Hand, and Ting Miracle Spray.

For horse owners facing similar muddy situations, I suggest being extra diligent about regular hoof picking and cleaning so you don’t get to that point. You may also want to consider using a topical hoof treatment or ointment to help protect the delicate frog and prevent further deterioration. The Hoof, Hand, and Ting Miracle Spray is also great for this.

Neglecting hoof care can quickly lead to lameness, infections, and other serious issues. So be sure to make this a top priority, even when the weather makes it an unpleasant chore.

Keep Horses Moving to Maintain Circulation

It’s important to keep horses horses active and moving during the winter, especially older horses. As horses age, they can become stiffer and less inclined to get up and move around as much.

However, maintaining that circulation and movement is crucial for their overall health and well-being. The “frog pump,” or the natural pumping action that occurs when a horse walks, helps move toxins out of the legs and keep the blood flowing.

To encourage horses to stay mobile, here are a few strategies:

– Provide a warm, comfortable place for them to rest that is off the cold, wet ground

– Incorporate light exercise and movement into their daily routine, even if it’s just walking around their stall or small paddock. You could also try the horse yoga routine.

– Offer supplements or treatments that can help reduce joint stiffness and pain like Dynamite Free and Easy.

By making a conscious effort to keep horses active, you can help prevent circulation issues, muscle atrophy, and other problems that can arise from prolonged inactivity in the winter months.

Prepare Your Horse for a Healthy, Comfortable Winter

As the temperatures start to drop and winter approaches, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure your horse stays healthy, comfortable and thriving through the colder months. By following the five key tips outlined in this article – from blanketing at night to maintaining proper hoof care – you can help your equine friend conserve energy, avoid dangerous health issues like colic, and generally weather the winter season with ease. Remember, every horse is unique, so be sure to monitor your individual animal’s needs and adjust your care routine accordingly. What works for one horse may not be the best solution for another. With a little extra time and attention, you can help set your horse up for a safe, healthy and comfortable winter.

Your journey to holistic horse care starts here