|
Because herbs have a different action to pharmaceutical
drugs in that they do not suppress the symptoms, they
help the body remove the problem, you sometimes find
your horse will appear to get worse for a couple of days
before he improves.
Herbs such as Mullein and Elecampane offer antiviral,
antibacterial, expectorant and antispasmodic qualities
that can help shorten the duration of your horse’s
ailment. Elecampane on an energetic level promotes as
sense of confidence and an awareness of beauty,
something our horses may feel lacking when confined to a
stall with this sort of physical issue.
Herbs such as Plantain, Slippery Elm and Marshmallow can
assist in soothing sore and inflamed membranes of the
respiratory tract and you may consider adding these as a
tea.
Garlic and Echinacea can be used short term for mild
respiratory infections or to help build up your horse’s
immune system if it is known a virus is in your area,
however neither of these herbs are favoured for long
term use. |
|
|
Peppermint is a wonderful herb to add to feeds during
the colder months as it helps the digestive tract adjust
to seasonal changes, especially for the horse that is
prone to colic during the colder months. It is a herb
that does not have to be given every day, and often a
handful into the feed two or three times a week is all
you will need. If you have to administer homoeopathic
remedies, do not give your horse his peppermint tea on
this day.
If a condition in your horse is chronic you may need to
look at using fluid extracts to help the body come back
to balance before starting your horse on dried herbs.
The herbal extracts will get you’re your horse over the
“hump” and then using dried herbs will support him from
that point on.
The Biochemic Tissue Salts, Mag Phos is my first choice
for coughing horses. They are easy to administer as you
give three tabs in each dose and as soon as they come in
contact with your horse’s saliva, they begin to
dissolve. If you have chosen the wrong remedy, they will
not have an adverse affect. |
|
Handy Hint: During the colder months when our older
horses get a bit creaky with arthritic joints, simply
add two or three slices of fresh ginger to a spare water
bucket, change this every other day, and the hint of
ginger in this water will help to warm his old joints.
The hint of warmth the ginger provides in this amount
also help the body maintain a warmth to protect it from
the “bugs” that take advantage of a cold body. |
