Feeding a horse can be a real challenge especially if the horse has health challenges. Once you have found a horse feeding plan that is just perfect you of course don’t want to change anything. The problem with this is that feed for horses in the wild is varied and always has multiple choices and … Continue Reading »
It has been a month since Cecilia put the natural balance shoes with fill in pad material on Remi. He is doing well. He has a bit longer toe than I would like but he is still moving well. He has almost worn through the fill in pad so it is not surprising that he … Continue Reading »
Five element horse temperament typing can help you if your horse gets a painful injury because different types will respond differently and you need to be able to anticipate these reactions. It is important to consider your horse’s temperament when you examine and treat the injury to avoid further damage to your horse and yourself. … Continue Reading »
I was responding to a post on my forum about feed supplements and the fact that our horses sometimes need the same supplements we do. I do agree that your health challenges can be similar to our horses and I think this may be because we are drawn to horses that are the same type … Continue Reading »
Since my Fire horse temperament mare, Cerise, did so well when I schooled her last week I took her yesterday to a barrel race and entered her. She seemed really happy to actually be competing since we have spent so much time lately on schooling. She likes being the center of attention at the barrel … Continue Reading »
I went by last week to check on Bonita. She is continuing to improve. Her hoof has almost grown off the resection which was done last August. She still has a pulse in both hind feet but that does not bother me since she is looking so good when she walks. Laminitis in horses is … Continue Reading »
I picked up feed for my horses yesterday and it was very depressing. I am wanting to buy premium quality because I believe that is what my horses deserve and that is what keeps them healthy. I am beginning to wonder if I need to think about my health, especially financial. One 40 pound bag … Continue Reading »
Cerise is my Fire horse temperament TB mare that I am teaching to barrel race. Since I am learning this sport as well it has been a slow process. Cerise is not the horse temperament I would normally pick for barrel racing but she is game to learn as long as I am reasonable in … Continue Reading »
The Sour Flavor Properties: The sour flavor has a yin, cooling effect and although yin is usually considered to be moistening the sour flavor has a drying or astringent action on the tissues. Think of the way your mouth feels when you suck on a lemon or lime. Uses: Horses that sweat excessively or have … Continue Reading »
I took Remi today to a team sorting practice. I have never done this before and it was great fun. You start with 10 cows numbered 1 through 10 in a 60 ft round pen and the goal is to move them in order through a gate into another pen. You work with a partner … Continue Reading »
Salty Properties: The salty flavor moves energy down and in to help center it deep within the the body. The salty flavor moistens dryness, softens hardened lumps and loosens stiffness. It supports digestion and and helps to detoxify the horse’s body. Uses: The salty flavor is great to help soften hardened lymph nodes, glands and … Continue Reading »
Pungent(includes acrid, spicy, hot and aromatic flavors) Properties: The pungent flavor stimulates circulation of energy and blood and moves energy upwards and outwards to the periphery of the body. Uses: This flavor stimulates digestion and disperses mucus and specifically: 1. clears mucus out of the lungs but should be used with caution if heat is … Continue Reading »
Sweet Properties: Sweet is the a Yang flavor that can be important in feed for horses if it is not overdone. The full sweet flavor that is found in most grains can strengthen tissues and empty sweet found more in fruits has a cleansing and cooling effect. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, sweet is a … Continue Reading »
Most people think of food from only its nutritional value which they consider the same for every horse but when viewed energetically foods have different effects on different horses depending on their Five Element type. In addition to looking at foods from a standpoint of different types we should also look at what we feed … Continue Reading »
Today is super windy and cool which is not the best combination for riding but I was excited to try out something I had read in the Eclectic Horseman magazine by Wendy Murdoch. I love to read Wendy’s articles and her book Simplify Your Riding is great. Many times Wendy gets into so much detail … Continue Reading »
Wanted to give everyone an update on Remi since he got his shoes on. He continues to get more confidant about his feet and is moving well. There is no lameness at all and he is reaching out and moving his shoulders well. He still tends to drag back when I pony him and I … Continue Reading »
I am going to see a horse today that has been a real challenge to type in terms of her temperament or personality. Tess is a warmblood mare who as a baby was rejected by her dam. She was allowed to nurse briefly but got no real mothering and the mare would bite at her … Continue Reading »
I am sometimes asked by people why they should try to learn what temperament their horse is. Many people feel a horse should behave no matter what and you just train every horse the same and expect them to conform. Well there is some truth to that but what if that method is not working? … Continue Reading »
There are some critical questions to ask yourself when you have a laminitis horse. 1. Did this laminitis come on suddenly or develop over time? Has this horse had a short gait or episodes of unexplained foot soreness? Do you see evidence such as horizontal rings around the hoof wall that would suggest long term … Continue Reading »
Laminitis in horses is a challenging condition to treat because no two cases present the same way. The individual presentation of the laminitis horse makes this condition especially difficult for a busy equine practitioner who may not have the time to observe and research treatments for each case. Sometimes equine practitioners may not even be … Continue Reading »