Monthly Archives: January 2010

Horse Health Care: Did You Know Muddy Hooves Can Be Healthy?

I don’t know about you, but I used to pick out my horse’s feet religiously, thinking that clean feet were healthy feet. It turns out that this wasn’t always the best choice for horse health care. Why? … because muddy hooves can be healthy. Picking out your horse’s hooves on a regular basis is a … Continue Reading »

Horse Health Care: Are Herbs Food or Medicine?

I frequently get asked by horse owners whether they should treat herbs as food or medicine for their horses. It’s a good question, especially if you are a do-it-yourself kind of horse owner and want to be sure that what you feed your horse is safe. Herbs are included in many supplements for horses so … Continue Reading »

Bud – my food sensitivity horse, jan 22, 2010

Bud is doing well but there is a new wrinkle to his symptom picture. I believe his food sensitivities are under control and, thanks to the daily packets of bluegreen algae, probiotics, and enzymes, Eleviv for stress, KLPP and KAM UF , his digestive tract is healing nicely. When I palpate is abdomen it is … Continue Reading »

Horse Health Care: Combining Natural and Conventional Treatments for Good Outcomes

Because I practice holistic veterinary medicine people often ask me if I avoid using conventional treatments and diagnostics in favor of all-natural approaches. As a rule, I use whatever treatments are best, in a holistic sense, for the horse. Holistically, that means I use horse health care treatments that lead to cure rather than those … Continue Reading »

Got the Wrong Amateur Horse? A Heartwarming Horse Swap Story

Looking for the perfect amateur horse to train by yourself can either be a Cinderella story or a total nightmare. Believe me, I’ve seen both. Luckily, even if you end up with a horse who is Mr. Wrong as an amateur horse, you can still have a Cinderella ending. If your current amateur horse is … Continue Reading »

Finding the Perfect Amateur Horse You Can Train on Your Own

The moment has finally arrived: you have saved up all your pennies and now you are ready to buy your dream amateur horse, the one that you are going to train mostly by yourself. You have paid your dues by taking lessons and riding more experienced horses. Now it’s time to shop for one that … Continue Reading »

Horse Health Care: Preventing Horse Ulcers During Antibiotic Therapy

These days, horse lovers are becoming aware of the many factors that can cause horse ulcers. Antibiotic therapy is one of the main culprits, and many horse owners are anxious to prevent ulcers from occurring if their horse must have antibiotic therapy because of an injury or acute illness. But here they run into a … Continue Reading »

Horse Health Care: Preventing Ulcers in Horses Going Into Training

Your proud moment has arrived! You have raised, loved, and nurtured your young horse from the day she was born … and now it is time to send her into training. She’s got the perfect conformation, attitude, and breeding for her chosen discipline, and you just can’t wait to see how she turns out. You … Continue Reading »

Bud, my food sensitivity horse, Jan. 6, 2010

Bud, my food sensitivity horse, is still improving. He has had several setbacks in the last few weeks but he has gained overall. After coming through his severe relapse of gut inflammation last month he rebounded and was back out eating grass full time with my horses and eating all he wanted of low starch … Continue Reading »

Horse Health Care: How to Monitor an Ill Horse

This weekend two of my clients had seriously ill horses. Both lived far enough away that it was not easy to see the horses. In one case no vet was available at all due to the holiday weekend so all work was done over the phone. This would not have been possible without the excellent … Continue Reading »