Author Archives: Madalyn Ward, DVM

About Madalyn Ward, DVM

This blog provides information based on my unique take on horse health and well being. The articles are based on experience of treating and working with horses for over 40 years. In most cases the articles are focused on an holistic approach to health and management. When conventional medicine offers good research or therapy, I share this information as well. Madalyn Ward, DVM

Holistic Horse Health: Buzz From The Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. To see more questions and answers on real holistic horse care situations check out our Holistic Horsekeeping and Horse Harmony Facebook pages. Q – I’m looking for a holistic supplement for flies; not sure if garlic is safe to use or you recommend something else. Flies … Continue Reading »

March 2021 – Mid-Month

Holistic HorsekeepingHow to have a healthy happy horse Dr. Madalyn Ward 1. Special Needs for your TaiYin Horse TaiYin means most Yin. Yin is the slow, cooling and moisturizing energy in the body. The Tai Yin(Earth/Metal) horse generally has a laid back attitude and enjoys relaxing and eating. He is not super ambitious but is … Continue Reading »

Horseman’s Health: Is Your Brain Stressed?

You know when you are stressed out and are probably familiar with the feelings that let you know you are stressed, but did you know your brain can also get stressed out? When we are stressed, the body releases cortisol that can affect memory and interfere with other cognitive functions. Cortisol is especially detrimental to … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter March 2022

Bony Bi Syndrome Holistic HorsekeepingHow to have a healthy happy horse.Volume 27, Number 3 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* In This Issue: 1. Bony Bi Syndrome 2. Holistic Horsekeeping Resources Ever wonder why the miracle product that works on so many horses does not do a thing for your horse? Or why the wonder cure you found and shared with … Continue Reading »

Buzz From The Barn: Is your Horse ready for Spring?

Yesterday it was 36 degrees, windy and raining here in Central Texas. Today it is 65 degrees, sunshiny and calm. My horses are out napping in the sun after a miserable day yesterday locked in the barn. Drastic weather changes during the spring can take a toll on a horse’s system. Other factors, such as … Continue Reading »

February 2021 – Mid-Month

Holistic HorsekeepingHow to have a healthy happy horse Dr. Madalyn Ward What to do before you temperament type a new horse “This is not the same horse I bought.” This is the statement those of us who type horses hear so often. These cases are so hard. Imagine that you have just moved to a … Continue Reading »

Horseman’s Health: Quality Sleep to Avoid Grumpiness

Leave a comment Not only does getting inadequate amounts of sleep make you a grump, but it also affects many of your cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, attention and ability to problem solve. This makes you less productive as well as just not much fun to be around. Lack of sleep can also be … Continue Reading »

Buck or Run: Which is Your Horse More Likely to Do?

Holistic HorseKeeping: Buzz From the Barn Blogging from Madalyn Ward, DVM When your horse panics, is he more likely to buck or run? Can you tell? If so, you can better prepare yourself to deal with it. What about if you have a new horse; how can you determine whether he is more likely to … Continue Reading »

Immune Health and Omicron

By Guest Author: Barbara SwansonT-cells: Protection Against OmicronAre you all as tired as I am of all things Covid?We have been fighting this virus for 2 years. I am personally OVER anything other than solid, proven helpful ways I can personally support my health.A new study suggests that our own immune cells–specifically, our T cells– may … Continue Reading »

January 2022 – Mid Month Update Horse Temperament: Fancy the itchy Fire mare

By: Dr. Madalyn Ward – Holistic Horsekeeping Often the name will give you a hint to the horse temperament. Fancy is a good example of this as she is beautiful and you can tell she knows it. I typed Fancy as a Fire horse the minute I saw her and her history confirmed it.  Fancy … Continue Reading »

Functional, Supportive and Situational Nutrition

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter January 2022Volume 27, Number 1 Are you proactive with your horse’s nutritional needs or do you wait until you have a problem? If you address the functional and supportive nutritional needs for your horse then there is a very good chance you will have much fewer problems in the future. Functional nutrition … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping: Want to Become a Better Rider?

Want to Become a Better Rider? Take Notes From the Business World By Guest Author: Dorothy Watson information@mentalwellnesscenter.info – mentalwellnesscenter.info We often think about horses and business as mutually exclusive, unless we’re contemplating the ugly side of the horse industry — the one in which horses are a disposable product, not the partner. Yet if … Continue Reading »

December 2021 – Mid Month Update

Holistic Horsekeeping – By Madalyn Ward, DVM The TaiYin Schoolmaster Tanq is my TaiYin (Earth/Metal), Morgan gelding. I have been working with him to teach a teenage girl to ride. Tanq has taken his new job very seriously and not only is he teaching his student but he is also teaching me how to teach.  At … Continue Reading »

Horseman’s Health: Garden Tower

My Garden Tower has been so fabulous. I haven’t always been so interested in whole green foods. I had very little nutrition study in vet school and early in my career I did not make the connection between green foods and health. My diet during this time consisted of a breakfast taco and Coke for … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter December 2021

Holistic HorsekeepingHow to have a healthy happy horse.Volume 26, Number 12 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* In This Issue: 1. Helping Your Stressed Horse with Adrenal Gland Health 2. Develop a Better Relationship with Your Horse =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= Properly functioning adrenal glands are essential for survival. These glands are located just in front of the kidneys of the horse. The outer … Continue Reading »

Buzz From The Barn – November 2021

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. To see more questions and answers on real holistic horse care situations check out our Holistic Horsekeeping and Horse Harmony Facebook pages. Q – I have a Lippitt Morgan 6 year old gelding that has an SI injury we have been … Continue Reading »

November 2021 – Mid Month Update

Holistic Horsekeeping – By Madalyn Ward, DVM Balancing your Water horse for Winter Equine Holistic Resources are just a click away Winter is the season that Water horses have the most problems. Cold is the environmental condition that is most difficult for the Water horse. Bone pain and lower back problems common symptoms seen in … Continue Reading »

Horseman’s Health: About Chlorophyll

The green blood of plants becomes the red blood of animals and humans! By guest contributor Barbara Swanson Certain of our body’s unique nutrients have an eerie relationship to pigments found in blue green algae. We are going to discuss one of the most important: Chlorophyll. ChlorophyllChlorophyll is a green pigment developed by plants to … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter November 2021

November 2021 Holistic HorsekeepingHow to have a healthy happy horse.Volume 26, Number 11 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* In This Issue: 1. Fixed Bi 2. Holistic Horsekeeping Resources =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= Fixed Bi Ever wonder why the miracle product that works on so many horses does not do a thing for your horse? Or why the wonder cure you found and shared … Continue Reading »