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

Great five element demo horses

When I was doing my presentations at Equine Affaire I had a couple of great demo horses to work with. The first one was a nice haflinger Fire mare that was a great example of how the five element types can look in different breeds. Normally when I think of a haflinger I think about … Continue Reading »

Variety in feed for horses

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 »

How to handle horse injuries

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 »

Feeding a horse real food vs. natural supplements

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 »

Price of hay and feed for horses

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 »

The Salty Flavor

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 »

The Pungent Flavor

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 »

Five element feeding – Five flavors

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 »

What breed personality or temperament is your horse?

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 »