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 – My horse has a tear in a check ligament. He is getting FM11, and I am wrapping his leg in wraps soaked in FM11. Wondering if there is another product that I could feed him to help with healing??

A – The Formula 11 is a great product to help increase circulation to the area of the injury. Another product that increases circulation to aid in healing is InjuryPro. It would be a great compliment to the Formula 11 to aid in healing a check ligament injury. Be careful about wrapping with Formula 11 that you don’t get too much heat to the area. Make sure you check for redness or skin scurf that would indicate a blister effect. If you see this then stop wrapping and just apply the formula 11 a little less often.

Q – I have a 28 year old TB mare that I have problems keeping good weight on her. She is on Cushings Plus but I need advice on what product will put weight on her but not make her high.

A – I feed my cushings mare about 2 pounds a day of Thrive feed along with her timothy pellets. It does have higher starch levels but this is ok for the thinner horses that are not insulin resistant. I also give her alfalfa hay. alfalfa is much easier to digest.

Q – In your March 22 blog you recommend slippery elm, but here in the uk we are told supplies of slippery elm are not available. What is the alternative ?

A – Can you get marshmallow root? You can use it in the same way you use the slippery elm.