How our different balance formulas support and benefit your individual horse and why you should be supporting your horse with them.
April 2022 – Mid-Month By: Dr. Madalyn Ward
Our Horse Temperament Balance Formulas are unique in their design. Whereas most nutritional supplements balance nutrients within the formula, our Balance Formulas create balance in the horse. Based on the horse’s temperament type, he will have a tendency to deplete in certain nutrients faster when under stress. The Balance Formulas provide nutrients that are specific for the temperament type or the element that is out of balance.
Balance Formulas are not needed when the horse is in balance but when the horse is stressed they can make all the difference. The carefully researched and selected nutrients in each formula provide the extra support for organ systems and emotional stability when the horse is put under pressure. For instance Type A temperament types, like the Fire and Water, secrete more fatty acids into the blood when under equal stress as the more laid back Wood, Earth or Metal horses. This causes a net loss of serum magnesium so we include this nutrient in our Fire and Water Balance Formula. Routinely adding extra magnesium to the diet of a horse that does not need it could cause an imbalance in other minerals.
Magnesium is included in the Metal horse formula for a completely different reason. Metal horses can develop very tense muscles when they are under stress and magnesium helps to offset the action of calcium to cause muscle contraction. Magnesium also helps to support blood flow to the brain when the horse is stressed. The Fire, Water and Metal horses have the most challenges with mental focus when under stress.
Milk Thistle and Red Raspberry are 2 herbs we included in our Wood balance formula to support liver function and hormone balance. Papaya is included in the Fire, Earth and Metal formulas to support digestion during times of stress. Specific amino acids are included in the Balance Formulas to support specific organs or mental processes.
In some cases a horse may need a Balance Formula that is not the same as his temperament. This would be the case if an organ system was weakened or the environment was extreme. For example, if a horse was subjected to toxins or received strong drugs he could be put on a course of the Wood Balance formula to support his liver. An example of environmental extremes would be an Earth horse, that would normally benefit from the drying effects of the Earth Formula, might need the Metal formula if he experienced an extended period of extremely dry weather.
Most nutritional supplements are designed to provide the nutrients needed by all horses for their daily needs when not under stress. Other supplements are designed to provide certain nutrients for healing injuries or illness. Balance Formulas are designed to provide specific nutrients for support during stress based on the horse’s temperament or the element that out of balance. By providing these nutrients, physical and emotional issues can be avoided and the horse will remain sound longer and be happier.
Horse Harmony/Horse Temperament Resources
Have you read Horse Harmony: Understanding Types and Temperaments and Horse Harmony: A Feeding Guide? If you are new to the temperament typing system developed by Madalyn Ward, DVM, then this is an excellent place to start. You can find both in paperback and digital Kindle formats on Amazon by clicking the links above on the book titles. You can see a preview of Horse Harmony HERE to see what it’s all about. Then surf over to https://horsetemperament.com/ and you’ll find plenty of other temperament typing resources including help in typing your horse from one of our specially trained temperament consultants, an overview of each type, an online class on temperament typing, balancing formulas by type and more.
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