Inflammation in Horses
- At March 22, 2013
- By Everdien
- In Equine
- 0
Introduction
Inflammation is a telltale sign that something isn’t right within the body. Inflammation is necessary to start the healing process but when it becomes chronic due to stress, disease or injury it becomes destructive and we need to try to reduce it either by allopathic or natural remedies.
Inflammation is oxidative stress and one of the ways we can measure it is by assessing levels of C-Reactive Proteins (CRP). When there is inflammation CRP levels are elevated.
What is Inflammation?
Comes from the Latin word, inflammatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as:
- Pathogens(infection)
- damaged cells (injury) indicated by elevated levels of cytokines
- Irritants. (allergies) Made worse by a diet too high in concentrates
It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue
Note: Inflammation differs from infection which is caused by an exogenous(external) pathogen, while inflammation is the (internal)response of the organism to the pathogen.
In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would destroy the organism. However, inflammation which runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis in people and chronic pulmonary disease, arthritis etc in horses. It is Inflammation is normally tightly regulated by the body and can be classified as:
- Acute inflammation which is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A number biochemical events create the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue
- Chronic inflammation or Prolonged inflammation, is characterised by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue over a long period of time. Chronic inflammation then becomes systemic placing a huge burden on the body leading to raised cortisol levels.
There are Two main Inflammatory Responses and they are:
Histamine Histamine acts on the body by combining with specific cellular receptors located on cells. There are four histamine receptors that have been discovered are
- H1 histamine recepter Found on smooth muscle, endothelium, and central nervous system tissue. Causes vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, smooth muscle activation, separation of endothelial cells (responsible for hives), and pain and itching due to insect stings; the primary receptors involved in allergic rhinitis symptoms and motion sickness Gingko and Devils’ Claw may help with this form of inflammation.
- H2 histamine receptor Located on parietal cells Primarily stimulate gastric acid secretion. ( prolonged stress in race horses and some high level dressage horses develop ulcers through this pathway)
- H3 histamine receptor Decreased neurotransmitter release: histamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin. Affects behaviour creating excessive reactivity in horses. (MAO) reuptake inhibitors like St John’s wort can reduce inflammatory effects in this pathway
- H4 histamine receptor Found primarily in the thymus, small intestine, spleen, and colon. It is also found in the bone marrow
Prostaglandins
Are found in virtually all tissues and organs. These are lipid mediators that act upon platelet, endothelium, uterine and mast cells, among others. They are synthesized in the cell from the essential fatty acids (EFAs). Omega Oil supplementation in combination with Devil’s claw, St John’s Wort White willow bark, Yucca Gingko and yarrow will enhance the anti-inflammatory effects.
There are three main prostaglandins
- Series-1 Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) via DGLA (anti-inflammatory)
- Series 2 Arachidonic acid (AA) (Pro-inflammatory)
- Series 3 Eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) (anti-inflammatory
Function
There are currently nine known prostaglandin receptors on various cell types. These receptors mean that Prostaglandins act on a broad range of cells, and have a wide variety of actions:
- cause constriction or dilation in vascular smooth muscle cells.
- cause aggregation or disaggregation of platelets
- sensitize spinal neurons to pain.
- constrict smooth muscle
- regulate inflammatory mediation.
- regulate calcium movement
- regulate hormone balance
- Control cell growth.
How Inflammation Affects the Horse
With the onset of winter the requirements for supplements have changed to ones concerning joint mobility, age related arthritis and the residual effects of sub-clinical inflammation which leads to elevated levels of cytokines. Reducing overall systemic inflammation may help reduce the onset of degenerative diseases. Devil’s Claw and herbs like white willow bark can help reduce systemic inflammation.
Pain can lead to other related ‘lameness’ like tension over the topline leading to unevenness, hollowing and incorrect bend elevated levels of cortisol, a damaging stress hormone, responsible for a host of other problems like:
- Muscle tension and stiffness prior to exercise. This is usually worse in winter.
- This can make your horse hyper-alert with a reactive adrenal response.
- The horse may present vague pain tendencies and sensitivity to touch which indicate a lower pain threshold.
- Uneven jerky movement though poor dopamine function
- May develop insulin resistance evidenced through fat deposits under the jaw, flanks crest rump. (in humans fat pads around the stomach)
- Magnesium being shunted way from the nervous system and excreted. Additional supplements of magnesium will help address muscle tension through low levels of this mineral.
- Prolonged stress may lead to calcium deposits in the brain which oxidise to kill neurons. It can also lead to stomach ulcers in some horses.
- Chronic inflammation can affect blood and oxygen supply to the muscles meaning that your horse cannot swing through the back and work correctly through the hocks..
- Inflammation can lead to Inattention and nervous behaviour.
So What can We Do to Protect our Horses from Chronic Inflammation?
- Maintain a low inflammatory diet. Not too high in concentrates and proteins.
- Make sure exercise and training is not that prolonged to the extent that it leads to concussive injury, muscle strain and tissue injury.
- Reduce stress particularly when training ie ambiguous aids leading to confusion and tension. Tension leads to the release of adrenaline and then damaging cortisol.
- Ensure there are sufficient fatty acids in the diet in the form of omega oils. These ideally should be bottle in dark glass or tin to prevent acryl imides form leaching into the oils. This leads to pro-inflammatory substances.
- Ensure that your horse gets plenty of bitters from its pasture to help flush toxins through its system. Toxins lead to digestive inflammation.
- Ensure your horse has its hooves trimmed correctly and, if shod, correctly fitted.
- Provide sufficient magnesium in the form of supplements as it will affect calcium movement and provide a buffer against stress.
- Provide a comfortable environment. Remember a happy horse is less likely to suffer from oxidative stress and a compromised immune system. Provide natural shade with trees, shelter from wind, periods of grazing on a variety of plant species including woody plants.
- Maintain a predictable routine. This helps reduce stress.
- If inflammation is present seek veterinary advice first. There are natural ways of addressing inflammation in the form of herbs like devil’s claw, chamomile (nature’s anti-histamine) St John’s wort to alter the perception of pain.
- Include anti-inflammatory plants in your pasture and shelter belts. Ie willow, alders, yarrow, rosemary. More on Anti-inflamatory plants you can grow as a herbal pharmacy
Sometimes just giving yourself and your horse a break is all you need to break the cycle of pain, anticipation and reactive behaviour. If this doesn’t help then supplements like Devil’s Claw combined with St Johns Wort and Omega oils may help break the cycle.
St John’s wort alters the perception of pain. (In other words raising the pain threshold which in turn lowers stress)
Devils Claw as well as being an analgesic and anti-inflammatory also is sedating.
Omega Oil act in two ways. One, they modulate the balance between prostaglandins 1 and 3 with 2 to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Two they restore the lipid layer around all cells to improve the exchange of nutrients and wastes through the cell walls. So what ever supplements you are feeding omega oils help improve the efficiency of absorption.
We have found that this trio is particularly good for dogs with degenerative conditions. We also have a new product for dogs called Hira Vitality which contains a range of herbs to address and protect your dog from the usual age related conditions like joint stiffness, pain, kidney health (kidney failure being the main killer of older dogs, and a condition called idiopathic vestibular disease. Contact us for more information on this one.
We recommend 2 drops per kg along with Omega Oil Complex.
PRODUCT SPECIALS
Till the end of March 2013 Ten day only special for 1 litre of Devil’s Claw
We have two specials this month.
LITRE BOTTLE OF HIRA DEVIL’S CLAW
PRICE : Normally $198.72 with 20% off now $158.98 .
till 31st March 2013
Devil’s Claw has a shelf life of well over 7-8 years. Maintenance dose rates are 3-5ml per day or up to 15ml for acute conditions.
Note: this can also be used by people for chronic pain.
Feed Back:
Awesome, thanks Everdien. Have started one of my older horses on your Devils Claw recently and getting great results already!!! You rock!
Thanks
Hi E,
I had chronic back pain through a fall from a horse and wanted to stop using pharmacy medicine so instead I started just taking Devil’s claw and St John’s wort in my daily Smoothie as part of my routine.. After about two weeks I realised I had no pain or stiffness through the back. After a couple of months I ran out of both and stopped using them to see if I was better without them but found the symptoms returned so started back on them. Well I am not sore now that I am taking Devil’s Claw and St Johns Wort.
Thanks Y.
We have found that as the body regains full movement and muscular strength that most don’t require ongoing herbal treatment.
HIRA MOBILITY TONIC
PRICE $65.55 with 10% off now only $59.00
Equi Mobility Tonic 1 litre
This tonic consists of a concentrated blend of herbs and phyto- nutrients formulatedto help provide building blocks to maintain healthy, joints, circulatory and muscular
system. This tonic will provide plant nutrients responsible for mobility,to soften the horse and improve movement. This product can be regarded as a general health tonic
as it addresses several systems synergistically.
- Especially suitable for the older horse and those experiencing mobility issues.
- For those suffering from mild age-related conditions.
- Will help correct the system’s pH to reduce lactic acid.
- Plant active ingredients will help improve blood supply to muscles and hooves.
- May help protect joints when worked on hard ground.
- May be used to help with hoof conditions.
- Has bitter principles known to improve liver function
- Is a plant based dietary supplement formulated to help with joint health.
INGREDIENTS:
Beta sisterols, Iridoid Glycosides (harpogoside,harpagide, procumbine) extracted from Harpogophytum procumbens root, rosa rugosa, plant based flavonoids, pectins, added vitamin C and joint supplements in cider vinegar.
HOW TO USE THE PRODUCT:
Add between 10 to 15 ml to feed daily. Loading dose of 20ml for 4 days.
Some comments on this product
Hi Everdien
The Impulsion Concentrate, Anti AI Mag and Mobility Tonic have been great.My horse is slowly becoming softer and moving better. I was watching him in the paddock this morning and he is moving well.Even the farrier noticed that Jet was more flexible and not snatching back his legs/hooves.
Cheers V..
Hi E.
Just wanted to say that my geriatric old mare is doing well on your mobility products. There’s been a noticeable improvement in her movement as well as her temperament as she seems less grumpy and is far more willing to move around the paddock keeping up with the young ones.. Thanks a million for your help.
Regards Michelle
While every effort is made to ensure the quality of our product, no statement or information contained on this page construed as a claim that this product is a cure,mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or any other medical condition.