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Why the Recession may be a Blessing in Disguise.
Epidemiological studies taken during the last recession
demonstrated a reduction in heart disease and conditions
endemic to affluent societies. Lets face it porridge
with its health benefits is a lot cheaper than fancy chemical
laden mueslis and breakfast cereals. During times of plenty we tend to relinquish
commonsense, in
favour of buying ready made mixes, being seduced into
thinking these, often inflated priced products, are the
answer to our time pressures. While this may be true in part, we may be actually causing more problems than solutions. How
many of us cannot accurately administer selenium on its own
because the feeds and often supplements contain selenium. Do
we really know how much protein, calcium, magnesium we
are feeding? Often the feeds contain molasses to disguise
supplements etc. These can lead to overloading of
concentrates, vitamins, producing expensive urine and the
development of and host of problems many of which are
behavioural. Flavours to disguise supplements dull the
horse's instinctive knowledge of what it requires. It is
costly to 'treat' nervous horses so a basic no frills
mix-your-own-feed to cut costs may also 'cure' nervousness
Is
our New Zealand Pasture Really the Villain it is made out to
Be? (Note high performance horses may not apply here)
Now
that we have a little less money and more time to spend with
our horses we may like to spend less time on competition and
its costs.
Lets
face it grass is still the cheapest fodder around, not
influenced by inflation if you are lucky enough to own some.
What has changed in the last ten or so years that forces us
to use expensive toxin binders, anti-histamines, and so
on... Current trendy thinking is that the horse has
developed allergies to, yes, that's right, grass? But
is it really the pasture? Are we putting that much more in
the way of herbicides and fertilisers on our paddocks? Have
we become such a reductionist society that we don't even
realise that we cant think for ourselves? What is really in
the bag of feed? Does it contain trans fats? There are
experts every way you turn. If we continue to depend on them
they will become part of the bureaucratic machine and
bureaucracy, will take away our freedom to make our own
choices. How many of us are advised to get bloods done
before doing anything with your horse? This is expensive and
lining someone else's pocket. This has become the norm only
in the last 5-6 years. Feed the industry with your business
and it will become mandatory
We in
our desire to have the best, sleekest horse at the show
cover them from top to toe depriving the horse of sunlight
(true it does bleach the coat, cause it to curl slightly at
the ends) In turn that affects vitamin A and D synthesis
which protects from cancers, degenerative diseases,
allergies to name a few. Conclusive research in the human
arena is now questioning the sun/ cancer link going as far
as to now back-track saying that early morning sun at
temperatures below 18 degrees is now used in cancer
prevention of deep organs. Reference The Healing Sun by
Richard Hobday. Sunlight is free and to reduce costs
maybe we need to allow our equine friend sun on their backs.
This book is turning the ozone layer/sun skin cancer gravy
train on its back. Read it and you will change your views
not only on animal health but also office, hospital and
school architectural design. Sick building syndrome to
mention one. "Safer schools" for example is now becoming a
planning issue. All have fluorescent lights....need I go any
further
Besides in a recession we cut back on luxuries which
includes not going to every show in the country. In doing so
we don't cover our horses quite as much. Save on repair
costs and we have a healthier happier horse and lets not
blame the grass after all its free.
Do
All our Horses Really have Sore Backs, Dislocated this and
that?
We may
well be riding our horses incorrectly, asking more of them
than they are muscled up to cope with. We may be asking too
much of them mentally, riding them too hard, not being
sensitive to when they are starting to feel sore and
allowing them to stretch long and low to free the back. In a
recession we will compete less, lower our horizons and be
forced enjoy the horse in a different way. Do this and you
can be sure a lot of the back problems will resolve
themselves. The need for this and that therapy,
chiropractors etc will certainly be put on the back burner
as a non essential unless we can be sure that the pain
relief will be significantly reduced and it is done for
purely humane reasons. It will force us to look at ourselves
and our motives with respect to our horses.
A
small investment in having a few well placed lessons with
plenty of 'homework, exercises may well save costs down the
line.
Articles of
Interest
Plant Analgesics Organic Equine February Edition 17-02-08
HERBAL VERSUS
ALLOPATHIC
There are a number of plants that may be used as natural
pain killers and for inflammatory conditions. The advantage
of plant based analgesics is that they do not have the
undesirable side effects that often occur with allopathic
medicines and may be used long term often enhancing the
overall condition as many of them stimulate the liver
thereby further enhancing health.
The main benefits of herbal treatments are that they treat
the cause of the problem and assist the body in the healing
process with little to no risk of complications or side
effects. They may be used for extended periods safely.
Before discussing the down side of allopathic drugs, it must
be said that they must be used to relieve an acute condition
for a short term. The well being of your horse must take
precedence over any personal preference for the slower
acting herbal products.
Drugs do have negative side effects and some of them cause
the depletion of minerals, antagonism of vitamins, impaired
absorption, utilisation and storage of nutrients.
Corticosteroids when used long term cause the suppression of
the immune system, weakening of muscle tissue, loss of
muscle mass, weakening of bones, reduction of viscosity of
synovial fluids in joints and thinning of skin.
Long term use of phenylbutazone in sensitive horses can
cause irritation of the stomach and intestinal lining with
reports of bone marrow abnormalities
WHAT IS
INFLAMMATION?
The word
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,
damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by
the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as
initiate the healing process for the tissue. Inflammation is
the response of the organism to the pathogen or physical
trauma like a deep puncture wound, or torn ligaments. One of
the most painful inflammatory responses in horses is a stone
bruise where the inflamed tissue is trapped behind the
immoveable hoof wall. This is further amplified by the
presence of pathogens that create infection and the build up
of pus. An accumulation of pus (a protein rich fluid
produced from dead and living cells) in an enclosed tissue
space is known as an abscess which is produced from the dead
and living cells which travel into the intercellular spaces
around the affected cells.
SOME
ANALGESIC PLANTS
Of all the analgesic
plants, Devil’s Claw would be the one that comes close to
the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical drug. It is often
described as ‘Herbal Bute’
Devil’s Claw (
Harpogophytum procumbens)
Its active ingredients
extracted from the claw like root consist of Beta sisterols,
Iridoid Glycosides (harpogoside, harpagide, procumbine)
It naturally occurs in
Northern Africa and cannot be grown in New Zealand even in a
controlled environment as it is almost impossible to
propagate outside its native country.
Research
1.
German studies have
shown that this plant has strong anti-inflammatory
properties compared to cortisone and phenylbutazone.
2.
It has a healing
reputation for arthritis and myalgia.
3.
Harpogoside and Beta
sitosterol are the active ingredients responsible for pain
relieving properties.
4.
Bitter principles
act to stimulate liver, gall bladder and lower blood sugar
5.
Devil's Claw is
mildly sedating.
What are its uses?
1.
Long term use of
Devil's Claw may be used for managing degenerative
conditions like arthritis. The liquid extract is more
effective than the dried root.
2.
As a pain reliever
and anti-inflammatory treatment for injuries, abscesses,
recovery from broken bones and accidents.
3.
May be used in the
treatment of stone bruises in managing pain and inflammation
4.
Devil’s Claw has
been found to be effective in the treatment of skin
allergies.
5.
It has been
effectively used as part of the treatment of headshaking
syndrome where the nasal passages and trigeminal nerve have
been affected either by Equine Herpes Virus or allergens.
6.
May be given on the
day of a race or show to protect muscles from
micro-inflammation caused by strenuous exercise.
Interestingly is slightly sedating which makes it an ideal
herb to administer on the day of a show or race.
7.
Devil’s Claw is a
useful herbal product for the equine first aid kit.
8.
Note:
Devil's Claw stimulates uterine muscles and should not be
given to pregnant animals. It should not be used in
conjunction with veterinary medicines without consulting
your vet. Devil's Claw should not be used in conjunction
with Pentosan injections
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