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