natural therapy

Equine Sports Injury Management For Optimal Outcomes

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Sports related injuries are common in equine competitions and training.  They are expected to occur and are likely, due to the extreme stress placed upon joints and other supporting structures, often exceeding normal limitations.  The injuries can be a short term nuisance or many prove to be long term, career ending problems that drag on for years.  How we approach these injuries from both a preventative and therapeutic perspective can dictate the outcome and often improve our odds of success.  In order to understand the options before us, we have to understand what is taking place within that animal.

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Gas, bloating and GI upset in Dogs

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Our canine companions are no different than you or I, or for that matter horses.  We all have a gastrointestinal tract that sometimes can get out of whack, not functioning at desired levels, resulting in gas, diarrhea, bloating and even intermittent vomiting at times.  It can be difficult to contend with, especially in the middle of the night or if your pet is left unattended by day while you work, coming home to a mess.  Why does this happen and is there something we can do or not do to improve the situation?

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Equine Allergies – Understanding & Providing Solutions

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Itching, scratching, coughing, red eyes, hair loss and oozing skin bumps….all related to allergic conditions in the horse and a common occurrence. Current approaches to therapy are often complex and unrewarding, leading to the allergic condition often becoming worse with every passing year, fluctuating from season to season.  All of these clinical signs are evidence of a deeper seated problem in the patient, and through a better understanding, we can take a different approach which often yields better management. As with most issues though, in regards to chronic disease, we have to see the root, the cause, and not so much focus on the clinical signs that are present.  

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Equine Back Issues; Understanding & Better Management

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A pain in the back; SI problems, neck stiffness and generalized back pain. Back issues and complaints in the horse are quite common, leading to lost work, poor attitudes and overall moderate difficulty in management.  Current therapies are often unrewarding, especially long term, as the main cause or root is often overlooked.  Through a better understanding of both anatomy, physiology and contributors, management becomes easier and the horse more responsive without the long term need for medications or injections.

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Thrush, Solar Abscesses and Bruises; A Pain in the Foot

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The equine foot is one of the most common sources of lameness, often contributing up to 80% in most cases.  Many times, the pain originates in the foot then transfering up the limb to create secondary lameness concerns.  Three of the most common sources of frustration and lameness in the foot are abscesses, bruises and thrush, not excluding white line disease.  They are very common but continue to plague many horses on a daily basis, proving difficult to remedy at times.  As with most cases, with a better understanding of the conditions, we stand a better chance of success in regards to management.

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Case Study: Equine Recurrent Uveitis

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Vision in the horse is a critical factor.  Without it, they are vulnerable to attack in the wild, have a hard time navigating and encounter difficulties in training and competition.  The eye in the horse also tells us a lot in regards to personality and demeanor, often allowing us to see into the spirit of the animal. It is large and obvious, often one of the first things we notice about a horse. Considering the placement of each eye in the horse, as compared to humans or even pets, their range of vision is limited and they are dependent on two functional and healthy eyes.  When the health of the eye is impacted, the health and safety of the horse is likewise compromised.  The equine eye is subject to a variety of conditions including corneal scratches and lacerations, but one of the most debiliating is equine recurrent uveitis or ERU, which is becoming more common place in the equine industry.  What used to be a condition primarily impacting Paint breeds, Appaloosa and even fair skinned Quarter Horses, is now affecting many other breeds.  The exact cause is unknown and despite the best efforts with therapy, these cases can be frustrating and financially draining for the horse owner. Our horses are our companions and given this, it is hard to see them in constant discomfort.  Often, we need to step back and analyze these situations and apply what we have learned from research, to improve comfort and aid in management.

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