{"id":32891,"date":"2021-02-21T09:41:04","date_gmt":"2021-02-21T15:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/be55915bbd.nxcli.net\/?p=32891"},"modified":"2021-12-20T12:20:34","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T18:20:34","slug":"what-best-supplement-for-my-horse-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/index.php\/articles\/32891-what-best-supplement-for-my-horse-part-one","title":{"rendered":"What is the Best Supplement for My Horse? Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Horses are subject to health ailments including arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, asthma, and metabolic problems just as equally as their human counterparts. Choosing the right supplement can make a world of difference in prevention of these conditions and in the recovery of the horse.\u00a0 There are many supplements to choose from, so where do you begin as the horse owner?\u00a0 What is the best supplement for your horse?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"What
What is the best supplement for my horse?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In our society, no matter what the illness or injury is in your horse, we tend to just focus upon that specific problem.\u00a0 If it is a tendon injury, then that is the focus.\u00a0 If it is an arthritic joint, then that is the focus.\u00a0 If it is asthma, allergies, or metabolic problems, then that is the focus.\u00a0 When we hone in so specifically, with our treatments or supplements, the outcomes are not as desirable as we’d like.\u00a0 This is noted by the thousands of supplements sold in the equine market and the minimal positive gains made.\u00a0 In truth, most owners are utilizing supplements based off of marketing, more so than using some logic and understanding.\u00a0 This can lead to an owner giving upwards of 4 different supplements to their horse, expending large sums of money each month, with little to show for it.<\/p>\n

First, let’s define a ‘supplement’<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 By definition, a supplement is something given to add to or fortify a healthy diet and lifestyle.\u00a0 For most, they view this as a vitamin\/mineral supplement, adding nutrient value to the diet of their horse.\u00a0 Outside of this traditional vitamin\/mineral supplement, there are specific herbs and herbal formulas, or other phytonutrients which are utilized and don’t really add to the diet, but are used specifically for medicinal purposes.\u00a0 Despite these not adding to the diet or supplementing it, they are still viewed by definition as being a supplement by most, which in truth is not really applicable.<\/p>\n

For our definitions and purposes here, when I use the term supplement, I am not referring to a vitamin\/mineral blend but more so implying the use of a herbal formula targeting a specific problem in the horse.\u00a0 When this definition is used in this manner, many start to perceive these herbs as being ‘drugs’ or ‘medicinals’, and in fact, they are.\u00a0 Any chemical or herbal extract which can impact cellular function in some manner can be perceived as being a ‘drug’ or ‘medicinal’, which could on some levels include those vitamins and minerals which are being pumped into many horses in lieu of a healthy diet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then, what separates and herb from a drug??\u00a0 Good question.\u00a0 In truth, drugs are just powerful derivatives of an herb or plant extract.\u00a0 The scientist sees how a plant extract impacts physiology, so they focus in on the specifics and make a drug or pharmaceutical.\u00a0 This could be perceived as creating something which was not intended, and this extreme focus is what can create severe negative reactions or side effects.\u00a0 Herbs are generally much gentler in their action and if side effects are seen, which can happen if improper choices are made, those negative effects are short lived and usually resolve in less than 24 hours if the herb is discontinued.\u00a0 Nature is generally pretty gentle, but yet, very effective.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Most herbal formulas utilized in Chinese or Ayurvedic cultures consist of blends of 3 or more herbs, used together for synergy and target a specific problem within the patient.\u00a0 Some formulas can contain upwards of 15 herbs, which can get complex in some instances.\u00a0 In these cases, there is synergy between herbs and given the large number used, doses can be reduced.\u00a0 Some formulas also address multiple problems or issues within the patient such as addressing pain and moisturizing the body.\u00a0 A horse, just like a person, can often have more than one problem present which needs to be addressed, however, as mentioned above, we have a tendency to just focus upon the problem at hand, not seeing the forest for the trees.<\/p>\n

It is in my opinion and experience that no matter the issue in a horse, such as tendon, metabolic or otherwise, that condition is secondary and not the primary problem.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> This would hold true for practically any condition you can name in the horse including colic, ulcers, and even cancer.\u00a0 The problem that presents in our society is that we view these conditions as ‘being the problem’.\u00a0 We target those allergies with steroids, viewing the eosinophil white blood cells as being the enemy, when in fact they are just doing their job.\u00a0 We view the colic as being the problem, treat it with a pain medication and IV fluids, not giving it another thought.\u00a0 We view the ulcer as being the problem, dumping anti-ulcer medications down their throats like candy and adding another one in when the first is not enough to combat the issues.\u00a0 We view the laminitis as the problem, applying special shoes and medications.\u00a0 Finally, we view the tendon injury as the problem, resorting to prolonged stall rest and expensive ‘regenerative’ therapies that rarely produce quicker benefits than just time and rest.<\/p>\n

So, the question remains.\u00a0 What is the best supplement for your horse?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Well, given that most every condition in the horse is secondary, then this leads us to conclude that the best supplement for your horse would be one which targets the primary problem.<\/p>\n

Primary or Root Problems in the Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

Discussing root or primary problems in the horse is outside of the scope of this article, but I will touch briefly upon it.\u00a0 If more information is desired, I encourage you to read “Herbs and Whole Foods in the Horse<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span>” and “Seeing the Whole Horse<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span>“.\u00a0 \u00a0If you desire to truly impact your horse on both a preventative and therapeutic level, then a certain level of understanding must take place.\u00a0 Otherwise, you are aiming blindly, throwing supplements at a wall so to speak, and hoping something sticks and makes a difference for your horse.<\/p>\n

I will preface this by saying that many herbal formulas are not meant to be given daily for a prolonged period.\u00a0 They are designed in many instances to manage a specific problem which is present in the horse and aid in that problem’s resolution.\u00a0 How long does it take to resolve?\u00a0 That is based on the horse, degree of damage present, lifestyle and other factors.\u00a0 In most instances, with all being equal, 100 days is the general mark, after which the dose can be reduced or the horse can be switched to a general ‘tonifying’ formula for health and lameness support.<\/p>\n

The main root problems that I see in the horse include:<\/strong>\u00a0 (not all inclusive<\/em>)<\/p>\n