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Horse

Savvy

Ranch

Cindy Schleuss, Owner

Please read added literature listed after the retail sources before using any of these herbs.

Disclaimer:

Please note that all of what we do is experimental. Cindy Schleuss is not a doctor or nutritionist.

For centuries herbs have been used to cure ailments. Modern medicine evolved from herbs. Some believe modern medicine replaces herbs and that herbs do no good. Recent studies are challenging this theory. As a result, options are opening up and people are finding that each modality has its place.

We at Horse Savvy Ranch use herbs as a support for the body. We have found the following to be extremely effective and as a result horses that would have been retired or faced another option are going strong, still giving their owners the ability to ride, love and care for them.

Because of the unique ability of each herb and how they combine to support the horse, I feed most of the horse’s that are in my care the combination of the herbs and amino acids listed below.

Herbs are best fed when a little water is added.

HERB INFORMATION

Comfrey Root Powder (purchase 5 lbs to start)

(Fires up the cells to rebuild. Has proven to rebuild bone; has been the catalyst to building muscle on horses that no one could keep weight on; assists in the healing process of tendons and ligaments; strengthens the hoof capsule)

1/8 cup < 1000 lbs, 1/4 cup > 1000 lbs

1 time a day

Red Clover Leaf and Blossom (purchase 2 lbs to start)

(For me this herb functions as a means to cleanse the blood of whatever does not belong in the body. Some of the symptoms we have been successful in eliminating are skin disorders, dull coats, tick or bug bite reactions, lack of energy) This herb may also balance hormones.

1/8 cup < 1000 lbs, 1/4 cup > 1000 lbs

1 time a day

Chamomile Flowers (purchase 3 lbs to start)

(I use this herb for its support of the nervous system)

1/2 cup < 1000 lbs, 1 cup > 1000 lbs

1 time a day or feed one cup before hand walking to keep horse quiet during rehab.

L- Glutamine

(Strengthens the skeletal muscle, supports the joints by participating in the formation of glucosamine, and protects the integrity of the large intestine)

Standard feeding is 5g per day. For arthritic horses, or horses that are stiff feed 10g per day.

TOPICAL PRODUCTS

Derma e Itch Relief Lotion

(This simple remedy of tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, and chamomile has unusually strong results)

I use this topical to stop the itch of the belly sores developed by fly bites, on open sores to soothe and protect, on unusual bumps that appear on the horses body including the back, bug bites etc. It seems to work by cooling and soothing the nerves that would normally want to heat the wound site up. The tee tree oil acts as an antiseptic so it is safe and effective to use on open wounds. This so far is the only product I have been able to use on the super sensitive horses that will not let you put a topical on a wound.

Anti Fungal Lotion (Home Health)

I have been searching for a product that would address scratches (mud fever), rain rot, and other fungal types of skin disorders that modern medicine can’t always seem to heal. Alas, I have found something that is safe to use long term and can be combined with the Derma e Itch Relief Lotion without irritating the skin.

Arnica Gel

This homeopathic product is a life saver when it comes to arthritic joints that are inflamed, and impact wounds (kicks) that swell into a large lump. Clients that have used this product personally all are amazed that the huge bruise that should have appeared from the horse kick or bite on their body doesn’t. I use Arnica daily on the arthritic joint of the horse so that they will flex and use it immediately, eliminating the usual stiff look at the beginning of work.

**CAUTION – please take the time to do research on the products you choose to use, especially if your horse is pregnant or has a special condition. Where I have found all of these products to be safe and great aids in keeping my horses healthy, I am under the assumption that they may not be on them for the rest of their lives. I also follow the rule of “lower dosages for longer terms”, which is how I came up with the dosages stated above.

Herbs can be purchased at:

Mountain Rose Herbs

1(800) 879-3337 or www.mountainroseherbs.com

Ameriherb

www.ameriherb.com

Topicals and L-Glutamine can be purchased at:

Whole Foods or at Vitacost www.Vitacost.com

For special conditions (thyroid, pituitary gland, liver, kidney, etc) check out www.silverliningherbs.com

KNOW YOUR HERBS

Additional Literature

Chamomile:

I like this herb for its support of the nervous system and its ability to change an over reactive horse to a calm and sensible one. One of its many positive qualities is how it works for the digestive tract. It eases nervous spasms, helps to expel gas, and reduces inflammation of the intestinal tract. (All you ever wanted to know about Herbs for Pets; Mary L. Wulff-Tilford and Gregory L. Tilford)

CAUTION - please check to make sure chamomile is not a "banded drug" for showing in your sport.

Cleavers:

This herb is used to support and tone the lymphatic system. It is especially helpful for urinary infections, cystitis and enlarged lymph glands. In addition, the cleaver herb (clivers) is administered for any soft swelling, fluid retention, windgalls or filled legs. Due to its richness in silica, it strengthens the coat and hair and eliminates “foreign bodies” such as grit, dirt and thorns from the horses’ system.

Comfrey Root Powder:

A simple explanation is that comfrey “fires the cells up”, to regenerate or rebuild. Research shows how it cures ulcers, and heals bones. I have found it also rebuilds tendons, ligaments, and muscle. There is some Government controversy around this herb, so I encourage everyone to go to the Internet and read up on this herb. Make sure you type in “COMFREY” so you get the most information. I typed some of the information for you.

www.DoctorYourself.com

Dr. Kirschner used comfrey in his medical practice to promote the healing of ulcers and wounds. He traces the history of comfrey back to 1568.

Taken internally as decoction (boiled root tea), comfrey is described as effective against tuberculosis, internal tumors, and ulcers, and promotes the healing of bone fractures. If it is hard to understand how one simple, easy to grow and easy to apply plant can be so widely useful in healing, remember that penicillin’s supporters have made some pretty broad claims for the mold on oranges.

Dr. Kirschner describes in his article how to prepare comfrey leaves and roots for home use. The leaves are for EXTERNAL use and the root for INTERNAL use.

www.Henriettesherbal.com

Comfrey is the victim of a bad press, inaccurate reports, and four true cases of toxicity which in themselves are not straightforward, but suggest overdosing on comfrey. Governments in the UK and Australia have restricted the use of comfrey root or banned the plant respectively.

The problem is two-fold: firstly, there are two “comfreys” and reference to them is often casual. Regular, common, medicinal comfrey is SYMPHYTUM OFFCINALE. Russian comfrey, the great compost heap maker, is SYMPHYTUM X UPLANDICUM. Medical herbalists in the UK, from whose written reports I am extrapolating, point out that Russian comfrey was probably the herb used in the toxicity trails yet regular comfrey is also restricted or banned.

The early research, late 70's concluded that these Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) do indeed cause liver damage in humans. Medical herbalists would point out that (PAs) can cause obstructions of the veins in the human liver, known as hepatic veno-occlusion, but (were not shown to cause liver cell abnormalities) and that the level of alkaloids in comfrey was too low to (cause specific damage to liver circulation) in any case.

There are four cases involving humans which do implicate comfrey. One involved a woman who was finally diagnosed as having veno-occlusive disease and did consume a quart of herbal tea per day that contained comfrey. A second case involved a boy with Crohns disease who was treated with conventional medicine for some time before going over to comfrey root and acupuncture. The long running malnutrition may have weakened the liver predisposing it to the venal obstruction problem. Comfrey root was blamed. The drugs were not considered as possibilities.

The third case involves a woman who overdosed: 10 cups of comfrey tea a day and handfuls of comfrey pills. After 9 years, she had serious liver problems.

The fourth case became a fatality. A vegetarian, given to specific food binges for weeks, took an unknown amount of comfrey for flu like symptoms possibly over a period of four months. The particulars of his case are blurred. All cases involving comfrey; in at least three, there are suggestions of overdose or abuse of the plant.

Dandelion Leaf:

This leaf is diuretic in nature so it supports the healing of the liver and kidney conditions, including jaundice. It is rich in potassium, vitamins A,B,C,D. All of these qualities support the equine body to cleanse the blood and encourage relief of rheumatism.

Elecampane Root Powder:

It may help to relieve congestion, stimulate digestion, antifungal, yeast infections and parasites. A side effect may include diarrhea. We use elecampane root powder to assist in the relief of allergies due to fungi.

Frankincense (Boswellia Serrata):

This herb may help to relieve conditions from, liver disorders, bronchial asthma, ringworm, arthritis, lung disease and diarrhea.

Golden Rod (Whole Plant):

Golden Rod may reduces inflammation of respiratory mucous and strengthen kidney function. It is none to be an anti-bacterial and an anti-fungal. Do not use if your horse has allergies to ragweed. It can have adverse effect in certain forms of kidney disease.

Goldenseal Root Powder:

The active ingredient in Goldenseal, hydrastine, has antiseptic qualities. It is useful in the care of skin infections and sores. In addition, Goldenseal restores tone and strength to the equine body due to its strong antibacterial and antiviral aspects.

Red Clover Leaf and Blossom:

Red clover has no known side effects. It is recognized as a detoxification herb and “blood cleanser”. I use this herb to cleanse the lymphatic system, build the blood and strengthen the liver. If a horse has skin fungus, is exposed to ticks, lethargic, gets unexplained swollen legs, or legs swell after strenuous work, give this herb a try.

Red clover is a legume rich in isoflavoniod phytoestrogens including: genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin-A, compounds that are now recognized for supporting critical hormone levels within the body in both men and women, without having any negative side effects. Phytoestrogens support good health in many ways such as: 1) they bind at estrogen receptors and prevent the body from over-producing estradiol; 2) they dilute xenoestrogen-type toxins by binding at receptor sites and function as anti-estrogens; 3) they boost progesterone expression and help to normalize the body’s important estrogen to progesterone ratio; 4) they reduce cholesterol and support the liver in its critical role of detoxifying the blood and converting excess estradiol into the more benign form of estriol; 5) they are powerful antioxidants: 6) they prevent the formation of new blood vessels that feed abnormal cells; 7) they inhibit abnormal cell growth, and 9) they boost several beneficial enzymes within the body that prevent DNA adducts and reduce cellular damage and aging.

L-Glutamine:

L-glutamine is one of the ingredients in the GUT product that is on the market for horses.

L-glutamine is a protein amino acid found in proteins of all life forms. It is predominantly synthesized and stored in the skeletal muscle. It allows the kidneys to excrete an acid load, protecting the body against acidosis. It participates in the formation of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, amino sugars (such as GLUCOSAMINE)… L-glutamine appears to play a major role in protecting the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract and, in particular, the large intestine. (www.pdrhealth.com)

Licorice Root Powder:

This sweet flavored herb helps to heal sores and reduce gastric acid secretions. Also, it has been known to loosen mucous secretions and improve liver function.

Marshmallow Root Powder:

This root soothes the digestive and respiratory tracts. Since marshmallow root contains mucilage it calms inflammation by coating the inflamed area, ulceration, scouring and colitis. This root may soothe horses prone to spasmodic colic as well as having an anti-bacterial and anti-allergy effect.

Milk Thistle Seed Powder:

This herb is well-known for its ability to support liver function, speed up regeneration of liver cells and increase production of bile secretions from the liver. Research has also shown milk thistle seed powder to lower fat deposits in the liver and protect from the impact of worms or prolonged use of drugs. This natural remedy is high in linoleic acid which strengthens the immunity of the equine body. It is often considered a preferred spring tonic to support the overall health of horses.

Mullein Leaf:

This herb is excellent for soothing irritated mucous membranes in the throat and lungs, loosening congestion, relaxing chest muscles, opening airways and allowing breathing to be easier. It could help to relieve coughs, antiviral and asthma. At Horse Savvy Ranch we use this herb for relief of coughs.

Parsley Leaf Flakes:

Parsley leaf is helpful with urinary tract infections and rheumatic conditions since it is an effective diuretic with significant amounts of Vitamin C. It can also be effective soothing digestive tract ailments that results in a calmer, happier horse.

Slippery Elm Powder:

Like marshmallow root, slippery elm is rich in mucilage. Mucilage soothes and reinforces the mucous membranes and disorders of the digestive system including ulceration and colitis. Externally, slippery elm can be used as a poultice which gently draws out poisons and encourages ulcers and boils to heal.

Thyme Leaf (Whole):

Thyme is a primary herb that has antiseptic properties that cleanse the urinary and digestive tracts. It is useful for supporting the healing of skin infections and irritations and has an expectorant action that helps to promote recovery from coughs, catarrh and chest infections.