On my continual learning journey about horses, I have discovered so many different plants that horses would naturally select at any given time to help self healing, if they still had access to good old fashioned mixed pasture grazing. Sadly, very few, if any equines get the luxury of such grazing, due to modern day farming methods, insecticide and pesticide over usage, natural hedgerows being destroyed, tree plantation over selective in only producing quick growing species, and many plants and herbs being lost altogether. Our feeding regimes are governed far too much by clever media advertising, all claiming to be superior in what is good for our horses health and wellbeing. The mind boggling array of different products available to enhance, relieve or even resolve physical issues or complaints, is frankly, not only overwhelming but confusing and frustrating. How do you know which is best, or actually works? Trying to work out percentages of various ingredients or components included in any given product is time consuming and not always clear. Nor is the main ingredient very often listed first, which immediately tells you there is very little of what is actually claiming to work! Often the analysis information is deliberately misleading or even missing altogether. If, in our efforts to ensure our beloved horses were getting the maximum benefit of our choices, used every different product out there to cover every possible aspect of good horse management, whether that be physical or mental, we would not only need bottomless pockets, storage space the size of a house, but scientific knowledge requiring a degree! My belief, based on what I have learned, is that in a natural environment, horses have the amazing ability to know what it is they need to try and alleviate or heal most ailments. I have tried a few of the more common plants that everyone is familiar with, .. nettle, milk thistle, wild camomile, garlic, mint, to name but a few ..all with their own particular uses, but all received by the horses with enthusiasm. However, not only is it time consuming to collect and prepare, assuming you have access to any of these particular plants, but what if you don’t? And what about all the other ones that just aren’t to be found naturally anyway? Wouldn’t it be great then, if there was one particular plant that had such great healing abilities that it covered a multitude of different aspects for good health and wellbeing. Apparently, there is one such plant, that has been around for decades, it’s healing properties universally used, mainly for human benefits, and one I have used for myself in various forms for a long time, with some positive results. It’s only now that it is being recognised as also a useful addition to horses and dogs with the same results. So, what is it? Aloe Vera. I never knew until recently, just how many different forms and combinations this plant can be used for. Nor just how many different ailments and conditions it is truly beneficial to. So, I have done a fair bit of research simply because, just like many other people, I want the best for my horses, but am always conscious of finances, and want to ensure not only am I getting value for money, but also using a natural product too. I have to say I am amazed at the long list of things this amazing plant will help…. Arthritis, Digestive disorders, Gastric ulcers, Laminitis, Navicular, Mud Fever, Ear/Eye infections, Rain Scald, Wounds, Skin problems, Sweet Itch, Tendon injuries … There are quite a few other things too that aloe vera has apparently had some impact in aiding recovery. Because I always want to know if something is what it claims to be, I have used aloe vera gel on two of my horses recently. One who has an underlying gastric problem, and another who has been difficult to get weight back on after some mysterious bug a few months ago. The results, combined with a monitored daily routine, have so far appeared to have stopped a full on flare up of the gastric issue which presented itself a couple of weeks ago, and the weight problem has suddenly increased considerably without any real change in diet. We can all convince ourselves that certain products work, simply because we want a positive result. However, for me, knowing that potentially aloe vera has made the changes in these two particular horses, when nothing else seemed to work, and is a natural plant extract rather than chemical based, is sufficient for me to have belief in using it. I have a lot more detailed information about specific aid recovery for the aforementioned problems, plus many other things, for anyone who would like more concise details as to what this amazing plant is capable of. So, anyone interested, please get in touch and I will forward it for you to read. I personally, am so impressed that I will be using it a lot more for many other things, purely based on it’s healing properties. I have sourced a really good company that provides a variety of different applications, both external and oral, and have decided to become an agent to supply anyone who is interested in perhaps giving it a try.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 11:20:06 +0000
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