Horse Natural
Horse Natural
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New 16 Premium Natural Barrel Racing Trail Western Horse Leather Saddle Tack Set $365.00 |
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Natural Horsemanship Bitless Cross-Under Rope Bridle Horse Hackamore Side Pull $45.00 |
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Natural leather spur straps SECONDS horse tack equine $4.00 |
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Natural leather slender spur straps horse tack equine $5.00 |
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Western Trail Horse Med Oil Rawhide Natural Band Headstall/Rein’s Free Ship $39.99 |
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B-L Pellets Natural Pain Relief For Horses 2 lbs NEW $19.95 |
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B-L Pellets Natural Pain Relief For Horses 5 lbs NEW $39.95 |
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B-L Pellets Natural Pain Relief For Horses 10 lbs NEW $66.95 |
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Youth Natural Leather Basket Tooled Flank Cinch Set Horse Tack Equine $30.00 |
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EasyCare Easy Boot (2005) Horse Hoof boots/ Barefoot Natural $53.00 |
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EasyCare Easy Boot (2005) Horse Hoof boots/ Barefoot Natural $53.00 |
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EasyCare Easy Boot (2005) Horse Hoof boots/ Barefoot Natural $53.00 |
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Natural Western Barrel Racer Horse Saddle hearts inlays 17″ $229.99 |
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New 17 Premium Natural Barrel Racing Trail Western Horse Leather Saddle Tack Set $365.00 |
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All Natural HORSE Shampoo/Conditioner for LUSTROUS Show Quality COAT, MANE, TAIL $19.95 |
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Natural Horsemanship Bitless Indian Bosal Rope Bridle Horse Hackamore Side Pull $30.00 |
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SHOWMAN Natural Rawhide Show Bosal ~ horse tack $39.99 |
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Natural Western Barrel Racer Horse Saddle hearts inlays 18″ $219.99 |
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Reins Mecate Genuine Horse Hair 5/8″ by 22″ Natural $49.99 |
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WESTERN TRAIL HORSE SADDLE BAG OR MOTORCYCLE SADDLE BAGS BLACK OR NATURAL COLOR $39.99 |
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NAF=Horse=Pony=Cushinaze=2kg Tub=Natural Support for Cushings Disease $95.24 |
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Natural HAIR REGROWTH cream for HORSES $60.17 |
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Natural ITCH relief blend for horses 250ml pot $34.52 |
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Natural BODY BLEND for horses – 250ml pot $34.52 |
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Natural HEAL AND SOOTH BLEND for horses – 250ml pot $48.33 |
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AHE Rope Cowboy 4 Knot Natural Horsemanship Training Horse Halter Forest Green $11.74 |
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ONE leather Western cinch straps Horse Tack natural $0.99 |
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Natural Loop Horse Tail Extension $145.00 |
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DANCING with HORSES – Natural Horsemanship DVD by Klaus Hempfling $10.50 |
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Royal King Deluxe Braided Natural Rawhide Split Reins Horse Tack Equine $50.00 |
Mud Fever in Horses – Natural Treatment
Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com
Mud fever, greasy heel and cracked heels are all problems experienced by horses and ponies that are kept outside in wet, muddy conditions.
In this article I will outline the underlying problem, symptoms and signs, and management of this illness.
As the feet are continually exposed to the elements, the heels and the skin below the fetlocks become increasingly red and inflamed, and there may be a pus-stained discharge and crusting. Greasy heel and cracked heels can occur in winter or summer, and may be related to allergy.
Mud fever occurs mainly in the winter, and can affect the leg further up to the knee or hock. With mud fever the hair becomes matted, and the animal may become lame and unwell. The main culprit seems to be the organism Dermatophilus congolensis.
Signs that your horse is suffering from mud fever include: inflamed skin, matted hair, crusting, lameness and discharge.
Prevention is always the best treatment; so keep the animal’s legs dry and warm if possible; ensure they have access to a dry area; ensure bedding is dry, and reduce over-washing your horse’s legs; rotate paddocks and if possible gateways; cordon off the muddiest areas with electric fencing; disinfect all equipment and stables periodically to reduce the chance of Dermatophilus spores remaining.
There are a variety of western treatments currently in use. You may need to clip some of the hair to gain access to all of the affected area. Gentle bathing is needed to remove the scabs before other treatments will reach the affected area; a mild antiseptic such as dilute chlorhexidine is very useful. You may need to soak the area to ease away the worst of the scabs. Dry with a hair dryer, as it is essential that the legs are not left damp. Topical creams such as zinc and castor oil (as a barrier) or anti-inflammatory creams can be helpful, as long as the leg is dry first. Keep the horse’s legs dry ‘ bandaging may be needed. Waterproof leg wraps are available for turnout. Antibiotics may be needed.
Complementary Therapies can hasten and aid the healing process.
A variety of herbal remedies may be helpful. Barrier creams may be enhanced if they contain tea tree oil, aloe vera, honey, Vitamin E, MSM, calendula, hypericum, and/ or sulphur. Feed supplements containing cod liver or soya oil, anti-oxidants and seaweed (not in pregnant mares) may help promote a healthy skin.
Aromatics and Aromatherapy are frequently found to be helpful. Garlic, thyme, lavender, yarrow, Roman chamomile or German chamomile aromatic oils can be offered for a horse to self select by inhalation or licking, or if added to an aloe vera and water base can be applied to the affected area 1-2 times daily.
Healing with Reiki or Spiritual healing can help calm a horse and bring in her own self-healing abilities, reducing pain and helping the affected skin to heal. The effect may be enhanced with the use of crystals, such as amethyst. Healing is also likely to be aided with the use of magnetic therapy.
Selection of appropriate Bach flower remedies depends on the personality and current mood of your horse, so it is better to seek expert advice to get the optimal remedy combination.
Rescue remedy, which contains star of Bethlehem, rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens and clematis, is ideal for use in emergency situations. Homeopathy works best if you consult a trained veterinary homeopath, as the specific remedies can be targeted to your horse.
Mud fever is common in our climate, but with good care can be prevented and with a combination of veterinary and complementary therapies, treated when it does arise.
About the Author
Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com
