A practitioner’s guide to what works, what to watch for, and how to get it right

Horses are athletes. Even the backyard pony carries the same skeletal architecture as a Grand Prix show jumper, hooves pounding ground, joints absorbing impact, connective tissue working hard every day. Add age, repetitive work, a hard paddock, or an unlucky landing, and joint pain becomes one of the most common complaints I see in practice.

Over 35 years as a practising medical herbalist, I have reached for the same core group of herbs time and again for joint pain and repair. These are not trendy supplements. They are clinically proven, traditionally well-established, and in many cases backed by human and animal trial data. They work but only when you use them correctly, from good sources, in the right combination for that particular horse.

This is what I use. This is what I know.

“I love how incredibly versatile medicinal plants can be. Magic.” — Angela Davison

Understanding Joint Pain in Horses

Joint pain in horses most commonly presents as osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear degeneration of joint cartilage and surrounding tissue. You might see it as stiffness after rest, reluctance to work, shortened stride, or swelling around a joint. In more chronic cases, calcifications can develop, and the horse’s way of going changes in subtle ways that experienced eyes pick up long before a vet visit.

What I have learned over many years is that joint pain rarely exists in isolation. A horse who is sore in the joints is often also carrying nutritional deficiencies, chronic low-grade inflammation elsewhere, or an emotional/energetic load that compounds physical symptoms. My Hair Assessment Protocol looks at all of this together. But for this article, I am focusing specifically on the herbs I use most for joint pain and repair, the ones that earn their place in my dispensary again and again.

The Herbs I Reach For Most

The following are not the only herbs useful for equine joint conditions, there are many more. But these are the ones I commonly use in practice, with notes on why, how, and what to watch for.

Celery Seed  (Apium graveolens)

Anti-inflammatory, and particularly useful over time for osteoarthritis. What I find so valuable about celery seed is its ability to chip away at calcifications gradually, a slow burn herb that rewards patience and consistency. A much-used extract in my practice.

Cat’s Claw  (Uncaria tomentosa)

Stem and bark used. Immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. Cat’s claw is useful for osteoarthritis, particularly in horses where immune system involvement is part of the picture. One important note: contraindicated in pregnancy.

Boswellia  (Boswellia serrata)

The oleogum resin is used medicinally. Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and with some anti-tumour activity. Boswellia is most effective in dried form — the extract is highly resinous and sticks to the tongue unpleasantly. In my experience, horses simply do not enjoy taking it in liquid extract form over the tongue, which is rare. Stick to dried.

Clinical evidence combining Boswellia with Turmeric and Withania over a three-month period showed significant reduction in pain and disability in osteoarthritis patients. This is a combination I respect.

Devil’s Claw  (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Root used. Anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, analgesic. Excellent for osteoarthritis and pain management, and one of the best herbs I know for muscle pain specifically. Devil’s Claw is a workhorse of my dispensary.

But — and I cannot stress this strongly enough — take care when purchasing. There are many adulterants on the market. Not all Harpagophytums are the same species. You need Harpagophytum procumbens root specifically for reliable therapeutic effect. Source matters. Cheap is not always good here.

Nettle Leaf  (Urtica dioica / Urtica urens)

Leaf used. Anti-inflammatory, good for osteoarthritis, and with a haemostatic action that makes it useful for bleeders, many old trainers have known this for generations. Nettle leaf is also supportive for skin conditions.

One critical distinction: nettle leaf and nettle root have different actions. For arthritic joint conditions, you want leaf, not root.

A caution worth noting: in 38 years of practice, I have seen one horse with a genuine allergic reaction to nettle leaf, presenting with large itching plaques over the body that resolved within three days of removing the formula. Rare, but worth monitoring when introducing it.

Rosehip  (Rosa canina)

Fruit (hips) used. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, high in Vitamin C, and a genuinely good all-round tonic. Rosehip has clinically demonstrated the ability to reduce arthritis pain, and it requires higher doses to achieve the joint-specific effect.

An interesting experiential observation from my practice: black, brown, bay and chestnut horses seem to respond better to rosehips than greys, coloureds or duns. This is not something you will find in the pharmacopoeias. It is something I have noticed over time. I mention it because it reflects exactly why bespoke formulas matter, individual horses respond differently, and no off-the-shelf blend can account for that.

Turmeric  (Curcuma longa)

Rhizome used. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, choleretic. Turmeric helps so many body systems that it has become something of a celebrity herb and for good reason. For joint pain and osteoarthritis specifically, the evidence is compelling.

Clinical trials in humans with osteoarthritis showed that turmeric rhizome combined with Boswellia resin and Withania somnifera root, given over three months, significantly reduced pain and disability. I have observed comparable results in horses with this combination in appropriate formulas.

Important caution: at high doses, turmeric has antiplatelet activity. Take care with horses (or people) already on antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. I am not talking about normal therapeutic doses here, I have been using turmeric in practice for decades and taking it myself without any negative effects. The caution applies specifically to high doses in conjunction with blood-thinning medications.

Willow Bark  (Salix alba, S. daphnoides, S. purpurea, S. fragilis)

Bark used medicinally. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fever. Willow bark is the original aspirin the willow species have been used for pain and inflammation for centuries, and they continue to earn their place in my dispensary for joint and muscle conditions. Much used. Reliable. Well-established.

Astragalus  (Astragalus membranaceus)

Root used. Primarily an immune-enhancing herb, which I have used for many years for chronic infections. More recent clinical evidence in human trials has supported its value in joint problems too. The versatility of medicinal plants never ceases to be remarkable.

Getting the Most From Herbal Treatment

The tea method — a tip worth knowing

If you are using dry herbs, making a tea rather than feeding the dried plant directly will hasten the therapeutic effect. Water-soluble components are absorbed immediately from a tea, rather than having to pass through the entire gastro-intestinal tract first. Leave the plant material in the liquid and add the whole lot to feed. Simple, effective, faster results.

Quality and adulteration — a real problem

The herbal market has quality issues. This is not alarmism, it is a fact I have seen repeatedly in practice. If you are purchasing dry herbs, buy from a reputable, established distributor. Devil’s Claw is a particular area of concern, but adulteration and poor-quality plant material affects many herbs. The best formula in the world will not work if the raw material is substandard.

Individual response matters

The herbs listed here are the ones I commonly reach for with joint conditions. But the right combination for your horse depends on the individual, their age, condition, history, other health factors, and what I discover through assessment. One horse’s ideal joint formula may look nothing like another’s. That is not a flaw in herbal medicine. That is its greatest strength.

“The results are only as good as the operator doing the tests and the knowledge base plus the experience of the practitioner who should be able to collate the whole picture.” — Angela Davison

Frequently Asked Questions

What herbs are good for horse joint pain?

The most effective herbs for horse joint pain include Devil’s Claw (anti-inflammatory and analgesic), Turmeric (powerful anti-inflammatory with clinical trial support), Willow Bark (natural pain relief), Rosehip (antioxidant joint support), Celery Seed (useful for calcifications), Boswellia (anti-arthritic), Nettle Leaf, and Cat’s Claw. The right combination depends on the individual horse. A bespoke formula tailored to the specific animal will always outperform a generic blend.

Is turmeric good for horses with joint pain?

Yes. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of the most widely used herbs for equine joint pain. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and clinical trials show that turmeric combined with Boswellia and Withania significantly reduces osteoarthritis pain and disability over three months. Use standard therapeutic doses — the only caution is at high doses in horses already on antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications.

Can you give a horse Devil’s Claw for arthritis?

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is excellent for equine osteoarthritis and muscle pain. It is anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, and analgesic. The critical detail is quality. Only Harpagophytum procumbens root has reliable therapeutic effect. There are many adulterants on the market and not all Harpagophytum species deliver the same results. Always source from a reputable supplier.

What is the best natural anti-inflammatory for horses?

There is no single best option, the ideal anti-inflammatory herb depends on the horse and the condition. Angela Davison’s most commonly used herbs for equine inflammation include Devil’s Claw, Turmeric, Willow Bark, Boswellia, and Celery Seed for joint-related issues. The most effective approach is always a bespoke formula targeted to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all supplement.

Is Willow Bark safe for horses?

Yes, Willow Bark (Salix alba and related species) is safe for horses when used appropriately. It provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-fever effects and is well-established in equine herbal practice for joint and muscle pain. It is one of the original herbal pain-relief medicines, with centuries of traditional use and a strong safety profile.

How do I make a herbal tea for my horse’s joints?

Brew your chosen dry herbs as a tea, leave the plant material in the liquid, and add directly to feed. This method accelerates therapeutic effect because water-soluble components are absorbed immediately rather than passing through the full gastro-intestinal tract. Always source dry herbs from a reputable distributor — quality and adulteration are genuine concerns in the herbal market.

A Note on Formulas and Individual Assessment

Everything in this article reflects what I use regularly in clinical practice. But I want to be clear: listing individual herbs is only one layer of the picture. The real work, the work that gets lasting results, is figuring out which herbs in which combination are right for a specific horse at a specific time.

An off-the-shelf joint supplement may contain several of these herbs. It may help. But a horse with a chronic joint condition, recurring lameness, or a complex health history will almost always benefit from a more thorough look at the whole horse, not just the sore joint. That is what my Hair Assessment Protocol is designed to do.

In the meantime, these herbs represent the best of what plant medicine has to offer for joint pain and repair. Used well, from good sources, they are genuinely powerful. That is not marketing. That is 38 years of clinical experience talking.

— Angela Davison, ATMS Fellow

Angela Davison

Angela Davison is an ATMS Fellow and accredited herbal medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience in natural animal health. As the founder of The Horse Herbalist, she is dedicated to restoring equine wellbeing through pharmaceutical-grade herbal formulas and her proprietary Hair Assessment Protocol, which provides a unique, whole-horse perspective on physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Angela’s passion lies in empowering horse owners to move beyond conventional limitations by harnessing the innate healing power of nature. Whether through her bespoke herbal blends or expert guidance on long-term wellness, she helps horses perform at their best while maintaining the balance, happiness, and longevity they deserve.

 

goldfreedomau.com

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If you’ve searched for ‘horse hair testing’ recently, you may have found yourself more confused after the search than before it. Hair testing. Hair analysis. Hair assessment. Mineral analysis. The terms are used almost interchangeably online — but they describe very different things, with very different results.

This article explains what horse hair testing actually is, what Angela Davison’s unique Hair Assessment Protocol involves, and why the quality of the practitioner doing the assessment matters every bit as much as the method itself.

“All of these services are only as good as the knowledge and experience of the practitioner.” — Angela Davison, ATMS Fellow & Equine Herbalist

First: Not All Horse Hair Testing Is the Same

This is the most important thing to understand before you invest in any hair-based service for your horse.

There are broadly three categories of horse hair testing available today:

Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Protocol – Australia’s Original

Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Protocol is an energetic assessment system developed in the early 1990s – the original horse hair testing service in Australia.  A small sample of your horse’s hair is used to access detailed health information across approximately 500 questions, covering organs, body systems, nutrition, joints, emotional health, and more.  No laboratory.  No chemical analysis.  A complete, individualised picture of your horse’s health, returned with a bespoke herbal treatment plan.

Angela’s approach doesn’t fit neatly into any standard testing category. Developed from scratch and refined over more than 30 years, it is a proprietary system that works on an entirely different level – and with a depth of questioning that goes far beyond standard testing.  It is in Angela’s own words, unlike any other.

For Comparison: Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

HTMA is a laboratory-based test that chemically measures mineral content, heavy metals, or toxins present in the hair shaft — a physical measurement, science in a test tube. It is a useful tool when interpreted by an equine nutritionist. It is a completely different service to Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Programme.

Different laboratories test for different things, and the results are only as useful as whoever interprets them. Some services include interpretation in their fee; many don’t. Always ask.

Basic Hair Testing Services

There is a growing range of hair testing services — many operating online — that use dowsing, pendulums, or simple energetic scanning to return a list of suggested supplements or deficiencies. Methods, qualifications, and the depth of information returned vary enormously.

The Origins of the Hair Assessment Protocol

Angela Davison has been a practising medical herbalist since 1988. Long before hair testing became a recognisable term in equine health circles, she was working with horses using muscle testing — a technique requiring her to be physically present with the animal, with another person acting as a surrogate to channel the horse’s responses.

It worked. But it was logistically demanding and hard on her partners, who were pressed into service holding out their arms for dozens of questions per session.

She wanted something better. Something that could work at a distance. Something that would let her access the horse’s deeper health picture not just surface symptoms, but the underlying causes, the emotional and energetic layers, the nutritional picture unique to that individual horse.

She began experimenting with hair in the early 1990s. She looked at Vega machines, radionics equipment, crystal work. She attended workshops with respected practitioners. She wrote out on a board every system and organ she wanted to test, and she developed, painstakingly, over six to seven years,  a method that worked.

“I wanted to use the hair of the horse and work energetically with it, accessing the horse’s higher self rather than the conscious mind.” — Angela Davison

By 1998, she was confident enough to offer the hair testing protocol in practice. It has been evolving ever since.

What Angela’s Hair Assessment Actually Involves

When Angela receives a hair sample from your horse, she doesn’t run it through a machine. She works with it energetically, accessing information through the hair that the horse’s conscious, reactive mind would not necessarily reveal in a standard clinical setting.

If that sounds unusual, Angela is the first to acknowledge it. She’s heard the scepticism and she understands it. We live in an era of peer-reviewed studies and diagnostic imaging, and anything outside that framework can seem hard to credit. But she also has more than 35 years of clinical results, a loyal following of clients whose horses have genuinely improved, and a depth of questioning that is simply not possible through any other method she has encountered.

The protocol began with around 30 to 50 questions per session. Today, it involves closer to 500.

What Gets Assessed

A full Hair Assessment with Angela covers:

• All major organs and body systems — checking for imbalances and when those imbalances were established
• Individual nutritional ratings — what supplements and nutritional supports suit this particular horse, not a generic recommendation. These individual nutrition ratings can then be used by an independent Equine Nutritionist if necessary.
• Joint ratings — identifying which joints may be coming under stress before problems become obvious
• Hooves, connective tissue, and muscle health
• Physical energy and mental/emotional energy — two very different things in a horse
• The horse’s environment — including paddock, feed, and management factors
• The rider or handler — because a horse’s ‘misbehaviour’ is often a direct mirror of confusion, inconsistency, or tension coming from the human end of the relationship
• The discipline the horse is being asked to perform — because not every horse is built or suited for every job

That last point is one Angela feels strongly about. If a horse is being asked to do something it physically cannot do, or is temperamentally unsuited for, the owner and trainer are — in her words — fitting a square peg into a round hole. The assessment helps identify that, often before it becomes a welfare or performance crisis.

Causal Reasons — Going Deeper Than Symptoms

One of the most significant aspects of Angela’s protocol is that it doesn’t stop at ‘what is wrong.’ It explores when an imbalance was established in the body and, often, why.

This distinction matters enormously in practice. A horse presenting with recurring digestive issues, poor coat condition, or anxiety under saddle may have a very different underlying cause to another horse showing identical symptoms. Treating the symptom without addressing the cause is why so many horses cycle through the same problems repeatedly.

Angela’s background as a herbalist gives her the treatment vocabulary to match what the assessment reveals. She works with a library of herbs — choosing not the first-line option, but the specific one or two that are indicated for this horse at this point in time. She has, for example, six major liver herbs. The assessment will indicate which one is appropriate for the individual. That precision is what makes bespoke herbal formulas different from buying an off-the-shelf blend.

Hair Testing vs Blood Testing vs X-Ray — A Useful Comparison

Angela’s take on the matter is direct: hair testing, blood tests, X-rays — they are all tools. The results are only as good as the operator running the test and the knowledge base of the practitioner interpreting them.

Blood tests capture a moment in time and can miss chronic, low-grade imbalances that haven’t yet crossed diagnostic thresholds. X-rays reveal structural issues but say nothing about energetic or nutritional states. Angela’s hair assessment works in a different dimension — longitudinal, energetic, and individualised — and is most powerful when used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional diagnostics.

What it offers that most other methods don’t: the ability to work at a distance, to access the full picture of body, mind, and spirit in a single session, and to indicate not just what is happening but when it started and what may have caused it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Hair Testing

How does horse hair testing work?

In Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Protocol, a small sample of your horse’s mane hair is used as a medium to access energetic information about the animal’s health. Rather than testing mineral content chemically, Angela works with the hair to assess around 500 questions spanning organs, body systems, nutrition, joints, emotional health, and more — returning a detailed, individualised health picture and herbal treatment plan.

What is the difference between hair testing and hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) for horses?

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is a laboratory test that measures mineral content and heavy metals in the hair shaft chemically. Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Protocol is an energetic assessment system — entirely different in method and scope. HTMA gives you data about chemical composition; the Hair Assessment gives you a whole-of-horse picture including organs, emotions, nutrition, joints, and causal health history.

What does horse hair testing reveal?

Angela’s protocol assesses all major organ systems, individual nutritional requirements, joint health ratings, hoof and connective tissue condition, physical and emotional energy, the influence of the rider or handler, and whether the horse is suited to the discipline it’s being asked to perform. It also works to identify when imbalances were established in the body and potential causal reasons, going well beyond surface symptoms.

Can horse hair testing be done remotely?

Yes. One of the key advantages of Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment Protocol is that it works at a distance. You simply send your horse’s mane hair sample (with a short history), and Angela conducts the full assessment from her practice in Ballina, NSW. Results and a bespoke herbal formula recommendation are returned to you without the need for travel or in-person appointments.

Is herbal medicine safe for horses?

When prescribed by a qualified, experienced practitioner, herbal medicine has a long and documented history of safe use in horses. Angela Davison is an ATMS Fellow and accredited medical herbalist with over 35 years of clinical experience. She creates pharmaceutical-grade bespoke herbal formulas tailored to the individual horse, not generic blends and monitors progress over time.

How is Angela Davison’s Hair Assessment different from other horse hair testing services?

Angela’s protocol was developed from scratch from the early 1990s and refined over 35+ years of clinical practice. It involves approximately 500 questions per session, covering body, mind, and spirit, a depth that most hair testing services cannot approach. Angela is also a qualified medical herbalist, meaning she can translate assessment findings directly into a bespoke treatment plan. No other Australian service combines these elements.

A Note on Credentials and Experience

Angela Davison is an ATMS Fellow, one of the most senior credentials awarded by the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and has been a practising medical herbalist since 1988. She was also one of Australia’s first female jockeys, riding 366 winners during her racing career. She understands horses from the inside out: not just as a clinician, but as a horsewoman.

Her Hair Assessment Protocol is offered to horses both across Australia and internationally.

If you are wondering whether a hair assessment is the right next step for your horse, the most useful thing to do is read more about the protocol and the process and then reach out with your questions. Angela is happy to talk you through whether it’s the right fit.

“The horses did and continue to teach me most days.” — Angela Davison

Angela Davison

Angela Davison is an ATMS Fellow and accredited herbal medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience in natural animal health. As the founder of The Horse Herbalist, she is dedicated to restoring equine wellbeing through pharmaceutical-grade herbal formulas and her proprietary Hair Assessment Protocol, which provides a unique, whole-horse perspective on physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Angela’s passion lies in empowering horse owners to move beyond conventional limitations by harnessing the innate healing power of nature. Whether through her bespoke herbal blends or expert guidance on long-term wellness, she helps horses perform at their best while maintaining the balance, happiness, and longevity they deserve.

 

goldfreedomau.com

The post How Does Horse Hair Testing Work? appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

We all know smoke can be toxic and affect the lungs and respiratory tract. Smoke affects every living being, it can do damage before you realise it.

Horses should not be worked in smokey conditions, if they must work then keep it to low exertion over minimal time. If they’re worked hard then they may do irreparable damage to the lungs. I see many horses with breathing problems when we have little air pollution so please keep this in mind.

Quite a number of fabulous firies have benefited from my herbal concentrate Cough it Up, others have done well with Wheeze Ease. Both Cough it Up and Wheeze Ease are suitable for humans as well as horses, dogs and any other critters. (You won’t start whinnying if you take these products – I promise!)

So what’s the difference?

Cough it Up
– contains a powerful herbal expectorant (pulls rubbish up and out of the lungs and airways)                   
– bronchial vasodilator (makes it easier to breathe)                   
– boosts the immune system                   
– calms the cough reflex                   
– fights infection.

It’s the first thing to grab if you think you or your horse may be coming down with a cold or ‘flu.

Wheeze Ease
– for those who are affected by respiratory allergies or sensitivities which makes them wheeze.                       
– anti-allergen                       
– helps to eliminate toxins particularly from the upper respiratory tract.

I am reducing the regular price of both of these products by 15% for the remainder of January. Remember the quicker you treat any ailment the easier it is for the body to respond so not allowing the condition to become chronic.

Angela Davison

The post In a Smoke Affected Area? Read this. appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Lungs and airways are being assaulted as we breathe the smoke laden air, particularly as the fires burn for extended periods of time in many areas.

Here are my quick tips on which herbs that can help you and your horse’s respiratory systems.

Aniseed – Pimpinella anisum. Aniseed relieves spasmodic cough, will help clear the lungs.

Echinacea – angustifolia or purpurea. Echinacea boosts the immune system and is indicated in all airways dis-eases like cough, cold, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, bronchitis.

Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare. Another useful herb which helps to clear excess mucus and rubbish from the lungs and airways.

Liquorice root – Glycyrrhiza glabra. (not to be confused with the confectionary which goes by the same name). Liquorice is anti-inflammatory and protects the mucus linings. It helps to open up the airways and relieves spasmodic coughing.

Marshmallow root – Althaea officinalis. Marshmallow root soothes and lines so will help to relieve cough and protect the airways.

Nasturtium – tropaeolum. Nasturtium leaves and petals are prized in Guatemala for relieving coughs and colds. Highly nutritious.

Thyme – Thymus vulgaris. Should be one of your first ‘go to’ herbs for any respiratory problems. It will clear any infections in the airways as it contains antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It heals sore throats, colds, coughs.

How to use:
If you have any or some of the herbs above growing in your garden or nearby then put a good handful into a teapot or stainless steel saucepan, pour over water that is just off the boil, (4-6 cups full), and let stand. Humans can drink it as a hot or cold tea, for horses, wait until its cold and pour a cup full, including the herb itself, over the feed. For horses who are smoke affected do this 2-3 times daily for a few days and then reduce to 1-2 times a day for at least 3 weeks for best results.

Making tea with any herb releases all the water soluble properties into the water so those properties are instantly available to you or your horse rather than having to go through the digestive system.

You can also add raw Australian honey for its soothing and healing properties. (be sure to source pure, raw local honey as many supermarket bought honeys are not pure, and are certainly not raw).

 If you don’t have access to any fresh herbs then either go to your qualified herbalist who will make you a good brew or purchase good quality dry herbs from your health store or reputable dry herb business. Do not rely on culinary herbs from the supermarket for any medicinal value.

For the horses, it’s a good idea to give one or a combination of these herbs if they have been in smoke areas even if you can’t see any respiratory symptoms. Remember the old adage ‘a stitch in time……’

If you only have one herb to use then make it Thyme officinalis.

And, if you want the ease of using a pre-prepared treatment, my unique herbal mix Cough It Up could help.

Stay safe everyone, and take care.

Angela Davison

The post Home herbal remedies for smoke filled air appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Shortlisted for the WEG Australian Dressage Team, this wonderful partnership have had wins at Grand Prix. Angela Davison (your very own Horse Herbalist) has been working with this lovely pair for some years now. Find out more about how Angela has helped them in this little video. You can read more about the products mentioned here.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2X0-sIy2P4[/embedyt]

Angela Davison

The post Sponsored Rider – Shannan Goodwin and Astro appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

He started the day a little nervous (understandably) but settled quite well as she rode him all round the showground and in between the rings in the company of a friend. She tied him to the float, which he’d experienced several times at home, with his new mate and a haynet.

Disaster struck when the new mate was taken away. George panicked and broke away, madly galloping around the grounds until Amelia caught him. Once settled enough she loaded him onto the float and took him home.

The next day whilst riding in the paddock he spooked and she fell off. This was Amelia’s first fall from George, and didn’t help things as Amelia wasn’t the most confident rider to start with.

Joan told me that Amelia had used quite a few of the ‘calming’ products on the market for horses but none had the desired result for George, he was becoming more and more spooky, and increasingly unreliable when Amelia rode him.

Joan could see that Amelia was anticipating trouble as she went to ride and felt that Amelia was creating anxiety in George, as her own fears and worries transmitted to him through her body.

It sounded like the perfect scenario for both Horse & Rider to get some Settle Petal under their belts!  George and Amelia started on a course of daily Settle Petal for the next 6 weeks. George was to have a 2 week break from work to allow time for the treatment to start to calm him down whilst he was not under what he considered ‘pressure’. Angela requested that they ask Amelia’s coach to school and ride George for the first few days he was back in work and then the coach give Amelia several lessons in a row to build confidence all round.

Angela also suggested that they had The Horse Herbalist homeopathic formula Stage Fright or the flower remedy No More Fears on hand (for both horse and rider) to help them over the anxiety hump of the first few outings.

After about three months the pair went to another training day which proved to be a positive experience, confidence repaired in both horse and rider.  Amelia has continued her lessons with George working closely with her coach, and both are doing really well together as a partnership at competitions.

Find out more about Settle Petal, by clicking here.

Angela Davison

The post Fighting Fear with Settle Petal appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

When they brought her home for the first time it was clear she hadn’t been handled much, but Anita and Alison worked on gaining her trust through groundwork and gentle handling.

Then they found Chanel had run through an electric fence – no physical injuries, thank goodness, so all seemed well.

A week later, Alison found Chanel away from her paddock mate seemingly frozen in a corner of paddock.  She’d clearly been there most of the day, and hardly moved.

Another incident occurred where Chanel caught her tail in the electric fencing, panicked, and ran off into the distance, going through the fence again.  Luckily they found her – but she was “frozen” in a the corner of a neighbour’s field.  Again, no physical injuries were found.

They moved Chanel to a one-acre plain wire paddock where she either stood in the corner or galloped flat out to the next corner. Until Anita and Alison moved the trough to ‘her’ corner they had to lead her to the water trough so she would drink!  Her feed trough was about halfway down the fence line, so she’d bolt to the feed, grab a few bites whilst pawing the ground then bolt back to a corner, her heart racing and looking petrified. She was happy for Anita or Alison to approach and handle her. The ladies, particularly Alison, were Chanel’s safe spot.

(Play the video below to see for yourself some of her behaviour before treatment, and the progress she is showing so far.)

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9kgO2T_j6w[/embedyt]

It was heartbreaking for the two ladies to watch, and they were at their wits’ end when they contacted me for help.  They took a hair sample, sent it in, and I did a thorough Hair Assessment to find out what was going on.  I discovered that while Chanels’ adrenal glands and liver were compromised because of the 3 months of self imposed terror, Chanel’s autonomic nervous system had been out of balance for over 18 months.

So the root cause of Chanel’s imbalances had started before Alison and Anita purchased her (and who knows what had happened to her?) but symptomatically nothing had shown except young horse nerves.

Then her first run in with the electric fence gave her another almighty scare quickly followed by the fence seemingly biting her again – all compounding her Autonomic Nervous System imbalance – her flight trigger out of her control.

Mentally/emotionally she was full of fear and doubted herself which made her feel gloomy and unconfident.  The poor thing was in a state! I made an individually tailored herbal and flower remedy solution for Chanel to start the healing process.

Soon after, Alison and Anita sent this feedback to me:

“Chanel is doing REALLY well.  Within days of starting the treatments she was behaving almost like a normal horse – even more normal than before her fright with the electric fence.

She has stopped racing to and standing in the corner of the paddock completely.  She happily grazes anywhere in the paddock and walks up to greet us.  She looks happy and relaxed all the time and only bucks and bolts around with excitement (not terror).  She has even stopped pawing at her feed trough while eating and has long sleeps sitting down everyday.  We have even noticed her lying out flat!”

Thank goodness this lovely mare had such compassionate owners to look out for her.

Chanel is almost at the end of our 15 week treatment program, and continues to improve.  When we retested her halfway through, it was clear to me that her mental/emotional balance had improved enormously. No longer was she holding onto all that fear. She indicated that she loved her environment, her humans, ridden work and free jumping.  These are super shifts in such a short space of time!

Find out more about how Angela can help clicking here.

Angela Davison

The post Trust Your Instincts: Chanel’s Story appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Come Along for the Ride with me as we explore the stories of horse people and the passion they have to live their lives doing extraordinary things with these amazing animals every day.

Tracy presents an in depth interview with Angela Davison.

– iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/come-along-for-the-ride/id1373115308
https://comealongfortheride.com.au/episodes/

on Stitcher http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=182587&refid=stpr

Sophie

The post A podcast for horse lovers everywhere appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Here are Shannan’s top 10 must haves that keep her and her horses on top of their game:

1. SUPA-LICIOUS Equine Treats: they are an all natural treat and my horses are crazy about them.

2. Emergency Kit from The Horse Herbalist: including The Horse Herbalist’s “Settle Petal” to calm young horse (& rider!) nerves, and all our first aid needs.

3. My Amerigo saddle: from Edwards Saddleworld Toowoomba, this saddle has done wonders for my riding.

4. Morning and afternoon walks: Astro at the big comps likes to have an hour each morning and night to graze, usually includes a good roll, and he will take some time to lick dirt which keeps him happy.

5. A jog: helps manage any competition nerves building up and keeps Shannan happy.

6. Bacon and egg burger for breakfast: just the right way to start the day.

7. A banana: usually half an hour before I ride, to give me the energy I need.

8. Zone in time: usually consists of learning my test, watching past tests on the iPad and sometimes even a quick 20 minute power nap.

9. A thousand pins and hair ties to keep my hair in, as it’s very long and thick.

10. A super groom: usually my Mum or my partner, to be there to share the moments with me.

Sophie

The post All of Shannan’s 10 must haves appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.

Shock or Rescue Remedy:

Into mouth, and add to drinking water. May also be applied or sprayed onto any part of the body.

When things go wrong (as they invariably will), always have this on hand for everyone involved (horse, hound, human or otherwise)! It is suitable for use for accidents or emergencies. Dose the injured and the handler. Dosing the injured horse will help the animal calm down and accept help. Dosing the handler will help clear their mind, allowing rational assessment of the situation and injuries. There are no contraindications or drug interactions so this can be given safely in acute situations while waiting for the vet.

Arnica homeopathic:

Into mouth, or can add to drinking water.

This can be obtained from your practitioner or Arnica 6 potency can be purchased over the counter from some health stores or chemists. Used for muscular aches, bruising, sprains, or any connective or soft tissue injuries; the dose can be given as soon a problem is suspected. It will reduce inflammation and bruising, relieve pain and /or strain due to overexertion. There are no contraindications or drug interactions so this can be given safely in acute situations while waiting for the vet.

Nux vom or Bell’s homeopathic:

Into mouth, or can add to drinking water.

A ‘must have’ in your kit. Dose as soon as you think your horse may have any sort of gut ache including colic. There are no contraindications or drug interactions so this can be given safely in acute situations whilst waiting for the vet. Equally useful in humans with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Aloe barbadensis:

Applied directly to relevant part of the body.

If you only grow one plant, make it this one! The mucilaginous gel is the best anti-inflammatory and pain inhibitor. Bandage swollen legs, poultice painful hooves or hold the gel over any swollen area on the body that can’t be bandaged, including the head. Horses that don’t want their painful swelling touched will soon succumb once the gel is gently held over the area, as it brings rapid relief. Use it on yourself then you will truly know Aloes’ positive power.

Ixodes homeopathic:

Into mouth, or can add to drinking water.

This is an invaluable homeopathic made from the venom of paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) to help reverse symptoms. Dilated pupils are often the first sign of paralysis tick envenomation, followed by paling of the gum. If you live in a high tick area, make a point of checking eyes and gum of foals, calves, dogs etc. Healthy adult horses don’t have a problem dealing with paralysis ticks unless there is a gross infestation. However, dogs, people and other small or young animals can be affected quite dramatically. Many animals can recover from early stage paralysis if ticks are removed, animal is kept cool, dosed liberally with Ixodes homeopathic and given daily Vitamin C injections. Remove the tick by dabbing with tea tree oil so it starts backing out, then remove with green tick remover purchased from vets. NEVER use tweezers or fingers as this causes tick to inject more venom. If legs are wobbly or breathing labored, take the animal to the vet immediately.

Apis homeopathic:

Into mouth, onto the sting, or can add to drinking water.

For spring and summer bites and stings (bee, wasp, ant etc.) for two legged and four legged animals!

Slippery Elm powder.

Orally – in feed.

Useful to have on hand for the horses that get loose manure after eating fresh green growth or anything else with high sugar content. Add to the diet of those that lean towards foundering. The mucilages in Slippery Elm help to reduce nutrient flux in the gut, as does Psyllium. This will give some protection from the sugar (fructan)spikes that are so damaging, so this Slippery Elm powder can be included in your founder management protocol.

Calendula Cream:

Topical use only.

For rapid healing of skin abrasions/lesions etc. Calendula is the cream of choice for any skin wound. It is anti-inflammatory, anti- microbial, anti-bacterial and styptic. For use on open wounds, minor burns, inflamed skin, rashes, insect bites etc.

Comfrey:

Topical application.

An easy plant to grow plus it’s a good soil conditioner. Make a poultice with the leaves and/or roots and apply ASAP to splints. Comfrey speeds up granulation of cells in wounds, however it should always be combined with Calendula, which has an antiseptic action. Comfrey has no antiseptic action so should not be used on open wounds by itself as it will heal over any infection present.

Vitamin C injectable:

Keep a bottle of Vitamin C in the fridge so it is on hand for snake bite.
Inject 50ml into the muscle on each side of the neck. This can be repeated in an hour if the horse does not show signs of recovery. Your vet will perform a blood test which reveals the type of snake, if it is needed. Vitamin C can also be used similarly with serious infections, in conjunction with antibiotics and herbal treatments.

Angela Davison was one of Australia’ s First Female jockeys before retraining as a a Classical Herbalist, Cranio-Sacral and Equine Bowen Therapist. As well as creating a range of Herbs for Horses (go to www.thehorseherbalist.com), Angela runs Equine First Aid programs and has recently released The Horse Herbalist First Response Kit – perfect for when things go wrong! She is the author of ‘Flower Remedies for Horses, Pets & People’. Find out more at www.thehorseherbalist.com

Checking the VITAL SIGNS by Angela Davison

Check and note vital signs so you can relay them to your vet, plus keep a chart with your horse’s normal signs recorded and that way you can chart your horse’s details during any irregularities and also chart the progress in the recovery period.

TEMPERATURE: Make sure you have a thermometer in your kit. Normal temperature 37-38° C. There are two types of thermometers – the mercury bulb type and the digital type.
Take temperature twice daily, noting patterns and changes.
Taking the temperature:
1. Stand to the near side (left hand side of the horse), close to the horse to avoid being kicked. 2. Lubricate the end of the thermometer with soapy water.
3. If using a mercury thermometer gently shake the mercury down to the bottom of the tube.
4. Lift the tail and gently insert the thermometer (either type) into the horse’s rectum.
5. Keep a good hold on the end of the thermometer to stop it disappearing up the rectum.
6. If you are using a mercury thermometer wait at least 60 seconds before removing the thermometer and reading it.
7. Electronic thermometers will ‘beep’ when an accurate reading is obtained.

HEART RATE: Normal resting rate 38-40 beats per minute.(bpm) Anything over 60bpm in a calm resting horse should be investigated. Over 80bpm in a resting horse is serious. Know your horse’s normal resting heart rate. NB: A Foals resting HR is much higher 70-120bpm.
Taking the heart rate:
There are different locations for taking the heart rate, the easiest being just behind the elbow or the mandibular artery located just under the jaw.

Elbow: Position your horse with his foreleg slightly forward. Standing on the near side, place your hand or stethoscope flat on the horse’s side just behind the elbow. You may need to press quite hard to feel the heart rate. Listen or feel for one minute, counting the beat or count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Be sure to count each lub-dub as 1 beat.
Under Jaw: Curl the fingers of your hand and place them in the groove between your horse’s jaws. Pull your fingers back toward the nearest jawbone (mandible) until you feel a cordlike structure. Press that slightly against the jawbone and you will feel the pulse beating.

RESPIRATION:

At rest it should be 8-15 breaths per minute. Respiration should never exceed heart rate.
Taking the respiration rate: Watch or feel your horse’s ribcage/belly for one minute. Be sure to count 1 inhale and 1 exhale as one breath (not as two). If you are having difficulty seeing the ribcage move, try watching the horse’s nostrils or place your hand in front of the nostrils to feel the exhale. Another method is to place a stethascope on the horse’s windpipe to listen to the breathing. You may experience strange sounds if the windpipe is blocked, the horse has allergies or heaves.

DEHYDRATION PINCH TEST:

Pinch an inch of skin on the neck, then release. If skin rapidly springs back, horse is adequately hydrated. If slow to return ( more than a few seconds), horse is dehydrated. If your horse is chronically dehydrated you need to find out why he is not drinking (dirty water, plastic container, something in the water he does not like etc). In acute cases a drip will be required to rehydrate the horse. If dehydrated due to over-exertions, stress, accident or
injury, encourage the horse to drink by providing clean water in a stone or stainless steel container. You can put some sprigs of fresh lavender held down with a stone in the bottom to make the water more appealing. As a last resort use a small amount of molasses (beware! This practice can become an unwanted habit!)

CAPILLARY REFILL TIME (CRT):

Gums, press with one finger on the gum, above the teeth, until white. When you release this the gum should return to normal pink colour within 2 seconds. If colour doesn’t return in this time the horse may be in shock. Shock or Rescue Remedy will alleviate the condition until the vet arrives.

MUCUS MEMBRANES:

Gums, inside eyelids, should be moist and pink. Very pale pink may be fever, anaemia, loss of blood. Yellow indicates liver dysfunction. Grey/blue, may be shock or depression. Bright red, toxicity or mild shock. If Mucus Membranes very pale or yellow, consult vet immediately.

courtesy of www.hoofbeats.com.au

Sophie

The post STABLE STAPLES + Vital Signs appeared first on The Horse Herbalist.