The competition season is back in full swing, which means horses are travelling from place to place, staying in different yards or stables and often in close proximity to other horses and ponies.

All too frequently horses arrive home harbouring a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. Initially they may not present with any symptoms – their vital signs are normal, they just seem a little flat.

This is the ideal time to administer immune-boosting and infection preventative herbs. The old rule of thumb is the quicker a ‘disease’ is treated the quicker it will leave the body, so don’t wait until the infection takes hold!

Start giving the horse some herbal support as soon as it appears ‘off colour’. If it isn’t incubating an infection, the herbs given are only going to boost the immune system regardless – which can only benefit the horse.

ECHINACEA

The number one immune-boosting herb is Echinacea angustifolia root. It contains the most powerful properties in the Echinacea family. For home use Echinacea purpurea, the whole plant (root and aerial parts) can food store or a reputable commercial herb retailer who sells human grade herbs.

Organically grown Echinacea purpurea grows very well in Australia so there is rarely a shortage of supply. The pharmaceutical grade standardised potent herbal extract, used by practitioners, is immune-enhancing, immune-balancing, anti- inflammatory and depurative (cleans the blood and improves detoxification). Think of Echinacea if a horse has an abscess, wounds, a venomous bite or sting, bronchial conditions, enlarged glands and even toothache, skin conditions, gut infections or Ross River virus. If it is the real thing, a quality extract will make your tongue numb and you’ll salivate briefly! This herb is a must in any infective state and can be used safely in conjunction with antibiotics, if they are necessary.

ASHWAGANDHA

Indian Ginseng Withania somnifera is another of my favourite herbs, often commonly known as Indian Ginseng, as well as Ashwagandha. It has immune-modulating properties – meaning it balances the immune system. It’s also an adaptogenic (it increases the body’s resistance or adaptation to physical, environmental or emotional stressors). Think of this herb for horses that just aren’t thriving, yet the vet can’t find any problem; horses that are poor doers for no apparent reason, picky eaters or ones suffering from post-viral syndrome. The adaptogenic aspect really helps horses that are on the move, in different environments and situations, be it at competitions, races or clinics – it increases their resistance to stressors and increases their core strength. Make sure to source a good quality W. somnifera as some varieties are very low in the required active principles.

KING OF BITTERS

Andrographis paniculata is indeed a bitter tonic. Bitters have a direct interaction with the gastrointestinal (gut) tissue. In addition to appetite and digestion they improve general health and immune function. Think of this herb if a horse is either flat, has much flatulence (wind), loses its appetite, has diarrhoea or a chronic cough. Because Andrographis is energetically a cold herb it is preferable to take it with an energetically warm herb such as a fresh ginger root. They combine together very nicely. Ensure the herb being used is A. paniculata as there can be adulteration with other species. NB: Not advised to use in pregnancy.

VITAMIN C

Horses make their own Vitamin C in the liver however, stress of any kind (accident or injury, travelling, sickness or other) quickly depletes the supply and the body needs more. Horses benefit from 4-6 teaspoons or more of sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid daily if they have any kind of infection. Any vaccination depletes the body of Vit. C so dose with extra Vit. C
three days before and three days after any vaccination, to reduce negative effects. It’s prudent to have a bottle of injectable Vit. C in the stable fridge so it can be injected into a muscle if the horse is bitten by a snake. This should keep the horse alive until the vet arrives.
Many believe the herb Rosehip has the same effect as Vit C as it contains ascorbic acid. Whilst Rosehips are a wonderful tonic herb and do help with mild Vit. C deficiency a horse requires the actual vitamin itself in times of need.

COLLOIDAL SILVER

There are many who swear by the benefits of Colloidal Silver for themselves and their animals to boost the immune system. I used it with both horses and humans in my early days of practice in conjunction with herbs and had good results. Then the supply company were no more, I couldn’t find a supply that tested out with high therapeutic value so no longer used it! Ask around for a good source as they aren’t all the same. Your health practitioner or health store should be able to help you. Good immune health starts with a balanced diet and health-giving exercise. Physical and emotional stress compromise the immune system, so it is important to give your horse healthy turnout, friendly equine companions, access to pasture or hay, and room and time to ‘be a horse’.

Sophie

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Horse owners can find their rugged horse has either been sweating all day or the temperature dropped 15 degrees and their unrugged horse was cold. Ideal conditions for coughs, colds and chills.

If a horse has a runny nose and eyes may be a little wet, they could be coming down with a cold. The earlier action is taken, the better the outcome. As soon as there is a suspicion the horse may be succumbing to a chill, fever or cold, that’s the best time to start giving the horse’s immune system some help to shake it off quickly before it becomes entrenched.

If symptoms are evident, take the horse’s temperature morning and evening (normal temperature is between 37 and 38 degrees). Keep a record in case a veterinarian is required at a later date. For mild symptoms some of the following herbal remedies may be effective in preventing further complications.

Ginger rhizome (Zingziber officinale)

Fresh ginger root has been scientifically proven to be effective against the common cold. Dried ginger and ginger powder do not have the same therapeutic effect.

Finely slice a 3-5cm knob of fresh ginger root, add 1.5-2cups of boiling water, let cool and pour all the contents over feed. To treat a cold do this morning and evening for 5-7 days. Fresh ginger tea is also good for any sort of digestive weakness, bloat or travel sickness.

Garlic. (Allium sativum)

Nature’s antibiotic! Use fresh cloves preferably from Australian organically grown garlic. This is a powerful antibacterial which helps fight the common cold. (Not to be confused with the cheap imported or dry granulated garlic, which is often treated with toxic chemicals, both in the growing stage and at Australian Quarantine).

Chop or slice 2-3 cloves and either add to feed or any of your tea combinations. Garlic may be safely used over 2-3 weeks, but be aware prolonged consistent consumption by the horse may cause Heinz Cell Anaemia. Garlic is traditionally planted at the Autumn Equinox and harvested at the Spring Equinox – but this crazy weather has extended the growing window!

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal. Particularly effective in the upper respiratory tract. Thyme tea will quickly resolve sore throats, coughs and colds.

Ideally 5-10 sprigs of fresh plant or 1.5 teaspoons of dried herb. Add 2 cups of boiling water, let cool. Pour entire contents over feed. Dose 2-3 times daily reducing on improvement of symptoms.

(Be aware there are several subspecies of Thymus vulgaris which are low in phenol so of little therapeutic value). Thyme is easy to grow at home in a sunny spot.)

Nasturtium (Nasturtium officinale)

Nasturtium has broad antibiotic and antifungal actions. Nasturtium leaves and flowers are useful for any respiratory conditions. Add to a tea.

NB: Teas, decoctions and infusions (also known as tisanes) extract all the water soluble constituents into the fluid medium, so are utilised in the system more rapidly than ingesting the herb itself.

Echinacea Root (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea)

Use for all acute or chronic infections including the common cold, respiratory conditions, catarrh, bronchial asthma or cough. The number one immune booster. Purchase dry root from a reputable herb supplier or health store or see your qualified herbal practitioner to access the standardised potent liquid extract. Pharmaceutical grade Echinacea is expensive but worth it! Buy the herbal decoction, which should send your tongue briefly numb if it is the real deal!

My clients find homeopathic Echinacea really help their competition horses, particularly whilst traveling from place to place where there’s often a horse with a cough or cold.

There are a myriad of herbs which are useful to help horses or humans to rid their bodies of any cold and flu symptoms. Some of these are Andrographis, Elder Berry or Elder Flower, Horseradish, White Horehound and Yarrow.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver has been shown to effectively boost the immune system in many individuals. I have used it with both horses and humans; ask around for a good source, your health store practitioner should know.

Vitamin C

Horses benefit from 4-6 teaspoons or more on a daily basis if they have any kind of infection. It’s prudent to have a bottle of injectable Vit C in your stable fridge so you can inject it straight into a muscle if your horse is bitten by a snake. This will keep your horse alive until the vet arrives.

**If your horse does succumb to the nasal discharge and wracking cough of a cold or flu, Cough it Up will help your horse remove the mucus from his lungs, airways and nasal passages, and stimulate the immune system to motivate the body’s own natural healing response.

This article appears courtesy of Hoofbeats Magazine from the August/September 2016 edition. Angela Davison contributes as part of the Green Horse Team, and delivers hands-on herbal advice to readers. Visit http://www.hoofbeats.com.au/ for subscription details.

IMAGES
Echinacea – Thanks to Laura Ockel @viazavier for making this photo available freely on Unsplash
Garlic – Thanks to Tony Liao @tonyxliao for making this photo available freely on Unsplash

Angela Davison

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