Herbal Support for Aging Horses

During the “golden years” the process of aging usually means there will gradually be a slowing down and the bodily  functions will be less effective. Supportive herbs along with nutrition and proper exercise can really help to balance the process of aging, helping to keep older horses healthy and sprightly.

Below in preferential order you will find the herbs most suitable for an elderly horse. An example treatment would be to choose at least one herb from each category and blend them together. Feed about 40g daily to a horse (25g for a pony) of the blend, and it shouldn’t be too long before you see a difference and results!

Category 1) Circulatory stimulants. These herbs will help with thermoregulation they also encourage blood flow  to the extremities. They are an immense ally in the support of balancing bodily function, and will aid in relieving conditions like arthritis. They also encourage hair and hoof growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, corium and deep into the joints. Efficient circulation will also assist in regulating the body temperature. Healing herbs in this category are Nettle (which is a particularly good blood cleanser, stimulant and hair tonic) and Hawthorn (a superior herbal cardiac tonic for horses, that is rich in healthy bioflavenoids).

Category 2) Equine Digestive Support. Even with regular expert dental care the older horse may still have trouble digesting his food correctly, and this can create many related health problems, including equine laminitis. There are many herbs that could fall within this category’s description but for the purpose of assisting elderly horses in general I’ve created two sub-categories (S-C) in this group. When making a blend be sure to pick one herb from each sub-category. S-C (i) Bitters. These herbs support the liver and stimulate enzyme production and bile flow so are great digestive stimulants. The first pick should be Devil’s Claw, as it is also an excellent anti-inflammatory, so will also help reduce stiffness throughout the body. Burdock root is also a bitters. S-C (ii) Demulcents. These herbs soothe and protect the gastric lining thus encouraging efficient assimilation. They are usually also very nutritive. My choice would be Fenugreek seed which helps to increase the appetite and is an excellent source of vitamin E; other good choices would be Slippery Elm bark powder, Licorice root and Comfrey leaf (which is also a great source of vitamin B12).

Category 3) General Health Maintenance. These herbs are healthy for any horse on a regular basis; elderly horses are certainly no exception! Rose hips are a great tonic. They are a particularly rich source of copper, vitamin C and bioflavenoids. Garlic and Green Pumpkin seed are traditionally used to reduce worm burdens in the gut (ground pumpkin seeds will also keep your dog worm free), and Garlic is very well known for its use as an immune support. Kelp is very nourishing and contains a wealth of easily assimilable minerals, vitamins, iodine and amino-acids and will keep the thyroid in tune.

Category 4) Diuretics. These herbs assist the kidneys and increase the flow of urine, thus helping to remove toxins from the body. They also encourage regular water intake. They work well in combination with bitter herb to aid in cleansing the body and restoring proper function. Dandelion is the best choice as it helps to replace and maintain the potassium, sodium and silica levels that would otherwise be leached out of the body (medical diuretics do not, hence they have the potential to cause kidney damage and heart malfunction). A combination of celery seed with equal proportions of juniper berries is also a natural balanced diuretic. These herbs can be alternated in their use.

You will find that a combination of herbs from these categories, will work synergistically together, to help an aging horse to attain greater mobility, improve disease resistance and maintain a healthy weight and improve thermoregulation. Given the right fuel, aging horses can still have the dignity of a glossy coat, bright eyes, better digestion and a spring in their step!

For more information on natural equine health care and herbal treatments for horses visit Pet Remedy Chart: https://www.petremedycharts.com/offsite/Horses/Home_Remedies_for_Horses.html

Healthy Dog Treat Recipe

Sweet Puptato Chews

Ingredients:

1 raw sweet potato or 1 yam

Cooking Directions:

Total Time: 3 1/4 hrs

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. Wash the sweet potato or yam (dark orange type).

3. Cut the sweet potato down the middle lengthwise.

4. Then cut long lengthwise slices about 1/3 of an inch wide and place them (not touching) on a cookie sheet in a single layer.

5. Bake in the oven at 250 F for about 3 hours.

6. This leaves the treats chewy. If your dog prefers a crunchy texture you can bake them 15 to 30 minutes longer.

Bone Appetit!

For more ideas on how to keep your dog healthy, visit Pet Remedy Charts for a complete holistic home health care system using natural remedies and home cures, herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure treatments in dog health care.
 

Home treatment for - dog vomits water - vomiting dog - dog vomiting.

 
Home Treatments for Vomiting Water 

Herbal Remedies

Wild Bergamot. This is a Western herb which is pungent, bitter, sweet and can be used either to warm or cool the digestive system. It is excellent for stomach disorders of any kind and regulates the stomach's energy or qi.

Dose: 
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce of distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 dropper fulls, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Chamomile. This Western herb regulates and calms the stomach energy. Its drying potential is useful here. Indigestion and inflammation such as gastritis are often eased with Chamomile. As a carminative with relaxing properties it will ease flatulence and stomach pain.

Dose: 
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce of distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 dropper fulls, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Fennel. The root of this herb is warming, drying and pungent. It regulates and warms the spleen.

Dose:
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 droppers full, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Nutritional Therapy

Avoid foods that create dampness in the system such as, tofu, millet, dairy products, raw vegetables and cooling foods such as wheat and avocado. Warming foods such as chicken, lamb, venison and lean beef are good for this condition, as are white rice and oats. Cooked carrots and squash are excellent vegetables for warming the spleen, as is ginger. 

Pet Remedy Charts

We recommend using Pet Remedy Charts. A step-by-step holistic home health care system, which offers natural solutions for treating and healing your dog, cat, horse or bird at home. Pet Remedy Charts enable you to confidently and easily use homeopathy, herbal medicine, flower remedies and acupressure, in alternative healing.

How to Make Ginger Tea for Nausea, Vomiting and Motion Sickness

Home Remedies - Treatments for Dogs and Cats

Recipe for Ginger Tea

The goal of this treatment is to calm and strengthen the stomach.

Herbal Treatment:
Make ginger tea by steeping 2 thin slices of fresh ginger root in 1 cup boiled water, cover and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Cool completely, remove and discard ginger slices and give to your dog or cat one half hour before traveling.

Dosage:
Cats/small dogs: 1 to 2 dropper fulls.
Medium/large dogs: 1/3 cup.

For a complete guide to natural treatments and home cures for dogs and cats we recommend Pet Remedy Charts.

Dog Incontinence - Home Remedies for Urinary Incontinence - Dribbling - Bladder Problems

As animals age or if they were spayed or neutered at an inappropriate age, they may begin to lose bladder control - urinary incontinence. You may find wet places in the bed, on the carpet, or on the couch, or they may "dribble" while walking. Sometimes you may only see them licking themselves in attempt to get rid of the escaping urine or to hide the scent.

Often a lack of estrogen or testosterone is causing the problem. Synthetic estrogen may help, but they also have the potential to weaken the immune system.

Diet and Nutritional Supplements for Dog Incontinence

Foods that strengthen the kidneys or bladder, as well as the muscles in general, such as oats, chicken, and lamb kidney, may be added to the dogs diet. Adding 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh kale and parsley to the dog's food will help strengthen the kidneys too.

Herbal Remedies for Canine Incontinence

Schizandra fruit is known as the "five-flavor seed" in Chinese medicine and acts as an "astringent" to hold the urine where it belongs and help curtail leaking. It is available in many health food stores and Chinese pharmacies. Use 5 drops of the tincture dissolved in 1/2 ounce of water, giving 1/2 to 2 teaspoons twice daily depending on the size of your dog.


Mullein leaf, using 1/2 teaspoon to 1 cup of boiled water, cover and steep for 20 minutes, helps to tone bladder muscles, especially if a low-grade infection is suspected. Give 2 tablespoons of the diluted mix after the evening meal and before the last walk of the day.

For a treatment guide to home remedies and natural cures for dogs visit Pet Remedy Charts and learn Herbs, Acupressure, Flower Remedies and Homeopathy in dog health.

Homeopathic Remedies for - Vaccination

Homeopathic Remedies for
Dogs and Cats

Homeopathic alternatives to conventional vaccines are beginning to gain acceptance. Studies indicate both their efficacy and safety. In addition, we are realizing the hazards that come along with live and modified-live vaccine drugs. Holistic veterinarians are struggling to begin the conversion process.

Please use the following format as an example of one protocol. Over time it will continue to evolve. The AHVMA will hopefully shepherd this process.

If you continue to utilize conventional vaccines (at this time we all must for Rabies), I would suggest that you follow the new standard for puppies and kittens (low repetition) followed by vaccines for Rabies every 3 years and for Distemper every 5-7 years for adult animals (to avoid unnessary innoculations, you could have a blood titer done to check the pets immunity). Avoid other vaccines such as Leukemia unless local situations dictate otherwise. Avoid multivalent vaccines (a vaccine prepared from several antigenic types within a species. Also called polyvalent vaccine) and never give vaccines to animals who are ill or under stress or that have recently undergone surgery. Never give more than one vaccine per veterinary visit, it is much safer to make a few extra trips to your vet.

To be on the safe side, it is worthwhile to antidote the possibility of vaccinosis (allergic reactions) with conventional vaccines by one or two doses of (homeopathic) Thuja 30c. Give 1 or 2 pillules dry before the shots are administered then dose again, after the shots are given.

Rabies shots can be antidoted specifically with the Rabies nosode, Lysene 30c. Give 1 or 2 pellets after the shot has been given.

Homeopathic Vaccines for Dogs and Cats

Dogs
Distemper
Hepatitis
Leptospirosis
Parvo-virus

Cats
Panleukopenia
Feline Leukemia
FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis

1. It is best to give one homeopathic, vaccine at a time. Avoid using homeopathic combination nosodes.
2. Dose - dissolve 2 or 3 pellets in 1/4 oz of bottled water. Give 1 dropper-full (1/4 tesp.) per cat or small to medium size dog. 2 droppers full (1/2 teaspoon) to large dogs.
3. Schedule: Remember threes.
a. Give 1 dose, 6c twice a day for 3 weeks, OR
b. Give 1 dose 30c, once a week for 3 weeks, OR
c. Give 1 dose 200c once a month for 3 months, OR
d. Give a booster dose of 1M once every 6 months, you may reduce to once yearly or cease as the animal ages.

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How to Make Parsley Tea for Dogs and Cats

Parsley is soothing to the kidneys and is used in ailments of the lower urinary tract such as cystitis, it also can be used to help prevent renal (kidney) gravel or stones from forming in dogs and cats. It is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients and vitamin C.  It also contains vitamin A from beta-carotene which is beneficial to dogs.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of fresh parsley
1 Cup of boiling distilled or purified bottled water

Instructions:

Coarsely chop the parsley into a cup, then pour in the boiling water. Cover the cup and allow it to steep until it reaches room temperature. Strain off the liquid.

Store unused portion in the refrigerator. Parsley tea should be made fresh daily.

Suggested dosage: 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons, more or less, depending on the size of the dog or cat, 3 times daily, used at short intervals (2 weeks on 2 weeks off).

Additionally, one to two tablespoons of fresh, finely minced parsley can also be mixed into the pets food daily.

Veterinary Uses of Parsley:

Parsley is a diuretic herb that helps to relax spasms and reduce inflammation. It cleanses the blood and helps clear toxins from the body, it also aids in stimulating digestion. It can be used for indigestion, colic and anorexia (poor appetite), cystitis and prostate problems. Due to its folic acid content which plays a big roll in blood vessel and heart health, some claim it inhibits tumor-cell growth, especially in the lungs.

"After" giving birth, it is useful in promoting lactation and contracting the uterus (especially when using the roots and seeds).

Externally, the leaves can help to relieve itchy skin, and bruising.

Contraindications: Herbal products containing concentrated forms of parsley 'especially the seeds and oil' should not be used during pregnancy (may cause contractions) or excessively in animals with kidney disease.

The use of citrus fruits, also mango and some vegetables (celery, parsley) that contain limonene are not recommended for feeding to pet 'male' rats. In the male rat, studies using limonene caused tumors and damage to the kidneys, but a specific protein unique to the male rat is thought to play a crucial role in this damage. Kidney damage is not considered a relevant risk for humans or other mammals.

Tip on how to keep parsley fresh longer: When you bring it home from the grocery store, snip off the ends of the stems. Rinse well and stand in a short glass, with enough water to cover the ends. Rinse the parsley and change the water in the glass daily. It's not only pretty on counter it will stay fresh and hold its medicinal properties for up to two weeks.

For a complete, step-by-step guide to confidently using natural remedies to treat your pets at home, we recommend using Pet Remedy Charts, Herbs, Homeopathy, Flower Remedies and Acupressure to the Rescue for dogs, cats, horses or birds. Using 'safe, side effect free', natural medicines you can treat almost any acute symptom of any disease! The charts are easy to use, simple to understand, economical and endorsed by holistic veterinarians.