Grass Affected Horses and High Fructan Levels

Introduction 

This article only discusses high levels of fructans in grasses and how some of the effects can be mitigated. Other factors that are not discussed here is that levels and ratios of potassium and sodium are also critical in managing behavioural and adrenal issues

 

High Sugar levels in Grass or Myco-toxins? A more detailed explanation is provided on our website which can be followed by clicking on this link.

Just be aware that high sugar levels are only part of the story as is supplementation of magnesium.

A question that often occurs is this:

• Is my horse affected by the high sugar levels in the grass?…or …
• Are myco-toxins present on the surface of the leaf blade responsible for spooky behaviour.

There is a big difference and both are caused by environmental conditions but the actual causative factor is very different working on different parts of the horse’s physiology. High sugars and low magnesium levels will lead to excessively spooky and reactive behaviour which will act on the adrenals making the horse more reactive to stimuli.

Myco-spores on the other hand when ingested act on the neurological system making the horse ‘see’ and ‘feel’ things that don’t exist.  In other words the horse is experiencing a mild form of a trip one would get when taking magic mushrooms.

High Sugar Grasses

Now with the advent of new grass and paddock species, usually with higher than normal high fructan levels tailored toward milk production, the problem with grass affected horses increases yearly.

What are Fructans in Grass? 

Fructans  are fructose chain molecules, a type of sugar which is the by-product of photosynthesis which manufactures energy in the form of starches. On sunny days, fructose is produced in large quantities and stored within the foliage to be used at night for growth or cell division.

Some suggestions 

• Autumn and spring particularly brings the need for magnesium   supplementation particularly as you build up the fructan processing micro-flora. Anti Al MAG has biologically available ionise magnesium that is quick acting and can be doubled up if your horse is being troublesome.
• The best time to graze your horse is a couple of hours after sunrise and again later in the evening as the sun sets when sugar levels are at their lowest.
• A lot of behavioural problems can be completely eliminated by changing your pasture.
• Applying a biological tea and improving soils biodiversity will reduce the need for expensive supplements and toxin binders.
• Ensure your horse has sufficient salt (sodium chloride) this helps maintain the correct sodium/potassium balance. Imbalance can lead to neurological problems and can affect adrenal function.
• High sugars lead to excess glycogen storage in the muscle fibres which makes the horse more reactive so lower the GI of feed by adding fats or oils to the diet. This will help manage sugar peaks and insulin disruption
• Ensure that your horse gets sunlight with out the cover on for at least two hours a day. This will help increase calcium, vitamins A and D levels, all responsible for maintaining deep organ health as well as the nervous system ie levels of serotonin responsible for feelings of contentment. St John’s Wort can also be supplemented at this time too.

Cushings Newsletter

 

Introduction 

 

In our last letter had a special on our Immune Tonic and we are almost out of this and will have to make up a fresh batch.

Of interest was that a client came back to us with this written in an email

“Firstly can I please order a litre of your Immune Tonic – it’s not only cured my boys cough but also irradiated his parasite problem.   Tested 0 in his FEC today after having continuous high counts for the past 10months.”

By law we cannot make any claims about this being a parasitic treatment but we do have herbs in this blend that are known vermifuges.
General Information on Equine Metabolic Disease

To maintain calm healthy horses is one way to ensure that they will not succumb to excessive stress which combined with age could lead to metabolic conditions like cushings, laminitis etc.

This condition is primarily a disruption to the endocrine system occurring with age and prolonged stress.

Cushing’s Disease  is  known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction or PPID, and  is a dysfunction of the pituitary gland.

Cushing’s (PPID) is caused by progressive nerve degeneration called the hypothalamus, (in brain)leading to a reduction in a neurotrasmitter substance called dopamine. Dopamine is important in controlling the secretions of a part of the pituitary gland which in turn is responsible for controlling the secretion of hormones including ACTH and cortisol.

When the pituitary is not exposed to enough dopamine from the hypothalamus,  the production  of these hormones (ACTH)  becomes abnormally high .

ACTH refers to Adrenocorticotropic hormone is produced in the , pituitary gland in the brain. The function of ACTH is to regulate levels of the steroid hormone cortisol, which released from the adrenal gland. Too much and sustained will cortisol/stress will  lead to cushings.

The diagram below shows the stress pathway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

• Blood tests will reveal abnormally high levels of ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone which is often the end result of prolonged stress and elevated levels of cortisol.
• This condition is accompanied with low levels of dopamine
• Hypertrichosis  (long, curly hair ) along with delayed haircoat shedding
• Change in body conformation through loss of muscle mass and a pot belly due to weakening and stretching of abdominal muscles.
• Decreased athletic performance due to loss of muscle integrity which leads to a change in attitude/lethargy.
• Fat deposits, especially along the crest of the neck and over the tail head
• Recurrent bouts of laminitis, stone bruises and secondary infections to the sole of the hoof.
• Increased drinking and urination accompanied with abnormal sweating
• Recurrent infections and delayed or poor wound healing due to compromised immune system.
• Disruption to the reproductive system ie absent reproductive cycle/infertility

Possible Causes

• Age ; generally older horses especially ponies are more prone to this disease.
• Prolonged stress. This is not to be confused with neglect and cruelty though this would certainly contribute to its onset. I refer to more subtle form of stress from systemic inflammation, a predominantly hyper alert state, a horse that is exposed to situations that stress them and don’t respond well to desensitising training methods.
• Untreated or poorly managed EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome)or insulin resistence.
• Diet too high in simple sugars, transfats, prolonged exposure to mico-toxins, insufficient solule and insoluble fibre, low vitamin D levels

Veterinary Treatment

Treatment does not completely halt the progression of the disease, but clinical options include measuring the resting ACTH level, performing a TRH Stimulation Test, and others and from that prescribing the following

• Bromocriptine (replaces dopamine production)
• Trilostane (inhibits cortisol production)
• Cyproheptadine (inhibits serotonin production)

Management of Cushings

• A cushings horse is a special needs horse requiring special care and attention
• Diet modifications because insulin and blood sugar metabolism may not be functioning properly so, avoid feeding traditional grains, treats or pasture because these can be high in sugars and starches.
• Provide low-sugar/high-fiber feed and add between half to one cup of coconut oil to feed as this will help reduce the insulin fluctuations.
• Feed coconut oil (MCT’s) are broken down immediately by saliva and gastric juice enzymes so that the pancreatic fat-digesting juices are not involved in their digestion. They are then broken down into medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Unlike other fatty acids these MCFA’s are absorbed directly from the intestines into the portal vein the then straight onto the liver. They are not packaged into lipoproteins like other fatty acids( tending to lay down fat) but are converted into fuel via the liver. This also helps help stabilize blood sugar.
• Providing Omega Oils to help address the inflammatory response.

Natural and Herbal Treatment

• Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus) is the one herb that is able to influence the pituitary gland which will help modify the stress axis responsible for the onset of this disease. Vitex agnes contains steroidal hormone precursors which works by regulating the pituitary gland, by sending signals to other glands instructing them of how much of each hormone to make. A study has shown that extracts of vitex agnes can bind to opiate receptors which could explain why intake of vitex reduces is sedating.
• Ashwagandha Withania somnifera is an adaptogen which is able to bring the endocrine system into balance as well as an is anti-inflammatory agent, and as an “adaptogen” (endurance enhancer) and able to reduce the effect of stress. Of note is that is also able to increase levels of available dopamine. (Something that is low in animals with Cushings. Its exact physiological effect can be found by following this link. https://hiralabs.co.nz/ashwagandha-2/.
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) can help with this condition by increasing turnover of both dopamine and serotonin ginkgo also reduces stress and anxiety by lowering levels of cortisol.

• Amino acids such as lysine methionine and threonine to support lean muscle mass

• High doses of vitamin C and vitamin B1 can also help with Cushings.
• Synthetic DHEA can be administered as that is depleted when cortisol levels are elevated

Feel free to contact us info@hiralabs.co.nz to get further information on specials surrounding this issue

 

 

 

Prohibited Herbs for Competition

Something about Prohibited Substances: abridged from ESNZ Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules.

ESNZ Clean Sport advises caution with the administration of herbal or natural medicinal preparations.

The use of herbal and natural products in a horse might result in an adverse analytical finding that violates the ESNZ Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules.

Herbal and natural medicinal products are classified as prohibited because of their

potential actions on various body systems when administered.

 

Prohibited herbs as listed by ESNZ Clean Sport and copied (and edited in an effort to correct possible botanical anomalies) I have attempted to ensure that the common names are indeed what the ESNZ Clean Sport are the plants they are trying to convey by adding the botanical names and some of the active ingredients that may show up as metabolites. International norms require common names to be always accompanied by the botanical names. This is because a number of species share the same common name and this inaccuracy could have disastrous consequences. I have made up this table using the common names provided by ESCNZ Edited and added further information in an attempt to clear up any ambiguity:

 

Common Name	Botanical Name	Comments
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	Sedative. Valerinic acid is shared with rosemary which could also present with banned metabolites.
Kava	Piper methysticum	Sedative, psychoactive and increases dopamine levels Contains kavalactones,. Some ingredients shared with kawakawa.
Passion flower	Passiflora incarnata	Sedating. At a dosage of 10 mg/kg of the purified methanol extract, the anxiolytic effects were comparable to a 2 mg/kg of diazepam. The active constituent benzoflavone which reduce symptoms of withdrawal from, and addiction and dependence of benzodiazepines alcohol, morphine, nicotine and cannabis
Skullcap	Scutellaria. lateriflora,	Contains Baicalein  one of the Scutellaria flavonoids. Sedating and anti-inflammatory shown to inhibit histamine properties.
Chamomile	Matricaria chamomilla	Sedating. Shares same ingredients as stinkweed Matricaria discoidea a common pasture weed. Chemical components have demonstrated anti-inflammatory,antihyperglycemic antigenotoxic and anticancer properties
Vervain	Verbena officinalis	Derivatives of ursolic acid and oleanolic acids anti –inflammatory and sedative.
Lemon balm	(Melissa officinalis	Sedating and anti-viral.  Contains eugenol, tannins, and terpenes antithyrotropic activity, inhibiting TSH from attaching to TSH receptors, hence making it of possible use in the treatment of hyperthyroidism The major compound responsible for GABA transaminase inhibition activity was found to be rosmarinic acid Again rosemary. We have another plant that has similar action along with effectively slowing heart rate.
Devil’s claw	Harpagophytum procumbens	Has a anti Inflammatory, analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties. Harpagosides shared with a number of herbs. Again we have a number of plants that share similar active ingredients.
Leopards bane	Arnica montana	I think this is the plant ESNZ refer to but other plants called leopard’s balm are aconite, monkshood, wolf’s bane, women’s bane, Devil’s helmet or blue rocket. All toxic. Arnica is found in topical treatments for bruising and muscle sorenss. Internal only as a homeopathic substance.
Deadly nightshade	Atropa belladonna	The foliage and berries are extremely toxic, containing tropane alkaloids. These toxins include scopolamine and hyoscyamine, The drug atropine is derived from the plant. This plant is a common garden herb and horses will not eat it unless there is nothing else to eat or it is dried and mixed with hay.
hops	Humulus lupulus	Sedating. contains myrcene, humulene,  xanthohumol,  myrcenol,, linalool,, tannins, and resin.
laurel	???	This common name is shared by many other plants.
Lavender	Lavendula sp.	Used as a relaxant. More suitable as an inhalant. Unlikely to show up in a test.
Red poppy
Green Tea	Camellia sinensis	Mild stimulant .May be included in list due to the slow release of caffeine. Wonderful garden plant grown as a hedge or as part of a shrub border. Horses will nibble on theses leaves if they can be reached over a fence.
Indian Snakeroot	Rauwolfia serpentine	Tranquillizer, lowers blood pressure and may help with mental disorders. Active ingredients  include, reserpine, ajmaline, deserpidine, rescinnamine, serpentinine and yohimbine. The last one interesting because it shares identical ingredients to an African plant used for erectile disfunction. Pausinystalia yohimbe(Yohimbe), and is a protected species confined to Africa.
Comfrey	Symphytum officinale	Allantoin helps repair cells in the body. Treats ailments ranging from bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, gastric and varicose ulcers, severe burns, acne, skin condition, bone and teeth building properties. Constituents include mucilage, steroidal saponins, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, inulin, and proteins. , Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are thought to cause liver problems if taken for prolonged periods of time.
Hot chilles	Capsaicin	Analgesic due to altering the perception of pain by acting on the neuro-transmitter substance P. The higher the Scoville scale the more effective it is. Topical and ingested can be detected in a test.
St John’s wort	Hypericim perforatum	Sedative, behaviour modifier. I did not see this herb listed in the bulletin but heard that it is regarded as an environmental contaminant. It is commonly found in pastures.
Poppy (Flanders and/or opium	Papaver rhoeas or Papaver somniferum	Uncertain as to whether they mean P. rhoeas or P. Sominfera. Somnifera is the opium poppy containing alkaloids such as morphine, thebaine, codeine and oripavine are extracted. Morphine is the predominant alkaloid found in sominfera. They are also use in poppy seed toppings and muffins so don’t share these with your horse!Papaver rhoeas or Papaver somniferum
White Willow Salix sp.	Salicylates natural source of salicylic acid. Pain killer. Be aware that other species containthese metabolites too ie alders, poplars, birch.

 

Our Comments 

Given that there is an increasing list of banned herbs including those that may be tested for, we continue to caution people to discontinue any liquid herbal extracts 8 hours before a major competition. This is increased to 24 hours for whole herbs, dried product etc. due to the slower rate of metabolism as they travel through the digestive system.

Herbs like chamomile have been added to the list in spite of the fact that a number of naturally occurring weeds contain the same active ingredients that will also show up should there be a test for it. Be aware that birches, alder and poplar also have salicylates.

Other banned environmental contaminants include theobromine one of the constituents of chocolate. So don’t feed your horse chocolate coated tit bits, M&Ms, Moro bars etc, leaves off your cocoa tree etc. Caffeine is found in a wide range of food stuffs but also be aware that if your chaff has come in bags that originally had coffee beans this will also show up in a test. Tests ONLY provide the presence of a banned substance it does not provide lower acceptable thresholds of a substance.

We do have the odd query over peppermint . While the main ingredient is menthol it does have a secondary ingredient hesperine which is found in cholesterol lowering drugs so we can’t be sure on that one either so if in doubt leave it out. So no Odd Fellows before an event.

 

What is a Tide-Over Herb? 

These are herbs that effect changes to the body’s physiology and biochemistry over a longer period of time without leaving ‘evidence’ of metabolites should the horse be tested on the day.

Most of these herbs will act on the endocrine system and neurological pathways which will help reduce levels of cortisol and its subsequent cascade of effects. Two herbs we have found have a long acting residual period are:

• Hypericum perforatum St John’s wort Acting on levels of serotonin and Dopamine.
• Vitex agnes or Chaste berry  acting on the adrenals and endocrine system.
  

 For more detail and tips on competeing using herbs contact us info@hiralabs.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

Inflammation in Horses

 

 

Introduction  

Inflammation is a telltale sign that something isn’t right within the body. Inflammation is necessary to start the healing process but when it becomes chronic due to stress, disease or injury it becomes destructive and we need to try to reduce it either by allopathic or natural remedies.

Inflammation is oxidative stress and one of the ways we can measure it is by assessing levels of C-Reactive Proteins (CRP). When there is inflammation CRP levels are elevated.

What is Inflammation?  

Comes from the Latin word, inflammatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as:

•  Pathogens(infection)
• damaged cells (injury) indicated by elevated levels of cytokines
•  Irritants. (allergies) Made worse by a diet too high in concentrates

It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue

Note: Inflammation differs from infection which is caused by an exogenous(external) pathogen, while inflammation is the (internal)response of the organism to the pathogen.

In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would destroy the organism. However, inflammation which runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis in people and chronic pulmonary disease, arthritis etc in horses. It is Inflammation is normally tightly regulated by the body and can be classified as:

• Acute inflammation  which is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A number biochemical events create the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue
• Chronic inflammation  or Prolonged inflammation, is characterised by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue over a long period of time. Chronic inflammation then becomes systemic placing a huge burden on the body leading to raised cortisol levels.

There are Two main Inflammatory Responses and they are:  

Histamine   Histamine acts on the body by combining with specific cellular receptors located on cells. There are four histamine receptors that have been discovered are

• H₁ histamine recepter Found on smooth muscle, endothelium, and central nervous system tissue. Causes vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, smooth muscle activation, separation of endothelial cells (responsible for hives), and pain and itching due to insect stings; the primary receptors involved in allergic rhinitis symptoms and motion sickness Gingko and Devils’ Claw may help with this form of inflammation.
• H₂ histamine receptor Located on parietal cells Primarily stimulate gastric acid secretion. ( prolonged stress in race horses and some high level dressage horses develop ulcers through this pathway)
• H₃ histamine receptor Decreased neurotransmitter release: histamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin. Affects behaviour creating excessive reactivity in horses. (MAO)  reuptake inhibitors like St John’s wort can reduce inflammatory effects in this pathway
• H₄ histamine receptor Found primarily in the thymus, small intestine, spleen, and colon. It is also found in the bone marrow

Prostaglandins 

Are found in virtually all tissues and organs. These are lipid mediators that act upon platelet, endothelium, uterine and mast cells, among others. They are synthesized in the cell from the essential fatty acids (EFAs). Omega Oil supplementation in combination with Devil’s claw, St John’s Wort White willow bark, Yucca Gingko and yarrow will enhance the anti-inflammatory effects.

There are three main prostaglandins

• Series-1  Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) via DGLA  (anti-inflammatory)
• Series 2 Arachidonic acid (AA) (Pro-inflammatory)
• Series 3 Eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) (anti-inflammatory

Function 

There are currently nine known prostaglandin receptors on various cell types. These receptors mean that Prostaglandins act on a broad range of cells, and have a wide variety of actions:

• cause constriction or dilation in vascular smooth muscle cells.
• cause aggregation or disaggregation of platelets
• sensitize spinal neurons to pain.
• constrict smooth muscle
• regulate inflammatory mediation.
• regulate calcium movement
• regulate hormone balance
• Control cell growth.

 

 

How Inflammation Affects the Horse

With the onset of winter the requirements for supplements have changed to ones concerning joint mobility, age related arthritis and the residual effects of sub-clinical inflammation which leads to elevated levels of cytokines. Reducing overall systemic inflammation may help reduce the onset of degenerative diseases.  Devil’s Claw and herbs like white willow bark can help reduce systemic inflammation.

Pain can lead to other related ‘lameness’ like tension over the topline leading to unevenness, hollowing and incorrect bend elevated levels of cortisol, a damaging stress hormone, responsible for a host of other problems like:

• Muscle tension and stiffness prior to exercise. This is usually worse in winter.
• This can make your horse hyper-alert with a reactive adrenal response.
• The horse may present vague pain tendencies and sensitivity to touch which indicate a lower pain threshold.
• Uneven  jerky movement though poor dopamine function
• May develop insulin resistance evidenced through fat deposits under the jaw, flanks crest rump. (in humans fat pads around the stomach)
• Magnesium being shunted way from the nervous system and excreted. Additional supplements of magnesium will help address muscle tension through low levels of this mineral.
• Prolonged stress may lead to calcium deposits in the brain which oxidise to kill neurons. It can also lead to stomach ulcers in some horses.
• Chronic inflammation can affect blood and oxygen supply to the muscles meaning that your horse cannot swing through the back and work correctly through the hocks..
• Inflammation can lead to Inattention and nervous behaviour.

So What can We Do to Protect our Horses from Chronic Inflammation?  

• Maintain a low inflammatory diet. Not too high in concentrates and proteins.
• Make sure exercise and training is not that prolonged to the extent that it leads to concussive injury, muscle strain and tissue injury.
• Reduce stress particularly when training ie ambiguous aids leading to confusion and tension. Tension leads to the release of adrenaline and then damaging cortisol.
• Ensure there are sufficient fatty acids in the diet in the form of omega oils. These ideally should be bottle in dark glass or tin to prevent acryl imides form leaching into the oils. This leads to pro-inflammatory substances.
•  Ensure that your horse gets plenty of bitters from its pasture to help flush toxins through its system. Toxins lead to digestive inflammation.
• Ensure your horse has its hooves trimmed correctly and, if shod, correctly fitted.
• Provide sufficient magnesium in the form of supplements as it will affect calcium movement and provide a buffer against stress.
• Provide a comfortable environment. Remember a happy horse is less likely to suffer from oxidative stress and a compromised immune system. Provide natural shade with trees, shelter from wind, periods of grazing on a variety of plant species including woody plants.
• Maintain a predictable routine. This helps reduce stress.
• If inflammation is present seek veterinary advice first. There are natural ways of addressing inflammation in the form of herbs like devil’s claw, chamomile (nature’s anti-histamine) St John’s wort to alter the perception of pain.
• Include anti-inflammatory plants in your pasture and shelter belts. Ie willow, alders, yarrow, rosemary. More on Anti-inflamatory plants you can grow as a herbal pharmacy

 

Sometimes just giving yourself and your horse a break is all you need to break the cycle of pain, anticipation and reactive behaviour. If this doesn’t help then supplements like Devil’s Claw combined with St Johns Wort and Omega oils may help break the cycle.

St John’s wort alters the perception of pain. (In other words raising the pain threshold which in turn lowers stress)

Devils Claw as well as being an analgesic and anti-inflammatory also is sedating.

Omega Oil act in two ways. One, they modulate the balance between prostaglandins 1 and 3 with 2 to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Two they restore the lipid layer around all cells to improve the exchange of nutrients and wastes through the cell walls. So what ever supplements you are feeding omega oils help improve the efficiency of absorption.

We have found that this trio is particularly good for dogs with degenerative conditions. We also have a new product for dogs called Hira Vitality which contains a range of herbs to address and protect your dog from the usual age related conditions like joint stiffness, pain, kidney health (kidney failure being the main killer of older dogs, and a condition called idiopathic vestibular disease. Contact us for more information on this one.

We recommend 2 drops per kg along with Omega Oil Complex.

PRODUCT SPECIALS  

Till the end of March 2013  Ten day only special for 1 litre of Devil’s Claw

We have two specials this month.

 

 

LITRE BOTTLE OF HIRA DEVIL’S CLAW  

 

PRICE : Normally  $198.72  with 20% off now $158.98  .
till 31st March 2013

Devil’s Claw has a shelf life of well over 7-8 years. Maintenance dose rates are 3-5ml per day or up to 15ml for acute conditions.

 

Note: this can also be used by people for chronic pain.

Feed Back:

Awesome, thanks Everdien.  Have started one of my older horses on your Devils Claw recently and getting great results already!!!  You rock!

Thanks

 

Hi E,

I had chronic back pain through a fall from a horse and wanted to stop using pharmacy medicine so instead I started just taking Devil’s claw and St John’s wort in my daily Smoothie as part of my routine.. After about two weeks I realised I had no pain or stiffness through the back. After a couple of months  I ran out of both and stopped using them to see if I was better without them but found the symptoms returned so started back on them.  Well I am not sore now that I am taking Devil’s Claw and St Johns Wort.

Thanks Y.

 We have found that as the body regains full movement and muscular strength that most don’t require ongoing herbal treatment.

 

 

HIRA MOBILITY TONIC   

PRICE $65.55 with 10% off now only $59.00

Equi Mobility Tonic 1 litre

 

 

This tonic consists of a concentrated  blend of herbs and phyto- nutrients  formulatedto help provide building blocks to maintain healthy, joints, circulatory and muscular

system. This tonic will provide plant nutrients responsible for mobility,to soften the horse and improve movement. This product can be regarded as a general health tonic

as it addresses several systems  synergistically.

•  Especially suitable for the older horse and those  experiencing mobility issues.
• For those suffering from mild age-related  conditions.
• Will help correct the system’s pH to reduce lactic acid.
• Plant  active ingredients will help improve  blood   supply to muscles and hooves.
•  May help protect  joints when worked on hard ground.
• May be used to help with  hoof conditions.
•  Has bitter principles known to improve liver function
• Is a plant based dietary supplement formulated to help with joint health.

INGREDIENTS:

Beta sisterols, Iridoid Glycosides (harpogoside,harpagide, procumbine) extracted from  Harpogophytum procumbens root, rosa rugosa, plant based flavonoids, pectins, added vitamin C and joint supplements in cider vinegar.

 

HOW TO USE THE PRODUCT:

Add between 10  to 15 ml  to feed daily. Loading dose of 20ml for 4 days.

 

Some comments on this product 

 

Hi Everdien

 The Impulsion Concentrate, Anti AI Mag and Mobility Tonic  have been great.My horse is slowly becoming softer and moving better.  I was watching him in the paddock this morning and he is moving well.Even the farrier noticed that Jet was more flexible and not snatching back his legs/hooves.

 Cheers V.. 

Hi E.

Just wanted  to say that my geriatric old mare is doing well on your mobility products.  There’s been a noticeable improvement in her movement as well as her temperament  as she seems less grumpy and is far more willing to move around the paddock keeping up with the young ones..  Thanks a million for your help.

Regards Michelle

 

While every effort is made to ensure the quality of our product, no statement or information contained on this page construed as a claim that this product is a cure,mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or any other medical condition.

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Friendly Pastures

 

 Introduction 

The following are just a few ideas to help create a happy and safe environment for your horses. Included are some structural design ideas along with pasture matrix recipes. The concept behind these suggestions is to recreate an environment similar to what the horse in the wild would have experienced. Horses by their nature are generalist browsers covering many kilometers a day in search of a variety of nutrients. In the wild they did not exhibit permanent states of hypervigilance, head shaking, obsessive complusive behaviours like weaving, crib biting etc. The flight mechanism was stimulated only periodically when there was the threat of a predator starting from the sudden raisng of the head, a shy and then a full bolt. So many horses today are in a state of hypervigilance leading to adrenal and metabolic conditions making them at best a challenge to ride and at worst a dangerous riding prospect and one we no longer enjoy.

Paddock Junctions

These consist of a short length of fence at 45deg across the corner of adjoining paddocks for the following reasons:

1. Agricultural machinery is unable to cultivate land into a 90deg angle leaving a small triangle of waste land that could be used.
2. This is easily constructed across an existing strained fence.
3. This waste land becomes an easily stock-proofed place to grow large trees that provide, shade, shelter and forage pickings.
4. It can also be an area for anthelmintic plants ie black walnut, aloes and karo to name a few.
5. These areas of tree plantings add scale and interest to the landscape and improve the bio-diversity of a region.

 

Stock Race 

This is a fenced long narrow strip of land providing linkages between paddocks and zones. It may be used for a number of purposes provided it has sufficient width to satisfy the following:

1. So it may double up as a shelter belt and vehicle access route.
2. Provided it is fenced using post and rail, vines and espaliered trees can be trained along railing. A hot wire on the outside of the race will ensure stock don’t damage horizontally trained foliage.
3. Creates a strong lineal axis to frame and direct views through a canopy of large avenue trees like walnuts or pine nuts. The nuts for eating and the cones for burning. Immature walnuts have anthelmintic qualities.
4. It may be planted as an herbal ley to provide temporary light grazing of additional species not found in surrounding pasture.

 

So What is an Herbal Ley?

Herbal Leys are a biologically diverse range of pasture species including grasses, broad leaf annuals and perennials that provide health enhancing flavonoids, bitters carotenoids, phytosterols, tannins to mention just a few.

The blend of grasses and broad leaf species have varying root structures each penetrating to different levels that increase the depth rhizophere, thereby improving nutrient cycling, moisture retention, soil aeration,  transferring from subsoil to topsoil important minerals and trace elements. The microbiology in typical grass monocultures will lack the full spectrum of micro-organisms necessary for livestock health. Pastures consisting almost exclusively of grasses tend to be bacterially dominant where as mixed pastures will have a more favourable balance of beneficial fungi, protozoa, micro-arthropods, ciliates, amoeba etc. A full spectrum of microbiology is essential for optimum livestock health.

Establishing an Herbal Ley or New Pasture Area

This approach can be used in establishing an herbal ley for a stock race or an additional small pharmacy paddock.  Here are some simple steps in preparing the soil, sowing and maintenance.

1. Remove or turn under existing pasture mechanically (tractor, disking, rotary hoe etc) or chemically (herbicides can be used to remove vegetation prior to sowing if preferred)
2. In some cases pigs can be used to cultivate land especially if crops like Jerusalem artichokes have been established for the pigs to dig up.
3. Once land is cleared, plant a mixed green manure crop consisting of barley 40%, blue lupin (nitrogen fixer) 20% and mustard (natural soil disinfectant, natures’ methyl bromide without the side effects) 40%.
4. Ensure that the pH does not fall below 5.5. This may be corrected by applying lime. Note: healthy soil micro-biology will prevent excessive leaching of calcium.
5. Once green manure matures to just before flowering, it is turned in and left for some weeks to break down. This stage provides an ideal opportunity to add humus or a biologically active tea to improve the biological status and health of the soil.
6. Short lengths of nitrogen-fixing liquorice root may be ploughed in at this stage to add additional root strata. These valuable roots may be harvested after 3 years and sold to boutique buyers or used medicinally for stock.
7. Sow the mixture below when growing conditions are suitable.
8. Allow to germinate and become an established ‘pasture before grazing.
9. Don’t graze down too far and allow for rotational recovery times.
10. Grazed in the first year, this mixture will give a good yield of first-class hay in its second year. If the grass does get ahead of the livestock, a cut may be made for specialty hay.

 

Note: The tables below are a species guide only, and cannot be regarded as detailed sowing specifications. This blend must be adjusted according to soils, climate and livestock type. The planting matrix will provide a percentage mix and sowing density.

 

Herbal Ley for Grazing Animals
This mix may be direct drilled mechanically or broadcast by hand in smaller areas.
Pasture Grasses and Others	Description
NZ brown top	Short fine grass suitable for dry conditions.
Vision cocksfoot	Pasture grass
Kahu Timothy	High summer feed value
Massey Basyn Yorkshire fog	Containing high levels of tannins improving animal health
Kentucky Blue grass	High fibre grass suitable for grass-sensitive livestock.
Bareno Brome grass	A standout high quality and persistent brome grass.
Achillea	Yarrow, deep rooting  Drought tolerant. Tumour inhibitant..
Anethum graveolens	Dill aromatic herb, blood cleanser
Origanum vulgare	Origanum an aromatic herb found to reduce methane emissions in dairy cows and increase milk production
Papaver rhoeus	Red flanders poppy. Natural pain relief. Remove horses from pasture 24 hours prior to competition.
Plantago major	Staghorn plantain Winter tonic and suitable pasture feed during droughts.
Taraxacum officinale	Dandelion. Liver and blood cleanse.
Sanguisorba minor	Burnet digestive herb.
Pertoselium crispum	Parsley a diuretic and tonic herb.
Trifolium pratense	Red clover a good source of essential minerals, vitamin C and isoflavones.
Rumex acetosa	Sorrel a slightly acid tonic herb suitable for grazing animals.
Cichorium intybus	Chicory a deep rooting perennial of high nutritional quality. Drought tolerant forage.