The Natural Horse Herbal

By Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate

Since 1992 I have owned an Appendix Quarter Horse who is totally befitting of his name, Bubba. This wonderful friend came to me during the depths of an intense depression from moving 1500 miles away from my home state of Massachusetts to Florida. He has truly been my counselor and my best friend ever since.

When Bub came to me, he was overweight, out of condition and coughed and wheezed his way through the hot Florida days. I called the seller as no one, not even the vets, told me of any problems he had with his health. Obviously, his coughing and wheezing were a definite health problem. The seller told me he was overweight and the coughing and wheezing would disappear with regular work. Well, regular work didn’t help. I realized the seriousness of this two weeks after purchasing this 16 year old sweet horse. One morning when I arrived at the barn for feeding, I found that Bub had escaped from his stall during the night and had been gorging himself on a bale of Timothy Hay. When I first saw him, he was standing by his stall door with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Upon getting closer, the wheezing and rales were so audible that there was no mistaking this was a very ill and uncomfortable horse. I called the vet and demanded to know what was going on. It was then that they told me Bubba had severe heaves, needed to be on daily medicine and could not eat Timothy Hay. He was highly allergic to the molds and dust. Not only was he allergic to the Hay but also to the molds that grow in Florida grasses during the summertime. I was literally killing my new horse with kindness. He had been given basically free choice hay and turned out to pasture 24 hours a day. After the vet came out to examine Bubba (about $250 later) I was given a regimen of medications to give to him on a daily basis. He also received a steroid shot and I was warned that the steroids destroy the liver. I was also told, however, that at the ripe age of 16 years, Bub probably wouldn’t be living that much longer anyway so not to worry. It was at that point that I decided I would never allow Bub to go to any other home. He was home with me for the rest of his life, regardless of how long he lived.

The medications helped clear up the heaves along with a schedule of 20 hours in the stall and 4 hours turned out in a sand ring with no access whatsoever to a pasture. I also made sure that he got at least one hour of good exercise a day. We lived in Florida for 2 years after that, all the while on this strict regimen of medications and exercise/stall routine. He ended up being my best schooling horse for students and in the best condition of all 15 horses in the barn.

We moved to New England after the 2 years were up. It was a cold April. Bubba walked off the trailer after a 3 day trip to get here and about a gallon of mucous poured out of his nostrils when he put his head down. He was, again, a very sick horse. Again, we set up a medication schedule and exercise. Fortunately, here in New England, we don’t have the molds and such in the grasses so Bub was finally able to be turned out again 24 hours a day after heavy doses of his medicines. He became a happy camper. New England agreed with Bub and Bub agreed with New England. At 22 years of age we jokingly entered Barrel races at a local show and ended up in First place out of over 50 entries! I couldn’t believe that a 22 year old, chronically ill horse could run so fast. Particularly one who had been so very ill. But, we did it … in 16.3 seconds!

Since our move here in 1994, I’ve not had any problems with Bub’s heaves until this past spring and summer. For whatever the reason, Bub has had a most debilitating year. He has had his steroid shots again and he’s been getting two different medications at the same time but still did not rally until I began earnest studies in Herbal Remedies and decided to try him on Comfrey and Mullein. Literally, within 24 hours of receiving his first ‘dose’ of Mullein leaves, his wheezing in his lungs and the rales in his bronchial tubes disappeared. His flanks stopped showing the tremendous muscles efforts to expel his air and the whites of his eyes have turned back to white after being yellow-orange since April. I did nothing different than I had been doing … watering down his hay, allowing him 24 hour turnout, making sure his stall was immaculately clean and always had plenty of fresh air moving through when he so chose to stand in it. When I gave him the first handful of chopped Mullein leaves, I stopped his chemical medications. I really didn’t expect such a dramatic response. The last two days have been rather humid and I fully expected him to begin his heaves again, but other than a bit of exertion upon exhaling, he’s been fine. He’s not coughed in close to a full week’s time. The last two days I also added Comfrey leaves to his Mullein. Just a handful of crushed, shredded fresh leaves. I added this as a buffer against the humid air. It’s such a blessing to know that finally, I’ve found *something* that will help this now 24 year old horse. I expect that he’ll be around for a good number of additional years. His coat is glossy; his eyes are bright; his body is beginning to get back into condition and his attitude is that of an adolescent horse!

It makes perfect sense to me … we’ve been given a planet rich in vegetation not only for food, but as medicine. Herbs are mentioned in the Bible over 3,000 times!! Why on earth does man insist we can improve on nature? It’s obvious to me, now, that we can’t. If we would only take the time to listen to the animals, they will teach us. Animals in the wild forage and eat what they know their bodies need. If given free choice in a hedge of herbs, horses will pick and choose exactly what they need at any given time. Many herbs can be made into teas or ointments and poultices. These have proven over history’s time to heal naturally and safely better than our “traditional” Western medicine.

There are a number of quality books on Herbal Remedies. However, when one is treating a horse or other equine, one must remember that there are some herbs and plants that are poisonous to horses that are not poisonous for humans. Always be sure to check for this and also, it is advisable to make sure your veterinarian is aware of your treatments for any specific ailment.

Common Herbal Equine Remedies:

• BLACK COHOSH: Nature’s estrogen. Particularly effective with moody mares as well as calmative for geldings.
• BONESET: For control of fever, flu symptoms and upper respiratory congestion.
• CALENDULA: “The floures and leaves of Marigold being distilled … ceaseth the inflammation and taketh away the paine”. –John Gerard 1597
• CHAMOMILE: Calming for tension, restlessness and stress.
• COMFREY: Expectorant, helpful in colic and ulcers, also good for arthritis.
• ECHINACEA: Stimulates the immune system. Excellent for anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.
• EYEBRIGHT: Any problem with mucous membrane particularly helpful with conjuctivitis or weepy eyes.
• GARLIC: Excellent for any respiratory disorders. Also all round protectant for general health. Can be included in natural fly spray to deter flies.
• HOREHOUND: Expectorant for coughs. Some horses do not care for it’s bitter flavor.
• KELP: Excellent source of minerals. Can be used as poultice for arthritis.
• MEADOWSWEET: For gastric ulcers. Protects the digestive tract. An herbal aspirin.
• MINT: Helps sooth and relax the digestive tract. Also boosts appetite.
• VALERIAN: Relieves nervousness, stress and tension.

About the Author:

My name is Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate. I am a steward of horses and lover of all animals. I am also a writer and a graphic designer.

For over 38 years I've ridden and worked with horses. From training wild mustangs during my teenaged summer vacations to presently teaching good horsemanship, care and management to equine lovers of all ages, my life has been blessed. I remember as a young, young child grabbing ahold of any suitable fallen branch of a tree, galloping wildly and freely over the hills and dales of my own backyard. As I grew older I'd catch a 'live' ride when ever and where ever I could. My very own first horse didn't come to me until I was 38 years old. At that time our older daughter belonged to a 4-H Equestrian club sharing the love I feel for these wonderous animals. We'd ride day after day, exploring New England forests or simply practicing our bareback riding in the ring at the stable. We not only bonded with our horses but with each other during this time. The days were filled with joy.

Gwenyth may be contacted by email at caballus@charter.net.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.