A GREEN HORSE is a NATURAL, ECONOMICAL and ECO-FRIENDLY WAY to a HEALTHY HORSE: Which End is Up?

Which End is Up?

Well, it has been some time since I last posted. Everything seems to be happening all at once and going in different directions. The business is a main priority, of course, and I'm not complaining when it requires increased attention. People have been calling from referrals and we send a big thanks to all our loyal customers. With the arrival of fall, preparing the yard for the big move is one of the events we have been undertaking. As I write, the huge pile of mulch waits, but I can smile for some items have been deleted from the “To Do Yard List”. Still, the biggest chore for the yard has yet to be tackled - when all the trees loose their leaves, they somehow land and seem to stay in our yard. We rake and bag, rake and bag and rake and bag.

Because of the time required for the business and all the ups and downs of the move, the house is still not complete for its sale. With the economy and current housing market in such disarray, we want the house to be in pristine condition. So we plug away at making every effort to accomplish this objective. Here again, I can smile for several items from the “To Do House List” have been scratched off. A few big ones remain though; pressure washing and painting the exterior. We have realized with sadness, the sale date timeline for the house will need to be changed.

On to a brighter note, the horses and the attention given them remains constant. They are a part of our lives that rarely falters. They will be getting their yearly checkup, blood drawn and fecal check, this week. In addition, each will get their 7-way vaccination. I thought it significant to describe the procedure I use to prepare my horses internally for vaccinations. Today, I started administering sodium ascorbate powder in their feed. This form of vitamin C is safe for consumption and is tasteless. Now, some horses will be aware of it in their feed and may be hesitant at first because it is not odorless. However, the irresistible urge to eat their food outweighs the faint unfamiliar smell. Usually, the adjustment time is brief and after the first day it wanes. The horses look so forward to their evening feeding, as do we. Normally, we spend about three hours with them and find this undivided attention invaluable. This time has allowed us to learn their innate characteristics and vise versa – in other words, we learn each other's traits, build connections and form a desired bond and unity. They are such an enormous part of our lives that their health is central.

Concerning a healthy horse, a very important fact to note and a reality I addressed in my “Horse Vaccinations blog… vaccinations deplete vitamin C in the body…sometimes so much so that they may cause death. All animals, except humans, some monkeys and guinea pigs manufacture their own vitamin C from their feed. Normally a horse produces about 30 plus grams a day when it consumes a balanced diet, but there are some situations in which these levels are not met, actually leaving the levels extremely low in their system. One such factor is when there is a scarcity of green feed in the horse’s diet; leading to the possibility of some serious health issues. As for vaccinations, they demand requirements that far exceed a horse’s normal production of vitamin C and in this circumstance the horse with “low levels” maybe destint for disaster. Supplementation of vitamin C prior to immunization is crucial for all horses.

Giving vitamin C supplements can substantially reduce the dangers of depletion caused by vaccinations. There are a few ways to dispense the vitamin, but the method I prefer for its ease of administering is two tablespoons daily of sodium ascorbate powder, mixed in their feed, for 3 days prior to the vaccination. A point to remember, if there is stress of any kind, whether it is from trauma, sickness, travel, poison bites or whatever, the extra demand required far exceeds the supply of this vitamin produced normally by a horse. Vitamin C is an important nutrient and may help in triggering the horse's response to many illnesses from viral conditions to snake bites. This information will be undertaken in future blogs. I hope this helps you understand the importance vitamin C plays in your horse’s world.

Uses in the Body - Vitamin C:

Fight off Diseases
Fight off Infections
Healthy Cells
Strengthens Blood Vessels
Helps in Stress, Shock and Trauma
Helps Reduce Swelling and Promotes Healing