All Natural Foot Soak Recipe with Essential Oils

Greetings everyone!

I wanted to quickly share my recipe for an all-natural foot soak that works great for treating abscesses, thrush, seedy toes, bruises, etc. This recipe will not compromise live tissues and in non toxic, so no risk to your horse's skin, hair or health.

I use  the following:

• 1 capful of concentrated Thieves Household Cleaner
• 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar
• Epsom salts
• Tepid water

Mix in a rubber feed tub and stand your horse in it for 20-30 minutes. In most cases, one or two treatments are all I need to get the issue resolved.

Menina doing a great job of soaking her foot

Of course, it would be wise to teach your horse to stand still with foot in a bucket ahead of time, it will make the whole process a lot easier ☝😀
I can actually treat 2 feet at a time that way, my horses are confident with the idea, so they just chill and relax as they soak - just another form of ground tying.

Note: Thieves Household Cleaner is sold by Young Living (see the Essential Oils tab on this site for more info). In addition to being a great all purpose cleaner for the home, it works well to clean and sanitize brushes and combs, as a wound wash (diluted) and for a host of other applications. The small bottle goes a long way since it is very concentrated. Bonus, it smells wonderful!
Young Living products are available all over the world, including in Canada from a Canadian warehouse.

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

Performing an assessment to identify the source of pain or discomfort in our animals

One the first things we learn in our Photonic Heath training is to perform an assessment to trouble shoot the location of the animal's pain or problem.  

If you are a Photonic Health user, the first thing you should consider before red lighting your pet, is doing an assessment, a step that is often overlooked.

An assessment is a vital part of the success of the Photonic Light session. 
Why is this so important? When our loved ones , both furry and not so furry don’t look or feel well, instinctive nature kicks in. We do what we know to fix them-to help them feel better. We do this in a variety of ways. Usually our first hurdle is to determine what the core problem is, then we troubleshoot from there. Our not so furry loved ones can verbalize what hurts or what is bothering them, which provides us valuable information that allows us to nurse them back to health. Where as our furry loved ones only have a limited ability to communicate with us. When a horse bucks, pins it’s ears back, kicks out when the farrier is trimming him, or flinches when we brush him, (this applies to dogs, cats, cows, goats, ect.) we sometimes discard this as the them being crabby, sassy, mean, or disrespectful. But is that really the truth? If you have a pet that does any of these, it is important to delve further into the root cause of the behavior-what is he trying to tell us that he cannot verbalize. This is where your assessment will come into play. It will allow you to identify areas of concern you may have not known existed otherwise. Listed below is the video link giving basic instruction on how to preform an assessment on both the horse and dog. These will apply to all four legged creatures. Here are a couple of videos from Photonic Health explaining how to assess your pets prior to red lighting. 

Horse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T66vsJgB8nE 
Dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds-Qkr9YEyc

For more information, click on Photonic Health 

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

What Humans Can’t Teach: The Importance of Herd Socialization for the Performance Horse

Today I would like to share this great article on herd dynamics and how important the herd is to the mental, emotional and physical development of horses.  In nature, horses live in bands and the bonds formed within this extended family are bonds for life.  Horses need this social interaction as much as they need air and food, and isolation is a major contributor to stress, illness, stereotypical behaviors and poor attitude.

However, turnout as a lone horse denies a horse important herd dynamics and the lessons that can be taught by socializing with other horses. Although this may not always be possible or ideal with older, experienced and highly valued show stock, allowing a future performance horse to be raised in a herd structure proves beneficial to his development as a herd-savvy horse for the lessons and experiences that the herd can impart for all future encounters in and out of the pasture.

The lack of the herd experience creates not only the problems caused by stall-bound horses not allowed to ‘be horses’—cribbing, weaving, insecurity and overaggressiveness—but it also creates performance horses who can’t perform. 

There is much to be said about the bond between mare and foal, but also much to be said for the village that raises the foals. As the new foals enter the pasture in the spring by their mother’s side, they encounter other foals next to their mothers and open mares in the pasture to be bred. As soon as the mares with new foals become comfortable with the other mares, it is not strange to see an open mare acting as an “auntie” or another mother “babysitting” a group of foals. 

As athletes, horses need room to grow and develop. The opportunity of growing up on ample pasture within a herd structure offers many striking benefits for future performance horses. Foals learn early on about balance over terrain and “obstacles” such as streams, fallen logs, holes and rocks. This course in balance subsequently builds good bone, strong feet, athletic ability and a brave character. Horses growing outside get their grazing instincts met and are constantly allowed to move about, perhaps contributing to fewer instances of colic. Being in a herd allows them to build relationships and learn how to be secure, horse-savvy horses. All of this lends itself not only to better athletes, but also to happier horses. 

Click here to read the full article

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

February News and Event Updates - Nouvelles de février et calendrier des évènements

In the news for this month:
The Parelli Intensive Foundation Clinic now a 3 part series, a Pat Parelli clinic, and more learning opportunities about natural health therapies!  Check out our updated event schedule.

Click here to read February's newsletter

Les nouvelles de février:
Le Stage Intensif est maintenant une série de trois formations, un stage avec Pat Parelli et de nouveaux évènements pour en apprendre plus sur les produits naturels! Voyez notre cendrier des évènements à venir.

Cliquez ici pour lire l'info-lettre de février

Equine Ulcer Treatment - Before and After by Mark DePaolo, DVM

I have suspected that one of my horses has been having ulcers and hind end acidosis issues for a while now, and after doing the easy palpations explained in this video, my suspicion has been confirmed.  This is a great way to check a horse for ulcers and other digestive issues without having to resort to an endoscopic exam, where the vet inserts a tube with a small camera ending to scope out the horse's stomach, a procedure that requires sedation and can be quite uncomfortable for the horse, not to mention expensive.

Diet and stress are two major factors in the development of ulcers.  My horse is on a forage only diet with minerals, no grain or carbohydrates, so I can rule out this cause.  However, this year she has been through a series of traumas requiring aggressive medical treatment, not to mention the stress associated with long term stall rest, the medication and the extensive traveling we have been doing across the USA and Canada.  Not to mention the frequent changes in forage and environment inherent to this type of lifestyle.

I started treating her with a Miracle Clay solution, some of the herbs listed in the video and essential oils and will be looking into adding aloe vera juice and the other herbs to her diet.  Red lighting the sensitive points as well as CV12 is also effective.

If she does not show significant improvement in the short term, then I would consider adding a course of medication as suggested by Dr. DePaolo after consulting my own vet.




You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

Announcing a Horseless Workshop Series in Havelock, Quebec!

As promised, I am announcing the first series of horseless workshops to be held in my new home in Southern Quebec.  As I celebrate my return to Quebec, I hope to see many of you there!

Come discover Parelli Natural Horsemanship and the language of the horse, and learn more about the HorsenalityTM model, a revolutionary concept developed by Linda Parelli to help you better understand your partner and build a stronger relationship.  In our 4th workshop, we will present the principles of caring for horses in a natural way as well as alternatives so your horse can have the best care while remaining true to his nature.

You can sign up for one or more workshops, and we offering a great deal for those who book their spot for all four dates in the series.

Come and learn without having to haul a horse!
Now being held in our new high end facility in Havelock, Quebec

Horseless workshops are a fun and practical way to learn without having to worry about hauling a horse. You will attend a conference and take part in discussions and practical simulation exercises in an indoor facility, sheltered from the weather.
Workshops are generally comprised of a presentation, exercices and games and a Q&A session.

We will hold a demo with a horse at the Havelock location.

Please note the date change for workshop 4, there was an typo in the initial post. 

• 2 November:  Start a relationship, build a partnership (learn about Parelli)

• 9 November:  Discover your horse's HorsenalityTM (Part 1)

• 23 November:  Advanced HorsenalityTM (Part 2)

• 14 December:  Natural Horse Care and Management

Workshops are open to all. Please note that there may be prerequisites in some cases.PLEASE REGISTER AHEAD OF TIME.
Workshops will be held on Sundays from 1 to 4pm.  Best deal if you book for all four dates.Hurry, space is limited!
For more info and registration forms, visit http://vifargent.com/horseless-workshops/

 I look forward to seeing you there, and please share with your friends who love horses!

Is that what we want for our horses?

A great look at the benefits of a natural living environment for horses and the 'paddock paradise' or 'track paddock' concept to maximize movement, stimulation and interaction.

Two of the keys to equine health and happiness are movement and social interaction. When locked up in a stall, the horse is isolated and does not have access to either of these vital components. Mental shutdown, aggression, depression, cribbing, wind sucking and colic are only a few of the consequences that result from stall confinement. A stall is a non-stimulating, potentially frightening and dangerous area and should only be used under certain circumstances (an injury requiring immobility, a contagious disease, dangerous weather, etc.) 
The track paddock (or "paddock paradise"), on the other hand, perfectly fulfills the requirements imposed by the equine body and mind. It is designed to encourage movement, and movement regulates everything from blood flow and bone growth and to the quality of the hooves. On the track, horses live as they were designed to: in a herd, constantly munching on hay while on the move. Track paddocks also provide horses with water holes, rolling areas, camping areas (shelter) minerals, herbs, obstacles, and more. If the natural boarding conditions are combined with a natural diet and a natural trim, the horse is guaranteed to develop strong, callused hooves and live a long, healthy life.

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

Dr. Robert Bowker on Navicular Disease

I came across this interview while browsing the Internet and being a big fan of Dr. Bowker's work, I had to share.  I love how he explains a fairly complex field of study of horse health into simple terms for everyone to understand.

Navicular disease is still so widely miunderstood, Dr. Bowker's work is truly helping bring some scientific evidence to shatter a few myths and reveal the ingredients of keeping a horse healthy and sound.

Quoting the author of The Naturally Healthy Horse blog:

Although much of Dr. Bowker’s research continues to be ignored by those in traditional veterinary and farriery circles, he pushes on, continually bringing to light the misinformation that is often printed in student and veterinary texts.  The evidence he has collected on the natural function of the foot is overwhelming and is cited time and again by natural barefoot trimmers and holistically-focused veterinarians.

Quoting Dr. Bowker, DVM:

From my studies, I’ve been led to believe that it’s our husbandry practices–the way we care for our horses–that have created navicular disease.  Essentially, navicular disease comes down to vibrations; vibrations destroy tissue in the foot. 

When the back part of the foot and frog are not on the ground, the impact energy (from movement) is not dissipated but is instead transmitted to the bones and other connective tissues of the foot. These tissues do not dissipate the impact energy well, and the long-term result is chronic foot problems and lameness.

If the frog is on the ground, the bars will contribute in supporting weight and much of the load will be supported by the sole.

Many people think that barefoot is just about pulling the shoes off.  It’s not.  Proper and frequent trimming and keeping the toe short will result in a good hoof. In my opinion the foot during the active growth season should be trimmed by a trimmer or farrier every 3-5 weeks. In some cases even shorter time intervals. Rarely longer though.

Horse owners have a responsibility to become educated—and they need to start by paying attention to the foot.  I consider proper foot care and nutrition to be the two most important aspects of horse care. 

Click here to read the whole interview

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

Curing acute colic and injury with Photonic Therapy

Another great story about #PhotonicTherapy success: 

This morning, one of the working students here at Avalo Farm knocked on my trailer door asking for help as one of the mares appeared to be colicking and the owner Michelle is away teaching for the weekend. 

I immediately grabbed my ProLight and chart booklet and headed out in the rain. Indeed, the mare looked quite ill - she was thrashing trying to lay down, kept looking at her flanks and her gums looked very pale, showing signs of intense pain and shock. 

I did the colic points twice and within minutes she was less agitated and her gums started to pink up. I followed up with wellness points and when the working student showed up with a sedative shot, she was coming out of it and we decided she did not need to be medicated. 

Half an hour later, she was calm, looking for food and her gums were back to normal. She is now resting comfortably under a shelter with a blanket, since it's a cold rainy day here and she was shivering.

It is so great to have this fabulous tool right at hand in my first aid kit, I cannot tell you how many times I have helped horses with it, including when I stopped the hemorraging on my own horse after she tore her pastern and nicked an artery on a wire fence 2 months ago. The light has also helped me accelerate my own healing from my back injury last month. More information on the Photonic Therapy tab of this site!

Menina's injury 2 days after it happened

3 layers of sutures, all the way to the artery

Menina's injury 2 weeks later, after 4 days of transport to Florida

2 months later, the scar is now barely visible!

Faites cadeau à votre cheval de la santé optimale! Give your horse the gift of optimal health!

In December's newsletter:

• What is optimal health?
• Photonic therapy, a tool for life!
• Have you considered essential oils?

Take advantage of our year-end specials!

Dans l'info-lettre de décembre:

• Qu'est-ce que la santé optimale?
• La thérapie photonique, un outil pour la vie!
• Avez-vous songé aux huiles essentielles?
• Meilleurs voeux pour les Fêtes

Profitez de nos soldes de fin de saison!

Cliquez pour lire l'infolettre... Click here to read the newsletter...

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!  

Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

Preventing winter colic - by Dr. E. Kellon, DVM

Winter is a high risk season for colic. Fortunately, this is largely related to factors you can control with careful management.    Impaction colic is particularly common and a major cause is dehydration. A 1000 pound horse has a minimum daily water requirement in winter of an average of 6 gallons or one and a half 4 gallon stall buckets.  It is critically important to meet this minimum, but not always easy.

Begin by making sure the horse takes in at least 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of salt every day. If the horse refuses to free choice salt, you can add some to feed, dissolve it in water and spray on hay or dissolve and syringe it in. After a few days of salt intake many horses will begin to take it in voluntarily. Heated or insulated water buckets/troughs are an excellent investment. Serving water warm makes it more palatable and also keeps it from freezing longer. If you don't have hot water at the barn, get an inexpensive heating coil or bring boiled water with you in a thermos or cooler. It's worth the effort.

Water intake can also be boosted by wet meals. Warm beet pulp is especially good because it soaks up  four times its weight in water. Pellets can also be soaked and many commercial feeds contain enough beet pulp to allow them to soak up water. Gas colic or spasmodic colic can occur at any time of year, but lowered exercise and borderline hydration can put the horse at higher risk. Further guard against this by never making rapid changes in the diet (an occasional bran mash excepted), including in hays.  Click here to read the whole article, including early signs of dehydration that can lead to colic. You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends!   Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up.  The Natural Horse Daily Balanced Supplement contains all essential elements for a thriving health, including salt!  Click here for more info.

Fall Laminitis Signs and Intervention - by Dr. E. Kellon, DVM

Several years ago, I was shocked when my aging horse developed sensitivity in its feet in the fall, and this without having access to ANY fresh grass or grain.  This is when I learned that laminitis and founder are not strictly related to eating too much grain or being turned out of fresh grass to quickly.  In the course of my research into ways to help my horse, I found Dr. Kellon, but also a lot of information on the root causes of laminities in horses, and ways to prevent it or treat it.  In the case of my mare, that episode turned out to be the first sight of Cushings disease and she was subsequently treated with Pergolide.

I thought I would pass on this article by Dr. Kellon that gives a fairly simple explanation of the process and the scientific evidence behind fall laminitis, as well as dietary concerns.  It might save you a lot of time looking for answers or even prevent an outset. -- Geneviève Benoit

Laminitis in pastured horses peaks in the spring. There is also a smaller cluster of cases seen in the fall. To understand the reason, you have to look to the causes.

One of the most devastating effects of fall laminitis is that it can appear to strike out of nowhere. However, if you know and are alert to the warning signs, you can intervene and protect your horse before disaster strikes.

Review of case histories in a large veterinary hospital found that 80+% of cases of laminitis are related to endocrine disorders – insulin resistance or Cushing's disease, which causes insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance/IR is a condition in which the insulin sensitive cells, especially skeletal muscle and fat, do not respond normally to the hormone insulin, whose job is to get glucose into the cells.  As a result, much higher than normal levels of insulin are needed to get the job done.

What does all of this have to do with fall laminitis? Beginning late August and into the fall, horses experience a rise in the pituitary hormone ACTH. ACTH is the hormone that causes cortisol release from the adrenal gland. For most horses, this is not a problem. However, increased cortisol will worsen insulin resistance and can push IR horses over the edge into laminitis. Also, horses in the early stages of Cushing's disease, which is also characterized by increased levels of ACTH, have an exaggerated release of the hormone in the fall. This can be high enough to push them into insulin resistance and laminitis. In fact, an unexplained fall laminitis is sometimes the very first symptom of Cushing's disease.

There's nothing we can do to prevent the ACTH rise, but you can be alert for signs the horse could be getting in trouble. Look for increased water consumption and urination, weight gain without change in diet, increasing fat deposits along the neck, tail base, shoulders or other abnormal location, depression. Early signs of laminitis can include reduced activity, reluctance to move when asked, tenderness on hard ground, shortened stride, stiff movements and reluctance to turn.

Click here to read the full article by Dr. Kellon

You enjoyed this post?  Let us know by posting a comment below and feel free to share with your friends! 
 
Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

  

How to know if my horse has gastric ulcers

Ulcers are much more frequent in horses that people realize.  They can appear after only one trailer ride or stressful event.  Here is a great video showing how to palpate your horse to assess whether it might be affected by ulcers.  The only way to verify the presence of gastric ulcers is to ask the vet to perform an endoscopic exam.

Photonic Therapy can help relieve the pain and accelerate healing. I also like to feed Dynamite Miracle Clay to prevent and treat ulcers naturally.

You enjoyed this article?  Let us know by posting your comments below and feel free to share with your friends!

Comment prendre le pouls digital - How to take your horse's digital pulse

Un pouls digital élevé est un indicateur certain de laminite ou d'un cheval qui s'apprête à faire de la fourbure!  Il est important de savoir prendre le pouls digital, en particulier au printemps lorsqu'on commence à remettre les chevaux à l'herbe après l'hiver.  Processus qui devrait toujours être fait très progressivement.

Vous aimez le contenu de cet article?  Faites-nous le savoir en nous transmettant vos commentaires et n'hésitez pas à le partager avec vos amis!  

First Aid: How to Take Your Horse’s Digital Pulse at the Fetlock

An elevated digital pulse is a sure sign of laminitis or impending founder!  This is important to know especially as we start turning out horses on pasture after the winter.  A process that must be done very gradually.

You enjoyed this article?  Let us know by posting your comments and feel free to share with your friends!

My natural first aid kit

I try to treat my horses as naturally as possible and I have found that they tend to stay healthier and happier that way.  My horses are rarely sick, they are rarely lame and they only see the vet for annual check ups, teeth and Coggins test.  This is what I usually keep around for emergencies or first aid care:

A thermometer and a sheet with the information on checking vital signs.

Natural clay, already mixed and ready to use - great for swelling, abscesses, bug bites, bruises, aches and pains, and can be fed diluted to treat stomach ulcers.  It is also a natural antiseptic that can be used on wounds.  I use Bentonite, but natural green clay is also excellent.

A photonic torch - this is a incredible tool that I use all the time, for prevention and treatment.  Photonic therapy was initially developed by an Australian veterinarian, Dr. McLaren, and works on the same principle as acupuncture.  Instead of stimulating the points with needles, he uses a ray of red light.  It is effective and cannot harm the horse.  I have successfully treated a large number of wounds and conditions with the photonic torch, including colic and pain.  I also use it on my horses on a regular basis as a preventive treatment to ward off illness and boost their immune system, as well as to optimize the energy flow through their bodies.

I am now distributing the red light!  For more information, click on Photonic Health

Colloidal silver - to treat wounds, infections, cuts, scrapes and can be fed to help the immune system.  It can also be used to treat eye conditions.

Tea tree oil and tea tree oil ointment - great for all kinds of things.  It has natural antiseptic and healing properties and can be used on cuts, scrapes, skin disorders, scratches, mud fever, sores, etc.

Calendula cream for cuts and scrapes, and arnica gel for bruises and localized swelling.

A probiotic - very useful to help the gut during stressful events,  before and after vaccination, while travelling and to help a horse who is having digestive trouble.  I also feed a small amount daily to help them with the digestion and assimilation of their food.

Vitamin C - used to support them when they are feeling sick, fatigued, have a cold, and a number of other conditions.  I have not used antibiotics on my horses for years.

A colloidal trace mineral solution - used to dry out a cut or reduce bleeding, to help with healing and can be fed internally to support healing.

Organic apple cider vinegar - fed daily to promote health, good digestion and good skin, and also used to make fly spray, other solutions or to spray on skin that is dry, flaky or has some kind of condition.  It can also be sprayed on feet and added to water (it prevents the growth of bacteria and algae).

Scissors, diapers and duct tape - to wrap feet if necessary.

Sterile gauze, cotton and pads - for cleaning or to apply solutions or ointments without contaminating wounds.  I rarely wrap anything, it does better if it can drain and clean itself out.

Essential oils - I am still learning about the use of oils, but I have found all sorts of use for them.  I allow the horse to smell the oil and let me know if they need it.  Bergamot, cedar, citronella and peppermint are great in fly spray.  Lavender is good for the skin.  Some mixes can be used to reduce pain, help digestion, etc.

A headlight, for those times where it is dark and you need your hands to function!

I make sure to keep everything in one place and nicely organized so that I can quickly find and grab the whole kit and take it to my horse in case of emergency.  I keep one kit in the barn AND one in the trailer at all times so that I won't forget it if I happen to be going somewhere.

Have you considered a natural approach to horse management?  Share your thoughts and comments with us.

Geneviève Benoit offers seminars and workshops on natural horse management, as well as on using Photonic Therapy and Essential Oils.  Contact us for more info and to set one up. 

My natural nutrition system for horses

People often ask me how I keep my horses so healthy and looking so fine.  Those of you who have seen them will agree that they are full of vitality, have great coats and hooves, and a high resistance to illness and infection. I use a natural feeding program in line with the true nature of the equine species, who happens to be a herbivore.

 

Basically, my horses mainly receive free choice grass forage and quality water, as well as chelated minerals in a balanced formula.  I do not  feed commercial or processed feed.  The horse in nature has not evolved to digest oils, hydrogenated or animal fats or large quantities of sugar, and I have trouble understanding why they would need it and how that would be suited to their metabolism.  Studies have now shown that we must avoid feeding horses large quantities of sugar and starches.  

Alternatively, our cultivated soils are now very poor in minerals due to intensive agriculture, so it is important to give them a mineral supplement that is easily assimilated by their system, because several minerals and trace elements are no longer present or in sufficient quantities in cultivated forage.

My basic recipe

	Unlimited access to clean grass hay and/or pasture.
	Cubed timothy with some alfalfa in limited quantity, served soaked.
	In rare cases, a mix of whole oats and barley, in very small quantities, and only for horses in active training or during extreme cold spells (-40C).

I add:

	A balanced daily natural supplement that I have developed over the years of doing research and that is adapted to equines.  It contains balanced quantities of minerals and trace minerals, probiotics, antioxidants and Omega-3 **.
	Organic apple cider vinegar, unfiltered and unpasteurised.
	Black oil sunflower seeds, unshelled (contain fatty acids and natural plant oils), about 1 cup a day.

I have eliminated grain from their diets.  Horses on high grain diets may gradually develop digestive and metabolic problems.  The majority of horses, even in training, do not need grain.  Forage must be the largest part of their daily ration.  In fact, 10 to 15% of horses develop intolerance to corn, which is used in many commercial feeds.  

In addition, a feeding system too rich in sugar and in carbohydrates causes a gradual degradation of the laminae of the hoof, which will manifest itself long before any acute phase or founder crisis.  Even if a horse never founders, the most recent studies show that laminitis is not only a condition that can be found in most domesticated horses, but that it can be attributed to an ill-adapted feed, too heavy in grain and sugar-rich forage that are not assimilated by the horse.  Sedentary lifestyles on soft and uniform ground are also a factor in laminitis issues.

Finally, my horses have access to free-choice salts in little feeders installed in their stalls.  They can consume them as needed, according to changes in temperatures or their cycles, because the natural horse instinctively knows what it needs and will search for these minerals in his environment.  Without large spaces to do so, and since we can’t give them 10 000 acres to roam on, free-choice salts replace the bark, moss, leaves and various plants that a natural horse consumes throughout the year to feed himself.

I also avoid most chemical products or remedies for my horses, and I have discovered that there are plenty of natural alternatives to take care of them, including for deworming and fly spray. 

For more information on the natural management of horses, please have a look around this site, you will find a number growing of articles and tips, and subscribe to our newsletter to get the info in your mailbox.

** Note:  I now offer my own daily balanced supplement designed for horse on a grass hay diet.  It contains chelated minerals, is completely natural, contains no preservatives or chemical additives, and has a very high rate of absorption by the body.  This private label supplement is available throughout Canada.

Mon système d'alimentation naturelle des chevaux

On me demande souvent comment je garde mes chevaux si beaux et en santé.  Ceux qui les ont vus pourront témoigner de leur vigueur, de la qualité de leur poil et de leurs sabots, et de leur grande résistance aux maladies et aux infections.  J'utilise un système d'alimentation naturel élaboré depuis de nombreuses années, et qui respecte la vraie nature de cet espèce herbivore qu'est le cheval. 

À la base, mes chevaux ne mangent que du fourrage à base de graminées, de l’eau de qualité, et des minéraux sous forme organique en formule équilibrée.  Je ne leur donne aucune moulée commerciale ou traitée, de céréales ou de grain.  Le cheval n’ayant pas dans son état naturel évolué pour digérer des huiles, des gras hydrogénés ou animaux, ou du sucre en grande quantité, j’ai du mal à concevoir qu’ils en aient besoin et que cela soit adapté à leur métabolisme.   Les études démontrent par ailleurs de plus en plus que le cheval doit éviter de consommer de grandes quantités de sucre et d'amidon.  

Par contre, les sols agricoles étant aujourd’hui très appauvris par les cultures intensives, il est important de leur fournir un supplément en minéraux de bonne qualité et facilement assimilables par l’organisme, car ces minéraux sont maintenant souvent absents ou mal équilibrés dans les fourrages cultivés. 

  

Ma recette de base 

	Du foin à base de graminées à volonté et/ou pâturage.
	Un fourrage déshydraté en cubes composé principalement de mil et comportant un peu de luzerne, servis trempés (en quantité limitée).
	J'ajoute parfois un mélange d’avoine ronde et d’orge entière, en très petites quantités (une tasse par jour), et seulement pour le cheval très actif ou si la température atteint des extrêmes (-40C).

J’ajoute: 

	Un complément quotidien équilibré de fabrication entièrement naturelle et adaptés aux besoins des équidés que j'ai développé au fil des années et de mes recherches.  Il inclut des quantités équilibrées de minéraux et d'oligo-éléments, du sélénium, des probiotiques, des anti-oxydants et des Oméga-3  **.
	Des graines de tournesol noires (riches en acides aminés et en huiles naturelles végétales), servies avec l’écale (environ 1 tasse par jour).
	Du vinaigre de cidre de pomme bio non pasteurisé et non filtré.

J'ai éliminé les grains de leur diète.  Les chevaux qui reçoivent une diète riche en grains peuvent développer graduellement des problèmes digestifs et métaboliques.  La très grande majorité des chevaux, même ceux à l'entraînement, n'ont pas besoin de grains ou de concentrés.  Le fourrage doit constituer la plus grande partie de leur portion.  D’ailleurs le maïs, qui est souvent à la base des moulées commerciales, est pour 10 à 15% des chevaux une source de problèmes digestifs graves. 

De plus, l’alimentation trop riche en sucres et en hydrates de carbone provoque la dégradation graduelle de la structure des lamelles du sabot, qui se manifeste très longtemps avant la phase aiguë et la crise de fourbure.  Même si le cheval ne fait jamais de crise, les études les plus récentes démontrent que la laminite est non seulement une condition que l’on retrouve dans la majorité des chevaux domestiqués; mais elle est essentiellement le résultat d’une alimentation mal adaptée à son métabolisme, trop axée sur le grain et les fourrages riches en sucres non assimilables, ainsi que d’un mode de vie plutôt sédentaire sur des sols trop mous et trop uniformes. 

Finalement, mes chevaux ont accès à des sels d'origine minérale en libre-choix, dans de petites mangeoires installées dans leurs boxes.  Ils se serviront selon leurs besoins, les changements de saison et leurs cycles, car le cheval au naturel sait instinctivement ce dont il a besoin et ira à la recherche de ces minéraux dans son environnement, à condition d’avoir de grands espaces pour y combler ses besoins.  Étant donné que nous n’avons pas 10 000 acres à leur offrir pour vivre, les sels en libre-choix remplacent l’écorce, la mousse, les feuilles et les plantes de toutes sortes que le cheval consomme au fil des saisons pour s’alimenter. 

J’évite aussi de donner à mes chevaux des produits ou des médicaments chimiques, et j’ai découvert qu’il existe de nombreuses alternatives naturelles pour les soigner, y compris les vermifuges et l’anti-mouche. 

Pour plus de renseignements sur la régie naturelle, consultez les différentes sections de ce site, vous y trouverez une quantité croissant d'articles et de trucs.  Abonnez-vous à notre infolettre pour recevoir les nouveautés dans votre boîte aux lettres.

** Note:  J'offre désormais mon propre complément de choix sont sous forme organique, entièrement naturel, sans additifs chimiques ou agents de conservation, et hautement assimilable par l'organisme.  Ce complément quotidien équilibré destiné aux chevaux nourris exclusivement au foin est disponible à l'échelle canadienne.