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Greetings
By Nina Arbella, Chief Manure Mucker, Eye of the Storm
Hello horse lovers. I hope you're surviving this winter better
than I am. It's been bitterly cold here in Massachusetts and
the ice is terrible. But we did see 40 degrees one day in
February, so can spring be far behind? See the notice about
the folk concert below - that will
help warm us up!
I'm always happy to talk to people who call Eye of the Storm
for advice about horse care. But it's become a bit of a problem
if people leave messages and I have to call back long-distance.
We really have to focus our limited funds on horse supplies,
not phone calls.
I still want to talk to you, but please, call back if you
don't reach me. Or, if you're willing to make a donation,
I can call you back long-distance. Thanks for understanding!
Speaking of phone calls, I get lots of questions about the
Cushings "Cure" we discussed in the September 2003
newsletter. Below are more details on our Equine
Cushings Disease "Cure". Remember, I'm not a
vet! But I'm an observant horse person and I'm always happy
to share with you what's worked with my horses.
Folk Rock Concert to Save the Horses
featuring Dennis Pacy
Shake off cabin fever and the winter chill! Treat yourself
to an acoustic folk and rock concert on Saturday night, March
20, at the historic Stow Town Hall.
Dennis Pacy will perform in concert to benefit the horses
and ponies at the Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue Center in
Stow.
Dennis, an Acton resident and Littleton native, has been
a professional guitarist and songwriter for 25 years. Previously
with The Barker Gang, Dennis now performs a diverse range
of original songs and cover tunes on acoustic guitar.
He will perform on Saturday night at 7:30, March 20, at the
Stow Town Hall, located at the intersection of Routes 117
and 62. Doors open at 7:00 for the 7:30 show. Enjoy hot coffee
and refreshments while you watch the show.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.
More about the
Cushings "Cure"
Every Click Counts!
Please help support our horses by visiting the sponsors
below:
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Most Asked Cushings Questions
Due to the overwhelming response to the “Cushings diet”
in a previous newsletter we have been answering the same questions
over and over again. Some we have answers to, some we do not
but her is a list of the most asked questions and the answers
from our own experience.
You may also want to read the original Equine
Cushings "Cure" article on our website.
(Please note that we're calling this
a "cure," but it's really just a great treatment
that we discovered. We're not vets, we're just observant horse
people.)
Q: Should I shoe my Cushings horse to make him more
comfortable?
A:. If your horse has Laminitis a knowledgeable and experienced
farrier who specializes in corrective shoeing may be able
to, not only make your horse more comfortable, but can possibly
save it’s life. If your farrier can not do this he can
refer you to one of his colleagues who can. Remember all cases
are different. It took 2 years for our farrier to realize
that Snowdrop needed her shoes to not put pressure on the
walls of her hoof but could tolerate a fair amount on her
soles, so her pads are adjusted accordingly. This could change
at any time as new laminae grow out from the coronary band
and the connective tissues strengthen. A good farrier will
stay on top of things and tweak this or that as he gets to
know our horse better. Be prepared to pay for the best. In
the long run it will be worth it and may return your horse
to reasonable soundness. Remember it takes 1 year to grow
out a new hoof. It is possible that it may take at least 2
years for a hoof to begin to look normal again, if ever. Be
prepared also to deal with abbesses, as that dead tissue will
seek a way out of the hoof capsule and your horse will be
very lame until they burst. The horse will then experience
instant relief. Just ride these episodes out. They will pass.
Q: My horse has a very heavy hair coat, and sweats
in even below freezing temps, should I clip him?
A: I have to tell you, I just don’t know. I have no
experience with this. In summer by all means clip him. I suggest
you check out a “Cushings chat site” and ask what
others have done. I would think if you could somehow clip
him and leave 2 inches of hair on in the winter that would
be good. Feeding Chaste tree berry ( also known as Vitex)
will often make a horse begin to shed within days or it won’t
happen until normal shedding season in the spring. In our
experience it always does happen eventually, though Bess,
our 28 year old Shetland never was really slick, we didn’t
have to clip her even in summer. Again, every case is different.
Seek knowledge. There are lots of people out there who know.
Q: How much Chaste tree berry should I feed?
A: We give 1 level teaspoon 2 X’s a day to our 550
lb. Shetland and 1 slightly heaping teaspoon 2X’s a
day to 750 lb. Snowdrop. This is based on whole berries in
which you grind yourself. If you purchase the powdered form
use slightly less. We also give all our older mares the same
as Snowdrop though they don’t have Cushings. It makes
them happier during their heat cycles and less fussy. I also
feel that it’s possible to prevent Cushings by starting
early, maintaining good pituitary function with Chaste tree
berry. It seems to be okay to use on male horses too. We have
done so and the boys have done well.
Q: Can I feed my breeding stallion Chaste tree berry?
A: It’s your call. Im not sure I would continue to
breed a Cushings horse. Is it hereditary? Does anyone know?
Another name for chaste tree berry is “monks pepper”.
Supposedly monks used it to curb their libido. Does it work
that way? Some studies show it does not. If it was my stallion
I would feed it to him. The pituitary is the master gland
which balances the endocrine system which includes the thyroid,
adrenal, thymus and sex organs. The most important thing is
to improve this horse’s life.
Q: I’ve heard alfalfa was unsafe to feed to
Cushings/Laminitic horses, yet you feed it in your “diet”,
why is that?
A: There are all kinds of reasons that I’ve read that
alfalfa is bad. Too much protein, certain chemicals that cause
certain negative things to happen in a horse’s body,
etc. but what I have also learned is that there is more positive
reasons to feed small amounts. Too much of anything is bad,
including alfalfa. It is so full of trace minerals, not to
mention Beta Carotene, which is a major component needed for
healthy hoof growth. We have been feeding Snowdrop 1 Quart
of alfalfa cubes (Purina) soaked in 1 gallon of water once/day
for 3 years. Though her hooves are very deformed (her coffin
bones almost point backwards!) She has not re-Foundered in
a year and a half. I feel alfalfa has aided in her recovery.
Remember small amounts only. I would not feed this to small
overweight ponies though. Definitely too many calories! If
you are concerned, please ask your vet.
Q: What about magnesium?
A: This is probably the second most important ingredient
in the “Cushings diet”. I forgot to mention it
in the newsletter. Magnesium helps utilize carbohydrates and
helps break up those fatty deposits (cellulite) that form
on the crests, tail heads, above the eyes, etc. It also aids
in muscle function. We use Twin Labs 400 mg. capsules, 1 capsules
per 150 lb. body weight. This stuff is very inexpensive and
can be purchased at any health food store. Just open the capsules
and pour in to the feed. Horses know they need it and eat
it right up! Give it to him/her once a day.
Q: Why feed them brewer’s yeast?
A: There are many reasons; it keeps the gut flora healthy
and it is full of B vitamins which feeds and repairs the nervous
system. Biotin is a B vitamin found in brewer’s yeast
and is a very important nutrient used in hoof growth formulas.
They charge a lot of money for it as well. Save your money
and feed your horses brewer’s yeast. Do not feed it
if your horse has any respiratory problems like heaves or
seasonal allergies. If he’s allergic to mold, he will
probably be allergic to yeast.
Q: Can I feed Chaste tree berry while using Pergolide?
A: I have never used Pergolide. I do hear that it can cause
liver damage with extended use. I do know someone who has
her pony on both and after 2 years (!) The pony is doing just
fine. I have suggested that the pony be taken off Pergolide,
as she probably doesn’t need it anymore, but should
have a blood test from her vet if her owner is concerned.
Q: What is Chaste tree berry and why does it work
so well?
A: Also known as Vitex and Monks pepper. While researching
Cushings disease in humans and natural cures, I came across
this sentence. “Chaste tree berry feeds the pituitary”.
Down through history it has mostly been used for women’s
complaint and it’s other uses have been lost in obscurity,
but that one little sentence set me on a path that has helped
improve the lives of so many horses.
Q: I called Frontier herb and when I asked for Chaste
berry they didn’t know what I was talking about.
A: My mistake, it is Chaste tree berry, Chaste tree or Vitex
agnus castus.
Q: How much Vitamin E, Vitamin C and MSM do I feed?
A: According to dosage on the labels.
Q: What causes Cushings disease?
A: I believe that in most cases it is an autoimmune disorder.
We are over vaccinating all our companion animals. As of last
count the drug companies were encouraging us to give eight
different vaccines per year and one of those 4 times a year!!!
Horses have spectacular immune systems. Proper feed, good
friends and a natural healthy lifestyle goes a long way in
keeping our horses going strong to a ripe old age.
Q: Why did my Cushings horse Founder?
A: There has been loads of research done, brain-storming
seminars and lots of ideas, but the bottom line is, no one
really knows. The “perfect”design of the equine
hoof is awe inspiring. It does not seem possible that Laminitis
can occur. There is a wrongness about it and I feel that the
answer is close. Let’s pray that someone figures it
out soon. All we can do is tr eat the symptoms in the meantime,
we’re all in the dark.
Q: If you don’t vaccinate your horses, how
do you keep them from getting sick?
A: We do vaccinate for rabies. Since a rabid skunk got in
with our pig last summer, we decided that was a real threat,
but we will do Titers this year before re-vaccinating them.
What about the rest? We feed Pau d’arco. It’s
a very inexpensive immune booster. Whether is actually kills
parasites or gives the immune system what it needs to kill
them, I don’t know but it seems to work for us. We also
feed Vitamin E and Vitamin C and MSM. for Czardas’ hoof
canker we feed grapefruit seed extract. These supplements
are healthy “food” which feed the body and help
keep it strong and healthy.
Q: Where can I get these products?
A: Pau d’arco and Chaste tree berry you can order from
Frontier Herbs, or a local health food store can order them
for you. Call 800-669-3275 and open an account. You save 10%
over retail prices when you join and become a member which
costs only $10. Not a bad deal.
-Vit. C, Vit. E, MSM are expensive supplements and very important.
They can be purchased from any equine supply catalog or from
your local feed or tack shop.
-Magnesium is very important. We use Twin Labs, human grade
400 mg. capsules from any health food store .
-Alfalfa cubes (soak 1 qt. in 1 gal. water once/day) Purina,
any feed store, any other brand will do as well.
Q: Why do you feed Chaste tree berry one week off?
A: We feel that given consistently causes the body to get
too used to it and it might possible become less efficient.
That week off is not so long that the pituitary can go out
of balanced again but enough time to still be efficient. Here
again it works for us so that’s what we do.
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