Which Rescue Horse Should Be De-Toxed?


1


40-year-old Van? Arthritic with respiratory issues.


The answer? Dreamer (2) and Shorty (3).


of organic pasture. He receives only natural supplements and worming, and he is active and happy. Van is in exceptional health for his age. Because of his clean lifestyle now, he no longer needs detoxifying. However, if he became ill, started to lose a lot of weight, or was exposed to disease or excess toxic pollution, he would be detoxed for at least 10 days.


• more sensitive to work on right side, avoids turning to the right


• anemia or hepatitis (determined via blood test)


KIDNEY Since the kidneys’ job is to eliminate the toxins the liver filters, it makes sense to assist the kidneys in keeping up with the toxic load. If inflammation occurs during liver detox, this is a red flag: the kidneys can’t keep up with all those toxins.


BLOOD/LYMPHATIC SYSTEM With duplication in liver detox formula and function, there is no need for a separate blood cleanse unless tackling it as a single detox. Liver support/detox and blood cleansing herbs are similar; for blood cleanse only, consider adding calendula, cascara, chaparral, devils claw, echinacea, juniper or red clover.


Lymphatics work closely with the blood to release toxins. Te Lymphatic system is a key disease defense network located just under the skin. Lymphatic detox is especially important in fighting inflammation and enhancing your horse’s ability to sweat. Horsetail (equisetum) and Fenugreek can be made into a tea and added to feed for 6 weeks, and/or add mint to your hedgerow or


Holistic Horse™ • August/September 2010


1. Van arrived 2 years ago and was detoxed at that time (we cheated a little; you could not have known that). If he had just arrived, he would be the perfect candidate for detox due to his age, his then low weight, long-term drug use for pain and arthritis, and his ill temper. Today, Van grazes freely on 50 acres


2


30-year-old Dreamer? Ex-race horse.


3


7-year-old Shorty? Otherwise healthy but with navicular issues and pain.


2. Dreamer needs to be detoxed. He is obviously in ill health, severely underweight and toxic. He also had periodic seizures.


Dreamer 2 weeks after his detoxification protocol.


3. Shorty needs to be detoxed. He has been overused for stressful ranch work daily and he is in severe pain. He adjusts his stance to accommodate his need to get weight off his front feet. His body is tense and his muscles are tight and knotted. He has been eating processed sweet feed, toxic to his system. After detox, Shorty will begin his hoof rehab with a more stress-free environment (both internal and external) and healthy lifestyle change.


trough herbs. It is wise to add sea salt, rosehips and kelp during this process as well. Feeding oats can support lack of dietary silica, common in lymphatic problems. Silver Lining makes #35 Lymphatic formula. Additional supports include: • Germanium has an affinity to the lymphatic system, tones liver and


Before beginning any detox, offer immune support for 1-2 weeks. (Ideally, maintaining a healthy immune system is an ongoing process.)


For first-time or once-a-year users: Detox with Liver and Kidney (add Blood/Lymph if needed, based on the horse’s issues) daily for 1- 2 months. Shorten to 2-4 weeks if the horse has previously been detoxed or recently endured a bout of illness or stress.


After the detox program, continue to provide specific supports for that horse’s unique issues.


A 3-5 day FLUSH in lieu of the 1- month kidney detox is similar, but shorter and more intense. Use


• Vol.16, Issue 68


kidneys and also balances hormones and emotions.


• Grapefruit is a gentle and effective lymphatic stimulant, nourishes cells, eliminates toxins, is a liver tonic and cleanses the kidney and vascular system.


• Clivers supports lymphatics. continued on p. 16


THE DETOX PROTOCOL


this when visible inflammation is present, the kidney needs support to eliminate fluids or if the kidney is in distress (indicated by palpation, acupressure or acupuncture points). This “jump start” for the kidney is a detox as well, just a shorter protocol.


If your horse is not urinating, call your vet. Meanwhile, consider administering a Flush, monitoring your horse for rapid results.


Equine competitors can vastly reduce potential health problems by starting and ending their season with a detoxification program, all the while using ongoing support for immune and digestive bacterial (probiotic) aids.


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