Feed Horses Safely

Horses are non-ruminant herbivors/browsers. Their digestive tracts need a constant supply of fiber in the form of grass pasture or grass hay. They are designed to munch all day on the grasses, herbs, roots, even bark they will find in natural surroundings. A horse that is well nourished will not eat toxic plants (they are usually distasteful - with odd exceptions like locoweeds). By basing your ration on grass hay, you provide the foundation. We like bermudas, orchard grasses, timothy, wheat grasses - be aware of fescues (they can have a fungus that causes photosensitivity), sudan (can cause urinary cystitis) or johnson grass (can contain cyanide). Oat hay is the oat grass cut before harvesting the oats, it's value varies greatly, but is usually safe. Alfalfa is a legume full of protein and minerals/vitamins. Alfalfa is a great supplement! It can be fed as 1/4 to 1/2 the hay ration if needed, but is questionable as the only hay source because of the high protein and nitrogen. Horses adapt really well considering their unique digestive system and often you will hear of horses surviving and looking great on alfalfa and corn or something equally alarming! But survival is a minimum goal - we want our horses to thrive and feel good as well as look good. Building a more natural diet helps their systems work more effectively and with less dis-ease of the the entire body. Grains are added only when excess energy requirements are made upon the equine metabolism and rolled barley is best, then oats whole or rolled. Herbs that the feral horse would seek can be added to feed and wheat bran adds fiber, phosphorus and should be fed soaked with water to also add moisture (if you feed high calcium alfalfa - wheat bran balances it with the phorphorus). Every horse is unique - every circumstance is unique. Balancing the diet is ongoing and fun. The Holistic Horse Care Handbook has lots of information!

A New Horse

When you get a new horse, be sure to discover all the things about his background that can help you communicate well with him/her and avoid confusion or injury. If a horse has never seen cross-ties; you certainly do not want to tie him in them without a patient introduction! If you get a horse from the race track; the grooms probably cleaned all four hooves from the near side and he might not understand at first when you ask from the off side. The way to avoid surprises (for both of you - horses do not usually like surprises) is to ask the previous owner or caretaker for this information. When you train a horse, it is a good idea to instill some habits and schooling that are considered "standard" or normal. When and if another horse person handles him, they will not get upset with him for acting in a non-traditional way (say, stopping when you use the legs and going when you pull the reins!). This ensures that his life will be decent in the hands of another competent horseman, which is an obligation we have as trainers. And always tell a new person what the horse knows, expects and does not know! Individualism need not be sacrificed to accomplish these things; just build your horse's uniqueness from a foundation that makes common sense. And, I am personally talking about a 5,000 year old system/tradition that has served as a compassionate, connected methodology that serves the horse as much as it serves the human.

Symptoms & the Cause

There are 3 ways of approaching an illness or disorder to relieve its suffering and effect - One is the Scientific method in which symptoms are the focus and their suppression is the goal. This tradition uses chemicals that work to that effect. The second approach is the Heroic method in which natural, plant based treatments are used to allay the symptoms and to address the underlying causes of a disorder. The third is the Wisdom way (also called "Holism")- often the traditions of indigenous peoples as well as cutting edge energy healing modalities - which looks at the entire being on all levels and re-balances the bodies with a variety of methods addressing the cause of the problem. There is a place for each method in human and veterinary medicines. Sometimes, symptoms are so overwhelming that they simply must be reduced before any real attention to the deeper issues can be considered. And always, the messenger of the symptom is telling us that something deeper is going on - if not addressed; the disorder will just return in one form or another. Allopathy believes that bad health is the natural condition and you battle it with an arsenal. We believe that good health is the natural condition and you nourish it with everything you do.

Trust

Yesterday was really an eye-opener for me on many levels. It started with Jer trimming the horses' hooves. Now, many friends know that we are living out of boxes and bags until we get set up and on the new farm. There is no way of finding (right now) our hoof knife, nippers, etc. Jer has his chisels, hammer and hoof rasp for trimming Susie's loaded hooves since she cannot support herself on the injured leg for long... well, he trimmed Majic (brilliantly!) with the chisels and my boy was very good about the "new' technique. Then we started on Susie's loaded front hoof and she just kept moving each time Jer got set to score the wall around before trimming. It was as if she just needed to move and I felt very impatient (no excuses - Susie is an angel; I just haven't "come back" totally yet!). So Jerry finally finished the front hoof (he is never impatient) with me holding her and we decided to wait on the hind until she rested a few days. Okay - last night my big toenail finally released from my toe; all except the outside edge. It had been stepped on months ago and got all knarly... when I tried to trim it back, my foot cramped (such a weinie!), so Jer took over. I was so jumpy about it I surprised myself. I had to have a few moments before I could let him have at my toe with the scissors. And it was awful - I was unable to hold still at first. Then I remembered Susie. Wow, what a lesson in empathy! Life just slaps me with lessons all the time!

The Celebration of the Horse

Dharmahorse had a booth at the Celebration and it was a beautiful day!!

HORSES 101

Our first workshop at the new farm with be on June 26th, 2010 from 9AM - 4PM. It will be HORSES 101: learn the basics of horse care and handling. Cost is $85.00 per adult and "under 18" persons can come free with a paid adult! We will cover feeding, housing, first aid, grooming, leading, tying, longeing, fencing, the list is very LONG! Contact us through Naturalpaths.org for a flyer or email me at katharinechrisley@yahoo.com for a download of the flyer.

Holding the form

So often life brings us lessons we did not expect. Lessons we are not even aware of until we look at the situation that has changed and see the ways in which it has changed us. I started my career with horses as a trainer and instructor at the age of 18 with my own business in northern New Mexico. I owned and operated 3 schools of what I called "natural horse care & training" long before I heard anyone else use the terms. I made up individual, custom blends of herbs for my horses and the boarders'. I taught that kindness and a gentle attitude would bring lasting results. Then life took me on "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", finally depositing me here, again in New Mexico, precious land of Enchantment, to do exactly what I started out doing in the late 1960's and early '70's! That is: To hold the form of compassionate and nature based ways of relating to horses, caring for horses, loving horses and helping people. The internet now offers this new way of bringing the old ideas out to share and, as soon as we are situated on out new little farm; Dharmahorse will send down deep, nourishing roots to ground our compassionate principles! We will be contacting others to join us on this natural path to horses!

10% off at Naturalpaths

Now through May, all items at the Naturalpaths Store are 10% off! Jerry, the horses & dogs and I are moving to our own little horse farm mid-June and need all the help we can get for the moving and helping with Susie's ongoing healing and Vet bills, etc. We appreciate every purchase! The Ebook downloads are full of healing and communicating information. The Art shirts and tiles are of the highest quality. The Equine Herbal 1st Aid Kit is created and assembled fresh when the order is placed and the Boundary Halter can help keep a horse from jerking away from his handler. We love what we do and are excited about this opportunity to create our own sacred space for our work! Please help us by sharing this information and by taking advantage of the 10% off at www.shop.naturalpaths.org just enter the coupon code mayday when completing your order