Natural Healing for common horse injuries

Horses are large animals and the bigger the animal the harder the fall or the harder the play. I'm sure all of you know the feeling of dread, when upon arriving to the barn, we look at our horse and find something is swollen or lacerated on some part of their body.  What do you do? A vet can diagnose exactly what has happened, but we have all also experienced a $1000.00 bill for simply a pulled muscle, or inflammation.  If your horse does not have a bowed tendon and is not in need of stitches is their something we can try to do to help them heal? 
Horses are athletes just as humans are and the occasional pulled shoulder muscle or back pain can be common. Bruising and hematomas from extreme force is also common (for those of us who have been kicked in the leg).  The first thing we turn to for our horses is Bute, but for extended use Bute has been know to cause Kidney failure, bone healing delay, colic, mouth, stomach and colon ulcers, can slow the production of cartilage, and can cause thyroid malfunction.

Wow this common prescription has all of these ugly side effects? Well don't worry their is a natural approach and it is a lot less expensive. 
An herb called Devils Claw has been widely used to treat joint pain. arthritis, inflammation, soft tendon or muscle pain, and mile common upset.
You can find this at any health food store and online.
It comes in pill form and I normally suggest 4 pills twice a day. I have used this for any type of lameness along with hydro therapy, liniment, and another herb called Arnica.
Arnica:  

• Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, rheumatic pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling due to fractures.
• Homeopathic preparations are also used to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other conditions caused by overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic doses are extremely diluted.

 I recommend using 7 pills with water in a syringe orally or in the food.  You can do this 3 times a day.

I have used these treatments for bone splints, inflammation in the tendons from impact, limping caused from the front shoulder, from the stifle, hematoma's, etc.  Treatment can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  For muscle soreness in the shoulder or stifle, massaging the muscle, then applying liniment will also help work the soreness out.


I have also had horses with pain in the hind end, hips, back, etc. Some symptoms of this are refusing to pick up the canter under saddle, and difficult transitions. All of the above will help, along with chiropractic work, and massage.  A thoroughbred jumper that I had started kicking out every time I asked for the canter. It was very hard for him to do the transitions and I went the chiropractic route. After an old injury, it turned out he was very out of alignment in his hips and after one treatment he was back to his old self.  I had him worked on every two months until he build up the correct muscles to hold himself in place.
If you have any questions, comments, or stories you would like share please feel free to contact me.


http://www.lifescript.com/Health/A-Z/Alternative-Therapies_A-Z/NaturalRemedies/D/Devils_Claw.aspx?gclid=CJaR9OnypqkCFQpm7AodAGC1xA&trans=1&du=1&ef_id=FHtNwJtvWHYAAAOn:20110608180507:s

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your VETERINARIAN. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for educational purposes. Christina Ciaccio is in no way liable for the use of this information and makes no warranty or guarantee as to its accuracy.