The Herbal Horse Bar (c) (R)Trademark of NLfarm

20/07/2024

Natural Herbal horse wormer available in DIY natural herbs or liquid form. Super effective and safe.

PM us for info 🐎💖

04/06/2024

Worming your horse?
Natural effective and palatable herbal horse and dog wormers available without prescription from equine herbalist, PM for details.
New legislation means that you need a veterinary prescription to purchase horse worming and dog worming products.
With some of these products been misused, such as the wrong wormer at the wrong time of year and resistance to some wormers.
It is only right that these should be regulated by professionals.

25/03/2024

With good back posture being key to a good performance as well as a happy healthy horse, understanding more about how the horse's back works should be high on the list for every rider, trainer and therapist as this information can help us to keep the horse's back healthy, strong and mobile. Knowing....

21/03/2024

Did you know that it is important not only to correctly worm your horse with the right wormer at the right time of the year.

The wormer should be given in conjunction with the 🌕 moon, as this is the most effective way to reduce worm burden in your horse 🐎

Contact us for worming advice, worm count analysis and herbal wormers.

31/12/2023

20/11/2023

20/11/2023

20/11/2023

What makes "barefoot" work?
Dr. Robert Bowker has repeatedly emphasized that the malleable hoof horn responds directly to the trim applied to it, and to any permanent fixtures applied to it, as well as to the ground surface. When we trim, we are actually changing the internal structures of the hoof itself, including the bones. This can be positive or negative.

Historically, all methods of natural barefoot hoofcare have emphasized the importance of healthy living conditions as an active part of the process (originally taught by Dr. Hiltrud Strasser and Jaime Jackson). This crucial part is overlooked and downplayed by nearly all traditionally derived hoofcare methods right up to the current day. Instead, horse care "traditions" continue on unchallenged, even when they have been proven in various European studies to be detrimental to the horse (i.e. full time stabling; isolation stalls; stabling of young horses, etc.).

This is CRUCIAL because the barefoot hoof when in optimal conditions - or even "a little bit better" conditions - will adjust itself. When trimming errors occur, and they do, the horse can then self-trim just a bit to improve things. This "co-trimming" of the horse is so important to the success of barefoot trimming! This does not mean long intervals between trims; this means that the interval between trims, whether 2 weeks or 6 weeks, for a horse in good living conditions will lead to even further hoof improvement (remember that shorter intervals of 3-4 weeks are important when changing a problem hoof; not quite so applicable to stable, healthy hooves in very excellent living conditions).

The BETTER your horse's living conditions, the less important your trimming details become, as long as the hoof form is approximating a natural shape (physiologically, that means short toes and lowish heels so that the frogs kiss the ground and can correctly function and do their proper job). Conversely, with poor living conditions, your trim itself better be smack-down perfect, because there is little room for error (no self-adjustment).

When a fixed device is placed upon the hoof which allows for NO natural wear, such as any form of permanently attached horse shoe, there is zero opportunity for the hoof to adjust itself. Therefore, the farrier/trimmer takes full and total responsibility for the entire foot of the horse, its angles, its function, etc. Seriously, that is a little too much responsibility, being as there is no consensus on what is truly healthy or truly correct. Nature always wins. Happy Hooves! - Yvonne Welz

10/10/2023

Love this 💖

Do you ever feel like there isn’t a place for you? 🥺⁣
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It’s interesting that horses are these incredibly sensitive creatures (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually)…⁣
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And yet, the industry as a whole is brutal ⛓️⁣
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The culture of intensity that’s been developed around horses can make sensitive people feel as though there’s no room for them here.⁣
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Like they don’t belong.⁣
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The lore of “asserting dominance” and being a “strong leader” (by using excessive pressure and punishment) alienates the people who are 📢 perhaps the MOST equipped to connect with horses…📢⁣
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Because of their sensitivity, and willingness to attune to the horse’s voice and needs ♥️⁣
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It’s tragic to think how many people hide or walk away, because they can’t take it anymore.⁣
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The abuse. The overly-critical peers. The cult-like belief systems around being “dominant.”⁣
⁣
But the movement is growing…⁣
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Ethical, science-based, compassionate training is spreading like wildfire, with this message:⁣
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You belong.⁣
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Your sensitivity, empathy, gentleness, and compassion are not only welcome—but necessary.⁣
⁣
We need you.⁣
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Your soft, open heart is essential during these turbulent times.⁣
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Your work with your horse matters. Your inner work sends a ripple effect through the earth in ways you’ll probably never fully know 🦋⁣
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You belong. You matter. You are welcome here. ♥️⁣
⁣
Keep shining bright so we can find each other, and keep changing horse industry—one horse, one person at a time ✨⁣
⁣
— MM team 💫

📸: This Mustang Life

10/10/2023

Did you know....There are approximately 700 skeletal muscles in the horse! 💪

Skeletal muscle produces movement, stabilise joints and maintain posture. 🐎

Skeletal muscle fibres come in different types. These are inherited, so although you can train them to get the best from your horse, you can't actually change them.

The muscle types are:
SLOW TWITCH - these produce energy slowly over a long period. They work aerobically, requiring oxygen to create energy. Horses with a predominance of these types of muscle fibres are less likely to fatigue and are good for endurance.

FAST TWITCH - Physically larger than slow twitch fibres. They work anaerobically producing small amounts of energy quickly and explosively but they tire easily. Horses with muscles that have a predominance of fast twitch fibres are good for jumping.

All horses have a combination of both types of muscle fibres - it's the predominance of one fibre type that determines activity.

10/10/2023

Totally agree, well written and important for all horse owners to manage equine mental well being

WHEN DID YOUR HORSE’S BEHAVIOUR PROBLEM START?

If you are seeing a behaviour problem with your horse today, then the issue will probably have been developing for some time and you have missed the early warning signs.

Behaviour problems in horses are the result of pain, fear, an unsuitable environment or management regime, bad training or a combination of those factors. 'Misbehaviour' can also be normal behaviour that the handler has misinterpreted.

The vast majority of behaviour problems start with the horse showing small signs of stress or pain that are often missed or ignored. These could include changes in behaviour like pausing when led or ridden, avoiding people, specific areas or other horses, looking away when tack is brought or microchanges in facial expression or posture. The horse’s handler/rider will then continue to push the horse to do as asked and the problem can then escalate to point that we see bigger, more dangerous behaviours. Alternatively we can see a different behaviour problem develop.

Traditionally most of us have been taught to escalate pressure if a horse doesn’t do what we want them to do. Instead we should be calling the vet, or thinking about how we can make the situation easier for the horse.

There is a reason why horses perform all behaviours, good or bad. Horses don’t ‘misbehave’ to be difficult, they are trying to tell you that they are having a difficult time, in the only way they can.

If you are seeing any change in your horse’s behaviour then call a vet. If they are given an a physical all clear, then call a certified behaviour consultant. Get their teeth and tack checked and reconsider their management, training and what has changed in their environment.

It really is time for us to take a long, hard look at our behaviour towards horses. Their problems are our responsibility.

10/10/2023

Did you know that hoof shape is a result of pressure over time, dependant on conformation and posture?

The shape or symmetry of a hoof is directly affected by how that hoof is loaded, how that hoof is loaded is directly affected by static and dynamic conformation and posture.

While we can not change conformation, understanding these loads over time can direct our trimming intervention and we can have direct influence on pressure distribution and address the distortions created by shear and torque forces acting on the hoof capsule. Both shod and barefoot!

The research from The Hoof Architect is informing new trimming methods for both the bare and shod world and brings new insight to my research and understanding of changes in hoof shape.

This is really exciting stuff!!
This upcoming webinar, Sat 14th Oct 6pm London time, where Ula and I combine our research, should be in every hoof care professionals diary!

Join the FB event page at this link...

https://fb.me/e/TMp8Iw25

Tickets for the event at this link...

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/understanding-hoof-morphology-1

A recording will be available 🙂

Top row stick drawings re-imagined with permission from The Hoof Architect.
Image is copyright

10/10/2023

Understanding how muscles work is one of the most fundamental concepts that can influence how we ride and train our horses. Movement is cre

16/08/2023

Heat can be dangerous to your horse. Especially over heating can cause exhaustion, tying up, colic and other symptoms. Make sure not to overwork your horse is hot conditions. Keep your horses cool and supply plenty of COOL drinking water. That means if you have to replace or top up water, because it is warm, then do so at least twice a day.

Herbs also keep your horses system protected against the heat, inside and out.

Contact us for our organic herbs and herbal mixes for all ailments and all seasons. Ensure a smooth transition to autumn 🍂🍁

Don't forget that August is an important month for worming your horses. Even if horses are not in grazing pasture, remember that they are eating bales of hay and other feeds that carry these worms. Notwithstanding, the worms that are transmitted by some flying pests at this time. You may naturally worm your horse, with our herbal decoctions or use Panacur as a five day treatment or single dose.

Have a great rest of your summer!

Nlfarm

15/08/2023

Cure Gastric Ulcers with our natural herbal mix.
Contact us for more details.

15/08/2023

15/08/2023

So how much can we bend our horse? In the Thorax, a little goes a long way. It's interesting how the area of most lateral flexibility is right under our seatbones, T11-T14.

07/08/2023

August, important worming must be done against redworm larvae, strongyles, roundworm etc . ..
Use a wormer such as Panacur for five days or one dose. Most horses will take the liquid in their feed.
Always remember to support your horses system before and after worming. Herbs are the best way to keep them in top condition as we bring them on to autumn 🍂 winter ❄️
Contact us for more information 💖🐎💖

31/07/2023

Dr. Trieber's 2006 study was the first to look at laminitis in a pasture setting. The onset of cases in horses at risk (high insulin) coincided with a flush of clover growth. Learn more in Dr. Kellon's proceedings from the 2021 NO Laminitis! Conference. Downloads are free. https://www.e-junkie.com/i/11jjb

31/07/2023

And now the Royal Veterinary College has provided some great information about obesity and laminitis with this update 10 July 2023.

They found that horses and ponies that gain weight are more than twice as likely to develop laminitis than if they lose or maintain their weight, new research has found.

Regular weight monitoring is critical to maintain our equine health and data collected does not tell lies. It’s so easy not to see the weight slowly creeping up. As humans we have our clothes that maybe starting to get a bit tight, zips on trousers that won’t do up and shirts that can’t be buttoned up any more.

Carried out by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and Rossdales Equine Hospital, the study also revealed that the groups particularly at risk were native pony breeds and their crosses, as well as horses and ponies with a history of laminitis and those with lameness or soreness after routine hoof care.

This was the first ever online study that collected information on laminitis from a group of owners in real time. It was also the The study was also second largest to identify weight gain as a risk factor for laminitis. With a data set of 1,070 horses and ponies in Great Britain and data collected for 29 months, I believe we can believe the findings. The owners regularly reported their animal’s management, health and estimated weight via online questionnaires.

These findings show how important regular weight monitoring is to prevent negative impacts on an animal’s health.

I have 2 mini ponies, and I check them daily by checking their fatty crest. I use a gentle pinch to guesstimate its size and softness. I pinch the same place each day. During the winter, when our New Zealand grass is not so sugar laden, I find their crests are literally nothing. It almost feels like skin. In the summer I check twice a day and as soon as the crest is getting thicker and harder, I then pop them in the dirt track with soaked hay. Ideally I should put them on the track all the time but I also have a skinny TB 😫 that needs to be with his mates, and across the fence is not enough for him. So they have to stay together.

My finances don’t allow me to feed hay 24/7 hence the dipping and diving and when in the grass paddock it’s at night and they come in during the day. It’s working for us. No laminitis symptoms for 7 years.

Photo of a lipoma within the digestive system (the mesentary- a fan shaped thin tissue that contains the intestinal blood vessels, lymphatic system and nerves).
Thought to be caused by obesity. More common in obese horses.

Patreon- my private page showing my unique personal video and photographic journey of the study of the equine hoof and beyond!

http://www.patreon.com/hoofstudies

And thank you to my valued sponsors that are supporting me July 2023.

https://www.espacechevalmoderne.com/ecm-parage

http://www.holistichoofcareforhorseowners.com

https://www.caballo.co.za/

https://www.lighthoof.com

31/07/2023

31/07/2023

Another ECVM finding

This lovely purebred welsh pony (despite all of the best care) struggled terribly with lack of coordination, he would stumble slip and fall in the paddock, training would just not stick, his body did not develop according to his age and he could be seen weaving endlessly at gateways despite having friends and forage.

Horses we have seen with Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation often (but not always) show many of the same symptoms. Other commonalities we find in ECVM horses are kissing spine, sacroiliac damage and significant crookedness issues through the whole skeletal system.

We can only assume that malformed bones deep at the base of the neck cause havoc on nerve and muscle attachment symmetry and therefore set off a chain of compensatory problems as the horse develops and grows (this is a genetic issue, something they are born with).

More on this dear little fellow (only 10 years old) once his bones are clean.

Pic: TOP shown are normal vs ecvm bones (not belonging to this pony but similar presentation). BOTTOM RIGHT The pony’s actual c6 c7. BOTTOM LEFT shows a mirror image of what it should look like.

The live feed snippets of video for this dissection can be found now on our patreon. A full story and images will be added down the track once his bones are clean.

12/07/2023

So adorable❤

12/07/2023

All owners want their horses to be happy, healthy and sound. Recognising when your horse isn’t performing as he should is key to his welfare. We know that neck and back pain has a negative effect on equine performance, but they can go untreated as they can be tricky to diagnose. However, with acce...

12/07/2023

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 - 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀

Muscles control every aspect of movement - both internal and external. They form the largest tissue mass in the horse's body.

There are various types of muscles performing a wide variety of tasks all working in a similar way. Electrical impulses instruct the fibres to contract and shorten, then relax and lengthen.

There are 3 types of muscle:
𝟭. 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 - This is an involuntary muscle which functions automatically. It surrounds and is found in all internal tissues and organs. Smooth muscle responds to stimuli from the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for pushing food through the digestive system and for the physical control of the bladder and bowel. It is also found in the vascualr and reproductive systems.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗰 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 - A highly specialised, strong, thick muscle that is fatigue resistant. Beating around 100,000 times a day throughout the horse's lifetime. This muscle co-ordinates the propulsion of blood in and out of the heart.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 - There are over 700 different skeletal muscles in the horse. The brain sends a signal to the muscles via nerves which then convert chemical energy into movement.
The function of skeletal muscle is to:
🐎 Support the skeleton and create movement
🐎 Maintain joint stability and posture
🐎 Control range of movement
🐎 Protect the skeleton and internal organs from trauma
🐎 Contribute to thermoregulation by shivering