Healing Rein Farm

12/19/2024

We promised more toxicity info on milkw**ds (Asclepias spp.).

Most equine stewards won't likely recognize milkw**d as a toxic plant, because it's so highly touted as a beneficial plant for monarch butterflies.

The very compounds that make it attractive to those butterflies, however, are precisely what make it a potential danger. Monarchs derive their toxic defenses by eating plant compounds, including the galitoxin and cardiac glycosides found in milkw**d plants.
Gardeners often work hard to encourage milkw**ds, which is one reason it's so common in pastures. The tufted seeds in Asclepias species become airborne and can travel for miles.

While some sources may claim that milkw**ds are only slightly toxic, that isn't true. Some species present a true danger. As little as a pound of plant material has the potential for causing death in a 1000 lb equine.

Clinical signs of toxicity may include hypersalivation, lack of coordination, staggers, cardiac irregularities, colic, diarrhea, tremors, weakness, unsteadiness, nervousness, respiratory difficulties, low blood pressure, paralysis, collapse, coma, and death.

Treatment needs to be swift, as death can occur in as little as 24 hours after ingestion. There is not one specific antidote; treatment is mostly supportive based on signs.

Ingestion does not have to be in one dose; repeated amounts over time may eventually be toxic. Fortunately, milkw**ds are not highly palatable, though it's also those factors that create toxicity.

Local w**d boards and SWCDs will know the control methods best for local species.

We all want monarch butterflies, but not at a cost to our equines, so let's confine milkw**d to gardens.

12/19/2024

Fun fact

We had an urgent message from a new equine steward who lives in an area that just had sudden big snows. Her concern was that suddenly her gelding's urine spots appear to be a bright reddish-orange. She was a bit panicked because it's a new property and she doesn't know all of the plants yet, so she was worried that he'd eaten something toxic.

We asked if the urine appears red/orange as it's being voided, or if it's just after it hits the snow. She affirmed that it's only after it's on the ground that it has those colors, and that he's not straining and there are no unusual behaviors.

It was of great comfort to her to hear that this is normal and happens with most horses in the winter, depending on their feed. The cause is pyrocatechines in plant material (hay, pellets, etc. or fresh forage), which are water-soluble phenolic compounds. When they are mixed with oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs which turns the urine pinkish, red or orange, sometimes brown. It happens in stalls too but we usually don't see the contrast in colors as we do in fresh snow.

It is a scary thing to see for new stewards, as it can closely resemble bloody urine. And of course knowing the kinds of trouble they can find, we're always watchful, especially where the potential for toxicity is concerned.

So unless the urine is an unusual color as it's being passed, it's very likely this benign, normal process. And as always, if by chance there are also other clinical signs, odd behaviors, or obvious material in the urine, a call to the vet is a good idea.

She'll get used to it as we all do in the beginning. And truth be told, the first time or two every year after snows we all relearn it too.

12/16/2024

Last breakfast with sweet Moses before he goes to his new owner. We have been so proud to be part of his healing journey. Thank you to Lee Price Heidi Potter, Kirk Smith, Gabrielle Denise Welsh Elizabeth Moore Carrie Brindisi Sara Burdick Knobel Corrinne Harris Freddie Warren, Bernadette Bos, and most recently Dr. Karen Gellman, Jaime Wooten and the PR4H team for all working to get this guy a new lease on life.I am sorry, I know I probably missed a few but know you all played a part and it is appreciated. He has been one of our fav snugglers and we know he will do great things in the future. We love you HM!! (Handsome Man).

12/16/2024

Thank you Lisa Cleveland for coming to do Bemer sessions tonight. Whiskey appreciated the attention after his teaching assignment, Rose said it made her feel so relaxed Mom had to feed her hay in bed and Jax couldn't wait to tell Dad all about it.

12/15/2024

Just in time for Christmas. Our Coopers Hawk has returned to clear the arena of squatters.
PC: C Brindisi

12/11/2024

☎️Alert: USDA-APHIS Issues Urgent Warning on Equine Health Risk

On November 22, 2024, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of a positive detection of New World screwworm in Mexico.

What to look for:
➡️Check your pets and livestock for draining or enlarging wounds, and signs of discomfort such as irritated behavior and headshaking.
➡️Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) or eggs. Screwworm eggs are creamy and white and are deposited on near the edges of superficial wounds.
➡️This pest can infest a wide variety of wounds, from tick bites to cuts and dehorning or branding wounds.
➡️Infestations are very common in the navels of newborn animals, nasal or eye openings, and genitalia.

Read more here: https://horsecouncil.org/project/are-we-screwed-alert-usda-aphis-issues-urgent-warning-on-equine-health-risk/

11/24/2024

~ Ulcers and sweet potatoes ~

There was a comment made this week in a forum about a recommendation that's making the circuit on sweet potatoes or yams as a potential treatment and preventative for equine ulcers. Apparently the proponents claim that the beta-carotene in them, as an antioxidant, repairs the effects of Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for human ulcers.

The problem with this is that H. pylori has not been shown in studies to cause lesions in the stomachs of equines. In fact it wasn't even found to be present in a large number of cases of stomach ulcers.

Most equines aren't short of beta-carotene, getting several times the amount daily from pasture grasses or hay than they would get from an entire pound of sweet potatoes. In fact, carrots supply as much beta-carotene as sweet potatoes, calorie for calorie.

Sweet potatoes are largely starch and sugars, and as such aren't a good idea for the diets of any equines with EMS, IR, or Cushing's.

While they may contain Vitamin A, C, E, and Bs, as well as minerals, these are not in amounts high enough to negate the negatives of feeding them. It's funny not funny that one of the claims is that because they contain manganese, which helps to regulate blood sugar, they're good for Cushing's horses.

They may have a place in weight gain for animals in poor body condition, but only with a vet's approval, and only in controlled amounts with monitoring. Otherwise, as with so many other foods that humans eat and like, pass them by.

Just another example to show that we must take the advice from random strangers with a grain of salt and do our due diligence in finding the (true) research to support it. Even articles in many publications don't require the writer to have any knowledge or education in the subjects they write about.

As you've heard us say before, Google isn't research. Google is information. Peer-reviewed journals and government/university studies are research.

Another viral cure-all put to rest. Be cautious, be vigilant, and keep 'em safe. And be a bit skeptical. :/

11/14/2024

11/12/2024

Love this publishing group and the news letter

Good Monday afternoon, friends!

We have loads of new followers (and subscribers, thanks very much!) so it's time to post our annual Mythinformation Monday series.

This series is about a number of myths and some misinformation commonly believed about equines and plant toxicity.

Let's start it off with likely the biggest and most prevalent bit of misinformation regarding plant toxicity in equines.

* Myth #1: equines know better than to eat toxic plants and will avoid them.

If that were only true! There are, sadly, many equine stewards who will attest to its being a falsehood.

While it is a fact studies have shown that negative feedback when grazing can teach animals to avoid certain plants, it's not a fail-safe. If the feedback is immediate, this can be true, but many toxins aren't so bitter as to be unpalatable, and most of them don't have an immediate effect. Alkaloids, for example, some of the more deadly toxins, have a cumulative effect. Animals don't experience the negative effects until days, weeks, or even months after ingesting the plants. There is no immediate feedback mechanism at work there; animals can't make the connection from illness to past plants eaten.

A hungry horse is a horse at risk. If there isn't plentiful good forage, they'll chase green. Even if those plants aren't pleasant to taste or are toxic, they're a better alternative over an empty belly. As evidenced by the hundreds of cattle and sheep lost to halogeton toxicity in the cold deserts of the US, as well as high wildlife losses to the ornamental Japanese yew in winter in ex-urban areas, even plants that have a highly unpleasant taste are preferred to hunger pangs.

Animals may unknowingly ingest toxic plant parts that are mixed in with the grasses they prefer. If a toxic plant population is high enough, it's very difficult for animals to completely avoid eating bits of it.

They can also develop picas to toxic plants and search them out even though other forages are available.

The number of reports shows that they often aren't able to detect and avoid eating toxic plants when they're dried in hay.

No, equines do not always avoid eating toxic plants. Even though they do prefer lush green grasses, there are multitudes of reported events and recorded deaths over many decades that negate this bit of mythinformation.

11/12/2024

Yesterday the kittens got new digs to grow into. Thanks Carrie and Deborah. They are literally climbing the walls!! And today Natt took them for their first walk on harnesses in the barn. They did not know what to make of Sunny. Pearl thought she could take him down though. Fiesty kitten.

11/11/2024

This Veterans Day, we celebrate the courage and sacrifice of our veterans and recognize the healing role that horses play in their journey to recovery.

Equine therapy is helping many veterans find peace and strength, offering a unique way to cope with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. The connection with horses fosters trust, emotional healing, and a sense of calm that’s often difficult to find.

We thank all those who served and the incredible horses who are helping them find peace.

11/09/2024

Appointments with Dr. Green for December 7. All sessions must be prepaid by December 1st.
Chiropractic, CST and accupunture for people.
CST for animals

11/04/2024

Historically, headshaking syndrome in horses has been a condition that is frustrating to diagnose and treat.

In the next virtual First Tuesday Lecture, Joy Tomlinson, assistant professor of large animal medicine and board-certified large animal internalist, will discuss causes of headshaking syndrome, diagnostic approaches, and new treatment options.

This event is free and open to the public.

**Please note this month's lecture will take place on November 12th**

🐴 Headshaking in Horses: Behavior or Disease?
🗓️ November 12, 2024, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
🔗 Register today: https://bit.ly/3AHNlNb

11/04/2024

Today kicked off our Mona Sulzman's Alexander Technique Series. What a great start to learning how we create habits in our movement and how to create ease and function. Sessions include soup and salad lunch. There is still time to join. We will be off the Sunday following Thanksgiving and return for the final 3 weeks in December.