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What is Seaweed? Is it the same as Kelp? Varieties
This term is used
to describe many plants found in the ocean, and generally refers to marine algae
that live in the shallow regions of the ocean near the shores. There are three
major types of seaweed: green, brown and red. The major difference beside colour
is the location and depth of sea in which the seaweed are found, and some
difference in nutrient content. Giant Kelp is the form most often fed to horses
and is a member of the brown seaweed group.
Uses of
Seaweed:
Various types of seaweed have been used as human and stock
nutritional additives since 600 BC in China and Japan - with little nutritional
complications. Seaweed has been used in Ireland, Scotland and Norway since at
least the 5th Century. Claims made, both then and now include anthelmintic
properties, antacid effects, improved skin and nail condition, increased
immunity, increased digestibility of feed, anti-inflammatory, anti cancerous,
anti-ulcerous, antibacterial, increased fertility, reduced nervousness, reduced
healing time following injury and thyroid gland stabilisation.
Today,
Seaweed is used in many products we consume or use each day, such as toothpaste,
ice cream, yoghurt, dog food, shampoo and the gel on pate. Extracts of seaweed
are added to give viscosity, gel strength and stability in aqueous mixtures, and
are considered safe for addition to food by the World Health Organization (WHO),
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Investigations into the use of seaweed for animal food supplementation
were commenced in France following WW1 when limited fodder forced a search for
alternative feeds. The results of these studies were positive and were continued
in Ireland during WW2. From this an industry grew to supply seaweed meal to
stock. It was concluded that seaweed was valuable as a feed additive, although
not nutritious enough to be a major feed source.
So what does Seaweed
contain to be so beneficial to both human and animal?
According to Owens
& Huntington in "What's in a Label" seaweed contains "lots of Iodine and
precious little of anything else" so why has it been used as a feed supplement
since 600BC? Seaweed contains 48 minerals, 16 amino acids and 11 vitamins,
however as Owens et al states, when you compare nutrient level with horse
requirements the amount fed does not provide a high level of nutrients. It seems
the reason for Seaweed benefit is in both the combination of nutrients and the
content of Algin. Algin is a fibre molecule that has a number of positive
effects. The first being that it attracts heavy metals and removes them from the
body, Algin has anti oxidant activities and induces a high level of cytokinin
type activity (Haas E.M. 2000). (Cytokinins are involved in cell division and as
such growth and replacement of cells)
To gain a benefit how much should
you feed?
A safe administration of seaweed depends on a number of
factors, including the source and type of seaweed, the level iodine in the diet
and the form in which it is fed. Seaweed attracts heavy metals thus it is
important the seaweed comes from clean waters. A large majority of the seaweed
used in Australian stock feeds is harvested from clean waters off Tasmania, and
as such the heavy metal content is low. The level of iodine in seaweed products
vary significantly, and as such your source should state on the bottle or in
their literature the level of iodine present in their product.
I have
read varying dosages from 3 g to 150 g of seaweed meal. At 3 g per day you are
adding approx 1.5mg of Iodine to the diet based on Natrakelp's analysis of
Tasmanian Bull Kelp, while at 150 g or seaweed you may provide 75 mg of Iodine
per day. The average horse requires approximately 2mg of Iodine per day with
toxicity occurring at 40mg/day (Lewis L.D. 1995), thus the safety margin is wide
but at 150gm of seaweed meal per day you may induce toxicity in your horse.
Liquid seaweed such as Natrakelp, has a recommended dosage of 10 mls second
daily, each dose containing 1.43mg of Iodine - a very safe level of iodine to
add to the diet.
The best advise, as with any supplement, is to read the
label/literature to assess contents, ascertain nutrient in current diet based on
weight of feeds, and decide if your horse needs it.
Bibliography:
Guiry M. (2001) Seaweeds as Human Food. Seaweed Site. Guiry M. (2001)
Seaweed Meal. Seaweed Site.
Haas E.M. (2000) Vegetables. The complete Guide
to Diet and Nutritional Medicine.
Lambert D. (1999) The Benefits of Seaweed.
Green cuisine. Lewis D.L. (1995) Equine Clinical Nutrition. Lea & Febiger
USA.
National Aquarium in Baltimore (1997) Seaweed, Marine Algae.
Natrakelp (1997) Typical Analysis of Sth Tasmainian Bull Kelp. Information
Sheet.
Owens E. Huntington P. What's in a label? Equine Nutrition Ridley Ag
Products, Newsletters.
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |
Bach Therapy is a system of healing
utilising flower essences. One commonly known mixture of these essences is
Rescue Remedy, which is a mixture of 5 flowers to treat fear and shock. This
system of healing focuses on the personality traits of the horse or pony being
treated.
Dr Edward Bach, who discovered the effects of the flowers,
believed particular mental and emotional patterns predisposed people to disease.
He used the flowers to turn negative emotional traits into positives and to
assist in solving/significantly reducing major health issues in people. This
system is easy to use on animals.
The flower essence system is simple
and very effective when used for horses and their riders! It consists of 38
flower essences divided into the following seven groups 1. For those who have
fear 2. For those over concerned with others 3. Despondency and despair 4.
Loneliness 5. Insufficient interest in the present 6. Uncertainty 7. Over
sensitivity. Given that there are 5 - 7 remedies in each group, the Bach
Therapist is able to be very specific in treatment. One or more remedies are
selected for an individual and when chosen correctly result in some amazing
outcomes. Bach flower essences have no side effects and will not
swab.
The following examples give you some idea of the use and outcomes
of Bach Therapy:
1. 2 day old miniature pony presenting with neonatal
maladjustment syndrome (Dummy Foal). This foal was very difficult to rouse and
unable to remain awake enough to suckle effectively, as with many dummy foals
his nervous system was over reactive. We commenced Bach Therapy to treat the
lack of interest in the present, complete physical and mental exhaustion,
extreme fear and self denial. With administration of the remedies the foals
attitude and alertness picked up dramatically. We combined this therapy with
tissue salts and intensive nursing care and the foal is now well if not a tad
cheeky!
2. 16 year old Arab x, presented with muscle tension, high level
anxiety, he often pulled back for no apparent reason, and displayed a high level
of nervousness when being ridden. This horse was also very selective about who
could catch him. Massage and Bach flowers were used to address his fear of the
unknown, lack of self confidence and indecision. Following one week of two doses
per day, this gelding became more accepting of less known people catching him
and the incidence of pulling back reduced. After 3 - 4 weeks on the remedy, a
riding instructor phoned asking what I had done as she had not seen this horse
so calm in the four years she had known him.
3. 7 year old T/B x QH,
domineering horse with a high level of energy, he had changeable moods and was
described as a "defiant teenager". Following 3 days of a Bach Flower therapy the
domineering behaviour reduced significantly. Within 1 week he was willing to
work without an issue and his moods remained relatively stable. We kept this
horse on the remedies for approximately 2 months with no recurrence of the
before seen behaviours.
4. 8 year old T/B who had a badly neglected wound
to the coronet band. This horse was exhausted, reluctant to move, showing signs
of depression. The owner said she thought he "had given up". In conjunction with
good wound care we used Bach remedies for hopelessness, exhaustion, and to
cleanse his system. In less than 24 hours he began whinnying when he saw us, he
began to try and walk/hobble around, plus the swelling in his leg reduced
significantly. From here on this horse got better every day. The remedies were
continued for approx 4 weeks, although his wound had still not fully healed, his
mind was alert and happy and wound healing was now progressing
quickly.
Bach Remedies are available at Health Food Stores, or from your
Equine Natural Therapist. If you obtain the stock strength from the health food
store, to achieve the best effect, ensure you dilute it as per the directions.
Using an Equine Natural Therapist is often best, as you will benefit from their
experience in prescribing the remedies.
Do your equine friend a favour,
search for the cause of the negative behaviour, reach for Bach Therapy and
strive to remove the issue rather than covering symptoms with
sedatives/relaxants.
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |
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Australian Stringhalt is a condition that
affects the peripheral nerves resulting in a spasmodic over flexion of the
joints. This condition usually affects the hind legs with the sciatic, peroneal
or tibial nerves most often being involved resulting in the characteristic
flexion of the hock often seen.
The exact cause of Australian Stringhalt
is unknown, however there are many theories. Some theories are:
1.
Ingestion of broad leaf weeds such as dandelion, capeweed, cats ear.
2.
Ingestion of a fungus that grows under the leaves of pasture plants during
certain climatic conditions.
3. Mineral Deficiency.
Plant species
are often the same in paddocks of both affected and unaffected horses, thus I
tend toward a combination of the second and third theories. Nutritional
imbalances often lead to animals having a higher susceptibility to the effects
of toxins, it could be that horses that contract stringhalt are in a slightly
compromised nutrient status and as such are more susceptible to being affected
by an ingested toxin.
Whether the cause be plant or fungal toxin the
requirements of management are similar:
1. Removing the horse from the
offending pasture area: this is the most important step to reduce the continued
ingestion of the causative factor.
2. Avoiding grazing the affected
pasture during the risky seasons
3. Provide a balanced natural diet to
assist the provision of adequate nutrients thus enhancing the horses' healing
ability.
4. Reduce the effects of the ingested toxin through the use of
protectants and absorbent compounds such as slippery elm or anise seeds,
marshmallow, plantain..
5. Return the digestive system to full function
thus enhancing nutrient absorption. Garlic and Fenugreek are two of the herbs
traditionally used here.
6. Reduce the excitability of nerves and assist
their healing, some of the following herbs may be of assistance: chamomile,
cowslip, Lemon Verbena, parsley, poppy seeds, vervain or skull cap.
7.
Cleanse the lymphatic system, and liver, assisting immune function and the
ability to fight and deactivate toxins. Clivers, calendula, nettles, burdock
root or dandelion being traditionally used.
8. Tissue Salts to rebalance
the body
9. Homoeopathy may be of assistance.
10. Tactile
therapies and specific gentle activity to encourage blood supply and thus
enhance healing of the affected muscles and nerves.
Many people recommend
that horses with stringhalt not eat lucerne, over feeding lucerne may create
nutritional imbalances, however lucerne provides a good level of protein, which
is essential in healing plus a high level of calcium, a mineral involved in,
among other things, nerve and muscle function. Thus cut lucerne out if you wish,
but first ensure that the diet you provide contains adequate nutritional content
for your horse.
If given adequate management, most cases of stringhalt
resolve with little or no deficit. Ensure you consult your vet to gain a
diagnosis, and then plan your management and gain advise from professionals in
nutrition, horse management. If you wish to treat the condition naturally,
contact a Animal Natural Therapist, Homoeopathist or Herbalist. I am sure your
horse would thank you for doing so.
Christine Scully
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |
| 1. Seaweed | 2. Australian Stringhalt | 3. Wound Care |
| 4. Behaviour & Bach Therapy | 5. Bach Therapy | 6. Work & Muscle Pain in Horses |
| 7. Calcium Supplementation | Top | Home |