| Horse health care really begins in the gut, so if you're | | | | can learn more by visiting the Holistic Horsekeeping |
| not sure how strong your horse health care program | | | | website (look under Resources and go to the Articles |
| is, it's time for a gut check. | | | | section). But for a basic no-frills approach that works |
| While I was doling out feed to my horses this morning, I | | | | well for a zen cowgirl like me, I think about feeding: |
| was reflecting on the number of horse health issues | | | | - plenty of hay or beet pulp (keeps stomach acid from |
| related to the gut. | | | | causing ulcers) |
| For instance, did you know that: | | | | - daily acidophilus and bifidus to keep the friendly |
| - the beneficial bacteria in your horse's gut are | | | | bacteria population high |
| responsible for producing the biotin necessary for | | | | - enzymes to horses who have difficulty with digestion |
| healthy hooves, mane, and tail? | | | | and assimilation |
| - the beneficial bacteria in your horse's gut are his first | | | | - vitamins, minerals, trace minerals from blue-green |
| line of immune defense? | | | | algae and antioxidants from mangosteen juice to heal |
| - poor functioning of your horse's stomach, small | | | | any ulceration in the gut |
| intestine, or large intestine can lead to ulcers, colic, | | | | - Eleviv for horses who have been traumatized (this |
| weight loss, leaky gut, food allergies, skin conditions, and | | | | supplement helps horses go from the "fight or flight" |
| more? | | | | sympathetic nervous response to the more healing |
| In other words, a healthy gut equals a healthy horse. | | | | parasympathetic nervous system) |
| An unhealthy gut equals an unhealthy horse. Pretty | | | | And whoa! Before you go screaming off into the night |
| simple, right? | | | | thinking this is too complicated, it can all be mixed into a |
| Taking Care of Your Horse's Gut | | | | simple "Horse Goo" on your kitchen table. See the |
| The basics of horse health care when it comes to | | | | resource box for the recipe. |
| your horse's gut boil down to keeping the populations | | | | And... keep it simple and always ride your horse in the |
| of friendly bacteria that live in your horse's gut alive | | | | direction it's going, as they say! |
| and healthy. There's a lot of science behind it and you | | | | |