You probably already know that anti-biotics can wreak havoc with a horse's gut flora. I knew that and I still gave my horse a 5-day dose of anti-biotics. Why did I do that?
Because I was frightened. Vashka was lethargic. He had a fever of 104. He didn't want to eat.
My vet, whom I respect a lot, told me Vashka needed the anti-biotic -- immediately.
"As long as you are feeding a good pro-biotic you should be fine," he said.
So I dosed up my horse with pro-biotics and anti-biotics. By day 2 he was feeling A LOT better. But by day 3 he was turning his head away from the syringe with the pink stuff in it. I forced it in anyway. By day 4, Vashka was colicking big-time.
The vet came back. Vashka had to be oiled. He had an impaction colic. The colic lasted another two full days. Time stopped here. That's how it is when a horse colics. Because every horse person knows that colic is the #1 cause of death in domesticated horses.
Once the colic was gone, the fever from the virus came back. I called the vet -- but only to tell him that I was going to try an herbal tea before anything pharmaceutical. Luckily, a Master Herbalist in the town where I live helped me formulate a tea specifically for Vashka's viral and inflammatory symptoms -- which, it turned out, were becoming a problem for several horses in the area.
Within three hours of feeding that tea, Vashka's fever was down to 102. I fed him another dose of tea -- just poured it over some hay pellets -- once more before bed. By morning, his temperature was normal. It spiked by a degree over the next day, but has remained normal ever since.
Moral of story: Natural remedies can be every bit as effective as herbal remedies! And natural remedies can be a lot less harmful.
I know, you want to know what's in the tea. So I'll tell you most of them: Lomatium, Yerba Santa, Echinacea, Rosehips, Yarrow Flower, and dried organic fruit. The ingredients are known for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as their nutritional content. Once we got the proprotions right, my horses gobbled this tea up as if it was a treat.
The Master Herbalist who helped me with the recipe says she has shared the conconction wtih several horse owners in the area -- turns out the viurs has become quite the mysterious problem. "Ah-Choo!" Herbal Mixture is now available in Skode's online store.
You can order yours by Clicking Here.
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