Vetlink of Parker has gone green! Herbal formulas are the next big thing in horse supplements and Silver Lining Herbs has been at the forefront of research and development in producing formulas for horses that work. Every ingredient has a purpose and they have been formulated for each condition. The herbs are ground into a meal for easy feeding and it had been my experience that the horses eat them readily. When horses were free to graze around large tracts of land they naturally did this by eating the plants that made them feel better. Now it is concentrated for ease of use. While Silver Lining Herbs has many formulas these are the ones we brought in as I felt they would be the most beneficial to our customers. As always we can order in any formula you need.
Recommended feeding is 1 scoop per day. A scoop is equal to a tablespoon. Recommended to feed over whole oats but any feed is sufficient. Wetting the feed with a little water can help the herbs stick if that is a concern. All formulas come in 1 pund packages which are 60 servings. Larger sizes are available for some formulas just ask.
#10 Maintenance- since we now feed horses hay from known sources horses get a lot less variety in the forage than they used to. This can cause some underlying defeciances. Maintenance addresses this by giving some basic herbs that all horses, of any age, can benefit from.
#12 Feet and Bone Support - This one has worked well for London, my horse with a fracture. She is moving a lot better now and I am able to half her pain meds. This formula supports all the moving parts- bones, tendons, ligaments, muscle all while supporting circulation. Good for navicular and ringbone and any horse that needs some leg support.
#13 Herbal Wormer - While this forumla doesn't actually kill any worms is creates an enviroment that is not conducive to worm life. Thus they die and the horse is worm free. Good homepathic way to worm for horses who are sensitive to wormer or as a boost to your regular deworming program.
#17 Kolik Ease - Helps with colic by helping eliminate gas while making the digestive tract slippery to help move any blockage. Obviously if your horse is showing signs of colic please call your veterinarian.
#18 Joint Support - Help with creaking and snapping of the joints while keeping the joints lubticated.
#22 Respiratory Support - Got a horse that coughs and hacks, this formula can keep the respiratory system working great. Especially good for heaves horses or any horse that has breathing problems.
#24 Immune Support - Got another horse sick in the barn. Start the rest on immune support to keep everyone healthy. Great for show horses moving around barns to keep bad bugs at bay.
#27 Liver Support - With all the chemicals we put on and in our horses the liver is working overtime. This can lead to sore back problems or even lamness or soreness. Liver support helps the liver flush toxins and get back into working order. Clean your horse out once or twice a year for optimal health.
#28 Pituitary Support - Have a horse with Cushings? This formula helps the pituitary work better so horses hed better, sweat less and stay heealthier.
#29 LCR - Keep the digestive system in balance to help prevent ulcers. Soothes to help ulcers already present.
#30 Digestive Support - Have a horse that won't gain weight, or looks fine weight wise but isn't really thriving? Supporting the digestive system can help with this and with all around health.
#41 Equine Oil - A blend of essential oils useful in calming horses. Apply to the nostrils as needed.
As you can see I have tried to have formulas in stock that cover most basic needs. If you have a formula you want, like Lymphatic or Kidney just let us know and we will be happy to get it ordered for you. I hope you are all as satisfied with the herbal products as I have been.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Back to the Basics - Supplements I keep all the horses on.
I feed supplements, I am sure you would be surprised if I didn't. I don't think all horses NEED supplements but I think some are more important than others. Horses on good grass pasture that are maintaining weight probably don't need anything supplemented, but horses who are fed hay and/or in work probably need something. There are a few supplements I like to keep all my horses on. Later I will start doing "Pony Profiles" where I talk about each of my horses, what their specific needs are, and how I have addressed those needs. As for now this is what everyone gets.
First they all get hay. For the most part as much as they will eat. I do have Taylor (AQHA) and Pony on a weighed hay schedule because they are getting chubby. Remember an overweight animal can have more health problems than an underweight one.
Second they all get EquiPride. This is to balance out their vitamins and minerals and keep their digestive system running smoothly. I feed the granular version because I like to know they are getting the proper amount. This product also comes in a lick if you want to leave it out for a group of horses. This product is safe for insulin resistant and cushings horses because it is low sugar. For more information on Equipride stop on by.
I also add extra flaxseed to everyone's diet. Flaxseed best mimics the omega fatty acids found in fresh grass. Because pasture is so poor in this part of Colorado I feel this is a great way to keep coats shiny all year round and provide them with necessary nutrition. Because there is flaxseed in the Equipride I only give 1/2 cup of flaxseed additional. If you are only feeding flaxseed the recommended feeding is 1 cup per day for an average horse. Make sure your flaxseed is stabalized for freshness and balanced for calcium/phosphorus.
Every horse also gets a joint supplement. I feed Corta-flx because the cost is low per day and they are the only joint supplement on the market with a double blind, university study that shows their product works. I feed the liquid in the warm months and pellets in the cold and that works out perfect.
I put all these supplements on Alfalfa pellets. Horses, unless they are in high levels of work, generally do not need grain. The pellets allow them to think they are getting a treat but really it is more forage. When I am riding hard I do feed a 50/50 mixture of while oats and alfalfa pellets and that satisfies my horse's needs.
If you want your horse to be profiled in a "Pony Profile" than email me woofandwhinney@yahoo.com with what supplements your horse is on and why. Also a brief write up about the horse and you and if you can include pictures that is great. If I use your profile you will get a gift certificate for $10 off at Vetlink of Parker.
First they all get hay. For the most part as much as they will eat. I do have Taylor (AQHA) and Pony on a weighed hay schedule because they are getting chubby. Remember an overweight animal can have more health problems than an underweight one.
Second they all get EquiPride. This is to balance out their vitamins and minerals and keep their digestive system running smoothly. I feed the granular version because I like to know they are getting the proper amount. This product also comes in a lick if you want to leave it out for a group of horses. This product is safe for insulin resistant and cushings horses because it is low sugar. For more information on Equipride stop on by.
I also add extra flaxseed to everyone's diet. Flaxseed best mimics the omega fatty acids found in fresh grass. Because pasture is so poor in this part of Colorado I feel this is a great way to keep coats shiny all year round and provide them with necessary nutrition. Because there is flaxseed in the Equipride I only give 1/2 cup of flaxseed additional. If you are only feeding flaxseed the recommended feeding is 1 cup per day for an average horse. Make sure your flaxseed is stabalized for freshness and balanced for calcium/phosphorus.
Every horse also gets a joint supplement. I feed Corta-flx because the cost is low per day and they are the only joint supplement on the market with a double blind, university study that shows their product works. I feed the liquid in the warm months and pellets in the cold and that works out perfect.
I put all these supplements on Alfalfa pellets. Horses, unless they are in high levels of work, generally do not need grain. The pellets allow them to think they are getting a treat but really it is more forage. When I am riding hard I do feed a 50/50 mixture of while oats and alfalfa pellets and that satisfies my horse's needs.
If you want your horse to be profiled in a "Pony Profile" than email me woofandwhinney@yahoo.com with what supplements your horse is on and why. Also a brief write up about the horse and you and if you can include pictures that is great. If I use your profile you will get a gift certificate for $10 off at Vetlink of Parker.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Aural Plaques Final Pictures
I have been meaning to do this post for awhile and I apologize to anyone waiting to see the results of the Aldara treatment. So here are the final picture. They are a little harder to see because the ears are not clipped anymore. There is about 95% improvement in the presence of Aural plaques in the ears. And that might be low because the ears are dirty it was hard to determine what was a plaque and what was dirt. In the spring I will clip her ears again and then show the results again.
For those just coming in at this post. My horse Broadway had aural plaques present in both ears. I did four weekly treatments of 1 packet of Aldara spread between both ears. The ears did become very raw and inflammed until they healed up and now look pretty much normal. She is far less sensitive about her ears being touched and bridling and haltering are no longer an issue. I would say the Aldara has made a huge improvement in her comfort and I would recommend the treatment to any horse who has these plaques.
As for the pictures let's start from the beginning Before treatment:
Week Two:
Week Four: See how raw and sore they look.
Final Result:
As you can see big improvement. Some of the white spots seen in the last picture scrapped right off but then I couldn't get a good picture. They don't look like plaques just dry skin spots. If anyone has any specific questions about the treatment or side effects please contact me and I can answer anything you might have. So excited this worked with minimal evasion and side effects.
I got a better picture showing after cleaning there are no white dots left.
For those just coming in at this post. My horse Broadway had aural plaques present in both ears. I did four weekly treatments of 1 packet of Aldara spread between both ears. The ears did become very raw and inflammed until they healed up and now look pretty much normal. She is far less sensitive about her ears being touched and bridling and haltering are no longer an issue. I would say the Aldara has made a huge improvement in her comfort and I would recommend the treatment to any horse who has these plaques.
As for the pictures let's start from the beginning Before treatment:
Week Two:
Week Four: See how raw and sore they look.
Final Result:
As you can see big improvement. Some of the white spots seen in the last picture scrapped right off but then I couldn't get a good picture. They don't look like plaques just dry skin spots. If anyone has any specific questions about the treatment or side effects please contact me and I can answer anything you might have. So excited this worked with minimal evasion and side effects.
I got a better picture showing after cleaning there are no white dots left.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Products of the week- Farrier's Fix Hoof Oil and EquiDisk
I couldn't pick this week so I decided to go with both. Farrier's Fix hoof oil is a great product for all sorts of hoof problems and the Equidisk is a great toy type product that keeps horses entertained.
Farrier's fix hoof oil was developed by a farrier when he discovered he didn't like any of the current hoof treatments on the market. Farrier's Fix combines high quality, natural ingredients without any fillers and with thought and reasoning behind every ingredient included. There is Venice turpentine which toughens the hoof and help with bacteria based hoof problems like thrush and white line disease. Cod liver oil keeps the hoof balanced with moisture. Wintergreen Oil helps the ingredients penentrate the hoof, helps with soreness and smells great! Safflower Oil is a good cource of vitamin E.
In my experience with Farrier's Fix I have seen it swell close two cracks on one horse's hoof and also take out some soreness on a new horse when we removed her shoes. The product is great for Colorado as it balances the moisture as we fluctuate between wet and dry.
To start apply every day until you see results and then three times a week thereafter. If you are just looking to balance an already healthy hoof then three times per week is sufficient. The product smells fantastic as previously mentioned so it makes it a dream to use. The product is a liquid so it applies easily and evenly with out making a sticky mess. I don't think it produces enough shine to be used in the show ring though.
Farrier's Fix can help with a variety of issues like soreness, thrush, white line and dry cracked hooves. Because the formula is mixed you don't need to heat any venice turpentine to make it stay liquid.
This is a great product and will remain a staple in my barn.
The next product is Equidisk. These are new from Equipride. They have taken the Equipride and made it into a treat type disk that can hang in the stall or out in the field, or even in the trailer to keep a horse occupied. They are not made with molasses or any sugars and because of their high calcium and magnesium content they help coat the stomach. The disk can be very helpful in ulcer horses as it keeps something buffering the stomach at all times.
The Equidisk contains pre and probiotics to help keep the entire system running smoothly. I have really liked using these for London who is on stall rest as they keep her entertained and also help since she had been having stomach issues. Because they don't have any molasses or sugars they can be used in all horses included those with metabolic disorders like cushings or insulin resistance. What better way to help your horse get their vitamins and minerals. Another added benefit of keeping a horse occupied with the Equidisk is it can reduce boredom behaviours like wood chewing, stall walking and pacing.
You can tie up the Equidisk or just drop it into a five gallone bucket. This product is a great complement to Equipride's line of products, which are all fantastic.
Remember 15% off all products of the week! See you soon!
Farrier's fix hoof oil was developed by a farrier when he discovered he didn't like any of the current hoof treatments on the market. Farrier's Fix combines high quality, natural ingredients without any fillers and with thought and reasoning behind every ingredient included. There is Venice turpentine which toughens the hoof and help with bacteria based hoof problems like thrush and white line disease. Cod liver oil keeps the hoof balanced with moisture. Wintergreen Oil helps the ingredients penentrate the hoof, helps with soreness and smells great! Safflower Oil is a good cource of vitamin E.
In my experience with Farrier's Fix I have seen it swell close two cracks on one horse's hoof and also take out some soreness on a new horse when we removed her shoes. The product is great for Colorado as it balances the moisture as we fluctuate between wet and dry.
To start apply every day until you see results and then three times a week thereafter. If you are just looking to balance an already healthy hoof then three times per week is sufficient. The product smells fantastic as previously mentioned so it makes it a dream to use. The product is a liquid so it applies easily and evenly with out making a sticky mess. I don't think it produces enough shine to be used in the show ring though.
Farrier's Fix can help with a variety of issues like soreness, thrush, white line and dry cracked hooves. Because the formula is mixed you don't need to heat any venice turpentine to make it stay liquid.
This is a great product and will remain a staple in my barn.
The next product is Equidisk. These are new from Equipride. They have taken the Equipride and made it into a treat type disk that can hang in the stall or out in the field, or even in the trailer to keep a horse occupied. They are not made with molasses or any sugars and because of their high calcium and magnesium content they help coat the stomach. The disk can be very helpful in ulcer horses as it keeps something buffering the stomach at all times.
The Equidisk contains pre and probiotics to help keep the entire system running smoothly. I have really liked using these for London who is on stall rest as they keep her entertained and also help since she had been having stomach issues. Because they don't have any molasses or sugars they can be used in all horses included those with metabolic disorders like cushings or insulin resistance. What better way to help your horse get their vitamins and minerals. Another added benefit of keeping a horse occupied with the Equidisk is it can reduce boredom behaviours like wood chewing, stall walking and pacing.
You can tie up the Equidisk or just drop it into a five gallone bucket. This product is a great complement to Equipride's line of products, which are all fantastic.
Remember 15% off all products of the week! See you soon!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Product of the Week - Corta-Flx Rx Joint Solution
Corta-Flx Rx Joint solution is my favorite joint formula and all my horses are on it. The Rx formula is available without a prescription and it twice the strength of original Corta-Flx. Corta-Flx is different from other joint formulas in that they break down the glucosamine and chrodrotin into their metabolites this allows for better absorbtion by the horse. The formula comes in both a liquid and pellet. The liquid is far more cost effect although in some situations can be harder to feed ie a boarding stable that requires supplements to be baggied. The liquid is highly palatable and Corta-Flx has studies to show it increases appetite. Speaking of studies Corts-Flx is the only joint formula to have done a university, double-blind test of their formula. The test was done at Michigan State University and involved putting the horses on a treadmill, feeding them the corta-flx or a placebo and then putting the back on the treadmill. All the Corta-Flx horses had increased stride length and consistancy. If you want to read the study here is the link http://www.jointsupplementresearch.com/ Some other joint formulas have done studies but Corta-Flx is the other objectivly measured one. Which is why I like it so much. For cost Corta-Flx Rx Liquid runs $49.99 for a 60 day supply that makes it $0.83 per day which actually makes it one of the cheapest joint supplements per day to feed. All in all it is a great supplement and while the original formula is always a best performer in the Horse Journal Trials the Rx formula gives you twice as much for about the same cost.
15% off Corta-Flx Rx Liquid solutions this week! Come in and try this great product.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Let's support our local Colorado Companies!
This week's featured products are going to all be products made in Colorado. It is important to support our local companies and thus our local economies. Our biggest local company is Gateway Products. Gateway Products makes many supplements for just about any need you might have. They have recieved many accolades from the Horse Journal and other publications so not only are they local they are quality. Our best selling Gateway products is Mag Calm. This product is especially good for calming nervous and tense horses. Mag Calm was also rated the best magnesium supplement by the Horse Journal. One of our other best sellers is Su-per Flex Wrap. This is a self sticking wrap comparable to Vet-rap and works just the same. One of my favorite products is Su-per SuBstitUTE. This is a great pain management product for horses that can't be on bute long term. It is our strongest Devils Claw product and combined with Yucca, MSM and other herbs it works really well to combat pain in older horses or ones who have chronic problems. Horse Journal also recommends Su-per AntiOxidant regularly for its vitamin, mineral and antioxidant profiles. All in all Gateway has a lot of really good products and are worth a look into.
Our next featured product is Forco. Forco is a very good pre and probiotic made in Flagler, CO. This product helps feed the good bacteria and microbes in the gut. Forco also includes digestive enzymes to help utilize feed better. A good healthy gut keeps a horse happier and in better health. Weight will be regulated and stress won't have as big an impact. For horses that are prone to colic or diarrea Forco is a must to getting the horse back to healthy. Available in 5, 10, 25 pound buckets.
Eileen's Homebrew Hoof Goo is made in Aurora. It was formulated and tested here in Colorado for our unique climate. With a combination of cosmetic and culinary oils, pine tar and venice turpentine it is a high quality product that doesn't dissapoint.
Mile Hi Biotin is simply that, biotin. It is 20mg of biotin per serving to help with any hoof or coat problem you may be having.
Horsey Nibblers were developed in Elizabeth as a necessity for a horse owner faced with a lengthy stall confinement for one of their horses. They devolped the nibbers as a way to combat boredom and boy do they work. Made out of quality ingredients the nibbers are round so they are hard for the horse to get a bite out of and last along time. Now in several different flavors there is one your horse will like. A great boredom buster.
Dowdells Best Remedy is our newest local product. Started in 1907 as a topical liniment Dowdells has a great reputation on the racetrack. They have recently moved into the jumper market by sponsoring Charlie Dennehy at the Colorado Horse Park. We do still have samples so come by to try it today.
All these products are on sale for 10% off until August 31st. Make sure to stop by today to support your local companies!
Our next featured product is Forco. Forco is a very good pre and probiotic made in Flagler, CO. This product helps feed the good bacteria and microbes in the gut. Forco also includes digestive enzymes to help utilize feed better. A good healthy gut keeps a horse happier and in better health. Weight will be regulated and stress won't have as big an impact. For horses that are prone to colic or diarrea Forco is a must to getting the horse back to healthy. Available in 5, 10, 25 pound buckets.
Eileen's Homebrew Hoof Goo is made in Aurora. It was formulated and tested here in Colorado for our unique climate. With a combination of cosmetic and culinary oils, pine tar and venice turpentine it is a high quality product that doesn't dissapoint.
Mile Hi Biotin is simply that, biotin. It is 20mg of biotin per serving to help with any hoof or coat problem you may be having.
Horsey Nibblers were developed in Elizabeth as a necessity for a horse owner faced with a lengthy stall confinement for one of their horses. They devolped the nibbers as a way to combat boredom and boy do they work. Made out of quality ingredients the nibbers are round so they are hard for the horse to get a bite out of and last along time. Now in several different flavors there is one your horse will like. A great boredom buster.
Dowdells Best Remedy is our newest local product. Started in 1907 as a topical liniment Dowdells has a great reputation on the racetrack. They have recently moved into the jumper market by sponsoring Charlie Dennehy at the Colorado Horse Park. We do still have samples so come by to try it today.
All these products are on sale for 10% off until August 31st. Make sure to stop by today to support your local companies!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Aural Plaques week four
We are now on week four and as I sit here babysitting drunk horse ( have to sedate her now to clean the ears) I thought I would show the progress. This is the last week for treatment and then we see what happens over the next month. I cleaned out her ears really well and got a lot of crusty scabs off. Underneath the scabs the skin is still pretty raw but there are areas of fresh, pink, healthy skin. I think this is a good sign and I just hope the hair grows back in dark like the rest of her. So all in all I think the treatment worked. I think I will post again only after the raw spots have healed up to show the final results. I will continue to clean the ears weekly to remove scabs.
Left ear
Right ear
Great places to ride and hike - Deer Creek Canyon Trail Jefferson County, CO
Or not so great. This was not the best trail for horses. I will just start there. I grw up in this area and thought I knew the trail well. I thought my green trail horse, who is still barefoot in the front, sliders in the hind, would do well on this trail. Well she did so well but the trail was not anything I remembered. I did remember that there are horse/bike trails here and hiker only trails. Not a big deal we all walk fine together. We start up the horse trail called Plymouth Creek and for the first half mile or so the trail is great. The bikers at this trail are very courteous and even though we surprised one Taylor did very well with them. After the first part the trail becomes VERY steep and rocky. The rocks were not something I was familar with at this location. I was really worried about my horse being barefoot but she was very careful and didn't get any stone bruises. We continued up the trail until it met up with the Meadowlark trail. This is a hiker only trail but the walkers with me were beat the trail was that steep and difficult. My parents decided to walk down the Meadowlark trail while my husband and I contiunued up the Plymouth Creek trail.
We only got another 100 yards(shortly after this picture was taken) or so further on it when it turned to all rock. There was a staircase for the hikers and literally a rock face for the horses and bikes. I decided it was too much for my horse and we decided to head back to the trailer. It was a little disappointing of a ride and I probably will not be back here with the horse. Maybe if I was a mountain bike rider or wanted just to hike but this trail should really be only for the experienced horse and rider. That said I was very proud of the green horse and she handled the hard trail well. I think there are better trails out there for horses. For hikers though the view is beautiful and it may be well worth it.
Happy riding!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Aural Plaques update
Dr Dunbar cam out today to float Broadway's teeth. Boy is she not a light weight. Much like Scarlett before her she took a lot of drugs to make her sleepy. The noise is what gets her and she doesn't react well. After the float we decided to inspect her ears for how the Aldera was treating the Aural Plaques. We were able, with a little fight, to clip the ears so we could get a better look and clean them well before treatment three. When we first started it didn't look like there had been a lot of improvement but as we started cleaning the ears the plaques sloughed off showing raw skin below. Based on the University of Minnesota study this is really common and actually treatment week three, where we are, is supposed to be the worst. Thankfully she was sedated so we were able to clean the ears well and put in the next treatment. I have included the pictures below but stop here if you don't want to see them as they are raw and open. I will post pictures again after the next treatment and then after the rawness heals. If you are considering this treatment for your horse make sure you have a good fly mask with ears to keep the ears protected.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Vaccination Clinic Success!
Although this vaccination clinic was a little slow we vaccinated 60 dogs and 7 cats and ran heartworm tests on 25 dogs. Remember heartworm is in our area and it is worth it to test and use monthly preventative to prevent this aweful infestation. Failing to do so can result in death so it is really important to tay on top of it. Thank you to all the staff at Vetlink of Parker who help make the clinic a success. Dr Sorley for vaccinating all the dogs and cats, even the unruly ones! Dr Sabbatini for drawing all the blood and running the heartworm tests. Laurie for helping Dr Sorley so well, Maryann for helping Dr Sabbatini. Justinn for keeping the line moving and people flowing. Thank you to Rebecca who came and helped us with the paperwork it really helped having you help. I know with a great team we can make the vaccination clinics run smooth.
We do these clinic 2-3 times a year, usually in the spring and fall and they are always really busy and a benefit to the community. Make sure to watch our website and facebook for the dates of the next clinic.
Pictures from the clinic:
Doing a blood draw to test for heartworms, luckily every one was negative.
Vaccinating a little one
:
A BIG guy waiting in line, would you let him cut?
Can't wait to see you at the next one!
We do these clinic 2-3 times a year, usually in the spring and fall and they are always really busy and a benefit to the community. Make sure to watch our website and facebook for the dates of the next clinic.
Pictures from the clinic:
Doing a blood draw to test for heartworms, luckily every one was negative.
Vaccinating a little one
:
A BIG guy waiting in line, would you let him cut?
Can't wait to see you at the next one!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Great places to ride and hike - Dawson Butte Castle Rock Colorado
Dawson Butte, located just outside of Castle Rock is a great trail for any rider. There is a five mile easy loop around the park that is great for any level horse and rider. When it is wet there is one small water crossing that is more just water over the trail. It was the only place my green trail horse balked.
The trail is well-groomed and not rocky. Good for unshod horses or horses like mine who have sliders on for reining competition. The trail is lined in places with scrub oak, through a wooded area, and open in others. There are also numerous out trails that meander through the park. These are mostly there to feed the small cross country course. Because I had my reining horse I wan't able to scope out any of the jumps but they look well made with a variety of questions. Looks like a lot of fun. The natural beauty here is outstanding with wildlife like deer that join you. We completed the five mile loop in about 2 hours. This included me riding and three people walking with two dogs.
All in all everyone enjoyed themselves.
The parking is well thought out with lots of places to park even a big horse trailer. The one thing the park asks is manure to be picked up from the parking lot. I am ashamed to say not many horse people followed this rule as there was manure everywhere. If we want to have places to ride we need to respect those places rules or they will stop allowing it to be open to horseback riding. Please don't let this happen by making sure you have a fork to clean up after yourself.
Dawson Butte is a great trail I would recommend to anyone. Happy riding.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Products I am loving right now!
With summer in full swing there are a few products I can't get by without. The first is Calm Coat fly spray. 
This all natural fly spray actually works! I love when I spray it on the flies leave. The Calm Coat Fly Repellent has a really pleasent odor and it is great for those who don't want to use chemicals.
Speaking of Calm Coat they also have a great Detangler and Shine.
I love how this smells, like a pina colada, and boy does it detangle. I get so many compliments on how shiny my horse's tails are. A must buy for anyone showing this summer or anyone really who just wants a shiny, tangle free mane and tail. Vetlink of Parker sells both Calm Coat products in quarts and gallons, come give them a try. For a limited time Calm Coat is $1.00 off per bottle.
Back to the subject of flies, London is very allergic to fly bites so I have to change her routine a little in the summer to keep her comfortable. The first thing I do is add Garlic DE from our local company, Gateway Products. Garlic DE combines garlic, diatomacous earth and apple cider vinegar.
The combination of these ingredients makes the horse less appitizing for flies it also inhibits fly breeding in the manure. I feed this product to all my horses to limit the flies on my property and I feel it has really helped.
I also feed flaxseed to all my horses with the product OmegaHorseshine.
This is a balanced flaxseed product so it woun't mess up a balanced diet for calcium:phosphorus ratio. Flaxseed, because of its high omega 3s is great for inflammation and can lessen allergy symptoms. Flaxseed is also beneficial for stabled horses that aren't getting a lot of fresh pasture grass as flaxseed best mimics the natural omegas in pasture grass. I feel it is a great all around product that most horses will benefit from.
That is it for now. I will keep up with the products I am loving at the moment. I hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day and getting in some horse time!
Speaking of Calm Coat they also have a great Detangler and Shine.
Back to the subject of flies, London is very allergic to fly bites so I have to change her routine a little in the summer to keep her comfortable. The first thing I do is add Garlic DE from our local company, Gateway Products. Garlic DE combines garlic, diatomacous earth and apple cider vinegar.
The combination of these ingredients makes the horse less appitizing for flies it also inhibits fly breeding in the manure. I feed this product to all my horses to limit the flies on my property and I feel it has really helped.
I also feed flaxseed to all my horses with the product OmegaHorseshine.
This is a balanced flaxseed product so it woun't mess up a balanced diet for calcium:phosphorus ratio. Flaxseed, because of its high omega 3s is great for inflammation and can lessen allergy symptoms. Flaxseed is also beneficial for stabled horses that aren't getting a lot of fresh pasture grass as flaxseed best mimics the natural omegas in pasture grass. I feel it is a great all around product that most horses will benefit from.
That is it for now. I will keep up with the products I am loving at the moment. I hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day and getting in some horse time!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Treating Aural Plaques
My new rescue horse has aural plaques. They are not bad, yet, but I don't want them to get worse. Aural Plaques are the white, wart looking growths on the inside of horses ears. As many as 25% of the equine population has them. Although their exact cause is not known it is thought to be related to the papillomavirus which does cause warts and other growths. In the past and for most of my time at Vetlink I have always told those who asked there is no treatment for aural plaques, and in the past there wasn't. Now with new research from the University of Minnesota there is hope. They did a trial on aural plaques (and sarcoids) involving the human drug Aldara (Imiquimod 5% cream). The conclusion of the trial is it worked very well. Talking with my vet we decided to try it. You can read about the study here http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/completedstudies/lamedsurg/aldarardvm/home.html. Broadway can be a little touchy with her ears and she has a habit of pulling back. I was wondering the plaques could be the problem. I started the treatment today. My veterinarian's instructions are a little different than the protocol in the study but ultimatly you are treating the same number of time. My instructions were to apply the Aldara once weekly for four weeks. During the treatment the plaques will get worse before they get better as the medicine uses the body's own immune system to fight the virus. I will be documenting the results here for anyone who is also dealing with aural plaques.
Here is the before treatment pictures.
I am so glad this treatment is available. While I have never seen aural plaques before adopting this horse, I had heard awful stories about how hard bridling was and how the horses hated having their ears and even heads touched. Hopefully with such good results more people will use this treatment for happy horses. Unfortunatly Vetlink of Parker is not able to carry Aldara at this time so it is something you will have to talk with your vet about.
Here is the before treatment pictures.
I am so glad this treatment is available. While I have never seen aural plaques before adopting this horse, I had heard awful stories about how hard bridling was and how the horses hated having their ears and even heads touched. Hopefully with such good results more people will use this treatment for happy horses. Unfortunatly Vetlink of Parker is not able to carry Aldara at this time so it is something you will have to talk with your vet about.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Update on London
If you don't remember, London is my Trekehner mare who was diagnosed with a pastern fracture back in April. Dr Dunbar was out yesterday to do a two month recheck. We needed to trot her to check her lameness grade. I was dreading this part as she has not been out of the stall in two months. Anyone with horses knows this can be a receipe for disaster. Lucklily London was very good, she trotted well although she is still a grade 2/5 lameness in the leg. The prognosis is still good and now London can go out for handwalking/grazing for 5 min twice a day. Her first walk was this morning and again I was worried about her reaction. I didn't need to be at all. London walked nicely for her five minutes, grazing when she wanted to and then going back to her stall. I never imagined she would be so good on an extended stall confinment. So I would like to share a few tips for making the stall bound horse a little more comfortable.
1. I started London on Quiessence the day the veterinarian found the fracture. I really feel this has helped keep her calm.
2. Toys. Find the one your horse likes and keep it going. London likes the stall pacifier, which we can special order through Vetlink. It is a roller that mounts in the corner of the stall and the horse can spin it. London spins it so hard she knocks it out of her holder daily.
3. Lots of attention. I find London is a lot calmer when she has her daily grooming session. She gets to spend time with me and it also allows me to check her out for any scrapes or swelling she may be getting from being in the stall.
4. Free choice hay. I had to watch this one with London becuase the Veterianarian wanted her to lose some weight to help the fracture heal. London herself backed off her consumption so I still make she she has food in front of her all the time.
5. A Buddy if possible. The first few days of stall rest was hard as I tried to work out London's frustration from going from my pasture to the stall. Finally I brought my pony in. London usually ignored the pony but this time she nickered at him and soon settled right in. It has worked wonders. As long as Pony is around London is calm.
I hope you never have to have a horse on extended stall rest as physically and mentally it is draining on the horse and you. But if you do find yourself in the same situation I hope my tips will help you make the time go quickly and easily.
1. I started London on Quiessence the day the veterinarian found the fracture. I really feel this has helped keep her calm.
2. Toys. Find the one your horse likes and keep it going. London likes the stall pacifier, which we can special order through Vetlink. It is a roller that mounts in the corner of the stall and the horse can spin it. London spins it so hard she knocks it out of her holder daily.
3. Lots of attention. I find London is a lot calmer when she has her daily grooming session. She gets to spend time with me and it also allows me to check her out for any scrapes or swelling she may be getting from being in the stall.
4. Free choice hay. I had to watch this one with London becuase the Veterianarian wanted her to lose some weight to help the fracture heal. London herself backed off her consumption so I still make she she has food in front of her all the time.
5. A Buddy if possible. The first few days of stall rest was hard as I tried to work out London's frustration from going from my pasture to the stall. Finally I brought my pony in. London usually ignored the pony but this time she nickered at him and soon settled right in. It has worked wonders. As long as Pony is around London is calm.
I hope you never have to have a horse on extended stall rest as physically and mentally it is draining on the horse and you. But if you do find yourself in the same situation I hope my tips will help you make the time go quickly and easily.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Old Dogs, New tricks?
My dogs are getting old. As much as I hate to say it it is true. Annie who I picked up as a puppy while living in Steamboat Springs turned eight this year. Annie is an Irish wolfhound, Husky, German Shepard mix with one blue eye and one brown and while not as large as a full Wolfhound is still pretty big at 120 pounds. So eight is kind of a milestone although most people who met her wouldn't guess she is eight even the Veterinarian checked her chart twice and then asked to confirm her birthday. Which is good because I couldn't imagine a life without her. She has the most personality of any dog I have owned.
Keegan is six this year although the only sign of aging on her is her greying muzzle. She keeps herself in tip top shape running around our four acres.
I get asked a lot how to keep older dogs healthy so here is what I do. First and foremost I feed good quality food. When I first got my dog I had no idea there were better foods than the ones found at Petsmart but boy was I wrong. Check out www.dogfoodanalysis.com to see how your food measures up. Keep in mind the website is completely independent, they just rate the food. I don't feel there is one great food for every dog. Keegan has allergies so there are foods we need to avoid even if they are good foods. I would shoot for a 4 star or better food from the website. A great place locally to find good food is Essential Pet on Cottonwood Dr and Parker Rd next to the DMV, they are great and really know their dog foods. So first step is get your dog on a good food that works for them.
My second thing I do is lots of walks. Just like in people the more active you are the better you feel. We strive for daily walks with longer hikes on the weekends. This activity helps keeps joints moving freely and muscles strong and healthy. If your dog has been sedentary for awhile make sure you work into longer walks, you don't want to injure your dog by doing too much too soon. Also make sure to take plenty of water to keep your dog hydrated.
Speaking of joints I firmly believe in joint supplements, not only for dogs but horses too. I know there is no evidence that joint supplements work as prevention but I have always given them to my dogs from a young age and it has kept arthritis to a minimum. So my dogs get a daily joint supplement. Right now they are on Glyco Flex 1 soft chews since they are not showing any joint discomfort yet. For being 8 and 6 with the sizes they are that is really good. If I do see the Glyco Flex 1 isn't strong enough anymore I can move them up to 2 or 3 which is why I long Glyco Flex's three step system.
Lastly annual visits with my Veterinarian are very important. When you see your dog daily it may be hard to see subtle changes that your veterinarian can pick up on. As dogs age some may benefit from twice annual visits.
So keep them moving and active. Start aching pets on a joint supplement and see your vet to keep those old dogs feeling young!
Keegan is six this year although the only sign of aging on her is her greying muzzle. She keeps herself in tip top shape running around our four acres.
I get asked a lot how to keep older dogs healthy so here is what I do. First and foremost I feed good quality food. When I first got my dog I had no idea there were better foods than the ones found at Petsmart but boy was I wrong. Check out www.dogfoodanalysis.com to see how your food measures up. Keep in mind the website is completely independent, they just rate the food. I don't feel there is one great food for every dog. Keegan has allergies so there are foods we need to avoid even if they are good foods. I would shoot for a 4 star or better food from the website. A great place locally to find good food is Essential Pet on Cottonwood Dr and Parker Rd next to the DMV, they are great and really know their dog foods. So first step is get your dog on a good food that works for them.
My second thing I do is lots of walks. Just like in people the more active you are the better you feel. We strive for daily walks with longer hikes on the weekends. This activity helps keeps joints moving freely and muscles strong and healthy. If your dog has been sedentary for awhile make sure you work into longer walks, you don't want to injure your dog by doing too much too soon. Also make sure to take plenty of water to keep your dog hydrated.
Speaking of joints I firmly believe in joint supplements, not only for dogs but horses too. I know there is no evidence that joint supplements work as prevention but I have always given them to my dogs from a young age and it has kept arthritis to a minimum. So my dogs get a daily joint supplement. Right now they are on Glyco Flex 1 soft chews since they are not showing any joint discomfort yet. For being 8 and 6 with the sizes they are that is really good. If I do see the Glyco Flex 1 isn't strong enough anymore I can move them up to 2 or 3 which is why I long Glyco Flex's three step system.
Lastly annual visits with my Veterinarian are very important. When you see your dog daily it may be hard to see subtle changes that your veterinarian can pick up on. As dogs age some may benefit from twice annual visits.
So keep them moving and active. Start aching pets on a joint supplement and see your vet to keep those old dogs feeling young!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Vetericyn The best new wound treatment!
This is the first product of the day! Any Vetericyn product is 10% off!
I didn't know what to start with on products of the day but since I seem to be running an equine hospital ward right now I thought this was appropriate. It seems when it rains it pours at my house. I have already talked about London and her fractured pastern. I also have Peanut, who has a corn so he needs daily epsom salt soaks. Then there is Taylor who thought it would be a good idea to kick down my fence and in the process skinned her hock pretty good. So I instantly reached for my Vetericyn VF.
From the Vetericyn website:
Vetericyn is a scientifically engineered topical solution that kills virtually any infection, yet is completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Backed by real science with over 25 clinical trials completed, Vetericyn is the animal version of the FDA-cleared Microcyn formulation that has been used on over two million human patients worldwide without a report of a single serious adverse effect.
Vetericyn is completely bio-compatible because it mimics the body’s natural immune system’s response to an infection. In addition, bacteria, virus, fungi and spores have not demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to Vetericyn. In fact, Vetericyn kills all these single-cell pathogens within 30 seconds of contact. Vetericyn is so potent it kills staph, E. coli and even MRSA. Vetericyn is safe as water making it completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Therefore your animal can lick its wounds or infections after application of Vetericyn without any adverse affects. Will not stain clothing or furniture with application to animal. And there are no special disposal requirements.
Vetericyn contains no steroids or antibiotics which can hinder the healing process or weaken the immune system.
There are also two other significant benefits to Vetericyn. Wounds treated with Vetericyn have demonstrated a reduction in healing time by up to 60%. Vetericyn significantly increases the oxygen content at the wound site within 30 seconds and maintains that oxygen level for up to 36 hours. This increase in oxygen could account for these accelerated healing times. Second, Vetericyn treats and reduces chronic inflammation by inhibiting the release of histamines by the mast cells. Chronic inflammation is a barrier to healing.
To summarize, Vetericyn is a completely non-toxic anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral that is environmentally friendly and safe as water. Will not stain clothing or furniture with application to animal and is bio-compatible with your animal’s body.
I have used this product on many wounds. The biggest thing to remember is it cannot freeze, this will render it useless so it must be kept in a temperature controlled enviroment. Vetlink of Parker sells the VF version in a solid white bottle which is twice the strength of the clear blue bottle formula. We also carry the Eye and Ear version, plus the hydroget VF which is a thicker treatment for longer stickability.
To apply rinse the wound and apply liberally. Can be used on any wound and we have had great testimonials on everything from wounds to scratches to rain rot and even improvement on Aural plaques (the white growths in ears). It is the first thing I reach for. Stop in and pick up any of the Vetericyn products and you will be pleased with the results.
Have a great weekend, stay dry and happy riding!
I didn't know what to start with on products of the day but since I seem to be running an equine hospital ward right now I thought this was appropriate. It seems when it rains it pours at my house. I have already talked about London and her fractured pastern. I also have Peanut, who has a corn so he needs daily epsom salt soaks. Then there is Taylor who thought it would be a good idea to kick down my fence and in the process skinned her hock pretty good. So I instantly reached for my Vetericyn VF.
From the Vetericyn website:
Why Vetericyn Is Superior
Vetericyn is not a steroid, antibiotic, bleach, toxin or organic homeopathic.Vetericyn is a scientifically engineered topical solution that kills virtually any infection, yet is completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Backed by real science with over 25 clinical trials completed, Vetericyn is the animal version of the FDA-cleared Microcyn formulation that has been used on over two million human patients worldwide without a report of a single serious adverse effect.
Vetericyn is completely bio-compatible because it mimics the body’s natural immune system’s response to an infection. In addition, bacteria, virus, fungi and spores have not demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to Vetericyn. In fact, Vetericyn kills all these single-cell pathogens within 30 seconds of contact. Vetericyn is so potent it kills staph, E. coli and even MRSA. Vetericyn is safe as water making it completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Therefore your animal can lick its wounds or infections after application of Vetericyn without any adverse affects. Will not stain clothing or furniture with application to animal. And there are no special disposal requirements.
Vetericyn contains no steroids or antibiotics which can hinder the healing process or weaken the immune system.
There are also two other significant benefits to Vetericyn. Wounds treated with Vetericyn have demonstrated a reduction in healing time by up to 60%. Vetericyn significantly increases the oxygen content at the wound site within 30 seconds and maintains that oxygen level for up to 36 hours. This increase in oxygen could account for these accelerated healing times. Second, Vetericyn treats and reduces chronic inflammation by inhibiting the release of histamines by the mast cells. Chronic inflammation is a barrier to healing.
To summarize, Vetericyn is a completely non-toxic anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral that is environmentally friendly and safe as water. Will not stain clothing or furniture with application to animal and is bio-compatible with your animal’s body.
I have used this product on many wounds. The biggest thing to remember is it cannot freeze, this will render it useless so it must be kept in a temperature controlled enviroment. Vetlink of Parker sells the VF version in a solid white bottle which is twice the strength of the clear blue bottle formula. We also carry the Eye and Ear version, plus the hydroget VF which is a thicker treatment for longer stickability.
To apply rinse the wound and apply liberally. Can be used on any wound and we have had great testimonials on everything from wounds to scratches to rain rot and even improvement on Aural plaques (the white growths in ears). It is the first thing I reach for. Stop in and pick up any of the Vetericyn products and you will be pleased with the results.
Have a great weekend, stay dry and happy riding!
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