EasyCare Customer Help Desk

Herbs: Medicine or Food?

Did you know Alfalfa is a nutrient herb? Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm can be considered medicinal-nutrients, while Valerian is a medicinal herb.

Here is some "Herb Blurb" from Madalyn Ward of Holistic Horsekeeping.......

Herbs are included in many horse supplements, so it is important to understand what actions they may have. Are they a medication or simply a food supplement?

Most horse owners understand why glucosamine or MSM would be included in their horse's supplements, but what about milk thistle, slippery elm, or uvi ursi?

Accoding to medical definition, a medicine is anything that enters the body and alters its structure or function. Using that definition, all herbs could be considered medicines. In fact, many herbs are both foods and medicines. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration classifies herbs as foods when no claims are made that the herb will cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent any disease. If a company makes health claims about an herb, then that herb would automatically have to be regulated.

Most herbs are therefore sold as foods but used as medicines.

Herbs differ from conventional medicines or drugs in how they act in the body. Most drug classifications begin with the prefix "anti." We have antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and anti-toxins. The prefix "anti" means that these drugs act against a negative substance or process in the body.

Herbs, on the other hand, tend to increase good substances and support healthy processes in the body. In herbal therapy, the practitioner views disease as a general imbalance in the body. In the case of a kidney infection, instead of immediately reaching for antibiotics, an herbalist might give herbs that would prevent toxins from being absorbed from the bowel. These herbs would also tonify and build the kidney as well as increase the discharge of toxins through the urinary tract and other eliminative organs.

Herbs are generally divided into three main categories:

* Nutrient

* Medicinal-nutrient

* Medicinal

Herbs in the nutrient category are not considered to act on any specific condition but they do support health through their nutritional makeup by providing vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Nutritional herbs can be used freely with no concern about toxicity.

Herbs in the medicinal/nutritional category are more targeted to address certain conditions or organ systems. They are still quite safe but would not generally be used on a continuous basis.

Herbs in the medicinal category have strong action and could be toxic if used inappropriately. Medicinal herbs should be used short-term in most cases.

For more "Herb Blurbs", go to www.holistichorsekeeping.com .

Urgent Notice: Potential Danger of Horse Hair...

This is a public service announcement...

In a press release today, the National Institute of Health has announced the discovery of a potentially dangerous substance in the hair of horses.

This substance, called "amobacter equuii" has been linked with the following symptoms in females:

Reluctance to cook, clean or do housework.

Reluctance to wear make-up, good clothes or heels.

Reluctance to spend money on home or car repairs until after "baby has new shoes, pad, blanket, tack, grain, hay & supplements".

"Amobacter equuii" usually results in long hours away from home and exhaustion
which may lead to a loss of physical contact with other
humans (especially husbands).

"Amobacter equuii" is thought to be addictive, driving the need for additional
sources - this may lead to a "herd mentality" or like the potato chip commercial, "you can't have just one".

Beware! If you come in contact with a female human infected by this substance, be prepared to talk about horses for hours.

Surgeon General's Warning:

Horses are expensive, addictive, and may impair the ability to use common sense.

Old Faithful Easyboots

What an amazing story from Clarissa and Sonny, sporting the same pair of Easyboots for 7 years!

Quotes Clarissa, ' These boots wore very, very well as they were used alot. I always spoke favorably of them to people who always paid too much to shoe their horses every 6-8 weeks. Imagine the savings by going barefoot not to mention how much better it is for your horse!'

Check out Sonny soaking his hooves in preparation of trimming.

They lasted through my HQ Stallions ridden life then I used them on his daughter for a few years. All up about 7 years. How great is that Clarissa! Thank You from EasyCare! 

Customer Testimonial - Easyboot RX

The grip of the new Easyboot RX is fantastic!  Maybe you should try the Glove with the softer mixture of the RX tread, as it would fit the flexibility of the Glove.  I love the RX, look how my horse moves around in them!

Manula Volk - Germany  

Holistic Tips for Your Horse

There are times when you wish your horse would drink more water....or if you are on the road for events, vacation, trail rides.....here is a simple trick to try: dip a peppermint candy in the water or just swish around a peppermint tea bag for a few minutes to let the flavor permeate the water. Most horses love the taste of peppermint and it will get them drinking again.

Lemon eucalyptus is a great essential oil for repelling flies and mosquitoes. There is citronella which is a great bug deterent at work.

Check out the Holistic Horse magazine or go to www.holistichorse.com for more great holistic means to care for your horse in a more natural way.

Happy Riding.........

Testimonial for Easyboot Gloves and Epics

Diane Bowman of Trinity, North Carolina sent us this great testimonial about her experience with using Easyboot Gloves and Easyboot Epics on a recent ride.

" Just got back from 4 days of riding in the mountains of Virginia, at Mt. Rogers. Tried out the new Gloves on the hind feet of my horse and had my regular Epics on the front. Both styles worked wonderfully. We were riding in horrendous mud, as it had been raining, and terrible rocks, and the horses did great. My friend had regular Epics on her horse. I feel we really put the boots to the test with all the mud and rocks. We are just regular trail riders, not endurance, so maybe this wasn't that big of a test for the boots, but I can't say enough about how pleased we were. I have been using the boots for about 6 years and have always been pleased and my horse has remained comfortable and sound. Thank you EasyCare for these wonderful products."

Diane Bowman

Are Your Pastures Safe?

Not everything growing in a pasture is safe for a horse to eat.  Noxious and invasive plants are not only taking control of hundreds of acres of public lands but individual pastures where horse owners turn horses out for what looks like lush green grasses to graze. 

 Knowing what is noxious, what is invasive and what is unsafe grazing for one's horse can be a challenge.  What is a noxious plant?  An invasive weed?  What do the plants look for?  Where do they grow?  And just how can this or that plant affect a horse who has grazed some of it?

According to Bonnie Davis, respected clinician and freelance writer, who has worked with the National Park Service and California Department of Food and Agriculture on noxious and invasive plants, "A noxious plant is one that will build up toxic levels in a horse's system  which can seriously injury or kill the horse.  Invasive plants are those that as they grow push out the normal or native plants which horses like to graze.  Both plants are classified as weeds and often can be found not only in pastures but as landscape plants around homes, barns, buildings and even along fence lines.

"Every horse owner should have a basic knowledge of these plants.  Anyone who is planning to landscape, involved with pasture management or just allowing a few hours each day for a horse to graze should be capable of recognizing individual plants.  Even landscapers often don't know which plants to avoid around a barn or even a driveway where fallen leaves can be blown into pastures.  The best way for the horse owner to protect equine stock is to understand the various plants themselves,"  Davis stated.

 "Horse Owner's Field Guide to Toxic Plants" includes the 100 most common and toxic plants found in pastures, backyards, around barns and even along trails.  Each plant has a full color photo of leaves or flowers, description, geographic distribution and locations.  Not only are trees, shrubs and bushes included but vines, ferns, palms and wildflowers.  Researched and compiled by Sandra Burger, Dr. A.P. Knight, leading horse poisonings expert, lent his expertise on how to recognize poisoning symptoms and what steps you or your vet should take if one suspects a horse has eaten a toxic plant.  

 

Healthy Traveling Tips for Horses

EasyCare shares tips from Lynn Palm on how to keep your horse happy and healthy while traveling.

When I travel with my horses for six or more hours, I am sure they are prepared for the trip by mixing a hot bran mash with mineral oil at least six hours before the trip.  By adding half his grain ration with two cups of bran, one cup of mineral oil and enough warm water to saturate the mix, each horse is getting a  treat and I have some insurance that things will continue to move smoothly as we travel.

"I will also add ½ teaspoon of table salt to each feeding about three days prior to the trip.  The salt should encourage the horse to drink.  Electrolytes may also be used. I give my horses free choice hay throughout the trip and offer them fresh water at each stop. I am always conscious of the ventilation in the trailer. I am sure that the horses are not too hot or too cold so as not to add any additional stress."

When I stop for fuel, I check my horse’s hay intake, water intake, body temperature, and manure/urinating. I am sure that my stops are at least 30 minutes so my horse can rest.

Thank You Lynn, Happy Trails!

Zebra Attacks Gorilla in Kansas?

A college football player in Kansas will miss this season due to injuries sustained in a zebra attack. 

Yes, Zebra attack. Kansas.

It seems that the player, Joe Windscheffel a linebacker/safety for Pittsburg State Gorillas was working at a farm near Lawrence, Kansas when he was asked to move four Zebra to another pasture, MercuryNews.com reported.

The male Zebra charged the 225-lb, 6'2" linebacker and bit his arm, dragging him until two other farmhands came to assist.  Windscheffel sustained a compound fracture. 

5 Tips to Help Prepare for a New Horse

Here are some great tips found in a current news article www.myequinenetwork.com 

Perhaps you’re shopping for your children or grandchildren, or maybe you would like to start your own equine project. Whatever your reasons for buying a horse, it is important to consider all of the options to ensure the horse will meet your specific needs.

However, for many people, the challenges of buying a horse don’t stop after bringing their new addition home. Here are some things to consider before the new horse steps in the trailer to come home:

1. Complete any necessary ownership transfers for breed organizations.
2. Ask the current barn manager or owner about the horse’s feed and try to keep your feed comparable to help ease the transition. Also, make sure hay, tack and grooming supplies are on hand.
3. Pastures and barns should be free of clutter and items that can injure horses.
4. Separate new horses from horses already on the farm to help gradually introduce the new horse and to protect existing horses from potential diseases.
5. Ask the previous owner for documentation about the horse’s health history and vaccinations, and verify with your veterinarian that the vaccinations are up to date.

The process of buying a horse can be just as stressful for the new horse as it is for the new owner. While you’re worrying about getting the horse settled into his or her new home, the stressors of traveling to a new barn and being separated from old herd mates could be taking its toll.

“Events that many horse owners consider routine can be stressful enough for horses to develop ulcers,” says April Knudson, DVM, manager, Veterinary Services, Merial. “Training, traveling, competition and even stall confinement at an unfamiliar facility can cause stomach ulcers in as little as five days.

Dr. Knudson recommends ULCERGARD^® (omeprazole) because it is the only product approved by the FDA for the prevention of equine stomach ulcers. During times of stress, one daily dose of ULCERGARD has been proven effective in preventing stomach ulcers over both short and long periods of time.

“Beginning a new equine relationship takes time, patience and hard work,” Dr. Knudson says. “Using ULCERGARD before transporting your horse to its new home, and while the horse is adjusting, can help ensure that he’s healthy and ready to start working with you. It can help get your relationship off on the best possible foot.”

Owning a horse can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience from the start with a little bit of preparation. The next time you anticipate a stressful situation for your horse, ask your veterinarian about ULCERGARD.

Happy Trails from EasyCare!

Easyboot Gloves on the Wagon Train

 These pictures were sent in by Kelley Jo Locke, she and her dad, Danny have been riding for 16 years with the Mader Method Wagon Train.  Here's what they have to say about the EasyCare Glove.

"Check out Zoe in her kick'n new Glove boots!  We loved them.  They really kept those tiny rocks from invading her wall separation.  Of course my goal is to not have any wall separation at all, but until then the boots are a real life saver.  Some of the guys in the wagon train are really old school cowboys and they were all really watching these boots, seeing how long it took to boot her up, if they would even stay on, and if they rubbed her raw or caused her to trip at all.  I am very proud of my dad for being the first one not to have his mules and horses shod for the ride." 

We will be riding this Tuesday with the Hispanic Water Coalition in the "Walk for Water" from Mendota to San Luis Reservior and I will try to get Zoe with her boots on national TV!  Look for us...

Kelley Jo

Horse Hoof X-Rays

What to Request for Hoof X-Rays

There are some new ideas when it comes to hoof x-rays.

If you’re getting x-rays of your horse’s feet, request the following:

1. Digital X-rays. The resolution is sharper, and your vet can provide copies via email or on a DVD for you and your hoofcare provider.

2. The hoof should be marked with barium paste to make the following landmarks clearly discernible:

- hairline and angle at dorsal aspect for lateral view

- frog apex

- heel angle, from hairline to the ground

Interesting Horse Facts

Interesting Facts

~The average horse weighs about a half a ton and its brain is the size of a baked potato.

~Horses cannot breathe through their mouths.

~Some of the equine family's closest relatives are tapirs and the rhinoceros.

~A horse can poop up to 14 times a day, but it cannot vomit.

~Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva, and can drink up to 10 gallons of water a day.

~The average horse's heart weighs approximately 9 or 10 pounds.

~The smallest breeds are the Falabellas of Argentina. Average breed heights for a fully-grown Falabella today are between 28 and 34 inches. The breed is proportioned similarly to horses, other than in size.
~The tallest breed is the Shire, from England. Shire horses average around 17.2 hands (178 cm) tall at maturity (measured at the withers, with the breed standard being at least 17 hands, although a Shire horse was recorded reaching over 21.2 hands (220 cm). The girth of a Shire horse varies from 6 feet to 8 ft. Shire stallions weigh, on average, between 2,020 lb and 2,460 lb.

~And remember this when trying to communicate with your horse: When spoken to, horses distinguish tones rather than particular words.

Natural Hoof Care Clinic In Cave Creek, AZ.

Whether you're new to horses or had them all of your life, this one day clinic is for you! The special presentation will be done by Dr. Tomas G. Teskey, D.V.M.,  Leading Veterinary Authority on the Equine Hoof and Barefoot Horses. The presentation will feature:

• Hoof anatomy and physiology  

• How to evaluate the characteristics of your horse's feet

• How hoof structures are affected by the domesticated lifestyle

• Prevention and rehabilitation of hoof pathologies

• Trimming theory and practices

• Transition to barefoot

• Barefoot performance horses 

In the afternoon session Dr. Teskey will perform a hoof dissection on a cadaver limb giving you a better perspective and understanding of the anatomy of the horse's feet that you can't obtain from an X-Ray or text book pictures.  

When: Saturday August 15, 2009

Where: American Legion Post 34, 6272 E. Cave Creek Rd.

Time: 9am - 4pm

Cost $75.00

Contact: Kristen Walker (602) 818-4996

EMail [email protected] to receive your registration form

Seating is limited, secure you attendance as soon as possible.  This will be a great presentation as many of us from EasyCare have been fortunate enough to attend similar presentations by Dr. Teskey.

Need a Boot Repair?

We at EasyCare know that some of those trails can get pretty rough so when the buckle on your Epic boot has seen it's last trail, the lace has snapped on your Boa boot or the gaiter on your Glove boot didn't survive that last really rough ride, don't despair!  We have a great boot repair department here at EasyCare.  Of course for the do it yourself customers, the replacement parts and accessories are all available on our website or by calling our customer service department at 1-800-447-8836.  Also on the  website if you click on "Tips" on each boot page you can find videos and instructions for almost every repair you may need.

For those who do not want to do the repair yourself  - or just don't have the time because you would rather be out riding - please call customer service and get a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number before sending any repairs to EasyCare.  The cost for boot repair  is $6.00 per boot labor, the cost of any parts needed and shipping back to you.

Few Pictures from Tevis

Here are just a few of the pictures taken at Tevis. It was several busy days with the EasyCare team glueing boots on some of the race horses. All of our first time team members who attended were certainly amazed at how this event functions. They have a new found respect for horse, rider and event managers for putting on this great race. Kudos go out to our team members for all of their great help with assuring that  EasyCare   had a very successful presence at this year's race event.