Herb suppliments

[Stella2]

My mare is a little hormonal (it was interesting a few days ago when we were both hormonal! we didn't do much!). I have just purchased a suppliment from Hilton Herbs which is said to regulate the hormones in a mare (not sure about that, but maybe) and calm and sooth (likely I thought as it contains valerian, skullcap, camomile and I think- rosehip leaves). Hilton Herbs literature says that in the wild a horse would seek out the grasses and herbs it needs at any time. This makes sense to me. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this product or anything similar.

Ann

[Wally]

Horses will, in my view look for what they need...if it is available to them.

Modern grass management means that grasses are by far the predominating plant in any grazing.

We are lucky in having a huge range of land for our bunch to choose from. Some days they are all down grazing on good grass, other days they are all off into the bogs and hill, grazing on heather and other wild herbs. They even get the chance of some sea weed if they feel the need.

If you choose to administer herbs in bucket feeds the horse has no choice as to the plants he eats....man, once again, dictates. Now, your mare probably has no desire to regulate her hormones, it is man who feels the desire to manipulate these. She is probably quite happy high as a kite waiting for "Mr. Stallion man" to turn up. So why should she look to eating herbs which man feels would benefit the horse when the horse will not feel the need at all?

[Dizzy]

My young mare carried on from last summer, all through winter having seasons. I had my vet out a few weeks ago to check her out. He gave her an internal examination which took ages, I had to hold up a front leg while he examined and Breeze (not that I can blame her, she clamped) about 15 minutes later and after I'd been gracefully pinged off a gate backwards) he couldn't find anything untoward.

He said the next step would be a scan, which as her behaviour wasn't too badly affected he wouldn't recommend. He went on to say that if her behaviour was affected ie aggressive I could put her onto Regumate - the equine equivalent of the pill, or have her ovaries removed. But as she 4 and just incredibly flirty to wait her out and see how things go.

I asked him about supplements and he wasn't enthusiastic about them, he didn't right them off, but suggested leaving Breeze to nature and taking our lead from there. This is what I've done, she is only on grass, supplemented with hay and a little feed when she's ridden, she still flirts, but is a lovely soul to handle and ride.

I'll be interested to know how your mare comes on with these herbs. As far as I know Breeze's grazing doesn't provide the option to graze them.

Lesley

[Pauhla]

I had to laugh when I read Wallys post as it is so true. Being "hormonal " is only natural for mares who probably don't give it a minutes thought. It's only when it inteferres with what we want to do with our horses that it becomes a "problem" and as mare owner I can testify to that one.

I also agree completly with the point about the horse needing a choice to take a remedy or not. I have used aromatherapy very succesfully over the years with my horses and with a few friends mares too. The wonderful thing about it is that the horse physically chooses the oils it needs and so the element of choice is there.

Essential oils such as rose, fennel and geranium are known as balancing oils in that they actually bring the body back into a state of balance and so for the mare who seems to be constantly in season or who is restless, panicy, sluggish or just plain grumpy and miserable, the careful use of oils can really help.I also tend to chuck some oils at the owner too as it's surprising the general improvement you can see if you treat the horse and handler as a "whole", whatever the problem is.It's good fun too as well as being "quality time" with your horse, especially if you couple it with a gentle massage or some Shiatsu work on the horse to help with muscular tension brought on by the hormonal changes.If you would like more info then let me know :rolleyes:

[Dizzy]

I would like more info, though Breeze isn't nasty or aggressive, she can have a short fuse just before her season is due. I think all women know that PMT isn't the most pleasant experience in the world, so if I can help her in any way, I will.

Lesley

[Lucy J]

My youngster is in season a lot at the moment. SHe is the biggest flirt I have ever seen and can be quite disgusting. She is the apple of all the geldings eyes and has her favourites, but if one is not there another will do just as well! At the moment she is becoming grumpy when coming in fro the field, and if she comes in first she gets all worked up in her stable and starts to sweat because her boyfriends are still outside, its most embarrassing!

However, although she can be difficult when like this, I make sure she comes in later and her behaviour towards me doesn't change too much. I just let nature take its course.

[Pauhla]

HI Dizzy, you could get a consultation from a qualified Essential oils for animals therapist which would go in depth into your horses character and what she needs and I can give you details of a couple who I can recommend if you were interested but you can also try offering oils yourself for general problems if you follow some simple safety guidelines. Oils such as Rose, Fennel and Geranium are really helpful and you simply mix the oils individually in the right dose into a base oil and offer them to the horse. If she wants and needs then she will let you know in several ways, from licking and chewing, trying to eat the bottle, sniffing intently with one or both nostrils, curling her top lip in the Fleghmen response etc. You would then put your hand over the top of the bottle and tip it upside down once and offer the oil in your hand and let her lick it off...no more than 3 times. The number of "doses" and the length of time you would offer the oils depends on the response.

If you would like more info then feel free to e-mail me but a word of warning.... I started off with just a couple of oils and before I knew it I had a collection of over 50 and was totally hooked. I'm hoping to do the full practitioner course either this year or next, (money allowing) as it is such a facinating therapy and I see it work effectivly for animals and people time and time again that I just want to learn more.

[ally]

mmmm hormones eh !!
What would we do with out them !!
Our little lead rein pony is just recovering from having a tumour removed from her ovary , boy !! did she have an increase in hormones, it was embarressing as well as dangerous.
Gladly all is sorted and she will be home soon from hospital.

Ally

PS....Pauhla....nice to see Im not the only reiki practitioner about.

[ros]

I think I'm going to be out on my own here, but I'm not sure that allowing animals' hormones to rampage unchecked is always a good thing in this day and age.

I know it's natural and all that, and if it doesn't cause TOO much of a problem I agree with everyone else that it's probably best to leave well alone. However, you can't get away from the fact that most domestic animals live in a most unnatural environment into which hormones don't always fit easily.

In the wild a mare would eagerly await Mr Stallion, and he would arrive, and she'd get in foal and that would be that. But the vast majority of horses in this country can't run free in a natural herd, and are expected to work for their living, which of course means they can't be permanently in foal. I imagine even Wally and Frances, who make such an effort to provide their horses with the most natural environment possible, still have mares which are expected to work rather than have babies?

Dogs are a good example. Lots of male dogs live their lives unneutered and don't give much of a stuff for lady dogs. But others spend all their time chasing bitches on heat, trying to rape visitors and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Are those dogs happy being high as a kite on hormones, or are they just plain frustrated? They don't often get what they want, and if they do they're a social liability and most people curse both them and their irresponsible owners (not to mention chucking buckets of water over them or pelting them with stones). We've found that all our neutered dogs have been much more relaxed in themselves, and nowadays I would have to have a VERY good reason for keeping a dog entire.

We've got a mare on the yard who's quite hormonal. She comes in season for long periods, is generally grumpy with people, possessive about her pals, chases people in the field, and if she feels anything like I do at "that time of the month" I feel quite sorry for her! If she were mine I think it would be a case of trying anything I thought might help her.

[Stella2]

Thanks Ros,

That was my thinking. Also in the wild people like us don't keep getting on their backs and expecting reasonable behaviour. Imagine being subject to that when your pre-menstral! I'm also not convinced that a mare would not seek to eat herbs that would have a soothing psychiological effect.

Ann

[Wally]

Not suggesting for one second anyone allows a horses' hormones to run wild. My point was that a "hormonal" mare in the wild is not going to be in the slightest bit interested in looking for herbs to calm her down. She's happy!

If they feel they are lacking in a certain something in the diet they will, in my view, look for what they fancy to do them good.

Most of you will only be familiar with mares hormones running riot....we have been manipulating male horses' hormones for centuries. A mare with a hormonal strop on can be dangerous, stallions with a hormonal strop on are an utter pain in the bum! so we simply sort it by castration, nobody ever complains about castrating a male horse, if a mare is being a problem I see no reason why you shouldn't treat her with a product which makes everyone's life easier.

[Lucy J]

I can see that point of view, but I would rather manage my mare's behaviour and learn from it (she's not dangerous or aggressive at all) than mask her behaviour with herbs and things. I personally don't like messing around with my hormones and don't really believe in things like that. I have no problem with essential oils or anything like that once I have watched, learned to deal with and understand my mare's behaviour.

[Wally]

I don't think there is a herb that is safe to feed horses that can have any effect whatsoever on a mares natural behaviour towards male horses. Neither do I think smells will have any effect either.

Training is the key, unless the mare has a genuine hormonal imbalance which would need veterinary investigation and treatment. I have seen mares with ovarian cysts which have had the effect of making them act like stallions and in other cases make them permanently in season. If a mare displays these symptoms they need proper treatment herbs and smells will do nothing.

Having mentioned this before, training goes a long way to being able to cope with mares in season.

I used to drive two stallions in harness together, we were at a show where a mare was being driven in season. The mare's behaviour was appalling, she wouldn't move and just showed off to the two boys. They were perfect gentlemen and just looked but didn't touch and got on with the job in hand. Once a work bridle goes on it is time to work and horses can be trained to put aside their desires for a while.

[ros]

You sound just like my vet, Wally! (He's not into "alternative" therapies - says he prefers science.)

I don't really think herbs will do much for the mare on our yard, either, but the owners seem to want to try a supplement before they ask the vet. If she were mine I'd be straight on the 'phone, but she isn't so there you go.

I take herbs myself, and find that some work better for me than others - some don't work at all - but I only use them for fairly minor things. There are some pretty strong ones that I really wouldn't mess with, but I think most of the supplements you can buy over the counter (used sensibly and in accordance with instructions, of course) are probably fairly idiot-proof.

[Dizzy]

Thankyou Paulha, I'll certainly give it a try, maybe not immediately, as she'll be having regular seasons throughout summer and she really is a nice soul to deal with.

I do very much agree with Wally, my horse has been taught good manners. Last year as a 3 yr old, I know she struggled (we both did) hormones are a powerful incentive. She's now rising five, obviously still having strong seasons, flirts unashamedly 99% of the time, but she is a willing, responsive little horse. I am not a dictator, but I do establish what is acceptable behaviour and what isn't.

My vet was against invasive research,(thankfully) so I'll just wait and see. Fingers crossed her seasons will settle this coming winter.

Lesley

[Lgd]

I've seen good results with both the Hilton herbs formula and with Hormonise liquid. There has also been some really interesting research done with Hormonise for Cushing's disease in horses. There is a pony with it on our yard and it has really helped him along with homoeopathic remedies - all conventional treatments had failed in this pony and he was very close to being put down.

[Stella2]

My mare has been on the Hilton formula for 10 days and I have noticed that she has seemed much more relaxed within the past couple of days. Maybe a placebo effect on me, but I'll keep her on it a while I think.

Ann