Honey to boos immune system - how much?

[joy70]

I have a pony who headshakes, and have been told very recently that locally produced honey put in their feed can help to build their immune system, as it contains all the pollens that the horse will be in contact with - like a fool i forgot to ask the guy how much to put in my lads feed

anyone heard of this before, and give me some guidance as to how much i should feed?

[pickleweasel]

I can't help with how much to give, sorry, but I do know that locally produced honey can help humans with allergies - be very interested to hear if it does work with horses too! My bf has hayfever, so I recently bought him some - unfortunately he can't stand honey but he's willing to give it a go.

I gather it can also help with hangovers, so I may try some too! ;)

Tanith

[vjwuk]

Having been a beekeeper before weekend weather turned horrid and workday weather was nice we used to recommend a teaspoon a day.

If you equate that in weight to a horse it could work out a fair amount.

If you can find a local beekeeper you may be able to buy tubs of "cappings honey" quite cheaply from them. Basically it is the cappings that are scrapped off the frames before the honey is extracted.

Some beekeepers use it by melting it down and filtering it but I found it too much hassle and used to give it away to friends for their goats / dogs / themselves.

Might be worth a try

[nappy-R-us]

I think my new horse is a head shaker.

What have you found the symptoms to be and what have you tried to do to eleviate problem so far?

Tried the net muzzles...if so do they work?

Regards

Clare

[joy70]

Sometimes its just a lil twitch, same as you or i would do if something was coming into your face! and other times its quite violent shake, he does this vertical and sideways. He does tend to rub his nose frequently but not as often as others ive seen. Another thing with my boy is his eyes run, especially when its very bright & sunny, but im thinking that this is possibly due to him having blue eyes too

Ive found the net reliefs from Equilibrium are very good, help prevent sun burn too! but my boy hasn't needed this during the winter! he is better ridden when its dull & cloudy! he isn't unrideable with his headshaking but can become a little uncomfortable for us both when were having lessons and trying to maintain a steady contact :rolleyes: and hes shaking his head all over the place and nearly unseating me ;)

i haven't really tried anything else! as my fella doesn't seem to do it in the field its only when ridden! but he does when fetched from the field walk behind you with his nose tucked into the small of your back as if to hide from the sun!! bless him

[nappy-R-us]

My horse, Blue, does it in walk and trot but not canter. He doesn't do it all the time and it is not violent but I was wondering whether, if it is pollen/flies/dust whether I should get the net muzzle/face guard and then also change bedding to shavings to help him out.

I'm not THAT experienced and I find it hard to ignore.

[joy70]

the nets and muzzles are good, and do help prevent pollen and flies etc., getting up their noses ;) it is difficult to ignore

i keep my boy on shavings anyway but if it is a dust allergy then theyre sometimes better off being out in the field 24/7.

Try one thing at a time if your going to make changes, because that way you can see what is working and what isn't! but your definately thinking along the right lines

Wish my boy only did it in walk and trot, he's been know to do it at the last stride before a fence in the ring and does his "headbangers ball" impression at a fast canter too :eek: not exactly re-assuring, though ive never know him to do it in gallop!:cool:

[nappy-R-us]

I will definately try the muzzles....the way he "twitches" his head from side to side definately gives me the impression something is irritating him.

Has his teeth done Monday too. Large hooks removed so perhaps that will make a difference when I next ride (clutching at straws me thinks)

[joy70]

sometimes it can be down to their teeth, wait and see how he is after his dentist visit, if theres still no improvement then try the nets!

another thing, check his ears for mites too and make sure his browband & bridle isn't too tight that is pinching anywhere! I have heard of horses reacting because their bridles dont fit! another option would be to try riding without a noseband if at all possible! or even bitless! someheadshakers are better bitless too! sometimes its not that they headshake because of the pollen but due to trauma caused by badly fitting tack etc., not for one minute suggesting that yours is! but just check all the same ;)

[nappy-R-us]

my tack is going to be replaced. It's the bridle belonging to my other horse Socks.

It's a shame really. Blue passed a vetting on Monday on everythign but the head shaking. At least I know he is fit, unlike poor retired Socks, but nevertheless, still more problems!

Been told there is also a link to over vaccinating horses and it is an intolerance to a buildup of boosters that can cause it in alot of horses/ponies....not sure if this is true

[joy70]

there is a lot of topics on headshaking on the net and an awful lot of reasearch going on into vaccinations and wormers of all things!

if its any consolation, ive had my boy for 11 years he is 16, i don't for one minute believe he is in any pain and we have managed to do all the usuall things people do with their horses! :D

some headshakers worsen! some don't, although Toddy seemed to be quite bad on Friday it didn't render him unrideable! and if it does make life very difficult to ride in the hotter months you could always try riding 1st thing in the morning or very late at night

don't fret all is not lost

[nappy-R-us]

First thing in the morning......hmmm....ideal...we could fetch the cows together in for milking! He will very happily walk passed the cows...we tried that on Monday.

Glad to know you and Toddy have been together that long and ou obviously still enjoy riding him.

I was told by my friend I had him from that Blue is 10 but vet thinks nearer to 13/15 and we know he is a been there/done it horse. My friend xc with him and he can jump well too.

It was just that the vet made out that I would be mad to take him on, but he is such a Christian in and out of the stable that head shaking in the summer months is hardly a major concern. Socks napped, bucked, butted, bites and threw in the odd rear for good measure. I don't have that

Mind you...Socks tossed his head up and down alot in trot and walk and canter. We were always led to believe his head tossing was resentment of being asked to work (we since found out he has severe bone growth to hind fetlock and he is retired from work)

Thanks for help.

Clare