Bach Flower Remedies

[rusk]

I have been advised to use 'VINE' to help my horse be more co-operative. He can be very domineering and wilful at times but never really wicked. Loading is especially a nightmare for me and this is supposed to help. He's not frightened of the trailer, just doesn't want to go in. :( :eek:

[ponyvet]

I don't know anything about individual remedies, and whether they are safe to use in horses or even if they work. I have though had bad experiences of people giving horses rescue remedy. I use it myself and find it works for ME but it can have a strong effect on horses which may take days to wear off.

It's important to remember that these treatments are intended for human use only, they are not tested for their effects on horses and are not licensed as animal treatments either. Although they may work wonders in a human patient horses have a different biology and what works for you may not work for them, and vice versa.

In one case I know of a horse was given rescue remedy to help it travel and it arrived at the show and flatly refused to budge once it entered the jumping ring. Needless to say the owner was upset, as what's the point of getting it there if it won't do the job?

Even if the treatment works you have no idea of what dose is safe, how strong the effect will be, nor how long it lasts. I suggest you try and solve the problem of getting the horse on the trailer by working with him. There are lots of ways of doing this, all of which involve you spending time getting your horse to trust you, and also to recognise that the trailer is not scary.

[ros]

I know several people who regularly use Rescue Remedy for horses, reportedly to good effect, and I use it myself from time to time. I've used other Bach Flower Remedies on poultry and sheep, and I'm pretty convinced that in at least some cases they have helped. (I also use them for me when I feel the need.)

I have several books on the subject, all of which confirm that they do no harm to man or beast, and I don't have a problem with trying them on anything living, although I'll bear Ponyvet's reservations in mind, of course.

From my reading I think that in situations such as the one Rusk describes, for the Flower Remedies to help you need to treat both horse and handler, and I would look upon them as a supportive measure rather than a solution in themselves. I certainly wouldn't write them off.

[intouch]

Bach Flower Remedies work on a similar principle to Homoeopathy, ie on a vibrational level. They assist the body to find homoeostasis, ie balance. Therefore either they will help, or they will have no effect. As the dose is two drops on the tongue or ten drops added to a bucket of water, the quantity is unlikely to have any physical effect.
If you go to www.amazon.co.uk and type in bach flower remedies you will find loads of books including one on animals.
However might I suggest you investigate a training method such as clicker training, it sounds as if this is an intelligent animal who would respond quickly to incentive training. Maybe that would go for the pony that wouldn't jump, too!
PS vine sounds about right.

[rusk]

Thanks, I've ordered a book about Homoeopathy for Horses so will study that when it arrives. Where would I get the information about the clicker training, any ideas? I might give it a go as he is very quick to pick things up and obviously thinks things out. He can undo bolts etc: and plays with other objects so the clicker training may well be the answer. He is a real handful but full of fun. :) :)

[intouch]

www.crisny.org/users/kurlanda/index.html