Horse thrush treatment

Horse thrush treatment

Very persistent and highly contagious – a fungal skin infection will not go so easily. According to statistics, every 15th horse is affected by a skin fungus. And in fact, this form of skin disease is the most common. How skin fungus can be prevented and what treatment options are effective?
A skin fungus in horses, called in the jargon “thrush”, is caused by infection with microspores. Especially in winter and autumn horses are affected. Thrush occurs increasingly in the stables, where there is a lot of movement or where several horse owners share the cleaning and riding utensils for their horses (riding school establishments, educational institutions). Horse thrash is a purely superficial disease, meaning that it remains on the skin and does not attacks the internal organs.

Horse thrush are highly contagious

The two most common triggers for a skin fungus are the two fungal species canis and Trichophyton equinum. The latter is to be found most worldwide and causes severe itching, skin irritation and hair loss. A skin fungal infection is highly contagious, so often not just one, but several horses of the stable are affected. In most cases, spores are being transferred by sharing of grooming equipment and saddlery. However, direct skin contact in the pasture or the popular use of an abrasive pile on the Paddock quickly leads to the fact that the disease spreads throughout the stall. Moreover, spores can often even be found in walls and ceiling, so effective protection can also be difficult to ensure.
Especially young horses are particularly affected by a skin fungal infection. These animals do not have developed any natural protection against the fungal spores and are therefore an easy target. In addition, a fungal infection is promoted by a weakened immune system and excessive washing (especially with products containing surfactants). If the horse is wached too often it disturbs the natural oil from the skin, so that it does not have natural defenses anymore. For this reason, only baby shampoo should be used. Often it was also found that a fungal disease has preceded from a worm infestation, a sweet itch or stress. Also an incorrect feeding and the general attitude of the animal are factors that adversely affect the health of the horse, cause a weakened immune system, thereby making the animals easily susceptible to infectious diseases.

Circular spots and hair loss

The fungus first infects the hair and thus creates a hair breakage. The coat starts to fail in affected areas, to finally emerge scaly patches in circular shape. If the horses follow their itching and chafing, these spots may even bleed and form crusty surfaces. In some cases, also a wetness is observed. Mainly because fungi prefer warm, moist areas, the parts of the body are usually affected, where the horse is sweating heavily (saddle and belt portion, between abdomen and leg). If the skin at these locations is affected, riding must be avoided until complete healing of the disease.

Fungal skin in horses must be identified

It is very important that the rider always observes his horse and perceives any changes in skin and hair. Only in this way skin diseases like a horse thrush, but also the formation of a skin tumor (skin cancer in horses) can be diagnosed and treated in time. Even if a skin fungus initially looks relatively harmless and does not directly affect the health status and the animal´s ability to be ridden, a treatment is extremely important. An untreated skin fungal disease takes place over several months and may lead to large-scale scarring on the horse’s coat and if the affected area is under the saddle or bridle, any riding causes pain. A lengthy fungal disease also leads to a general weakening of the horse’s body.
Important nutrients (minerals, vitamins, electrolytes) are needed to combat the skin condition and thus no longer available for general physical performance. The horse gets tired quickly and is easily vulnerable by the weakened immune system for numerous infectious diseases. The horse owner must respond, since the infected skin areas also represent an easy target for a bacterial infection. Such disease makes treatment very difficult and ultimately results in that the horse can no longer be used as a mount.

Horses hygiene and strengthening the immune system – the keys for prevention and treatment

Skin fungi occur in musty, damp stables. Poor hygiene and shared cleaning and riding utensils favor the rapid spread throughout the stables. A regularly ventilated barn, fresh air and sun in a pasture, a balanced feeding, own riding accessories – animal wellbeing is the absolute prerequisite for a healthy horse with an intact immune system.
Washing, cleaning, disinfecting – the treatment of a skin fungus is lengthy and requires discipline.

Washing the horse´s coat is part of the horse thrush treatment

horse thrush treatmentSkin fungi are very persistent. An effective treatment can only be guaranteed if the horse owner takes all necessary measures consistently permeates the treatment and also continues for several weeks even after the visible symptoms are already healed. The vet usually prescribes the drugs Imaverol and Mycophyt.
In the early stages of the disease, in addition, fruit vinegar and water solutions can be used. To this end, mix the two liquids in a ratio of 1: 2 (1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water). Mix them together and gently pat the skin. Is the disease, however, more advanced (crusting) we discourage from using the fruit vinegar. The fungus is not combated effectively, so that the disease is unnecessarily protracted. When using the preparations Ivamerol and Mycophyt it must be ensured that the skin scabs are gently removed with a soft sponge and a germicidal soap before the treatment . Only in this way the medicine reaches the infected skin, so the fungus are deliberately killed.
The regular washing of the skin is a must for a successful treatment (every 2-3 days). In winter, however, this can be problematic because the wet coat can quickly lead to hypothermia of the animal.
Some stalls now offer a solarium, wherein the animal is selectively dried. If this, however, is not provided, only the affected area should be washed or sprayed carefully. Then the horse must be covered with a blanket.

Cleaning and disinfection of the environment

A skin fungus can only be combated if the barn and the environment of the animal is freed from the fungal spores. The box, alley, Paddock and especially for cleaning purposes, saddle blankets and bridles must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected (blankets should be washed at 60 degrees at least one hour in the washing machine). And even if this multi-week procedure requires an immense amount of time, yet it is the only way to take charge of the fungus.

Caution: Also, humans may become infected with thrush

Skin fungus is called zoonosis. This means that also humans can be infect with the spores. During the treatment of the horses coat, as well as during disinfecting the riding and cleaning utensils you must therefore always wear gloves!

A perennial horse thrush treatment leads to very good chances of recovery

Any disease can be caused by different pathogens, which require their each individual treatment. In most cases, only a combination of different treatment options leads to success. With patience and discipline the skin disease can be defeated.

horse thrush treatment

Color Light and Reflex Therapy can be 2 of the methods that you can use in combination with other treatments to help your horse to recover faster.

Our specific Color Light Horse Thrush Treatment protocol is ideal to help you horse with this issue.

 

Horse Colic Treatment

Horse Colic Treatment

Horse colic – A disease that can not only causes pain, but can also be lethal for your horse. Here you will find valuable informtion on this disease and horse colic treatment.

Colics are feared by all horse lovers, because these diseases cause the horse not only severe pain but can also be fatal for them. Almost all horses get at least once in their lives colic, some also very commonly. Therefore it is very important for horse owners to find out everything about this disease.
Fundamentally colic is not a single disease, it is a collective term for symptoms that indicate several diseases of the stomach and intestinal tract.

What signs reveal colic?

Depending on the type and severity of colic the signs vary as well. Mostly the horse paws with its hooves, it is restless and walks restlessly in the box. It turns the head over and over again towards the belly to try and bite itself. The more severe the disease and the more advanced, the worse the symptoms. The horse starts to sweat, yawn and nuzzle repeatedly. It also repeatedly gets down and up again to rolls on the abdomen or lies down on its back. It breathes faster and also the heartbeat is accelerated, the eyes and nostrils are inflated. Based on these signs colic can always be noticed.

But what to do if you suspect colic? One can hardly look into a horse to find out how bad the colic actually is and how much pain the horse is in. Therefore, it is advisable to call the vet immediately. Another important step is to prevent the horse from lying down. Movement helps the animals with mild to moderate colic as antispasmodic and relaxation. If the horse lays down or rolls onto the stomach intestines could move or even tie up, which should be strictly avoided! However, the colic sometimes can be so strong that the circulation of the horse greatly impaires and motion is therefore not advisable. Until the veterinarian arrives and explains both colic type and the severity of the disease and the way forward, the horse should be prevented even from taking in the fodder. One should remove hay or other feed, and be careful that it eats no litter. It is also advantageous when temperature and pulse of the horse is measured because for the veterinarian these are all beneficial information.

What types of colic in horses exist?

There are several types of colics, from which you may already have heard or should know about.
The most common colic is the so called Cold Weather Colic. As the name suggests it involves paraxymal and fierceful cramps which appear when the weather changes, in stressful situations, if the horse drinks too fast or too much water, or may occur with overexertion.
The Gas Colic is the distension of the bowel through an excess gas formation. There are several reasons for this, mostly, an incorrect feeding is to blame. For example, if the horse has eaten too much grass (Gardeners like to through their mown grass onto the horse meadows, in the belief that the horses like to eat it, however, the cut grass almost always leads to a Gas Colic. Sometimes horses die due to the overzealous gardeners!), too much clover or fresh bread.
Even constipation can be a reason.

Often the Impaction Colic occurs. Parts of the large intestine are blocked. This colic manifests itself through inertia and the circulatory system, the horses are mostly sideways and move little.
When the small intestine is twisted, which is the most serious form of colic, it´s called a twisted bowel. The horse suffers from severe pain that occurs suddenly and violently, the horse trying to relieve the pain by wallowing. Often these colics is to be treated only by surgery.
Eats the horse too fast and a lot, it may lead to stomach overcharge. Since horses can not vomit, the contents of the stomach must usually be removed by a veterinarian.

Horse colic treatment

In any case it is advisable to call the vet, who is more familiar with this disease and can act accordingly. Some horses are particularly susceptible to colic and should therefore be closely monitored. One can also take certain safety precautions:

  • examining the horse paddox regularly

  • paying attention to quality of the food

  • not feed too large amounts

  • do not let the horse drink large quantities of water immediately after strenuous exercise

  • avoiding stress

Complementary Horse Colic Treatment

Using Color Light Therapy and/or Reflex Therapy you can easily and effectively treat and prevent the disease.

Best flea and tick treatment for dogs, cats and horses

What is the best flea and tick treatment for dogs, cats and horses?

The diet of pets has become almost as unhealthy as people´s food. Thus dogs and cats either receive cooked convenience food from waste and residues, or they get dry fodder, which is virtually “dead” and has as good as no nutrients.

No wonder that many dogs, cats and horses suffer from food intolerances, with all the unpleasant consequences such as gastrointestinal problems, allergies, etc. And also the coat looks despite regular brushing always dull and unkempt. In addition, the animals – especially when they are often out and about – get infested by parasites in the spring and summer months, such as ticks and fleas.
To effectively and naturally treat dogs, cats and horses, a high-quality coconut oil should be used. It is suitable both for internal and for external use and acts equally against all types of parasites and on the entire digestive tract of animals. By regularly adding coconut oil to the diet they will tolerate it better and also do allergic reactions to certain ingredients in the food thereby appear much rarer.

Coconut oil for dogs

Coconut oil as a remedy for ticks in dogs
Hardly a dog comes through the spring and summer, without being repeatedly attacked by ticks. Especially in animals with long fur ticks are usually invisible to the owner, they are only noticed when they are already soaked with the blood of the host and drop themselves off the animal. Although dogs have basically a significantly stronger immune system than people, ticks can also transmit diseases to dogs, for example, the dreaded lyme disease. Many dogs have died from the effects of tick bites. Therefore, the dog’s coat should be treated with coconut oil against ticks over and over again, resulting in a more effective protection. The use and dosage is very simple: A small amount of coconut oil for dogs is rubbed in the hand and then spread on the dog’s coat. If you want to make it perfect against ticks, you can also massage the coconut oil in the animal’s skin.
The lauric acid contained in coconut oil gives a natural protective coat of a very unpleasant smell emanates to ticks, so that the small arachnids prefer to find another host. If, despite the use of coconut oil a tick reaches the dog, it will generally not latch on, but fastly sod off.

Coconut oil against fleas in dogs

Similar to ticks the odor of lauric acid, which is contained in coconut oil, is very uncomfortable for fleas. Existing fleas are killed either of the acid or will fall down from animals, new fleas will no longer choose the dog as a host. In addition, the flea eggs layed on the dog, are killed reliably by the lauric acid in coconut oil. Coconut oil is therefore an ideal means of protecting dogs against fleas.
The application against fleas is similar to coconut oil for dogs against ticks. Simply rub a small amount of coconut oil in your palms and then reap the dog’s coat. The massage into the skin enhances the effect yet, as experience shows.

Internal use of coconut oil against parasites

In addition to external use by rubbing the fur with coconut oil against ticks, fleas and other parasites, it can be administered internally. One teaspoon a day should be added to the food. Most dogs like the smell and taste of coconut oil very much, and therefore the intake succeeds without problems.

Coconut oil for a beautiful coat

Even if the dog does not run the risk of being infested with parasites, its fur should nevertheless be treated from time to time with a little coconut oil. This results in a very beautiful luster, the hair growth is positively influenced and dull and brittle spots in the fur will be history. Coconut oil can also be applied with a comb in the direction of growth of the skin, so it is distributed particularly uniformly.

Coconut oil for cats

best flea and tick treatment for catsOutdoor cats allowed to roam the house, the garden and the surrounding area, live a fullfilled cat life. They are, however, also exposed to some risks and dangers such as the infestation by parasites – ticks, fleas or mites.
Whether cats can fall ill with the tick-borne Lyme disease, is still controversial, and even in TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) the risk of disease of cats is obviously low. But threatening inflammation of the bite or infection with other bacterial pathogens such as Ehrlichia or Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Babesia, coxiella can occur. All of them are infectious to humans or dogs and can cause unpleasant and dangerous diseases.
Coconut oil is a proven natural remedy to prevent hides- and skin parasites of all kinds – without any chemicals or constricting cat collars. Coconut oil is particularly suitable for cats because it does not contain any toxic components as many essential oils. Therefore, it is completely safe to use.
For defense against parasites a drop of oil is repeatedly rubbed onto the fur several times a week. For existing skin problems or injuries coconut oil is applied selectively, and as required. In food it´s sufficient to deliver about a quarter or half a teaspoon full every day.

Whether as a feed additive or for grooming, coconut oil is amazing in its effect:
• The lauric acid contained acts as a strong antiviral, and also
• Parasites in furr disappear or fall down prompt again when coconut oil was applied to skin and hair.
• With its high proportion of essential amino acids Coconut oil is an important additional source of protein in the diet.
• The vitamins, trace elements and minerals contained abundantly make coconut oil an ideal, vitalizing feed additive for all pets.
• Coconut oil prevents the spread of many intestinal parasites, intestinal flora keeps in balance, therefore supports traditional wormers or allowed it to reduce them.

Coconut oil for horses

horse lice treatmentAlso for horses pure organic coconut oil works as a feed additive, as well as skin care product. The following are the advantages of the use of coconut oil for horses:
• With regular feeding of coconut oil, the intestinal flora and thus also the food conversion improves. In addition, coconut oil contains many important nutrients.
• intestinal parasites, even tapeworms will have difficulties to survive. Whether the usual quarterly or biannual “chemical deworming” can be replaced by feeding coconut oil, however, can only be established through regular feces analysis.
The external application of coconut oil protects horses especially against ectoparasites of all kinds. Grazing horses are exposed to ticks, mosquitoes, brakes, mites or lice just like other pets. The lauric acid contained in coconut oil is highly resistant to the pests, the effect lasts long.
Particularly in older animals or those with poor general condition, a fungal infection in the skin by the anti fungicidal coconut oil can, for example, treat them well.
Many horses suffer from an allergy to the widespread blackfly. The result is the so-called sweet itch: unbearable itching causes the animals to scour their tail, mane and fur until large cracks and bare, moist places form on the skin.

Coconut oil has recently been subjected to several practice tests on horses and showed in many cases convincing effect:
• Coconut oil adheres longer on fur as commercial fly and horse-flies sprays – grazing or horse rides in the summer are no longer a problem.
• inflammation, eczema, injury or abrasions heal surprisingly quickly when coconut oil is applied daily to the affected skin.
• Eczema on horses rapidly smooth, new skin, coat and long hair grow – the healing is additionally facilitated mainly by the relief of severe itching.

Conclusion

Coconut oil is the best flea and tick treatment for dogs, cats and horses

Coconut oil for dogs, cats and horses is an extremely effective remedy for ticks, fleas and other vermin (e.g. mites etc.), but also for grooming. The strong effect unfolds both as an internal and external application. Any rich, native coconut oil  in the best organic quality can be used. Very good experiences have been made by many dog ​​owners using coconut oil as a dietary supplement for the dog. Simply mixed with food, the precious oil quickly deployed its effects and regulates the entire digestive tract.

Horse massage course

Horse massage course

There are various massage techniques such as medical massage, reflexology, sports massage, or crossfriction thatcan be applied on horses. The aim of the massage is to improve the blood circulation, loosening muscle tension, adhesions and scar pain relief.

Medical massage

Medical Massage is an intensive form of therapy that sets valuable stimuli for regeneration and healing of various types of tissue as muscle, skin and connective tissue. In order to achieve real medical effects, it requires very precise knowledge and a specialized training. The massage can be used to supplement or as a preparation for the manual therapy or exercise therapy.

Effect of Massage
• relieves tension and adhesions
• increases the motivation of the horse
• promotes flexibility
• enhances well-being

Reflexology

By stimulating the reflex zones on the face, ears, legs, neck and back of the horse a speedy recovery is inducted. This is attributable to the natural healing process of the body which is being stimulated and therefore the physical intelligence of the animal becomes capable of combating both the symptoms and the cause of the ailment / disease. Gentle pressure at specific points is sufficient to stimulate the organs, which are connected with the respective reflection points and to promote their circulation. Once the body has resolved energetic and phyische blockages, it is able to return back to an original (healthy) state.

Effect of the massage
• restoration of phyischen balance between the organs and the rest of the body
• All kinds of diseases, ailments, and symptoms can easily be solved with reflexology in most cases

Sports Massage

• relaxes the muscles before a sporting event
• regenerates after demanding physical activity

Connective Tissue Massage

The connective tissue massage, is a special form of massage. They assume that in diseases of the internal organs and musculoskeletal system an imbalance of tension and disturbance of the metabolism of subcutaneous (under the skin) is produced. All tissue sections with an altered tension or a binding are stimulated with a special technique, until a tension compensation is established.
In case of irritation of the subcutaneous connective tissue, the autonomic nervous system is directly influenced. Organs and their functions are affected indirectly or reflexively. In addition to these general and reflex effects, through local tension balancing disorders in the musculoskeletal system are being improved .

Objectives of the connective tissue massage
• balancing out tension the subcutaneous connective tissue
• solving of bindings between subcutaneous tissue and muscle fascia
• to achieve a normal pattern of activity of the organs by supporting, promoting or inhibiting the vegetative controlled organ functions.
• crossfriction

The transverse friction is executed as a special intermittent massage on muscle-tendon junctions and tendon-bone junctions. At these tendon junctions often are inflammatory-like conditions caused by sports or chronic congestion, which can be very painful. The therapy is intended to eliminate the inflammation-like conditions and edema stored in the tendon. An effect on the structure of tendons is reported we well.

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To know more about reflexology massage for horses and how to help your pet with this effective method read more here.