Probiotics: Equine Wellness tip

Probiotics are an important part of my Wellness program with my horses and dogs and even myself! Probiotics are, if you don't know, microorganisms that are beneficial for overall health and wellness.

Probiotics have been shown to:
 

• Enhance the immune system's ability to fight infections throughout our tissues
• Provide a source of Vitamin K
• Control bowel toxicity
• Reduce gas production.
• Reduced incidence of Colic
• Improved digestion, nutrition absorption and food utilization.
• Reduced inflammation
• Reduced Candida (thrush) symptoms.
• Reduced allergy response.
• Rebalance the gut when administering Anti-biotics
• Rebalance the gut after de-worming
• Beneficial to prevention and healing of Ulcers

Specific Probiotic strains and strengths are beneficial for certain health issues. It is good to know which ones are in the products you select and how many viable organisms are in each serving. For starters you want about 2 billion minimum. See some general Strains listed here:

Bacillus coagulans 

This strain can be helpful for Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Chronic Intestinal inflammation which is becoming more common in horses. This probiotic strain can also help with immune response against viral challenge.

Bifidobacterium
This strain is beneficial to digestion and vitamin absorption as well as Chronic diarrhea. It can benefit allergies and immune response. Can also help reduce stomach ulcers.

Lactobacillus acidophilus 

Best for Candida albicans (Thrush/Yeast infections) and helps reduce allergic response. Compared to other probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus survives the best in the conditions of the gastro intestinal tract when compared to other strains.

Lactobacillus casei

Is another strain that supports digestion, Nutrition absorption, and GI inflammatory issues. 

 I use Probiotics as a regular part of my Immune, Anti-Ulcer, Anti-Colic, Optimum nutrition approach. If you are looking for support for a specific health concern, check which profile may be best for best results. Here is the link to some high quality, different blends of Probiotics from Earthsong ranch:

http://www.earthsongranch.com/Equine-Yeast-+-38p359.htm

http://www.earthsongranch.com/Equine-Zyme-3p225.htm#details

http://www.earthsongranch.com/Equine-Zyme-Plus-3p230.htm

Here is another good site for Probiotics

http://udoerasmus.com/products/probiotics_en.htm

Natural First aid kit item list

Here is a list of the items I mentioned:

Organic Apple cider vinegar-Bragg is a good brand
Goldenseal powder-Styptic blood clotting
Rescue Remedy
Surgical tube
Calendula Tincture and or Gel/ointment
Liquid Savvy-Simply NHN Iodine herbal mix for wounds and thrush
Devil's Claw-Bute Substitute
Traumeel-Homeopathic Brand gel or oinment
Tea Tree oil-skin issues fungus, thrush dilute with oil like vitamin E
Vitamin E oil-great for skin and cuts mix w/ tea tree to make anti infective

Homeopathy
Arnica Montana-Trauma, fall, injury, accident also good for over exertion
Symphytum(Comfrey)-Bone bruises injuries fractures
Ruta Grave-Soft tissue, tendon, sprain, strain, ligament injury
Rhus Tox-Poison Ivy and Arthritis issues
Apis-for stings and bites

Colic Homeopathy
Colocynthis-General unknown cause
Nux Vomica-Spasm, impaction
Colchicum-Not Cold Chicken! Over eating, grass, grain
Chamomilla-Gas colic
Arsenicum Album-Restless pawing kicking up and down

Basic Items:
Thermometer-Normal temp 99-101.5
Stethoscope-heart and colic gut noise
Bandage
Staples(optional)-stitches
Butterflys-stitches
Gauze
Scissors
Leatherman tool
Tweezers

Acupuncture
GV26-resusitation point directly under nose
Ear point massage-for colic calming general health

Resting pulse-38-40 bpm-check side of foot, under jaw, under chest left

A couple more things, DUCT TAPE 101 uses around the barn! Mainly wrapping hooves for punctures or abcesses with a gauze or baby diapers. great for putting in Hoof Savvy or similar to sooth and draw. And Aloe Vera is another all purpose remedy for wounds, rashes, sunburn, sunscreen, etc.

Regarding the Pressure bandage and tourniquet application. You only want to use a Tourniquet if pressure is not enough to slow and or stop blood flow. You are trying to give the body time to stop the bleeding and naturally clot and coagulate. You pressure at aprox 5 minute intervals and check to see if it has slowed. Same with Tourniquet, if bleeding has not stopped with pressure add Tourniquet and check at few minute intervals to see if bleeding has stopped.

And yes a lot of these items are in my Shop if you need them!