Toxic threats surround your horse and barn, in building materials, cleaning supplies, pest and parasite control, in your horse’s feed, bedding, medications, vaccines, and de-wormers. Airborne drift from neighboring property can contribute to poisoning your horse. Nitrates from manure or fertilizer are taken up from soil into plants consumed by your horse which enter your horse’s digestive system, convert into nitrites, and contribute to acid pH and your horse’s toxic overload. HHH: The best defense against toxins is a strong immune system and your horse’s ability to detoxify.
Kelp supports detoxification of pollutants by combining with toxins, preventing assimilation and aiding elimination of poisons from your horse. Humic and fulvic acid, nettle, fever few, calendula, boneset, yarrow, cleavers, dandelion leaf, ginseng, charcoal, and unrefined sea salt also help combat toxins. Strengthen your horse’s liver to optimize toxin filtration. Support the kidney which eliminates poisons. Restore biochemistry after detox with probiotics and minerals. HHH: Maintain a clean, stress-free environment for your horse, avoid temperature extremes and eliminate toxic hazards such as:
broken containers, ill-fitting lids or changing from original packaging
damp grounds, feed stuffs, or manure and urine buildup
flies, mosquitoes, ticks, mice and other pests
old feed, hay, medications, or topical supports
poorly ventilated stalls or chlorine bleach that challenge lungs
improperly stored, disposed of or handled combustible or corrosive poisons
multiple, simultaneous or frequently given vaccines, steroids or antibiotics
chemical sprays, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, solvents, or cleaners
HHH: Water represents the greatest environmental threat and greatest life sustaining gift to your horse.
Contaminant-free water is the most important support to an immune compromised horse, seniors and foals. Squirrels falling in water introduce pathogenic bacteria. Decomposed plant matter reflect in foul odor and algae. Minerals can be lost from over acidic water. Corroded lead water pipes can be toxic. Irrigated wetlands contain excess salts, concentrated bicarbonates and other toxic elements. Stagnant water and heavy rain can carry toxins. Toxins leach into drinking water via landfills and become more deadly, oxidize, and volatilize or become airborne when mixed with other compounds in incineration. A charcoal filter and ultraviolet light helps provide clean water for your horse. Accurately test all water sources for overall purity once a year through a qualified lab. Treat accordingly.
HHH: There are several non-toxic natural supports for your horse and barn.
Parasite control should be safe such as diatomaceous earth (swimming pool variety) applied to manure or the food grade version added to feed.
Keep barns clean and cobweb free to encourage spiders to make fresh webs to utilize natural fly cull. Most spiders are beneficial supports who eat bugs and mosquitoes although two, black widows and brown recluse, carry dangerous poisonous toxins.
Hang overhead, spray on or apply topical essential oils of cedar, rosemary, clove, citronella, peppermint, cinnamon, and lemongrass to help repel flies, ticks, mosquitoes and gnats.
Add apple cider vinegar and garlic to feed to maximize your horse’s defenses against flying pests.
Prepare your own hornet, wasp and yellow jacket deterrent combining 2 cups warm water, ¼ c vinegar, ½ c sugar, and 1 tsp salt.
Combine catnip, lemon verbena, cedar wood, peppermint and Egyptian geranium essential oils to help repel mosquitoes.
Aloe Vera is an effective natural barnyard staple for both internal digestive support and topical healing alone or as a carrier of other ingredients.
Oregano oil is available as an antiviral, antibacterial option to replace harmful thrush sprays.
Turmeric is another natural must have for both internal support and topical as well!
A mixture of ¼ c vinegar and 1 tbsp cornstarch offers a safe cleaning option.
HHH: Sheath cleaners can cause allergies if containing lauramidopropylamine oxide.
“A safer and gentler non irritating approach to sheath cleaning is to use warm water with organic apple cider vinegar,” says internationally recognized horse trainer, Missy Wren. “This helps protect the horse’s sensitivity while offering replenishment of beneficial bacteria.”
HHH: Leather can be toxic. Leather is commonly soaked in a chemical cocktail of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and chemical dyes, all of which are potentially hazardous during the life cycle of leather. Once introduced to perspiration, riding boots, tack leather, even your leather couch, contain toxins that can be absorbed by your skin. Blisters or open wounds enhance risk. Consider vegetable tanned leather and non-toxic, silicone and solvent-free honey leather cleaners or those containing only plant-based oils and natural waxes.
HHH: Wind turbines near the barn may affect health and cause foal deformity. Infra-sound and low frequency noise adversely affect both humans and horses in close proximity to wind turbines. Vibration also affects bone metabolism. One study showed newborn foals were healthy prior to the erection of wind turbines; once turbines were introduced to the area, new foals developed asymmetric flexural limb deformities (inability to place the hoof flatly on the ground also known as "tip-toeing” or “club feet") and thickening of blood vessel walls. Again symptoms left when turbines were removed.
HHH: Choose eco-friendly products when possible and stay informed.
Toxic threats surround your horse and barn. Cleaning supplies should be organic and non-toxic. Recycle when possible. Re-purposed feed sacks make great trash bags. Crumpled paper bags make handy rags for cleanup. Going green doesn’t always mean toxin free. Even solar panels contain batteries which house chemicals inside. Building materials should not introduce hazards to your horse.
Seek organic, non-GMO, easily digested quality feeds and fresh hay. Limit chemical medications, vaccines, de-wormers, and offer natural varieties when possible. Topical poisons absorb directly into your horse’s bloodstream and airborne toxins cause respiratory distress. Do not use poisons on your pastures. Rotate crops and grazing. You may want to consider certified allergy free chromium-free leather goods. Read labels on all products. Abide by warning labels. Your horse deserves your focus to avoid the myriad immune-depleting environmental toxic hazards in and around your barn!
Non-Toxic Rodent Control Tip
100% pure peppermint oil (NOT massage or cooking oil) can be sprayed on doors, walls, around stored feed, or near water sources to repel mice, even spiders.
Close off holes when possible or wire mesh open-ended pipes or drains.
If an electrical outlet is available, electronic mouse repellents can be installed or essential oil blends (ex. Young Living Purification) can be used in a diffuser.
Shari Frederick, BS, NMD, a nutritional educator and licensed aesthetician, assists horseowners in making healthier, more natural choices in horse care. She is an independent author, international lecturer and self-styled naturalist. At her Happy Horse Haven Rescue in Texas, detoxification and liver/kidney/immune supports are the FIRST steps in rehab for nearly every arriving horse. Visit Shari’s websites, sharifrederick.org, horseshaveheart.org
