Frank K. Reilly, DVM, created and launched HEIRO (Healthy Equine Insulin Rescue Organical) in 2006 to address the growing problem of horses with high insulin levels and related conditions that were suffering with chronic sore feet.
“The first part of my career my practice focused on racehorses and show horses in Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, including six world-record holders,” explains Dr. Reilly, the senior doctor at Equine Medical & Surgical Associates based in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
“But eventually, I established my country practice in Pennsylvania, caring for many breeds, pleasure horses, and senior horses. We encountered a variety of problems not usually seen in race or show horses, especially with insulin resistance and laminitis,” says Dr. Reilly, a veterinarian for more than 30 years who’s earned several degrees from the University of Illinois.
“There were very few effective treatments and no supplements specifically for insulin resistance and little research in this area. For the most part, we cared for horses through reactive palliative measures, treating pain, encouraging rest, using support wraps, and similar approaches. But we knew there had to be a better, more effective way to manage these horses and get them healthy, comfortable, and back to pasture.”
A Horse’s HEIRO
For two years, Dr. Reilly and his team worked on blending a combination of herbs, minerals, and vitamins to develop HEIRO (see sidebar). The supplement supports horses with insulin-resistant problems including: “easy keepers,” horses that cannot be on pasture, horses trapped on a dirt lot, or horses with a history of foundering. It is also highly effective for horses who’s blood has tested in the elevated category for insulin; horses with “cresty” neck; horses experiencing pain on hard or frozen ground; horses being for Cushing’s but still experiencing sore feet; or horses that cannot be rotated on radiograph machines.
“We consulted endocrine experts at the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, and Johns Hopkins University to refine our own research, and we conducted hundreds of insulin tests until we found a reliable test, which is demonstrated step-by-step on our website https://equinemedsurg.com/. We received wonderful support from veterinarians and farriers because we offer testable, real world, real life data to support the success of our product, including 2500 case studies on HEIRO from around the country.”
Make Your Horse a HAPP-E-MARE
In March 2018, Dr. Reilly and his team introduced another new and innovative supplement to the market in response to clients seeking help for mares with emotional and performance problems. “I had many clients asking if we had ways to address their mares that were too tough to train, distracted, moody, and a host of other symptoms. Most did not want to pursue or continue with hormones, shots, or other medications. They were looking for a healthier, natural way. It took a year to develop the blend for HAPP-E-MARE that we just launched in 2018.”
HAPP-E-MARE uses a blend of eight herbs, two added vitamins and minerals, and a high dose of vitamin E (see sidebar) to reduce issues such as anxiety and stress, loss of focus, signs of colic, muscle soreness, irritability, perpetually in heat, or being difficult to ride. The supplement can also benefit stallions and geldings exhibiting similar symptoms or behaviors with irritability and performance.
NO Prohibited Herbs for Competitions
An added value for competitive sport horses is that HAPP-E-MARE does NOT contain any prohibited herbs. In fact, it is the only multiple herbal product permitted for use in competition (2018 United States Equestrian Federation’s Guidelines and Rules for Drugs and Medications, https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/2Zp2C_YKs4s/drugs-medications-guidelines).
“This is a very important issue. Many times, seemingly innocuous herbs are illegal for horses in shows or races. Our product is legal. Even though we’ve been on the market for a short time, we’ve had excellent reviews so far. Our customers are seeing the effectiveness of our product shortly after administering it, and many of their horses have been on other herbal products or hormones.”
In addition to HEIRO and HAPP-E-MARE, Dr. Reilly and his team also developed HEAVE-HO, for problems associated with coughing, COPD, and asthma. Dr. Reilly lectures at multiple events throughout the United States on laminitis, equine COPD/asthma, insulin resistance, Cushing’s disease, summer eczema, and vitamin E deficiencies. To learn more about HEIRO or HAPP-E-MARE or to schedule, a customized, complimentary veterinary consultation, visit Equine Medical & Surgical Associates online at https://equinemedsurg.com/, or call 610-436-5174 or email: equinemedsurg@equinemedsurg.com.
Dr. Frank K. Reilly, DVM, has been in practice for 31 years and is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is on the Board of the AAPF (Professional Farriers) and Ryerss Horse Farm (the oldest retirement and rescue for horses in the USA). He is an AAEP, PVMA and AVMA member.