The NATURAL Therapy Horse Lisa Wysocky

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1 The NATURAL Therapy Horse 2013 Lisa Wysocky

2 Horses have evolved over thousands of years Their bodies/brains have not evolved as fast as domestication Horses are still designed for grazing and movement Horses not designed to be around harsh chemicals

3 Horses do best in an environment that is as natural as possible miles of open space variety of grasses varied terrain herd environment

4 But, nothing about EAAT is natural! Non-horsey volunteers Adaptive equipment High herd turnover Unbalanced riders Toys and games Sidewalkers

5 In many cases, add to that: Chemicals in soaps Increased stall time Lasting friendships interrupted Lack of grazing time and space Sprays with toxic ingredients Lack of herd environment

6 To maintain horse health, emotional wellness, quality and length of service, we must: 1) make our horses environment more natural to the horse 2) use natural (green) practices in our barns

7 Today s Topics! Stalling Bedding The herd Grooming Fly control Feeding Stable management Recycle/reuse

8 STALLING Stall as little as possible Horses on large pasture are fitter and have higher bone mineral content (Virginia Intermont College, 2013)

9 More evidence Stalled horses are deprived of social interaction, and performance of natural behaviors is limited Stalled horses take longer to train (Michigan State University, 2002)

10 When stalled: Use European, or open concept, stalls to provide herd contact Allow horses to feel engaged, and part of a community

11 Give horses a view Open up the horizon when possible Horses feel safer if they can see 360 degrees (or close to it) Horses are less bored when they can watch activity around them Reduces cribbing, depression, etc.

12 Trend: group stalling Provides herd environment Warmth Security Safety

13 Some manufactured bedding is treated with chemicals Other bedding, such as wood shavings, take decades to re-grow BEDDING

14 Look for renewable options Peat, pine needles, shaved coconut husks, etc. are all renewable Many options are location dependent Kenaf is a new plant to North America, a relative of cotton and okra that has outperformed shavings, wood pellets, and wheat straw in absorbtion

15 Bed with shredded paper Newspaper is especially absorbent Avoid slick or coated papers

16 Shred news and office paper Great opportunity for higher functioning participants Can co-op with other businesses Ask volunteers to bring in used paper A service to your community

17 Embrace selfcontained cycles: paperbeddingcompostfertilizer

18 Compost used bedding Make a compost pile from the used bedding Maintaining it can be either a participant or a volunteer project or both! Look into environmental grants

19 Uses for compost Spread on fields/pastures Use as mulch in gardens or on trails Sell to gardeners Offer as a local charity auction item

20 The scoop on poop Average horse poops 14 times a day Produces 50 pounds of waste daily Produces 7-9 tons of manure annually Intake Sprayer

21 FLY CONTROL Many sprays are toxic to both horses and humans They can also cause allergic reactions and breathing problems Instead of commercial products, try:

22 Vinegar and water Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in a spray bottle Mix stronger for pesky flies Avoid spraying near eyes or nose Can use apple cider vinegar Can also mix 1/4 cup vinegar into feed Affordable! WATER+ VINEGAR

23 Fly predators Purchase monthly supplies of fly predators Tiny biteless, stingless fly parasites Live near manure Destroy flies that are in immature stages

24 Garlic 1/2 tsp. can be fed, or mixed with water and sprayed into mouth A natural antibiotic, so can also destroy good bacteria in gut

25 DE Diatomaceous earth: fossilized remains of hard-shelled algae Causes insects to dehydrate and die Effective when spread around farm Good flea control! Some feed small amounts to their horses ask vet first

26 Bats (yes, really) One bat can eat 600 mosquitos an hour Also eats many other bugs Downside is they are messy Not very volunteer or participant friendly

27 Natural Bug Spray Recipe 1 cup water 1 cup Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil 2 cups vinegar 1 tbsp. Eucalyptus oil (found in health food stores) Optional: few tablespoons of citronella oil (From US Forest Service)

28 FEEDING In the wild, horses graze up to 67 percent of the time Confined horses only graze 17 percent of the time Many colics happen on an empty gut

29 Small holed hay feeders Consider small holed hay feeders for horses that are stalled or dry-lotted Slows eating Better for digestive system Mimics continuous grazing in wild

30 Ground feeding Horses are designed to eat grass Feed in rubber or metal ground tubs to minimize parasites Eating with head raised can lead to poorly chewed food, uneven tooth wear, and increased choking

31 Feed often Stalled horses benefit from smaller, more frequent, meals Often difficult for centers to manage staff and volunteers for more than one or two feedings a day Enlist volunteers for special duty

32 Feed variety In the wild, horses pick and choose many forages over miles of land Domestic horses are limited Most horses like and can tolerate: Zucchini / other squash Citrus fruits Melons Alfalfa / bean sprouts Pumpkin Avocados Lettuces

33 THE HERD Other than young stallions, wild herds have little turnover The same horses often remain in the herd for life In our programs, there is usually a lot of turnover

34 Horses grieve too Horses become stressed and grieve when friends leave the herd University of Georgia through PET scans have seen same brain activity in grieving horses that is seen in people who are grieving

35 Herd Emotion Consider the emotional aspect of remaining herd members when one leaves Ditto for regrouping the herd and changing stalling arrangements

36 Five or more years Choose program horses carefully with longevity in mind Train carefully to avoid stress or burnout

37 GROOMING Many grooming products have harsh or toxic chemicals in them Over time, they can have an adverse effect on your horses health Instead of...

38 Hoof dressing Use coconut oil Solid at less than 75 degrees In cold weather can warm between hands Very affordable Check with farrier Grocery store

39 Conditioner Coconut oil also works as a leave in conditioner/ detangler for manes and tails 1 part vinegar 4 parts water Can use cider vinegar, as well Vinegar

40 Clarifying rinse Light manes: lemon juice and water Dark manes: apple cider vinegar and water Mix 1 part to 3 water

41 Whitener Make a paste from corn starch and water Apply to wet hair, let dry Brush off White hair will be sparkling!

42 Sun screen Some horses do not do well with zinc creams Instead, apply dry baking soda, corn starch, or baby powder to white noses or lower legs

43 STABLE MANAGEMENT Using lime in stalls to dry and remove odor can provoke breathing problems in horses and humans Use corn starch or baking soda instead Very affordable, especially in bulk

44 Product Labels Read labels to discover harsh or toxic chemicals before purchasing products Try to find healthier options

45 Electric fence? Switch to a solar charger Solar panels are the next step Consider wind power

46 Buy or rent a goat Goats eat weeds! Saves gas and mowing time Saves wear and tear on tractor Saves money and resources Caution: goats eat many objects in addition to weeds

47 Conserve water Add rain barrels Water your plants or arena Put nozzles with an off setting on the ends of hoses Only 1 percent of the earth s water is actually usable (US Geological Service)

48 Air dry horse laundry Conserve electricity Save use of your dryer Great bonding activity for participants or volunteers Seasonal, depends on location

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50 Make your own fabric softener Many fabric softeners have harsh chemicals Can cause skin and breathing problems in horses 1 gallon white vinegar drops essential oil such as peppermint or lavender, shake, add 1/2 cup to rinse

51 RECYCLE AND REUSE Many items can be repurposed, which saves money and keeps objects out of landfills Good bonding activities for volunteers, participants, families, and community

52 Tack Recycle, repair, reuse, trade When buying new look for organic and recycled materials Fleece made from recycled soda bottles, and fabrics using organic cotton, bamboo, and other green fibers are beginning to be offered

53 Recycle Supplement containers, shampoo/spray bottles, and other empties from the barn. 2.1 million tons (or 6.8 percent) of plastics were recycled This means million tons were not, and ended up in the ocean, as litter, or in a landfill. (Source: US EPA)

54 Feed Bags Reuse paper/plastic feed bags as trash bags. Strong! Or, shred and put into compost Cut into strips and braid to make rope Use as desensitizing object

55 Bailing twine Braid twine into rope, reins, or bucket handles Soften twine with homemade fabric softener Use for art projects

56 Used Tires Bolt together to make a pasture or arena drag Fill with dirt and plant some squash for your horses Stack and fill to build a retaining wall Can stack to make a small compost bin

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58 Blankets Use an old broom handle to make a blanket rack Repurpose a comforter bag to store blankets in the summer Cut old blankets into saddle covers or bridle bags

59 Cold Weather Hang old clear plastic rug runners from the top of the opening to a run-in shed to keep in warmth Can do the same with strips of old tarp Save electricity and float a basketball in the water trough to keep ice out

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63 Think green Summary Use as many natural products as possible Design or modify your horse s environment with him (or her) in mind Recycle, repurpose, reuse, trade

64 For more information: