Healing Horses with Elisha

Food is most important for horses.

Last time, we covered the signs indicating your horse may need a food change. Today, I follow that up by diving into five signs that your horse loves its current diet, which is critical, especially for easy keepers and metabolic horses.

Horses are highly motivated by food and need to eat constantly, so food restrictions can negatively impact their quality of life. When they cannot eat, they tend to fixate on food, leading to stress-related issues like delayed healing and a weakened immune system.

When starting new feeding programs, it may take time for horses to adjust, especially if they are picky eaters. Owners often worry that their horses will refuse to eat the new food, but over time, with careful adjustments, most horses begin to enjoy their meals.

One of the first signs that horses are enjoying their food is a change in how they interact with their owner. When horses become more engaged and attentive at feeding time, displaying excitement and curiosity, it is a sure sign that they are enjoying the food and starting to feel better physically.

Another sign indicating horses love their food is stomping their feet during feeding. That is an expression of satisfaction, similar to when someone taps their foot while enjoying a meal.

Some horses show their enjoyment by closing their eyes while eating, fully immersing themselves in the experience. That shows they are relaxed, content with their food, and savoring every bite.

Horses that love their food often lick the bowl clean. While some horses may leave food behind when not fully satisfied, a horse that finishes everything shows it has enjoyed its meal.

A sign of a successful feeding program is improved physical health. When horses start improving physically, they show enhanced mobility, reduced inflammation, and overall better health, and that often coincides with them beginning to enjoy their new diet.

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Horses should love their food because it is important to them.

However, many horse owners struggle to determine whether their horse's diet provides enough nutrition or if something in their food could be causing them problems. So, I have identified seven signs indicating your horse may be ready for a food change.

One of the biggest challenges for horse owners is determining when their horse needs a diet change. Many owners struggle to assess whether their horse is getting enough nutrition or if there could be a problem with their diet. To simplify that, owners must look for signs indicating a change is required. It could mean adding certain essential nutrients or removing any ingredients causing intolerances or digestive issues.

Metabolic horses, particularly those with insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), often show signs of excessive hunger. Those horses may be aggressive around food, constantly searching for more due to fluctuating blood sugar levels. Stabilizing their blood sugar through appropriate dietary adjustments can significantly improve their satiety and behavior around food.

If your horse plays with its food, tips the dish over, or walks away, it might be a sign they dislike something in their diet. Horses are food-motivated, and when disinterested, it could indicate a food intolerance or a taste preference. A process of elimination can help owners identify the offending item.

A change in their attitude toward food can be a sign of improvement. Horses that eagerly run to their owners for food without showing indifference are likely enjoying the diet and experiencing positive health benefits. This shift can indicate that the current nutrition plan is working.

Behaviors like cribbing or wind-sucking after eating can signal digestive discomfort. That may be linked to certain ingredients in the diet, like high levels of alfalfa or feeds with many additives. Removing the problematic items and supporting digestion with proper nutrients can alleviate those behaviors.

If a horse starts eating manure, dirt, or other non-food items, it may be searching for missing nutrients or trying to soothe its indigestion. Changing their food and perhaps introducing probiotics can help resolve that behavior.

Chronic digestive issues like diarrhea, fecal water syndrome, ulcers, and colic often indicate dietary problems. Feeding the wrong types of hay, such as coarse hay or straw, or giving a diet too high in sugars can cause bloating, distension, and gut discomfort. Adjusting the diet to include more suitable hay and reducing sugars can help resolve these issues.

If the health condition of a horse does not improve despite lifestyle and supplement changes, it may be due to something in their feed. In such cases, stripping down the diet to just hay and water for a short period may reveal whether the food may have been the issue. Many commercial feeds contain similar ingredients that may aggravate the condition if not properly reviewed.

Understanding the dietary needs of your horse does not have to be complicated. Horses thrive on simplicity and variety, so focus on keeping their diet straightforward. Avoid overloading their meals with too many ingredients, and observe their behavior as you make changes. By keeping things simple and observing their responses, you can improve their health and happiness through a well-balanced, tailored diet.

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We are exploring muscle testing for horses today.

Muscle testing is an alternative tool that is gaining popularity in equine care. You can use it to determine the best remedies for your horse and to formulate a personalized program tailored to its specific requirements.

Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology or autonomic response therapy, has been gaining popularity in human and animal health practices. Applied kinesiology can be confused with the academic study of kinesiology, which focuses on human movement. However, muscle testing is a distinct diagnostic tool rooted in chiropractic care used to identify imbalances in the body.

Muscle testing has evolved into a safe and non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify blocks in the energy field surrounding the body, pinpoint specific problems, and provide insights into the course of diseases. It can be helpful to assess food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, and emotional imbalances in humans and animals.

Muscle testing relies on quantum physics. Human and animal bodies are composed of particles and waves, with the electromagnetic field being a fundamental aspect that influences how energy flows through and around the body.

The electromagnetic field and biophotons (light particles in DNA) play crucial roles in cellular communication and strengthening how energy fields impact overall health. Incoherent energy fields can weaken the organism, making it harder for healing to occur. Practitioners aim to align those fields to enhance the natural healing processes within the body.

You can apply different muscle testing techniques to assess imbalances and deficiencies within the body. You can use the muscle strength of a surrogate, which involves creating a biofeedback circuit with another person, or the sway method, where you observe how the body moves. You can also use the ring method or the pendulum method to tap into the energy field surrounding the body. For those new to muscle testing, it may be helpful to begin working with a partner or more experienced practitioner to build confidence and skill in interpreting results accurately.

The healing process starts with the intention of the practitioner. The energy fields of the practitioner and the horse interact, influencing the outcomes. So practitioners and horse owners must maintain high energy and positive intentions as they can significantly affect healing processes.

Effective muscle testing requires a deep understanding of equine health, nutrients, and conditions. Practitioners should remain open and free from preconceived notions, as biases can skew results. Trusting the diagnostic tool and being receptive to unexpected outcomes is crucial for accurate assessments and effective treatment plans.

Over time, I have learned to trust that muscle testing will lead me in the right direction, even when I do not fully understand the results. Sometimes, it takes a few months to see how test outcomes align with historical issues or emotional changes of a horse. It is essential to remain patient and trust the process, as understanding often comes with time.

Try not to let your personal beliefs or past experiences influence your muscle testing results. If a particular approach does not work, it is okay to reassess and try a different strategy. The goal is to stay objective and open-minded throughout the process.

I have training programs available for anyone who wants to delve deeper into muscle testing. My signature program, Healing Horses Their Way, is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge before diving into muscle testing. It starts in late February or early March each year.

After completing the foundational course, you can join me for a more advanced group where I explore muscle testing in greater depth. It includes practical, live events where you can apply your skills with real horses. I will announce the registration dates in the next few months.

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This week, we are focusing on the benefits of chaste berry.

Chaste berry is an herb that ties right into our recent podcasts on the effects of PPID (Cushing’s Syndrome) or hormonal imbalances, as it often gets mentioned in the context of those issues for horses.

Chaste berry, derived from the chaste tree, is also known by its Latin name, Vitexagnus-castus. When searching for this supplement in stores, it may also be labeledVitex. Both names are commonly used, including in homeopathic versions.

Chaste berry contains various medicinal compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, organic acids, alkaloids, essential oils, and sterols. Those ingredients work synergistically, providing a more balanced and effective treatment in whole-plant form than isolated compounds.

Chaste berry is available in several forms, like tinctures, whole berries, and capsules. It is used for treating hormonal imbalances in horses and often gets used for human health, particularly for regulating hormones related to PMS and menopause. For horses, it is better to use the whole plant due to the broad spectrum of its active ingredients.

Chaste berry is known for its effects on dopamine-producing cells and the pituitary gland, making it particularly useful for managing horses with PPID (Cushing's disease). It helps regulate various hormones, although its effects are more about balancing rather than increasing or decreasing particular hormone levels.

Chaste berry, like other adaptogens, including ashwagandha and licorice root, helps regulate hormone levels rather than targeting a specific hormone. That regulation is helpful for horses with symptoms of irritability and reproductive issues, which could indicate a hormonal imbalance.

Chaste berry is also a beneficial herb for managing symptoms related to PMS, menopause, and possibly even infertility in mares. Its ability to balance estrogenand progesterone levels can alleviate mood changes, irritability, and other hormonal symptoms in mares.

Always consult with a veterinarian or a qualified herbal practitioner before introducing any new herb to ensure that it is safe and will not cause unintended side effects in your horse when combined with other medications. While chase berry can be effective, it should not be used simultaneously with other medicines that target the same pathways, as it might enhance or diminish their effects or even lead to adverse reactions.

Chaste berry has shown many beneficial effects on horses with advanced hormonal issues-particularly when used as a tincture for a more concentrated dose. Even though chaste berry has improved symptoms like shedding patterns and overall vitality in older horses with PPID, always be cautious when using it and monitor its effectiveness.

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This week, we examine how dopamine affects horses with PPID.

There is a significant link between dopamine, diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and the symptoms commonly associated with PPID. So today, I share various lifestyle and nutritional ways horse owners can support dopamine levels in their horses.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for motor skills, cognitive abilities, and the reward system, so it is vital for physical and mental health. Low dopamine levels in horses can lead to lethargy, depression, and poor concentration.

Dopamine plays a significant role in the reward system, and it also controls the overproduction of hormones like ACTH. When dopamine-producing brain cells degenerate, ACTH levels rise, leading to overworked pituitary glands and inflammation.

Stress and lifestyle factors can significantly impact dopamine levels in horses with PPID. Dopamine plays a crucial role in mood regulation, motivation, and overall well-being, so when horses are chronically stressed or have frequent inflammation, dopamine levels can drop. By addressing environmental stressors, changing diet, and providing a stable environment, owners can improve the dopamine levels of their horses.

Toxic hindgut conditions, often caused by poor diet and lack of movement, can negatively impact the microbiome of horses, leading to lower dopamine and serotonin levels. Unhealthy gut conditions also contribute to metabolic issues and hormonal imbalances, which can complicate health issues.

Connection Between Dopamine, ACTH, Cortisol, and Insulin

There is a relationship between dopamine, ACTH, cortisol, and insulin levels. Low dopamine leads to higher ACTH and cortisol levels, which increases blood sugar and insulin production. That imbalance is particularly problematic for horses with conditions like laminitis, so early intervention is essential to prevent further deterioration.

Managing conditions like PPID requires a holistic approach that focuses on diet, lifestyle, and mental and emotional health. As there is no quick fix for those chronic conditions, consistent management practices are essential for preventing disease progression and supporting horse health.

Maintaining dopamine levels through lifestyle changes and reward-based training is crucial. By engaging their horses in learning and activities that stimulate dopamine production, owners can help preserve their brain cell integrity and potentially slow the progression of PPID.

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This week, we focus on Cushing syndrome, now known as PPID.

There is currently an epidemic of horses being diagnosed with this issue. It is a complex condition involving much chemistry and many hormones. So, I will continue exploring it in the next few episodes.

Even though the term Cushing's Syndrome in the horse health industry recently transitioned to Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), I still prefer referring to it as Cushing's Syndrome, as that term encompasses the complexity of the condition, which involves multiple glands, not just the pituitary gland.

Cushing’s Syndrome might be defined more accurately as a hormonal imbalance rather than a pituitary issue. It is a complex condition involving many hormones and bodily systems, and many believe that underlying factors such as diet and lifestyle contribute to it, as it cannot be due to random occurrences.

Stress and inflammation are the key contributors to developing PPID or Cushing's Syndrome. When overstimulated due to stress or inflammation, the pituitary gland produces ACTH, leading to an overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. That hormonal imbalance can lead to various health issues in horses over time.

In advanced stages of PPID or Cushing's Syndrome, a growth known as an adenoma may develop on the pituitary gland, which complicates treatment. Addressing the underlying causes, like diet and lifestyle, can sometimes reverse early-stage symptoms and reduce ACTH levels.

A multi-faceted, individualized approach is essential for treating horses with PPID or Cushing's Syndrome. Since symptoms, conditions, and history of horses vary, a one-size-fits-all treatment is ineffective. For that reason, customizing programs to the individual horse is crucial for managing the condition.

Horses with PPID often exhibit symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, like changes in shedding patterns, hair coat, excessive sweating, and fatigue. The symptoms can vary from horse to horse, making it essential to assess each case individually.

PPID affects the metabolism of horses, often leading to weight gain or loss, depending on the stage of the condition. The immune system also gets compromised, making horses more susceptible to infections and other health issues. Long-term elevated cortisol levels can cause muscle wasting and a weakened immune response.

Diet plays a significant role in managing PPID, as there is a link between sugar and inflammation in the condition. It is crucial to ensure that horses receive proper nutrition without any inflammatory ingredients. Monitoring and adjusting diet based on individual needs can help manage symptoms and improve overall health.

Managing PPID in horses requires a holistic approach that considers the complexity of the condition. By addressing underlying factors such as stress, inflammation, diet, and lifestyle, horse owners can help regulate hormonal imbalances and improve the quality of life of their horses.

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This week, we are exploring sweet itch, also known as summer eczema.

This condition usually affects horses with hypersensitivity to insect bites and often occurs from bites from flies, mosquitoes, and especially biting midges, commonly called no-see-ums.

The occurrence and severity of sweet itch largely depend on environmental factors and the individual immune system of each horse.

Black horses and those with weakened immunity are more susceptible to sweet itch. Bugs target weaker horses, causing severe allergic reactions. Those reactions manifest as itching, rubbing, and discomfort, often leading to hair loss, sores, and bleeding. The immune response to these bites results in inflammation and welts, similar to how mosquito bites affect humans.

Diet and environmental factors significantly influence the susceptibility of each horse to sweet itch, and the condition can become exacerbated by high sugar intake, inappropriate grains, and poor-quality fats. Horses with compromised immune systems due to ulcers, metabolic issues, or nutrient deficiencies are more prone to severe reactions.

The acid mantle is a protective layer of the skin. It is crucial in defending against insect bites and infections. However, it can get damaged by a poor diet and toxins.

A holistic approach to managing sweet itch involves strengthening the immune system and overall health. That includes addressing underlying conditions such as ulcers, metabolic issues, and nutrient deficiencies. Natural remedies, dietary adjustments, and supportive supplements play a vital role. An example is vitamin C, which supports the immune system and helps maintain skin health.

Natural fly sprays and topical applications, like Riva's Herbal Skin Oil, can relieve itching and prevent infections. Holistic treatments, such as the Summer Tincture containing calendula, echinacea, linden, and milk thistle, help neutralize allergic reactions and support overall immune health. When you combine the use of those remedies with a clean diet and toxin elimination, it can significantly improve the condition of your horse.

Sweet itch is a challenging condition that requires a comprehensive approach to manage effectively. By addressing diet, immune health, and environmental factors, horse owners can help their horses overcome this uncomfortable ailment. Natural remedies and supportive supplements can offer significant relief and lead to long-term health.

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This week, we are covering how long owners must continue supplementing their horses.

In my courses, on my Facebook groups, and even via emails, horse owners often want to know how long they should supplement their horses after addressing their imbalances with feed programs and which steps they should take next. 

Stay tuned as I share my advice on this topic.

Initial Check-In

One of my key recommendations is to check in on how your horse has progressed four to six weeks after starting a new supplement program. It is not the end of the supplementation program, but to ensure you are on the right track. Without doing that, you could continue an ineffective program for months, wasting time and resources with no improvement.

A Six-Week Check-In

After six weeks, you should see a general improvement in the horse's health. If you see no improvement, it could mean you have missed an underlying issue or the problem is not nutritional. 

Ongoing Supplementation

For horses on hay diets, continuous supplementation is crucial. Continuous supplementation is essential for supporting the health and longevity of those horses, as domestic environments cannot replicate the variety found in a natural lifestyle.

Bioavailability and Absorption

The health of many horses declines despite being on multivitamins because they require specific nutrients to address their health concerns effectively. So, it is not only about providing supplements but ensuring they are in bioavailable forms that the horse can absorb. 

Six-Week Check-In Scenarios

When you check in at six weeks, you may encounter two scenarios:

1. No Change: If there is no improvement, you may need to investigate further, considering factors like health problems that already exist, medications, or stress.
2. Improvement: If your horse shows signs of improvement, you can continue with the program. Only consider adjustments once you have hit a plateau or after a significant improvement.

Adjusting Supplement Programs

After seeing a significant improvement, you can start phasing out certain supplements to see if the horse maintains its health without them. The gradual reduction helps you determine which supplements are essential in the long term.

Variety in Diet

Horses naturally need variety in their diets, so you must avoid becoming too routine with supplements. Changing feed programs and adding nutrient-dense foods can enhance their nutrition better than synthetic supplements alone.

Selenium Supplementation

Regular selenium supplementation can significantly benefit the health of your horse. Selenium is an essential mineral often deficient in horses. It is critical for thyroid health, immunity, and detoxification. 

Personalized Supplement Programs

Tailoring the supplement program to the horse's specific needs and continuously evaluating its effectiveness is essential because sometimes, despite implementing a well-rounded supplement program, other health factors may also need to be addressed.

Importance of Professional Help

The type of healing and health transformation required for each horse is unique. Given the complexity of horses' health issues and their unique nutritional requirements, seeking professional guidance may be essential for formulating an effective supplementation strategy.

Conclusion

Determining how long to supplement your horse requires regular check-ins. Focus on bioavailable nutrients, adjust your program based on the horse's progress, and seek professional guidance for tailoring the supplementation to the specific needs of each horse. 

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This week, we are exploring the benefits of journaling for improving equine health.

Journaling is invaluable for anyone facing health issues with their horses or those who want to ensure they are doing all the right things for their horses' wellbeing.

Whether dealing with a challenging health condition or rehabbing a horse, stay tuned to learn how journaling will give you a deeper understanding of your horse and help you keep track of its health.

When working with horses from a holistic perspective, I look for everything they are sensitive to, correlate their health with events, check their supplements, and examine their diet to put all those pieces together, whether they have health challenges or not.

Journaling helps you track how your horse progresses, especially when working on rehab or recovery, as working toward health is not always a straight line and can be confusing while you figure things out.

Keep a positive attitude, as your horse will draw energy from you. Journaling helpsyou stay positive as it reminds you of the progress made.

Journaling eliminates confusion. Writing down all facts and dates gives you a clear record of all that has happened and helps identify any patterns that may be crucial for managing horse health.

Record all the symptoms and changes. That allows you to retain valuable information that you may need to prevent future issues. It is also helpful for managing chronic problems without relying on memory alone.

Allowing the horse to guide the recovery process means recognizing improvements and setbacks as part of the healing journey. By documenting everything, you can better understand what the horse is expressing and make more informed decisions.

If you are new to journaling, start with all the essential information, like age, symptom profile, living conditions, hay changes, supplement changes, and lifestyle factors at the onset of any condition. Also, record the bloodwork and diagnoses to establish a baseline, always including dates, as health profiles can vary seasonally.

Record any significant health events, like trims, vaccinations, deworming, and dental work, as that helps you identify the correlations between those events and symptom changes.

For conditions like equine metabolic syndrome, keep track of weight and take pictures. Seeing your horse every day can make it hard to notice changes, but photos provide clear evidence of progress or lack thereof. That also applies to conditions affecting specific areas like eyes, feet, or coat.

Comparing the shedding patterns of a horse to the rest of the herd and recording dates helps you track any improvements over time. Photos can help you keep track of any year-to-year changes.

Journaling helps you identify triggers for issues like infections. Record food, supplement changes, and lifestyle factors, and note environmental factors like weather to gain more insight into issues like thrush infections.

Journaling helps you recognize what has not changed if symptoms persist. If a condition remains unchanged despite various adjustments, it might highlight a specific supplement or diet item you need to re-evaluate. Documenting any changes makes it far easier to identify and address those sticking points.

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

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Learn the 4 Steps to Resolving Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

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This week, I explore ways to help horses that find it hard to gain weight.

Many horses struggle to gain weight, which is a significant concern for their owners, particularly during winter. Despite being well-fed, those horses often remain thin, unable to build and maintain muscle mass. It is a common issue, particularly among thoroughbred breeds with high metabolisms. As those horses age, keeping weight on them becomes even more challenging.

So, today, I share various dietary strategies to help hard keepers gain weight and improve their overall health.

Before deciding to increase the food intake to address weight loss in your horse, you need to rule out other potential health issues that may impact their ability to maintain weight.

Healthy teeth are crucial for a horse to chew and digest its food. Misalignment, sharp edges, missing teeth, abscesses, or sore gums can make eating uncomfortable, leading to weight loss. Symptoms like dropping food (quidding) could indicate dental issues. I recommend regular checks by an equine dentist to maintain oral health and efficient digestion.

Ulcers, particularly in performance horses, can significantly impact appetite and weight. Up to 80% of horses may have ulcers or related lesions. Symptoms include decreased appetite and rapid weight loss. Stress and medication can exacerbate ulcers, leading to a pot-bellied appearance and hollow flanks. Treatment often involves medication and dietary adjustments to support digestive health.

Leaky gut, caused by the over-fermentation of starches and sugars in the hindgut, leads to intestinal gas, heat, toxins, and systemic toxicity, causing weight loss, diarrhea, and laminitis. It is essential to support the hindgut and digestive health to manage and prevent those symptoms.

Active parasite infections interfere with nutrient absorption and can cause significant weight loss. Chemical dewormers are essential, as natural remedies are often ineffective against active infestations. Parasites can cause anemia and deplete vitamins and minerals, further impacting the health and weight of a horse.

Stress affects the ability of a horse to maintain weight. High stress can lead to muscle wasting, particularly in horses with conditions like Cushing's disease (PPID), so it is essential to manage stress through proper nutrition, environmental enrichment, and sometimes hormonal regulation.

Conditions like COPD or heaves can prevent proper blood oxygenation, making it difficult for horses to build mass and tissue. Addressing respiratory health and ensuring efficient gas exchange in the lungs is crucial for those horses to maintain or gain weight.

Fiber is essential for horses as it ferments into energy in the form of volatile fatty acids, fueling their cells. Ideal fiber levels in hay are crucial for energy and digestive health. However, too much fiber can be counterproductive if it is not digestible, requiring horses to eat more to meet their nutritional needs.

Providing hay 24/7 is essential, especially for hard keepers. Slow feeders can help to manage intake, but for horses that need to gain weight, loose hay or feeders with larger holes may be necessary to ensure they get enough calories. Owners should tailor the quality and type of hay to meet the needs of each horse.

Using different types of hay can help manage the dietary needs of a herd, especially when perfect hay is hard to find. It is beneficial to introduce variety and ensure the hay is palatable and meets the specific requirements of the horses. Analyzing the hay for fiber content, including lignin levels, helps ensure digestibility and nutritional adequacy.

Horses that struggle to gain weight despite adequate fiber and forage may require extruded commercial feeds. Those feeds are highly processed for better digestibility, providing additional calories and nutrients. It is essential, however, to always choose the cleanest options and use them carefully.

Protein is vital for muscle building and tissue repair. Alfalfa is a good source of protein, but for horses allergic to it, you can consider spirulina or soy protein (preferably non-GMO). Ensuring sufficient protein intake helps prevent muscle wasting and supports overall health.

Maintaining the weight of horses requires a multifaceted approach, addressing potential dental, digestive, parasitic, and respiratory issues, managing stress, ensuring adequate fiber and protein intake, and sometimes using commercial feeds for additional calories. Regular monitoring and a tailored approach to the needs of each horse are crucial.

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

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