Healing Horses with Elisha

ast week, we explored the liver’s four key metabolic roles in equine metabolic syndrome, including converting T4 into the active thyroid hormone, T3.

Today, we’re looking at how thyroid function affects your horse’s metabolism, and why you may still struggle to understand what’s happening when the bloodwork and what you see in your horse don’t match—even when you’re doing everything right.

The Thyroid

The thyroid helps horses regulate their metabolism, energy, body temperature, coat quality, and hoof growth. It produces T4, which then gets converted into active T3. This conversion happens largely in the tissues, including the liver, and requires nutrients such as selenium.

Normal Thyroid Tests

If your horse is struggling with weight, low energy, or insulin resistance despite your best efforts, don't assume a normal thyroid test means everything is working as it should. True thyroid gland disease is rare in adult horses, and metabolic problems can exist even when thyroid blood results are normal. So consider your horse's symptoms, history, and overall health, not just the numbers.

Slow Thyroid Hormone Conversion

Illness, stress, and food scarcity can slow the conversion of T4 into active T3 to conserve energy. This doesn't necessarily mean the thyroid gland itself is faulty. In some horses, the underlying stress may be linked to a major health event, like an infection, or an emotionally stressful experience, such as losing a herd mate or moving to a new environment. Recognising these factors can help you better understand what may be contributing to your horse's metabolic difficulties.

Stress

Chronic stress can elevate cortisol, which can interfere with thyroid hormone production and the conversion of T4 into T3. Stress is not always obvious. Chronic pain, laminitis, isolation, restricted movement, and a lack of opportunities for the horse to express natural behaviours can be stressful. So, consider these factors when trying to understand why your horse's metabolism is not responding as expected.

Over-restricting Feed

Horses are designed to chew for much of the day. If your horse finishes its hay within a couple of hours and then goes for long periods without anything to eat, its body may respond as though food is scarce, slowing its metabolism down to conserve energy. While managing sugar intake is important for metabolic horses, further feed restriction may actually work against you. The goal is to manage your horse’s sugar intake while ensuring it has an appropriate feeding plan that allows for regular chewing.

A Vicious Cycle

Pain creates stress, and stress can worsen any existing problems. For example, a horse with painful feet may experience ongoing stress, and long periods without forage can cause ulcers and create additional discomfort. So, look beyond the most obvious symptom and consider anything else that might be contributing. Identifying the factors driving this cycle is an important step towards your horse’s recovery.

The Liver

Your horse's liver plays an important role in converting T4 into active T3. When the liver is under pressure, this process may be affected, even if the thyroid gland itself is healthy. If your horse doesn’t respond as expected to dietary changes, remember that metabolic health involves more than one organ, and the liver, thyroid, and insulin regulation are all interconnected.

Total Toxic Load

Chemical residues from sprayed hay and pasture, fly sprays, topical products, and drinking water can add to the toxic load the liver has to process. Even small chemical exposures can add up over time, increasing the overall burden on the horse’s liver. When the liver is already under pressure, this can affect its ability to carry out its many functions, including converting T4 into active T3. So, look at the bigger picture and consider everything your horse is exposed to, rather than focusing on just one product or source.

Supplements

More supplements are not always the solution. Iodine, for example, is essential for thyroid hormone production, but too much can suppress thyroid function. Focus instead on proper nutrition, clean ingredients, and nutrients your horse can actually use, rather than assuming that more supplements will produce better results.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Stress and toxicity can also contribute to nutrient deficiencies, so consider the whole nutritional picture rather than supplementing individual nutrients without reviewing the horse’s diet.

Medications

Some medications can lower measured thyroid hormone levels, and the effects can persist for several days after the last dose. If your horse is having thyroid tests, ensure that your veterinarian knows which medications it has received to provide some context for the results.

Signs to Look For

Persistent fat pads, difficulty losing weight, low energy, coat changes, delayed shedding, slow hoof growth, shivering, and slow healing can indicate something is not right. These signs can overlap with other conditions, however, including Cushing's disease, so look at the whole picture rather than simply assuming it's a thyroid problem.

Three Drivers of EMS

Stress, toxicity, and nutrient deficiencies are three key drivers of equine metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. They often overlap, so identify which factors may be affecting your horse before deciding where to focus.

The Right Order

If your horse does not improve, don't restrict its feed or add more supplements. Instead, look at the bigger picture, including liver function, nutrient availability, and stress.

Always focus on root causes before symptoms, and remember that no two horses are the same, so no two programs should be either.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

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FREE TRAINING: Why Your Metabolic Horse Isn't Getting Better: The Three Drivers of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

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In our last episode, we explored five reasons metabolic horses struggle in the fall. Today, we’re going a layer deeper, exploring the liver, its role, what may strain it, and signs that your horse’s liver may be under pressure. We also explore why two horses can respond very differently to the same environment.

The Liver

The liver plays an important role in regulating blood sugar, clearing insulin, processing fats, and converting thyroid hormones. When the liver is under strain, these functions may be affected, potentially contributing to metabolic challenges.

Insulin Resistance

High insulin is often associated with excess sugar in the diet and increased insulin production by the pancreas. However, the liver also helps clear insulin from the bloodstream, so its role may be worth considering. Research into this connection in horses is still developing.

Increased Workload

A horse’s liver may be coping with several demands at once, including excess sugar, concentrated vegetable oils, high protein intake, certain supplement ingredients, chemical residues in feed, or excess iron. Ongoing stress can also add to this burden by raising cortisol levels and increasing the amount of sugar released into the bloodstream.

Feed and Supplements

Look closely at feed and supplement labels for concentrated vegetable oils, preservatives, artificial flavourings, synthetic additives, and inorganic minerals. Consider whether each product is truly necessary and whether its ingredients are actually appropriate for your horse.

Routine Treatments

Think about the cumulative effect of medications and dewormers over a horse’s lifetime. Then consider how many deworming treatments and medications your horse has received, rather than overlooking these, to reduce the strain on your horse's liver.

Water and Environmental Exposure

Well water can contain excess iron, as can supplements containing inorganic iron, such as ferrous sulfate. Testing your water and reviewing supplement labels can help you to identify potential sources. You also need to consider the chemical residues from herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers in your hay and pasture.

Signs of Liver Strain

A persistent crest or fat pads, slow progress despite management changes, sensitivity to feed or supplements, recurring skin problems, inconsistent manure, and low energy may all warrant closer attention. Hives, swelling, and laminitis can also indicate metabolic problems. No single sign shows that the liver is under pressure.

Swelling and Recurring Eye Problems

Swelling in the legs, sheath, or belly may indicate fluid retention. Swelling in the lower legs sometimes improves with movement. I have also noticed recurring weepy eyes in some horses but have no research to support this connection.

Routine Blood Tests

Routine liver enzyme tests can indicate liver cell damage, but they will not necessarily reveal every aspect of the liver's function or how much work it is managing. Normal results therefore do not rule out every possible concern. Any signs of ill health still need to be considered.

Beyond Restricted Feed

Reducing sugar intake may be essential for a metabolic horse, but feed restriction alone may not address every contributing factor. It is also worth reviewing supplements, water quality, environmental exposures, and stress rather than focusing only on feed rations.

A Whole-Horse Approach

Stress, toxicity, and nutrient deficiencies are the three main drivers of insulin resistance. Simply restricting the horse’s feed will not address these three factors. The key is to identify what may be straining your horse’s system, remove what you can, and support the horse’s ability to eliminate unwanted substances.

Always consider the root cause before symptoms!

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Your Horse's Root Cause Reset: Join the waitlist

FREE TRAINING: Why Your Metabolic Horse Isn't Getting Better: The Three Drivers of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

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

Fall can be a challenging time for horses with metabolic issues, even when you’ve spent months doing everything right.

Today, we’re exploring five reasons metabolic horses struggle in the fall. You’ll learn how to recognize seasonal setbacks, track meaningful signs of improvement, and support your horse without abandoning a program that may still be working.

Metabolic horses

Shorter days trigger hormonal changes that prepare horses for winter. Rising ACTH and cortisol can increase blood sugar and insulin, promoting fat storage. Metabolic horses may also develop fat pads, retain fluid, and experience increased inflammation.

Fall grass

Sunny days followed by cold nights can cause sugars to accumulate in grass. Frost-stressed, short or brown grass may also be high in sugar, increasing risks for sensitive horses.

Dietary changes

Abruptly switching from grass to hay disrupts the hindgut microbiome and may contribute to inflammation and digestive problems. Instead, transition gradually over two to three weeks.

Inflammation

Digestive problems, unresolved hoof damage, and poor circulation can contribute to inflammation. Inflammation may increase insulin, while high insulin promotes fat storage. Fat deposits can further contribute to inflammation.

Stress

Feed restriction, prolonged isolation and confinement can all increase stress and cortisol levels, even when a horse shows no obvious signs of anxiety. Some horses become withdrawn and apathetic rather than restless or agitated. Supporting metabolic health therefore means looking beyond diet to the horse’s overall well-being, with particular attention to the three Fs: forage, freedom and friendship.

Setbacks

Horses with existing metabolic dysfunction or incompletely healed hooves are more vulnerable to seasonal changes. Temporary setbacks do not automatically mean your management plan has failed.

Keep track

Track the horse’s energy, comfort level, mobility, digestion, and social engagement alongside physical changes. Record symptoms and pain levels to establish a baseline and objectively measure the horse’s progress.

Hoof problems

Stronger digital pulses, reluctance to move, or changes in stance warrant prompt attention. Assess the horse’s hoof trim, circulation, existing pathologies, and provide nutritional support.

Hormone tests

ACTH and insulin levels naturally fluctuate with the seasons, making isolated test results difficult to interpret. Assess the results alongside seasonal reference ranges and also consider the horse’s clinical signs and, ideally, hormone measurements taken over time. A single elevated result during fall should not automatically trigger a diagnosis or a decision to begin lifelong medication, as treatment decisions require a more complete picture of the horse’s health.

Preparing for fall

Transition gradually to hay, obtain a hay analysis, monitor pasture after cold nights, and maintain appropriate hoof care. Address stress, nutrition, and any other potential contributors to metabolic dysfunction.

Root causes

Persistent problems despite careful sugar management may be due to stress, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, toxicity, or chronic hoof inflammation. Similar symptoms can have different underlying causes, so each horse requires an individualized approach.

Recovery takes time

Equine metabolic syndrome requires consistent, long-term management. Addressing the underlying causes may help reduce seasonal setbacks and improve recovery over time. My forthcoming course, Your Horse's Root Cause Reset for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, will focus on identifying these causes.

Takeaways

Fall setbacks are not necessarily evidence of failure. Owners need to understand seasonal changes, track meaningful improvements, and investigate the horse’s individual needs rather than reacting to isolated symptoms. Remember that no two horses are the same, so their management programs should always address each horse’s individual needs.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

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Last week, we explored how to tell whether your horse is on the right track, why the original symptom often lasts the longest, and how looking at the whole horse lets you see real changes long before that one symptom catches up. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I suggest you listen first, because today’s episode picks up right where we left off.

Stay tuned to find out why, even after you start noticing changes, it can still be so hard to trust what you’re seeing.

Past Disappointments

Repeated attempts that fail—supplements, feed, restriction plans, or other approaches—can leave you emotionally, financially, and physically depleted. You may then protect yourself from further disappointment by refusing to believe something is actually working. That could lead you to change a plan just as your horse begins to respond.

The Last Thing to Change

Weight tape and blood work measure specific things at a specific point in time. Your horse can have better energy, digestion, swelling, or movement even when the weight tape hasn’t changed. The most important symptom is often the last thing to change.

Doubt

Information from the internet or AI should not override what you observe in your horse. Searching for answers can expose you to stories about horses that failed to improve or had negative outcomes, and those stories might make you question the positive changes you see in your horse.

Previous Decisions

Many owners believe they should have recognized their horse’s problems sooner. That can make it difficult to trust their judgment when the horse starts improving.

Remember that you did the best you could with what you knew at the time. The instinct that told you something was wrong is the same instinct that helps you recognize improvement.

Beliefs Affect Decisions

You can make changes that support your horse while still believing that recovery is impossible without medication. That belief can move you toward medication.

A medication-free approach requires you to trust your decisions, your intuition, and your horse to heal.

How to Measure Progress

Horses don’t heal in a straight line, and one rough day does not necessarily mean a setback.

So, instead of comparing how the horse was yesterday, compare your horse with its baseline, where it was a month ago or three months ago. That is where real change becomes easier to see.

Keep Notes

Record a few observations several times a week. Note changes such as meeting you at the gate, trotting to the water, improved digestion, or changes in movement. Your notes will give you evidence to return to when doubt appears.

Patterns Matter

Patterns help you distinguish noise from information. A single good day may be a fluke, and a single bad day may not mean anything significant. Consistent changes over several weeks provide a far more useful measure of progress.

Your Observations

Knowing your horse and documenting what you see makes you a better advocate for them. Mention your observations to others involved in your horse’s care rather than relying entirely on their opinions. Your notes can also give your veterinarian information they cannot get from a short appointment.

Visible Symptoms

Your horse’s energy, demeanor, digestion, swelling, and movement may improve while the most visible symptom remains unchanged. That can make you think you need to do more when the horse’s overall picture is actually improving. Remember that the goal is progress, not immediate resolution of every symptom.

Staying the Course

Changing the plan too soon could undo any progress already made.

Some parts of recovery take longer than others. In Skip’s case, his hooves recovered the slowest because hoof growth, strengthening, and improvement in laminar integrity take time.

Building Trust

Trust develops through observations and patterns over longer periods, not just one good day. Look at your horse’s progress over one to three months rather than expecting immediate change.

Remember, no two horses are the same, so no two programs should be either—and no one knows your horse the way you do.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Your Horse's Root Cause Reset: Join the waitlist

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

Last week, we spoke about supplements, exploring how to select them, how to combine them intentionally, and how a simpler program that focuses on the actual root cause will almost always outperform those built around symptoms.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 107 yet, I recommend starting there because we’re picking up right where we left off today, looking at what real healing looks like, why patience matters, and why you shouldn’t give up on a treatment plan before the original symptom has been resolved.

The Whole Horse

Once you have a plan based on the underlying cause, assess the improvement across the whole horse, not just the symptom that initially caused concern. The original complaint is often the most advanced problem and can be the last thing to resolve. If you focus exclusively on it, you may miss significant improvements happening elsewhere.

Healing Takes Time

Recovery rarely happens in a straight line. There will often be periods of noticeable improvement, pauses, and even temporary setbacks. Years of dysfunction cannot necessarily be reversed quickly, so consistency and patience are essential. The horse’s body needs time and a stable environment in which to recover.

Early Signs

Changes in the horse’s energy and engagement can appear before any visible physical changes. A horse may greet you more readily, enjoy its food, play with other horses, or show more vitality. Those subtle changes can indicate that things are beginning to shift at a foundational level.

Brighter Demeanor

More alert eyes, greater interest in the surroundings, and the return of personality can be meaningful signs of improvement. Horses with equine metabolic syndrome can experience fatigue and what appears to be depression, which can sometimes be mistaken for normal behavior until their vitality begins to return.

Valuable Information

More consistent manure, less gas and bloating, and reduced puffiness can all provide valuable information. In horses with equine metabolic syndrome, digestive improvements are especially important because gut health is closely connected to the broader picture of metabolism, inflammation, detoxification, and absorption.

Partial Improvement

Swelling can improve in stages rather than disappearing completely at once. Even partial improvement can be meaningful. A noticeable reduction in swelling during the first week or two may indicate that the horse is moving in the right direction, while further improvement can take time.

Metabolic Changes

The crest and fat pads provide valuable information about what is happening metabolically, but they may be among the last things to resolve completely. A crest may first soften and then gradually decrease, while fat pads can take time to reduce.

Hoof Recovery

Comfortable movement is important, and appropriate hoof care and support are essential. Hoof inflammation and pain often take longer to resolve, particularly following laminitis, founder, or prolonged hoof problems. You may also need to correct trimming issues and allow the hoof capsule to grow out over time.

Don't Abandon a Plan Too Quickly

If the original symptom is not resolved, it can be tempting to change direction or add more supplements. Before changing course, however, give the existing plan enough time to work, and look for any other improvements that may have occurred.

Your Horse's Baseline

Pay attention to how the horse moves in the morning, how its crest and fat pads feel, how it greets you, how it eats, and how it interacts with its environment. You don’t need to record every detail obsessively. Just become familiar enough with the horse’s baseline to notice any changes.

Keep a Record

When you record where your horse started and look back periodically, improvements that seemed insignificant at the time can become obvious. With root-cause work, changes can often occur gradually and quietly, so don't abandon your plan simply because the progress you see isn't dramatic.

Skip’s Progress

After Skip's program was simplified, his digestion relaxed first, followed by improvements in his relationship with food, satiety, energy, inflammation, and fat pads. His hooves took the longest to improve. That explains how focusing on just one symptom can make you miss any other meaningful progress.

Different Recovery Patterns

Improvements don't happen in the same order or on the same timeline for every horse. So, look for an overall pattern rather than expecting everything to improve at once. Always remember to pay attention to changes across the whole horse, and remember that no two horses will heal in precisely the same way.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Healing Horses their Way: Get more information and join the waitlist

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Last week, we explored why a supplement that produces remarkable results in one horse can make virtually no difference in another, and what that comes down to.

If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, go back and listen to it first, because we’re building on it today.

Supplements

A full supplement shelf doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing enough for your horse. Although each product may have been selected initially to address a specific symptom, the combination is unlikely to address the root cause of a horse’s problems.

How to Evaluate Supplements

Consider whether or not a supplement is actually helping your horse. Look beyond the testimonials and social media, examine the ingredients and the company’s reputation, and be willing to acknowledge when something isn’t working.

Root Causes

Treating each symptom with a separate supplement can mean missing the underlying imbalance that is driving the problem. Identifying and addressing the root cause can make some supplements unnecessary.

When Supplements Are Combined

Different supplements can contain overlapping ingredients, so some may be redundant or unnecessary. Using too many different supplements can also make the digestive system and liver work much harder without providing any additional benefit.

Simplifying the Program

Removing certain supplements can make owners worry that they aren’t doing enough for their horses. However, simplifying the program helps them focus on addressing what the horse actually needs rather than simply adding more products.

Diet and Lifestyle Matter

Supplements cannot fix a hungry horse or address stress caused by prolonged hunger. So, owners must consider diet, forage, feeding schedule, lifestyle, and stress levels when addressing a horse’s health issues.

Skip’s Story

Skip is a 12-year-old Quarter Horse with EMS who was placed on several supplements to address various problems. Despite the owner’s careful efforts, his progress stalled. When evaluating his entire picture, it emerged that stress, due to severe hay restriction, was a key issue. So his supplements were replaced with specific B vitamins and bioavailable magnesium, while his owner focused on providing consistent forage and feeding, a better lifestyle, and nervous-system support. Within weeks, Skip was more relaxed, his vitality improved, and he began to gain muscle and become more active and playful.

What to Remember

No two horses are the same, so no two programs should be either. Horses’ programs should always address root causes rather than simply treating symptoms, and supplements should be used for a specific reason.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Healing Horses their Way: Get more information and join the waitlist

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

Last week, we discussed the hidden cost of chasing symptoms instead of root causes, and the importance of understanding that symptoms are the messengers, not the problem.

We’re expanding on that today, looking at why a supplement that works really well for one horse may do very little for another.

Choosing a supplement

Don't choose a supplement simply because it produced great results for someone else's horse. Look at whether it is actually creating the changes your own horse needs, and if you can't see meaningful progress, be willing to question whether it's the right choice.

Don't let an ingredient list or a product's reputation decide for you. Even a clean, high-quality product may not be what your horse needs, so choose according to your horse's individual situation.

Don’t assume

Don't assume that horses eating the same hay or living in the same environment have the same nutritional needs. One horse may already be getting enough of a nutrient while another may have a genuine deficiency, so look at the individual horse rather than the shared diet.

Additionally, when two horses have the same visible problem, don't automatically treat them in the same way. Look for what is actually driving the problem in each horse, because the underlying causes may be completely different.

What to focus on

Don't focus only on the nutrients the horse is getting from its diet. Gut health, inflammation, toxicity, other ingredients, and the form of the nutrient can all affect how well a horse can utilize what you're giving them.

If a horse fails to respond as expected

If the horse isn't responding as expected, consider what else may be preventing its improvement. You may need to address its medication, the commercial feed’s suitability, digestive problems, or emotional stress rather than simply adding another supplement.

Your horse's history

Don't treat your horse as if it’s starting from scratch. Past illness, stress, age, breed tendencies, medication, and its environment all form part of the picture and can influence how it responds to anything new you introduce.

Supplements to avoid

High-quality supplements can be valuable, but don't expect them to resolve an issue they were not designed to address. If the supplement has no connection to the underlying cause, redirect your time and money toward finding what actually needs attention.

Changing direction

If you've given something a fair opportunity and aren't seeing improvement, don't keep on with it simply because you expected it to work. Use the lack of progress as information and reconsider what your horse may need.

The underlying cause

Don't rely on an anti-inflammatory supplement to resolve pain or inflammation when something else is causing or contributing to the problem. Address the underlying cause so that your supportive measures can have a better chance of helping.

Keep looking

When your approach doesn't work, don't decide that you've failed or your horse is beyond help. Instead, recognize that particular approach wasn't the right one and keep looking for what your horse actually needs.

Individual needs

If something doesn't work for your horse the way it worked for someone else's, don't automatically view that as a failure. Use it as information showing your horse's picture is different and requires another plan that will better suit its individual needs.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Healing Horses their Way: Get more information and join the waitlist

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Last week, we discussed what it takes for horses to recover and heal truly.

Today, we’re building on that by clarifying the hidden cost of chasing symptoms instead of uncovering the root cause lying beneath them.

Recurring symptoms

A symptom is often a messenger rather than the actual problem. When a symptom fails to improve, or returns despite trying different products, it tells you that you have not yet identified the underlying cause.

Consistency and patience

Finding the right approach for a horse is not quite as simple as following someone else’s plan. Recovery requires attention, consistency, and a willingness to reassess when something does not produce the results you need.

History matters

A past illness, stress, age, breed tendencies, medications, environment, and other experiences can all influence how a horse’s body responds to something new. Understanding its history helps to explain why the same supplement can produce very different results in two horses.

Quick fixes

Symptom-focused treatments can be reassuring when they produce a quick or visible response, but improvement does not necessarily mean the underlying issue has been resolved. Repeatedly changing products can keep you focused on the symptom rather than actually understanding what is driving it.

The whole picture

Rather than focusing only on what is going into the horse’s feed bucket, consider the whole picture, including its diet, health history, medications, environment, digestion, and any other factors that may influence how it responds.

Meaningful changes

When introducing something new, pay attention to whether or not you notice any meaningful changes in the horse. If the horse shows no noticeable improvement, that approach may not be addressing what it truly needs.

Good nutrition

Good nutrition is not simply about what goes into the horse’s mouth. Gut health, inflammation, toxicity, and nutrient interactions can all affect how much of what a horse consumes is actually absorbed and available to its body.

When something doesn’t work

A lack of improvement does not mean that you, your horse, or the product has failed. It provides valuable information, telling you that your approach is not addressing the horse’s particular needs and that it is time to look in a different direction.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

Healing Horses their Way: Get more information and join the waitlist

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

Horses need rest, especially when they’re dealing with metabolic issues. Their nervous systems need it, and in many cases, rest is an important part of their recovery.

So today, we’re talking about why deep work requires downtime, and why giving your horse the right kind of rest might be the missing piece in how you’re managing their metabolic health.

Rest and Recovery

The work that genuinely changes an outcome rarely happens in a straight line. Whether you’re helping a student or supporting a horse through recovery, you need periods of focused effort followed by time to rest, process, and integrate. Skipping the recovery phase can ultimately undermine the work itself.

Making Better Decisions

Building a complete health profile means taking a deep dive into your horse’s history and putting all the pieces together. That can be difficult and emotional, especially when you begin to see how past events may have contributed to the challenges your horse is facing now. It can also create a strong urge to fix the problem immediately. However, taking time to understand the whole picture first helps you make more informed decisions.

Subtle Shifts

Paying attention to subtle shifts in your horse—how they respond to their environment, changes in the herd, the seasons, their routine, or their recovery—can reveal patterns over time. Observing those shifts can give you valuable clues about what’s really happening with your horse.

Exhaustion

Working harder and constantly pushing yourself doesn’t necessarily create better results. When you’re depleted, you stop noticing subtle details, lose your ability to be genuinely present, and may even begin putting your energy into the wrong things.

Downtime

Downtime allows you to integrate information and experiences, gives your nervous system a chance to reset, and lets your body catch up with everything it’s had to handle. Rest is not laziness or falling behind. It is part of maintaining your ability to do meaningful work.

True Rest

A horse can be standing quietly and still be in a state of alertness or survival. True rest allows the horse’s nervous system to stop bracing and scanning so the parasympathetic system can support its digestion, recovery, tissue repair, and hormonal regulation.

Restriction vs Recovery

For horses with EMS or suspected metabolic problems, you may need to look beyond more restriction or control. Those horses also need the right lifestyle, movement, freedom, and periods of rest so their bodies can settle, find their rhythm, and recover.

Constant Intervention

Every new supplement, therapy, training session, or other intervention is another input. When you’re constantly applying different things, you have little opportunity to observe what is actually helping the horse, or allowing it to settle and find its own rhythm. Sometimes, just avoiding another intervention is the most appropriate next step.

Panic

When something is wrong, your instinct may be to act immediately. However, your panic could lead to unnecessary or poorly considered interventions. Taking a pause gives you the space to regulate yourself, observe what is actually happening, and ultimately make a more thoughtful decision.

The Bigger Picture

Rather than always adding something to address each new symptom, step back and consider the horse’s history, environment, lifestyle, routines, and other contributing factors. The goal is to create the right conditions for the horse to stabilize and recover, while also providing enough structure, freedom, and connection to support its natural rhythms.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website.

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Learn more about Healing Horses Their Way

I’m delighted to have Trish Collins, owner of a 30-year-old mare called Teddy, joining me today to discuss the challenges of supporting a senior horse. We unpack the dietary changes and behavioral quirks of a senior horse and discuss the value of natural nutrition, homeopathic remedies, and holistic care.

Changing Appetites

Senior horses like Teddy often change their preferences or skip meals. Trish learned to stay flexible, offering alternatives and listening to Teddy’s cues rather than forcing a rigid feeding schedule. Even at 30, Teddy now displays curiosity, an enthusiasm for food, and she engages with her environment. Trish noticed how she regained her energy, playfulness, and mental sharpness after implementing a tailored nutrition and care plan.

Nutrition

A consistent, nutrient-rich diet is essential for senior horses. Proper nutrition supports appetite, digestion, weight maintenance, and overall vitality, even in horses with health issues or on medications.

Observing and Responding

Trish developed confidence by watching Teddy closely, noting her likes, dislikes, and reactions. This observation has guided adjustments in feed, supplements, and care routines, empowering Trish to make informed decisions.

Natural and Complementary Approaches

Homeopathic remedies and medicinal plants are important for supporting Teddy’s appetite and vitality. Natural options can complement standard care, especially when conventional solutions are limited.

Consistency and Patience

Teddy’s progress did not come from one dramatic change. It came from Trish’s steady and consistent changes, made after observing Teddy closely and implementing thoughtful adjustments. Nothing was rushed. Trish learned that improvement often occur quietly and gradually, not all at once. Staying patient, sticking with the plan, and allowing Teddy the time she needed proved far more powerful than constantly changing course.

A Stress-Free Environment

Stress-free environments are crucial for senior horses to thrive. Allowing Teddy to roam freely and move on her own terms improved her appetite, mood, and overall quality of life.

Preventative Strategies

The strategies Trish used with Teddy also serve as a model for younger horses. Paying close attention to their diet, movement, and health early on helps to prevent any future challenges and sets them up for longevity.

Emotional and Owner Insights

Trish found that supporting her own horse felt far more emotional and overwhelming than helping clients with theirs. She learned that staying observant, trusting what she was seeing, and allowing room to adjust the plan helped to calm her anxiety.

Trish’s confidence did not come from having all the answers. It came from paying attention, staying flexible, and consistently moving forward.

Links and resources:

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Learn more about Healing Horses Their Way 2026

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Either way, you’re stepping into an experience that your horse will be grateful for.