Eksperckie porady dotyczące zdrowia i dobrostanu koni

As a horse owner, you naturally want the best for your loyal four-legged friend. A natural herb gaining increasing attention in the equine world is milk thistle. But what exactly is milk thistle and how can it support your horse's health? In this blog, we delve deeper into the benefits of milk thistle for horses. Interestingly, horses in nature often seek out milk thistle in the meadow. This instinctive behavior suggests that horses recognize the healing properties of this plant. What is Milk Thistle? Milk thistle is an herb that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to support liver and digestion in horses and ponies. The main active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, a powerful antioxidant with many health-promoting properties. Benefits of Milk Thistle for Horses 1. Liver Support Milk thistle is known as 'the liver herb par excellence'. Over the past 10 years, more than 12,000 scientific publications have appeared about milk thistle and its health benefits. Milk thistle helps protect and restore the liver, which is crucial for the overall health of your horse. A healthy liver in your horse ensures:• Better detoxification of the body• Support of the immune system• Improved digestion and metabolism 2. Anti-inflammatory Effects Research has shown that milk thistle has anti-inflammatory properties. This can help reduce inflammation in your horse's body, contributing to better overall health. But how does this work exactly? Milk thistle influences various inflammatory processes in the body: NF-kB inhibition: Milk thistle inhibits the activity of NF-kB, a protein that plays a central role in inflammation. TNF suppression: It reduces the production of TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), a substance that can cause inflammation. Inhibition of leukotrienes: Milk thistle inhibits the formation of leukotrienes, substances involved in inflammatory reactions. Reduction of pro-inflammatory substances: It helps lower substances such as interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2, which can exacerbate inflammation. By influencing these processes, milk thistle can contribute to reducing inflammation throughout your horse's body, from the digestive organs to the joints. 3. Antioxidant Effects Milk thistle is packed with antioxidants. But what are antioxidants exactly? Simply explained: Think of antioxidants as small protectors in your horse's body. They fight against 'free radicals', which you can see as troublemakers. These free radicals can cause damage in your horse's body. Antioxidants neutralize these troublemakers. Why are antioxidants good for your horse? They keep the cells in the body healthy. They help your horse recover better after exercise. They support the immune system. They can help your horse stay fit longer. 4. Support of Energy Metabolism Recent research in sport horses has shown that feeding milk thistle seed improves energy metabolism. Horses given milk thistle had lower cortisol levels (= stress hormone). This can lead to better performance and faster recovery after exertion. In addition, horses given milk thistle had lower levels of NEFAs (free fatty acids) in their blood. This suggests that these horses use their energy more efficiently, which can result in better endurance during intensive training or competitions. How to Use Milk Thistle? Milk thistle can be added to your horse's diet in various ways: As a supplement in powder form or extract In the form of seed cakes mixed with feed Fresh or dried as an herb Yes, you can also give milk thistle fresh or dried to your horse. In nature, horses sometimes eat milk thistle on their own, suggesting that they can digest the plant well in its natural form. Fresh milk thistle can be added to daily feed, while dried milk thistle can be mixed with hay or other dry food. The advantage of fresh or dried milk thistle is that it offers the plant in its most natural form. However, it's important to make sure that the plant is not contaminated with pesticides or other harmful substances if you collect it in the wild. When in doubt, it's safer to opt for commercially available milk thistle. If you're unsure about the right form or dosage, you can always choose a controlled milk thistle supplement like Curafyt's Detox & Drain. Our supplements contain a standardized amount of active ingredients and have a clearly indicated dosage. It's a great way to get the right ingredients into your horse's diet and give you peace of mind. You can find more details about Detox & Drain by clicking the link below. Regardless of the form in which you give milk thistle, it's important to use the correct dosage. Always consult your veterinarian before starting to give milk thistle to your horse. Conclusion Milk thistle is a plant with numerous health benefits for your horse or pony. From liver support to anti-inflammation and improved energy metabolism, this natural herb can be a valuable addition to your horse's diet. If you're considering using milk thistle, consult your veterinarian first for personal advice. By supporting your horse's health with natural remedies like milk thistle, you can contribute to a long and vital life for your loyal four-legged friend. Scientific References Hackett, E. S., Twedt, D. C. & Gustafson, D. L. Milk Thistle and Its Derivative Compounds: A Review of Opportunities for Treatment of Liver Disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 27 10--16 Preprint at https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12002 (2013). Delmas, D., Xiao, J., Vejux, A. & Aires, V. Silymarin and cancer: A dual strategy in both in chemoprevention and chemosensitivity. Molecules vol. 25 Preprint at https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092009 (2020). Dockalova, H., Zeman, L. & Horky, P. Influence of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed cakes on biochemical values of equine plasma subjected to physical exertion. Animals 11, 1--16 (2021).

The Dangers of St. Jacob's Ragwort and How to Remove It from Horse Fields Ragwort might look harmless with its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, but don’t be fooled! This plant is highly toxic to horses and ponies. It’s crucial to understand the dangers of this plant and know how to protect your horses. In this blog, you’ll learn how to recognize, understand the risks, and remove this toxic and dangerous plant. How to Recognize Ragwort? Key characteristics include the distinct rosettes when the plants are not yet in bloom, and the purple-stemmed stalks on which the flowers grow. The flowers are bright yellow and resemble daisies. It spreads quickly and can take over entire fields. This plant grows from the second half of June until October and begins flowering from July. Typically, it is a biennial plant. The Dangers Of Ragwort For Horses Even small, repeated amounts of ragwort are toxic to horses. Eating ragwort can lead to severe liver damage. One of the biggest dangers of ragwort for horses is that it remains toxic even in dried form. This means that hay can become contaminated, causing your horse to ingest it unknowingly. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly inspect your pasture before harvesting hay. For a 500 kg horse, ingesting just 5 kg of dried ragwort is already toxic. In its fresh state, horses would need to consume four times as much to reach the same level of toxicity. Ragwort poisoning is often only recognized when it’s too late. This weed causes significant liver damage in horses, and once symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible. The disease manifests in various symptoms in your horse or pony, such as: Loss of appetite and increased thirst Straining, sometimes followed by watery diarrhea Unexpected sunburn Abdominal bloating due to fluid retention, sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath In later stages, the damage can even affect the brain, leading to lethargy, restlessness, or even paralysis. If you’re unsure about symptoms in your horse, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Better safe than sorry! How to Control Ragwort Manual Removal Pull the plants out by the root before they flower. Wear gloves to avoid skin contact! Remove the plants by burning them or sealing them in bags, not by composting. Manual removal is preferred as it avoids the use of chemicals, ensuring the health and safety of your horses and preserving the natural balance of the pasture. Pasture Management Regularly inspect fields for ragwort. Maintain a densely grown pasture to outcompete weed growth. Biological Control Consider introducing natural enemies like the larvae of the cinnabar moth as part of an integrated strategy. Ragwort is the primary food source for the zebra caterpillar, the larva of the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae). These moth larvae are adapted to eating ragwort and are not susceptible to poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).  Chemical Control Use selective herbicides during the rosette stage. Follow professional advice and manufacturer’s instructions. Additional Support for Your Horse’s Liver Health During July and August, when ragwort is widespread, it is beneficial to support your horses' liver health with supplements such as Curafyt’s Detox&Drain, which contains milk thistle and MSM. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a powerful antioxidant that protects liver cells and promotes regeneration. However, a supplement can never replace good pasture management or medication if liver damage is already present.  By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can protect your horses' health from the dangers of ragwort. Ensure your pastures are free from this toxic plant and support your horses' liver health with the right supplements. Your horses will thank you!

Laminitis is a painful condition of the hooves in horses and ponies that requires urgent treatment. In other words, a rather serious matter. Because it is better to prevent than to cure, we have listed a few causes of laminitis below. Spoiler alert: there’s quite a few of them.