Many people will have heard of Arnica, but what is it? And did you know it can help horse or dog health?

Arnica is a plant related to the common daisy – part of the Compositae family. You can find other members of this family used in herbal health. – e.g. Calendula, Echinacea and Dandelion.

There are several varieties of Arnica, but the most well-used is “Arnica Montana”.

As Arnica is often used for homeopathy and as a herb, it has led to over-harvesting. Also hybrids of Arnica have developed. So it’s a good idea to check both the originating source and purity for the Arnica product you buy.

Arnica contains selenium and manganese. These are two important elements needed for a healthy body.

How to use Arnica with animals?

Many animals can use arnica. This includes horses and dogs.

You can get Arnica as a:

• homeopathic tablet
• skincare lotion/gel
• essential oil

Use Arnica to help:

• relieving the symptoms of bruising
• soothe aches/pains
• relieve your horse’s or dog’s exertion after strenuous exercise.

Does Arnica work?

There have been few clinical trials. And research took place several years ago that tested Arnica in pill form for people, and said it didn’t work. But this didn’t look at the topical application of Arnica, which it’s most used for in both people and animals. Also the use of homeopathy can be a controversial subject. So analysis can be skewed when considering Arnica use in that context.

Veterinary research has taken place showing it can help as an analgesic in dogs: "Use of Homeopathic Arnica montana 30cH for Postoperative Analgesia in Female Dogs Undergoing Elective Ovariohysterectomy". 2022, Homeopathy. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1732352

So as Arnica is popular, why hasn’t there been more clinical trials?

Generally there's few clinical trials for assessing the benefits of herbs for people. Even less so for their use for animal health. This is often because a pharmaceutical company cannot easily patent a plant. So profits are going to be minimal, versus the cost of a clinical trial being very expensive. The lack of clinical trial proving the effectiveness isn’t evidence that it doesn’t work!

Read my Natural Animal Healthcare Research page for more info on this!

Where To Buy Arnica?

Many good pet care stores or equestrian tack shops sell arnica products. Or you can find online in many pet health and equestrian health sites. Remember to buy the best quality, purest Arnica and watch for how much is in the product to get the best results!

Do I use it here for my own animals?

I have used Arnica in the past, and do think it is great for soothing aches. But as I now adore Aloe Vera and the whole of my aloe vera range (as am a Forever Business Owner). I tend to use Aloe based products now for the majority of skin/healthcare!

Lastly, remember if you're concerned about your horse or dog's health, then get proper qualified veterinary surgeon advice before trying any complementary therapy or supplement.

You can also find holistic veterinary surgeon's and trained natural animal healthcare professionals around the world to help you.

Find out more about dozens of natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore how complementary therapies can help your animal!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk. And also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals. Plus sells a large range of aloe vera healthcare for people and animals.

If you've any questions please email info at taranet.co.uk

I started my business nearly 3 years ago. At the time, little was known about pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in the horse community in my area. One of my fellow boarders had been having it done on her pony, and I decided to try it on my then 17-year-old eventer, Saber. After the first session, I noticed an immediate difference in his way of going- he was much more relaxed under saddle, and movements that used to be difficult were suddenly much easier. I was hooked—I put him on a monthly schedule and watched him get better and better. I knew that I wanted to help other horses experience the benefits of PEMF therapy. I believed so much in its results that I took a chance by entering the growing field of complementary and alternative treatments. In October 2017 Shady Grove Magna Wave was born.

My background is as a Registered Nurse, therefore I am interested in the science and technology behind different treatment modalities. While Magna Wave Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy may sound like “hocus pocus,” I can assure you it’s not—although sometimes the results are pretty magical! Pulsed electromagnetic fields work at the cellular level to produce optimum cellular energy and health. The “charge,” or energy, of the cells can be increased by up to 500%. If we help the cells by supporting their natural ability to optimize body functions, we are creating one general result: wellness. Some of the benefits of PEMF therapy include: increased circulation & oxygenation, enhanced muscle function, decreased inflammation, decreased pain, increased range of motion, reduced recovery times, boosted immune system, improved healing of wounds, bone healing, and increased energy.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy is drug-free and non-invasive. I simply lay the coils over the horse’s body, working from poll to tail. The high-powered Magna Wave machines that I use have the ability to penetrate 16 inches, allowing me to access areas of the horse not as easily reached by other modalities. A full body session usually takes between 45-50 minutes. We are also able to directly target the joints or hooves of the horse at the end of the session.
Many horse owners are surprised that their horses allow the coils to be placed all over their body (even over their poll!), but the fact is they just can’t resist it! For many horses, it is an important way for them to release and relieve stress. This can be seen through yawning, licking and chewing, or simply closing their eyes and soaking it all in. Visit my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/shadygrovemagnawave to see videos of how horses react and respond! More information on the science and technology of PEMF therapy can be found at: https://pollockpemf.wixsite.com/shadygrovemagnawave

The majority of horses I work on are active competitors in eventing, dressage, show jumping and barrel racing. Most are on a maintenance schedule with monthly treatments, sometimes with an additional session before an important show. Other “regulars” of mine include retired horses whose owners simply want to keep them comfortable and thank them for their service over the years; younger horses beginning to learn their jobs and growing into their bodies; and lesson horses & ponies (who arguably have the most difficult jobs of all!)

"Horses have won wars for us. They carried us on their backs into cannon fire. Horses don't say 'no' lightly, so if your horse is telling you that, I can say for sure there is something wrong." -Henk Offereins.

If you’ve been finding your horse is saying “no” to what you’ve been asking, have you considered that he may be physically uncomfortable? Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy is not only for high performance horses— it’s for every horse with a rider who wants harmony and relationship over conflict and difficulty. Scheduling a Magna Wave appointment can be one of the first steps towards helping your horse feel his best!

Since starting my business, I now have two additional Magna Wave Certified Practitioners who work with me to help as many horses as possible. We have collectively done over 1,000 treatments and our client base is growing every day! I look forward to spreading the word about this technology and all of its possibilities in improving healing and optimizing wellness for our equine partners.

We cover Montgomery County, Maryland, Calvert County, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and surrounding areas. If you'd like to start your own exciting PEMF service for horses, then get in contact with me!

About The Author
This is a guest post by Jaimie Pollock. Magna Wave Certified Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Practitioner.

• Owner/Operator Shady Grove Magna Wave
• Member of the Association of PEMF Practitioners
• Registered Nurse
• Doctoral Student in the Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland
• VoxxLife Practitioner & Sales Associate
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shadygrovemagnawave
• Email: pollockPEMF@gmail.com
• Tel: 609-970-5924

Images courtesy of Tara K, LLC. Photographer is Tara Shegogue.

Have you tried Acupressure with your dog?

If not, this is a natural therapy that maybe useful to you.

Did you know… It has similar principles to acupuncture? In that different points of the dog's body have acupressure applied. And these all impact on various aspects of health. But whereas acupuncture uses needles. Acupressure doesn't and is non-invasive.

Acupressure originates from ancient Chinese medicine. With pressure applied at specific meridians around the body helping restore energy flow.

A difference too is that a qualified veterinary surgeon trained in veterinary acupuncture. Must always perform veterinary acupuncture. This is because acupuncture is invasive, and powerful. And it means an expert knowledge of anatomy and veterinary science is necessary. In the wrong (or untrained) hands it can be dangerous!

Whereas although it's possible to complete professional animal acupressure training. And you can become a qualified animal acupressurist. It's also possible for you as a canine (or equine) owner to learn some basic techniques to use at home yourself.

Why Use Acupressure With Your Dog?

• If your dog is older, and doesn't move about as much. You can use to help increase circulation.
• Relieve discomfort from arthritis
• Ease muscular discomfort
• Increase feeling of wellbeing

There are many qualified professional animal acupressure practitioners around the world.

But you can find advice on using acupressure at home with your dog online.

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure offer a large range of resources to help you to help your dog. Visit their website at https://www.animalacupressure.com

Like To Train In Animal Acupressure?

Please contact me at info @ taranet.co.uk for help locating a course.

Lastly, remember if you're concerned about your dog's health, then get proper qualified veterinary surgeon advice before trying any complementary therapy or supplement.

Find out more about dozens of natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore how complementary therapies can help your animal!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk. And also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals. Plus sells a large range of aloe vera healthcare for people and animals.

If you've any questions please email info at taranet.co.uk

What Can You Do To Care For Your Older Dog?

Your dog's breed will determine his or her expected lifespan. And of course, overall health. Some breeds are more likely to get certain ailments than others. Although nothing is inevitable!

But no matter what age your dog is. There's several ways you can help ensure his or her older years are full of love and life. Here's 4 top tips.

Tip 1 - Your Dog's Hearing

You may have noticed your dog's behaviours and attitudes change as the years go on. Watch out to see if your dog's hearing has changed. Like with people, some dogs go deaf. Or their hearing is affected in some way. This will mean that you need to be careful out on walks. Or when the doorbell goes. Or just in life generally. Does your dog know what's going on?

Don't assume because he or she did or didn't do things before that'll stay the same. If the hearing's affected it will make a difference to behaviours and attitudes.

Natural Care Tip: If your dog gets stressed or anxious because he can't hear as well as he used to. Then try aromatherapy, like Lavender. This is calming. Or Bach Flower Remedies can help with emotions.

Tip 2 - Your Dog's Eyesight

Likewise, eyesight can be affected as a dog gets older. Dog's can get cataracts and other eye conditions too. A dog can't wear glasses though! But if you're concerned that his or her eye's aren't as bright as they should be. Or perhaps your dog is walking into doors, tables or gets scared by certain sudden movements (like balls being thrown).

It's possible to have veterinary surgery if required to help with eye complaints. Your vet can advise.

Natural Care Tip: You'll find some herbal remedies like "Eyebright" can help with soothing eye conditions. Bilberries are reputed to help with eye health too. Homeopathy can also be used to help with eye health.

Tip 3 - Your Dog's Kidneys

As your dog gets older, his or her kidneys may need some extra support to keep healthy. Kidney disease affects dogs. Once they have it it can't be reversed. But it can be managed. Let your dog drink as much as possible.

Your dog tastes may change as he or she ages. So whereas a bowl of water lasted all day before. Now it doesn't. And your dog now wants fresh water throughout the day. So after a couple of hours throw out the water and give him or her new fresh water.

This may seem hard work to some. But to me, if it helps keep my dog happy and healthy i'll do it. Why not??!

Note, your dog may want or need to go to the toilet more often. If he or she is drinking more this is normal. And helps the kidneys function. So be prepared for extra trips to the door to let him/her out.

Natural Care Tip: Cranberries are renowned for helping with urinary issues. So together with other herbs, can be used to support urinary and kidney health.

Tip 4 - Walking Your Dog

When your dog was younger, chances are you had long walks. With lots of runs. Games and generally a lot of time outdoors moving about. As he gets older, then your dog may want shorter walks. But walking is still important. It not only provides good exercise, but a chance for mental stimulation as seeing/hearing and sniffing different things is great.

But be sure why your dog wants shorter walks. Don't assume it's inevitable. Make sure that there are no corns in the feet. Or there's not another health issue like arthritis. These things can be treated and managed!

Get your veterinary surgeon to check your dog, if he struggles to walk too far. If there is a reason such as arthritis then you can help with natural therapies. Or if your dog is just needing to take longer to warm up and get going. Then therapies can help too, as part of maintaining healthy muscles.

Natural Care Tip: Physiotherapy and massage are two great complementary therapies to help keep your dog mobile. These maybe useful as a regular (monthly or so) treatment to keep muscles and joints moving. And if there is arthritis then they can help too. Herbal remedies such as Aloe Vera and Devil's Claw can also help with arthritis.

You can also try holistic approaches, like buying a suitably sized "stroller" to take your dog out. These aren't a good idea for a whole walk, as your dog needs to get out and exercise his muscles/joints, and go to the toilet and sniff about. BUT they can help you manage to access the beach or "off road" where your dog can have better surface or more enjoyable walks.

Lastly, remember if you're concerned about your dog's health, then get proper qualified veterinary surgeon advice before trying any complementary therapy or supplement.

Find out more about dozens of natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore how complementary therapies can help your animal!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk. And also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals. Plus sells a large range of aloe vera healthcare for people and animals.

If you've any questions please email info at taranet.co.uk