Angel selects for nutrition and gut issues

Angel, 3yr old RID filly from SMC Sporthorses

Equine Zoopharmacognosy Level 2 Hybrid Workshop
SMC Sporthorse Angel was one of our equine participants for the Level 2 Zoopharmacognosy workshop held recently in Sligo at our Whitethorn Clinic and online through Zoom. Angel is a 16.3" RID 3yr old Filly with a beautiful gentle temperament and was an absolute joy to work with! This particular workshop was the first of our hybrid workshops and on many levels it was very successful. Two wide angle cameras were set up in each stable so that attendees online could clearly view the session. They also had the ability to contribute with regards to suggestions of extracts to offer to Angel which they all did splendidly. Silke and Gemma (Onsite attendees coming from Galway and the UK respectively) worked with online participants Trish and Ruth to offer extracts to Angel.

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Kerstin, Team Whitethorn Vet assessing Angel prior to session

Angel's presenting symptoms
Kerstin, one of our Whitethorn Team Vets, carried out a pre session assessment and noted capped hocks and splints.  This could well be due to rapid growth although just to note that her owner is an experienced knowledgeable horse woman and her diet would be appropriate for her age and breed/type. Her owner also noted that she has very itchy skin and this was evident when Angel was stabled although she had no bare patches or broken skin.

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Silke offering Dandelion Root powder to Angel

Angel's selections on Day 1
Initially she was offered nutritional supplementation which she selected with gusto! Her favourites in the area of supplementation were Dandelion root powder, Seaweed (dried) and Rosehip shells. We often find that horses with itchy skin select extracts to support the gut and Angel was no exception. She selected Peppermint essential oil, herbs in the line of Marigold flowers, Liquorice root powder and cleavers dried herb. She took a significant amount of the herb cleavers which are rich in silica and cleanse the lymph as well as promote skin, hoof and hair condition. She also showed an interest in Arnica CO2 and Tobacco extract.  Interestingly enough, upon inhaling the Tobacco extracts, online attendees noted Angel have, what they described as a minor physical 'wobble' which they seemed to think was possibly of a neurological nature. 

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Angel selects Cleavers dried herb offered by Jai

Angel's selections on Day 2
On the 2nd day of the workshop she selected similarly in the line of supplementation but then went on to select Devil's claw root which is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. She was also reoffered Arnica (which she had selected on Saturday) but interest was much reduced initially. Again on the 2nd day she selected cleavers in similar amounts to the first day. She didn't seem to be overly interested in any emotional extracts and this can often be the case when horses are focusing on physical nutritional needs. However, at the end of Sunday session she presented her left rump for a topical application of Yarrow essential oil and Arnica CO2. A physio attending the workshop noted that her bilateral hamstring group of muscles were hypertrophied (bigger compared to the other muscles) and hypertoned (tight, holding tension) so the topical application of Arnica CO2 and Yarrow essential oil would certainly help with this issue.
​We would just like to say a big Thank You to all our attendees, Angel and all of Team Whitethorn for making this workshop possible!

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Medicinal herbs and essential oils were supplied by whitethornherbals.com  specialists in herbs for self-selection. Please note: aromatherapy oils are not appropriate for the equine self-selection approach

www.whitethornherbals.com

Molly selected for emotional and physical issues

​Coming up!
Look out for our next blog about Molly and her selections at the Level 2 workshop! She selected for physical and emotional issues from which the students took significant learning.