tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68795762923618522422024-03-12T19:40:21.832-07:00Everdien from HiralabsEverdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-84285453798763561822011-04-18T16:47:00.000-07:002011-04-18T16:58:08.677-07:00General topics of Interest Magnesiun<strong>Magnesium:</strong> Good afternoon all, Our last newsletter a few days ago stimulated a flurry of questions, in particular the feeding of dolomite. The main queries being: <br /><ol><br /><li>Should I keep feeding dolomite if also using the Anti-Al MAG? </li><br /><li>What is the difference between forms magnesium? </li><br /><li>How do you calculate the magnesium content from those products? </li><br /><li>What is an ion and why is it easily absorbed? </li></ol><br /><p>Answers </p><br /><ol><br /><li>Yes keeping feeding dolomite In all, just 5.7% of dolomite is actually magnesium. This means a level tablespoon of dolomite will deliver just 1 gram of magnesium. Even then, its bio-availability is considered low. It is made up of about 80% calcium carbonate (of which, 23% is calcium), and 20% magnesium carbonate (of which 12% is magnesium) because it has calcium as well and that is as important as magnesium to maintain the correct ratios between the two. </li><br /><li>The following are crude forms that may be fed as supplements. • MgO Magnesium oxide has more magnesium but not easily absorbed• MgCO3, or dolomite not readily absorbed but does contain calcium• MgSO4 or Epsom salts the most easily absorbed but can cause scours. Lastly there is magnesium aspartate </li><br /><li>Horses require 13mg of elemental magnesium per kg of bodyweight per day. The way a horse absorbs magnesium is dependant on the pasture, its health, metabolic processes, its liver and the state of the cell walls ie the lipid layer which is maintained by essential fatty acids or omega oils. </li><br /><li>What is an ion? Put simply it is the magnesium element Mg+ with an electrical charge and that is the most easily absorbed form of magnesium ie directly through the intestinal wall into the blood stream. </li></ol><br /><p><strong>Why certain oils will help improve absorption of supplements and feeds?</strong> T</p><br /><p>There are two types of oils you can feed your horses. </p><br /><ol><br /><li>Omega oils (essential fatty acids) act on the inflammatory response and re-coat the cell wall with lipids to improve the exchange of nutrients and oxygen. </li><br /><li>Vegetable oils like rice bran or sunflower will help maintain condition, lower the GI and help with absorption via the liver. </li><br /><li></li></ol><br /><p>Finally if you have any things that would be topical for winter months you would like discussed let me know either by replying to this post or emailing me at <a href="mailto:info@hiralabs.co.nz">info@hiralabs.co.nz</a> and I will put something together.</p>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-12956467577295191232010-04-15T03:57:00.000-07:002010-04-15T04:17:30.554-07:00Kelp the Biologically Balanced Source of Minerals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk36V6rhKhfFbWoiB6f4mEcPKuFcNKQA2N1QOIC-smSTjJdF_-kvlitO9t1YmXzfsUMnP5YkjkZqjrAmHH9P0fN4NtZjc1FXQ7skPJodZQUn-2ht00mAh0qO2KI9pQhBMzoJCcS8MreSZ/s1600/Ascophyllum+nodosum+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460318703637818434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk36V6rhKhfFbWoiB6f4mEcPKuFcNKQA2N1QOIC-smSTjJdF_-kvlitO9t1YmXzfsUMnP5YkjkZqjrAmHH9P0fN4NtZjc1FXQ7skPJodZQUn-2ht00mAh0qO2KI9pQhBMzoJCcS8MreSZ/s320/Ascophyllum+nodosum+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>KELP, THE NATURAL MINERAL SUPPLEMENT<br />Kelp is a natural mineral supplement prized for its iodine content, for which can be used for thyroid problems in horses and is useful in addressing insulin resistance. Iodine is essential to normal thyroid function. It is used to increase the metabolic rate and strengthen connective tissues, keratin, collagen production ,including the hoof tissue and joints. It is also important for normal adrenal function. Kelp's iodine is absorbed much more slowly and therefore more safely, than chemical iodine<br />Kelp has also been used as a blood purifier and may be useful in the treatment of arthritis. It assists in these conditions by absorbing toxins from the bowel. It is especially effective at absorbing the metabolic products produced by yeasts making it an ideal supplement to help address the effects of mycotoxins.<br />It is the presence of a viscous fiber called algin which is responsible for absorbing these toxins from the digestive tract. This results in fewer toxins entering the circulatory system<br />Kelp contains mucilaginous compounds that enhance the detoxifying and eliminative functions of the digestive system. These compounds absorb toxins from the bowel and provide bulk to the stool.<br />Kelp is not only an excellent herbal source of calcium, magnesium, sodium and iodine, it also contains the full spectrum of biologically available minerals<br /><strong>Elements Present in Kelp.<br /></strong>Aluminum Antimony<br />Arsenic Barium<br />Beryllium Bismuth<br />Boron Cadmium<br />Cesium Calcium<br />Chromium Cobalt<br />Copper Iodine<br />Lithium Magnesium<br />Manganese Mercury<br />Molybdenum Nickel<br />Phosphorus Potassium<br />Rubidium Selenium<br />Silver Sodium<br />Strontium Sulphur<br />Thallium Tin<br />Uranium Vanadium<br />Zinc<br /><br />Go to our web site at <a href="http://www.hiralabs.co.nz/">http://www.hiralabs.co.nz/</a>for sources of natural kelp.</div><br /><div>Recommended daily dose for the average sized horse between 5 and 10 grams<br /><br />Warning: Do not exceed the recommended daily consumption<br /><br />Arsenic is quite high in kelp, but this is normal for seaweed and other seafoods. The<br />form in which the arsenic is in an organic form, which is non-toxic. It is the inorganic<br />form that is very toxic.. The US FDA have assumed 10% of the arsenic in kelp is inorganic.<br />Based on this figure then 70.2 g of kelp would have to be consumed to reach the<br />maximum tolerable daily intake (assuming a 450 kg horse). </div><div> </div><div>We sprinkle a few tablespoons of kelp into the worm farm to boost the levels of mineral in the leachate which we apply as a foliar spray to plants.</div>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-58119196435800170712010-04-11T03:01:00.000-07:002010-04-11T03:20:53.439-07:00Scours in Horses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdz07Pj8TMPPZ_Ul468g6qpTgKpZkDv2ehx9997wl9VZYLPkRI65HLo9IidW0bqot-qCnPPr0E4mdjuLDVQYFJIP7lqOaj5J1WOCiY9AG3z6S0xn3uYqgcSXN0JTITfxN4Gwwgznr0m_m/s1600/Agrimony.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458822300243377954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdz07Pj8TMPPZ_Ul468g6qpTgKpZkDv2ehx9997wl9VZYLPkRI65HLo9IidW0bqot-qCnPPr0E4mdjuLDVQYFJIP7lqOaj5J1WOCiY9AG3z6S0xn3uYqgcSXN0JTITfxN4Gwwgznr0m_m/s320/Agrimony.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Scours is a potentially life threatening condition sometimes caused by a bacterial infection like salmonella or possibly ulceration. Long term stress and the action of adrenaline can alter the pH of the stomach predisposing the horse to scours.<br /><br />The picture is of Agrinomy one of the most effective herbs to help with scours.</p><p><strong>Immediate Action:<br /></strong>Call the vet as soon as scours is suspected.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Administer Rescue Remedy every half hour</li><br /><li>Give 60ml of strained Chamomile tea given every half hour.</li><br /><li>Probiotics like natural yoghurt feed two tablespoons mixed with manuka honey Syringe into mouth x3 day.</li><br /><li>Give a small medicinal feed 3-4 x daily see recipe below.</li></ul><br /><p><strong>Alternative Preventative and Herbal Treatment.<br /></strong>Horses prone to scours should be kept on a diet that excludes excessive amounts of protein rich foods, lucerne and lush grass. It is advisable to mix your own feeds avoiding for a time premixed feeds.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Feed medicinal feed 2-3 x daily</li><br /><li>Administer Chamomile Calm 3ml daily</li><br /><li>feed 3-4 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds to bulk up stools and absorb excess fluid in the bowel.</li><br /><li>Routine feeding of liver and digestive stimulants. Hira Conditioning Feed Boost has liver stimulants and is a digestive aid.</li><br /><li>Ensure that the horse has healthy gut flora. This can be restored by providing acidophyllus powder and or probiotics. (this is very important)</li><br /><li>Every two weeks Echinacae extract 3ml daily week on week off<br /><strong></strong></li><br /><li><strong>Medicinal Feed recipe</strong><br />1scoop meadow chaff<br />1 cup boiled barley and linseeds<br />1 tablespoon dolomite<br />1 tablespoon bentonite ( a clay to bind stools)<br />1 tablespoon slippery elm<br />Fresh dandelion leaves<br />1 tablespoon of kelp (restores electrolytes)<br />I leaf of comfrey (discontinue after a week)<br />1 tsp of garlic granules or raw garlic (better)1 tablespoon of Agronomy leaves (this is astringent and will help firm </li></ul>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-40592641417694821742010-02-15T00:47:00.000-08:002010-02-15T01:29:46.325-08:00SHOW NERVES AND THE ROLE OF HERBAL CALMERS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gs6kmARsyqButFutdPZLPyZx2ifaJuKyEOyDQUs3MeHauJw0h9kug7iQ7915YTin3tl6k2uMNq2iHS1VMZq3CUngp5s1hbXCzreE0BRzNd67N_XcGTkcqrhr7_qFXjisyqXFvnDLy5_j/s1600-h/seda+horse+fade.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438396396464796114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gs6kmARsyqButFutdPZLPyZx2ifaJuKyEOyDQUs3MeHauJw0h9kug7iQ7915YTin3tl6k2uMNq2iHS1VMZq3CUngp5s1hbXCzreE0BRzNd67N_XcGTkcqrhr7_qFXjisyqXFvnDLy5_j/s320/seda+horse+fade.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>We have an increasing number of enqiries regarding horses experiencing competition nerves. So often it is a case of what is being fed between events that can be the over riding culprit causing the horse to react with explosive tension on the day. Often the rider will say the horse is quiet and biddable to home only to become a monster at shows. The high energy feeds you feed for the rest of the week are literally brewing a storm for that special day.What can happen is that your horse is being fed energy in excess to their daily requirement .This energy will be retained as glycogen to become the fuel that feeds a shy, buck, rear or bolt usually reserved for the show. The beginning of the show season is a stressful time for both horse and rider. While most horses improve as the season progresses there are calming programs that can help with this transition.<br /><br />What measures you can take to ensure that you are not contributing to your horse’s nervousness?</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Make sure the exercise regime matches the amount of energy in feed.</li><br /><li>Ensure that you are not feeding your horse mixes that have molasses, lucerne and corn in them. Molasses can act like a glucose fix.</li><br /><li>Ensure that the horse has plenty of roughage like meadow hay and oaten chaff. The cellulose in dry matter will provide the horse with slow release energy with out hotting him up.</li><li>Ensure that part of the calorie load consists of cold pressed oils. Make sure oils have not become transfats. These will only contribute to the destruction of essential calming neurotransmittors like dopamine. They also are implicated in cortisol overload.</li><br /><li>A blood test from you vet will indicate magnesium levels. Deficiency can lead to nervousness and excitability, muscle tremors and ill temper. </li><br /><li>Vitamin B1( thiamine) helps maintain a healthy nervous system. 2 tablespoons of brewers yeast daily will provide your horse with additional Vitamin B1</li><br /><li>Make sure the rider is not contributing to the horse’s level of anxiety by being nervous. some have found that valerian seems to help with show nerves. As yet riders are not being tested.</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Once all the above have been addresed and your horse is still difficult at shows a herbal calmer may be the answer.</p><br /><br /><p>We have a number of herbal calmers each working in a diferent way:</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Hira Equi-So Calm consists of mainly valerian. Be aware that it is swabbable. It is particulary useful when introducing your horse to a new experience especially first time showing where you may simply expose your horse to the show atmosphere thereby gradually desenstising it to strange sounds etc. It is the most effective of all the herbal sedatives by relaxing over contracted muscles and reduces nervous activity by inhibiting the stress response. It does not dull the horse’s responses so is quite safe to use when jumping.</li><br /><li>Hira Seda Horse consists of a range of plant extracts formulated to address the overproduction of cortisol, hypersensitivlity to stimulii and to help with first time show nerves. It can help with reactivity to grass sugars when magnesium does not appear to help. We have found that is helps with separation anxiety and horses struggling with a more advanced traing regime. A a long term training aid just 3ml daily will make the horse more receptive and calm. For show day around 10ml an hour before will be sufficient</li><br /><li>Chamomile Calm is a wonderfully gentle herb suitable for horses that tuck up and scour when upset and travel badly. 10ml of tincture half an hour before travelling seems to reduce nervous scouring. It is the herb to help with digestive type nerves</li></ul><p>If you have issues re nervousness with your horse do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or emialing us at <a href="mailto:info@hiralabs.co.nz">info@hiralabs.co.nz</a> </p>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-52610921815540857042010-01-06T01:39:00.000-08:002010-01-22T18:09:04.327-08:00Combating mico toxins at Grass Roots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO-La5qR8wRQPMrX998NIBIPbMRpwoCEaqTvCvSNycFKrjvdASG0EDsm4xUPROg1FBPfxkxF6S3JGcMxwD7VbSq8IO5nWqirMpqTeGK1ZHzvIOGHP5UDKbmabRVrBDGG-6m6MfsXapbpT/s1600-h/DSCF0872.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423566102533607570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO-La5qR8wRQPMrX998NIBIPbMRpwoCEaqTvCvSNycFKrjvdASG0EDsm4xUPROg1FBPfxkxF6S3JGcMxwD7VbSq8IO5nWqirMpqTeGK1ZHzvIOGHP5UDKbmabRVrBDGG-6m6MfsXapbpT/s320/DSCF0872.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />BENEFICIAL MICROBIOLGY CAN REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SPOOKY BEHAVIOUR BY ADDRESSING THE OVER BLOOM OF MYCOTOXINS<br />Ever wondered why our horses seem to reacting to pasture grasses, have a far higher incidence of staggers, cancers, headshaking syndrome, strange neurological disorders, resistant strains of mudfever, viruses etc. These all caused directly or indirectly by pathogens on our pastures. A pasture growing on a healthy soil will have the roots systems and the leaf surfaces covered with a mantle of beneficial micro-flora making it impossible for pathogens to get a foot hold. (photo of rich worm lechate that can be diluted and sprayed on to pasture)<br /><br /><strong>It is Really Quite Simple and Cost Effective<br /></strong>Microflora is a buzz word for a host of therapies some of which include yoghurts fortified with a range of beneficial bacteria, mouth washes to combat bad breath and so forth. The biggest market omission up till now is the soil, upon which our very existence depends<br /><br />Bringing the soil back to health and into balance is simple yet deceptively complex. In short increasing the level of microbiological activity in the soil will provide a host of benefits not least, the reduced need for fertilisers, irrigation and expensive drugs for our livestock.<br /><br /><strong>What is Soil Microbiology<br /></strong>Soil microbiology refers to the organisms that live in the soil and some of them are:<br />Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, mycorrhizal fungi, flagellates, ciliates, amoeba, mites. Lastly, while not strictly micro biology but non-the-less very important, the earth worm.<br /><br /><br /><strong>How we can Increase the Microbiology of our Soils?</strong><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>By increasing the humus content of our soil. by broadcasting a thin layer of compost to the pasture.</li><br /><li>Applying a <strong>biologically active compost tea</strong> to the pasture.</li><br /><li>By growing a green manure crop formulated to encourage the correct ratios of fungi to bacteria. </li><li>Aerating the subsoil will reduce compaction and thatching. This can be done mechanically with an aerator which injects a chemical oxygenator, compost tea, fulvic acid and humic acid some 600mm below the soil surface. </li><li>Thermo-composting (mcrobiological respiration and activity generate sufficient heat to kill weed seeds and pathogen) all collected horse manure, adding it to a bark chip pile and re-applying it to your pasture.</li><br /><li>By developing a worm farm(The Warehouse has good home worm farms) and spraying the mineral rich liquid onto your pasture. We add kelp granules to the worm farm to get a natural fertiliser. </li><br /><li>Spray worm leachate (photo above) over your pasture and vege plants. interstingly pests are not attracted to healthy foliage as it gives off an amine that detracts pests and pathogens. </li><li>This rich brown liquid is collected in the bottom chamber and consists of solubilized minerals, humic acid and some microbiology. This can be diluted and watered onto nursery plants, fruit trees, vegetable gardens or sprayed onto your paddock.<br /><br /><strong>The Benefits of Soil Microbiology </strong></li><li>Nutrients are retained in the soil because they do not leach out or volatilize from the soil. </li><li>bacteria exude a slime that ‘glues’ nitrogen compounds to the surface. </li><li>The beneficial microbiology over leaf surface will out-compete mycotoxins.</li><li>The microbiology cycles nutrients into the right form to the root system. </li><li>microbiology build soil structure so that oxygen, water and other nutrients can move deep into the soil which turn will increase root mass and depth. </li><li>With the increased root mass, there is a reduced requirement for water as the plant will access it from deeper levels. </li><li>Deeper rooting systems will improve animal health by reducing the need for mineral supplementation . </li><li>Beneficial micro-organisms are able to suppress disease causing organisms by out-competing the pathogens. </li><li>The microbiology is able to stabilise soil pH by actually holding onto the lime within the exudates of fungi and bacteria. </li><li>Micro-organisms are able to degrade toxic materials into safer compounds. Stallions coming from industrialised countries have poor rates of fertility due to agricultural and industrial toxins in their system. </li><li>A healthy soil will help ‘pull’ horse parasites and eggs below the soil surface as part of the nutrient cycle.<br /><strong></strong></li></ul><p><strong>How Modern Agriculture has Contributed to the Reduction in Microflora</strong></p><ul><li>By the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers. </li><li>Excessive use of some fertilisers which increase the salt index causing exosmosis. </li><li>Anthelmintics (chemical wormers ) that have gone through the horse’s digestive tract onto the pasture to kill beneficial nematodes, predatory mites to name a few. </li><li>The routine use of copper sulphate and copper as part of horse management which when is excreted onto pasture will kill micro-biology. </li><li>The use of heavy machinery to cultivate the land compacts the soil making it anaerobic. </li><li>By keeping our pastures ‘clean’ without the diversity of plant life. Horses do far better on well selected ‘weeds’ </li></ul><p><strong>What is Compost Tea?</strong><br />Put simply compost tea is to pasture what yogurt is to our digestive tract.<br />While compost is terrific stuff, compost tea is even better. In short compost tea is made by steeping compost in water, nutrients and oxygen. It's used as either a foliar spray or a soil drench.<br />The advantage of spraying this biologically active liquid on the leaves, that it helps suppress foliar diseases, increases the amount of nutrients available to the plant, and speeds the breakdown of toxins. Using compost tea has even been shown to increase the nutritional quality Why don’t insects and diseases ‘like’ healthy plants? Put simply a healthy plant puts out chemicals that make them unattractive to them but even better compost tea will help kill off the pathogens.<br /><br /><br /><strong>How a Biologically Active Tea can Reduce the Incidence of Mycotoxins Staggers, Mud Fever Staggers</strong><br />The disease is caused by the ingestion of a toxin produced by a fungus (or endophyte) in perennial ryegrass. The highest concentrations of toxin are in the leaf sheath and seed head.The toxin has a specific damaging effect on the cells in the cerebellum of the brain that coordinate movement. Beneficial microbiology will out-compete the fungi responsible for producing the toxin and immobilise its effect. And don't forget to increase magnesium supplementation!<br />Mud Fever<br />Is a bacterial infection caused by the pathogen actinomycete Dermatophilus congolens. Compost tea will help reduce its incidence and a horse grazing on a healthy pasture will have a good immune system.<br /><br /></p>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-70336925927671415552009-12-07T02:00:00.000-08:002009-12-07T02:12:29.116-08:00How Cortisol Produces so Much damageCortisol is the stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands.<br /><p><strong>How Cortisol Produces so Much Damage</strong></p><ol><li>It is so toxic it kills and injures brain cells by the billions through the free radical cascade.</li><li> Cortisol is released same time as adrenaline but stays longer giving the hippocampus a toxic bath.</li><li>It interferes with glucose supply (brain food for laying down memories and retrieving others.)</li><li>Interferes with function of neurotransmitters. Vital for to keep your horse calm and attentive.</li><li>Causes an influx of calcium which creates fee radicals leading to death of cells.</li><li>Cortisol depletes vitamin C and E stored in the adrenal glands</li><li>Triggers the release of neuro-petide Y causing the desire for carbohydrates. (an intersting fact for dieters) </li><li>Adrenaline constricts blood vessels, raises blood sugar temporarily.</li><li>Governs fat metabolism. (there is a correlation between stress and fat deposits around the midrif.</li><li>Magnesium is excreted when cortisol levels rise. This will affect the horse's behaviour.</li><li>It also has an antagonistic effect upon insulin production. </li><li>It will cause vasoconstriction and inhibit the conversion of T4 to T3 for thyroid function. </li><li>It shrinks and kills off hippocampus cells depleting emotional memory</li></ol><strong>How We can Protect our Horse from this Damage</strong><br />There are a number of herbs and nutrients that can act as tonics for the adrenalsEverdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-63062423393608714962009-12-07T01:33:00.000-08:002009-12-07T01:37:36.243-08:00More onI have had a bit of difficulty opening up a response further down. You are welcome to email us direct at <a href="mailto:info@hiralabs.co.nz">info@hiralabs.co.nz</a> .My next post will further explore the effect of stress on the horse and how it affects magnesium levels, the blood supply to the hoof and movement.Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-80858462963694647672009-11-24T12:36:00.000-08:002009-11-24T12:56:43.941-08:00HOW STRESS AFFECTS PERFORMANCE<br /><br />Stress occurs when the demand exceeds the ablity to perform . In horse terms, the horse becomes stressed when it is asked to do something beyond its mental and physical ability, . Horses with an good temprament, conformation and scopey movement will not be unduly stressed by ever increasing demands provided it is introduced to new levels progressively.<br />There is a threshold of stress for each that must not be exceeded for any horse and you the rider must be sensitve to that. Remember that dresssage is a highly disciplined sport of utter containment. You, the rider becomes the cognitive centre of the horse and that is a huge privilige and responsiblity. If you respect that threshold, the horse will respond by being more submissive and reward you with its full repertoire of movement(remember its cerebellum % is larger than ours) This is an opportunity for the ultimate partnership so lets respect that.Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-71980375003421397702009-11-24T01:52:00.000-08:002009-11-24T02:40:12.043-08:00<strong>THE STRESSED HORSE AND HOW THAT AFFECTS PERFORMANCE</strong><br />Written by Everdien van Eerten 24-11-09 Copy right© <br /><br />By now we are all aware of how stress can affect us, our mental performance, and general well-being but few of us are really aware of the fact that modern training and agricultural practices create stress in our horses . This will be the first of a number of articles I will write on how stress (excess cortisol ) affects the dressage horse in particular.<br />I will attempt to provide you with natural solutions to what I like to call an endrocinological onslaught caused by modern day practices. For further information, specific remedies and recipes contact us on <a href="mailto:hiralabs@clear.net.nz">hiralabs@clear.net.nz</a> or visit our web site <a href="http://www.hiralabs.co.nz/">www.hiralabs.co.nz</a><br /><br /><strong>Why are our Horses so Stressed?</strong><br />Our horses no longer live according to their natural state, browzing on a range of plants, covering many miles on a daily basis. On top of this our horses are:<br /><ul><li>Expected to perform beyond its natural limitations ie prolonged dressage training to aquire the desired outline and level of collection.</li><li>Provided a diet lacking in soluble and insoluble fibre, essential minerals and vitamins.</li><li>Exposed to modern farming practices, chemical toxins, allergens, bio-toxins.</li><li>Exposed to training methods that compromise the integrity of the muscles over topline leading to micro-inflammation, tension and a raising of the cortisol set point.</li><li>Beginning to show signs of a new phenomenon, hyperventilation, through stress which affects oxygen supply to muscles and bronchial tissue. </li><li>Demonstrating an ever increasing sensitivity to allergens, myco-toxins and infections.</li><li>Now moreprone to degenerative conditions that cause pain and an increase in the stress hormone production</li></ul><p><strong><em>All of the above and more conspire to create Cortisol overload.</em></strong><br /><br /><strong>Taining Methods and the Cortisol Connection</strong></p><p>Horse’s main memory centre, cerebellum, is primarily for movement and the memory is kinetic. Memories are visual, auditory and kinetic.<br />Ambiguous aids lead to confusion leads to minor cortisol rise, tension in horse and rider, this leads to a reaction, then increased aids, more stress and cortisol and so it goes on.<br />As the horse becomes more sensitive to stimuli real or imagined, the switch off point where the body tells the body nothing to fear fails to work at lower levels and the ‘set point’ is raised. This leads to arousal and the continual over production of cortisol.<br />This means shorter rest periods and triggers a reaction on smaller issues.<br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>The differences between human and Horse Brain<br /></strong>Our brains differ from the horse in that the cerebellum ( responsible for movement) in a horse is proportionally larger than the human brain where the neocortex(cognitive skills) is larger.</p><p>Here are a few intersting facts about the brain which apply to both man and beast alike</p><ol><li>The brain uses 25% of the blood pumped by heart. </li><li> The brain requires oxygen, glucose and nero-petides (We will cover those later.</li><li>The limbic system is the nexus between mind and body</li><li>Brain able to renew dendrites</li><li>Levels of DHEA and cortisol in direct inverse proportion. Low levels of DHEA high levels of cortisol</li><li> Alcohol deactivates the blood brain barrier allows entry of toxins to death of neurons and destroys myelin sheath.</li><li> 60% of the brain is fat. Hence the need to protect from lipid pre-oxidation.</li></ol><p>My next article will describe how cortisol affects the horse and rider and some simple things you can do, plant ingredients that will improve glucose utilisation, dopamine levels, etc.<br />.<br /> </p>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-17352534810449162982009-11-18T02:15:00.000-08:002009-12-07T02:21:28.557-08:00Herbs as Banned substances<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WIGFl3_ELFmFArN6FVIXLgCVNUBxyCk3Ujwh1KOTNM5iq3ohB2Jp0HaZRg5nTpnIDLeTNaOXWT49VU5zrMXsne3EuHiDCRb1iq2Lv4gOe0HVsnw7O0wEuK3ocOVKhaXNt35uQXNZUHCw/s1600/cleavers+2.BMP"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405389106223123874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WIGFl3_ELFmFArN6FVIXLgCVNUBxyCk3Ujwh1KOTNM5iq3ohB2Jp0HaZRg5nTpnIDLeTNaOXWT49VU5zrMXsne3EuHiDCRb1iq2Lv4gOe0HVsnw7O0wEuK3ocOVKhaXNt35uQXNZUHCw/s320/cleavers+2.BMP" border="0" /></a> Picture of cleavers a natural diuretic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbFZScW0T0PO9IAANFHqDrTUhchJQ_6OAWOeP3pV5Us5dix3bak4rddv_F-daZEafmNQinbz7j8Lo_h1VeRWKdQlHsCsg1vE16iSMEJ05x-qpehvCT50EhyphenhyphenXjstbEA-sYZBz_471qMBuj/s1600/Cleavers.gif"></a><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>HERBS AS BANNED SUBSTANCES</strong><br />Written by Everdien van Eerten 18-11-09 Copy right©<br /><br /><strong>HOW BASIC PLANT SCIENCE MAKES A MOCKERY OF THIS PRACTICE<br /></strong><br />So much speculation has been bandied about regarding which herbs are banned and which are not. While it is easy, simply to add a given herb to the ever-increasing list of banned substances, it is far harder to accurately test for a given metabolite. </p><p>Unless you have a degree in plant science, it is alomost impossible to isolate a phytochemical naturally found in the plant kingdom.<br />Let me put it in plain language. Firstly the plant kingdom consists of orders, families, genus, species, varieties and cultivars. Now within all those categories each plant has what is known as a phyto-chemical profile, somewhat similar to the botanical classification originally discovered by Linnaeus. So already you have made exponential combinations of not only plants but also their phyto-chemicals. To complicate matters further you will have similar phyto-chemicals not only between genus but also from genus to species of different groups.<br />OK lets look at Devil’s Claw, its main ingredients are: Beta sisterols, Iridoid Glycosides (harpogoside, harpagide, procumbine) Some of these names can be seen in the botanical classification but wait it gets better there is a very common herb that also has harpogosides as well, the very chemical that is the marker for devil’s claw.<br /><strong>WHAT IS REGARDED AS A BANNED SUBSTANCE?<br /></strong>Essentially anything that affects performance. In other words something that may provide one competitor an edge over another.<br /><br />I will list a few categories of prohibited physiological and behavioural effects and I am able to demonstrate that each one of these can be achieved using plant substances. They are as follows: </p><br /><ul><br /><li><strong>Bronchodilators</strong> ( a huge number of plants act as bronchodilators) </li><br /><li><strong>Vasodiltors</strong> Valerian is a highly effective one and yes it is able to be tested for but rosemary also contains valerinic acid so there is one example of a cross-over phtyo-chemical) </li><br /><li><strong>Sedatives</strong> We all know about valerian but there are a very large group of plant sedatives. We have one that directly affects the heart rate and is effective in case of hyperthyroidism. </li><br /><li><strong>Blood thinners</strong> Again a huge list of plants to include Garlic and omega oils </li><br /><li><strong>Ergogenics (performance enhancer delaying the onset of fatigue</strong>) Besides its well known immune effects, echinacae is an effective ergogneic becuas it increases red blood cell levels and oxygen delivery to muscle fibre.<br /></li><li><strong>Anti-inflammatories</strong> Devil’s Claw is one of many. Others in this list are white willow bark, yarrow, birch, meadowsweet.</li><br /><li><strong>Anti-histamines</strong> a naturally occurring plant with anti histamine effects is stinging nettle. Another little known secondary effect of chamomile is its anti histamine effect. </li><br /><li><strong>Behavioural modifiers</strong> One well known one is St John’s Wort. Which increases available serotonin. Now a banned substance. However the physiological effect remain in the system well after the metabolic evidence can be detected. There are herbs that act on the dopamine levels those responsible for fluid movement and still others that are anti-seratonic to combat the effects of headshaking syndrome. A newly burgeoning industry is capitalising on endocrine problems. </li><li><strong>Diuretics</strong> I will supply at the end of this article a handy tip for the day of the show to get an effective diuretic into your horse by simply adding a ‘green’ tea to your horse’s feed. It can be made at home and taken to the show in a thermos flask. This ‘tea’ is common field herb and one horses could ingest as a ‘contaminant’<br /><br />I have just skimmed the surface of a complex subject that is fraught with misinformation. What next, are we going to be told that we cannot allow ‘weedy contaminants ’ to grow in our pastures?<br /><br />Remember nature will only reveal her secrets to those who have pledged not to exploit her.<br /><br /></li></ul></div>Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6879576292361852242.post-44307874769108614222009-11-14T22:48:00.000-08:002009-11-17T01:20:53.463-08:00INTRODUCING US AT HIRALABSWe are researchers and manufacturers of herbal and natural products. Our main focus is the equine market with a special focus on the dressage end user. I post regularly on the New Zealand Horse Talk page and it has been suggested that I start a 'blog page' on natural remedies and to publish some of our previous articles as well as new ones.<br />I would welcome any requests for topics that I could write on ie: creating a pasture that will help combat the effects of mycotoxins in horses, what can be given to improve and soften the horse's topline, news on swabbable herbs etc.Everdien from Hira Labshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455323876891060193noreply@blogger.com2