It doesn’t matter whether your horse is a top-performing athlete, a trail horse out on a weekend ride, or a Cushing’s horse whose coat hasn’t fully shed even though it’s summer, if your horse is sweating more than normal, his electrolyte balance could very well be affected, and supplementation is likely necessary.
Electrolytes Explained
Electrolytes include the minerals sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), and Calcium (Ca). In solid form, these minerals bond into salts (sodium chloride, for example), but when dissolved in water, they break down into individual ions which carry either a positive or negative charge.
The charges carried by electrolytes allow them to conduct electricity and assist in electrochemical processes in the body such as regulating heartbeat, muscle contraction, and even digestion. They also help to move fluids in and out of cells and aid in nutrient absorption. Without electrolytes, water cannot be properly retained and utilized by the body.
However, the key with electrolytes is balance. Horses naturally lose electrolytes through sweating, urine, and feces, but they gain them by consuming grass, hay, and/or feed. The exceptions are sodium and chloride, which should always be provided in the form of plain white salt (loose or in block form).
Hard-working horses who sweat for a prolonged period of time can have high levels of electrolyte losses, however. For these horses, supplementation is crucial. If electrolyte levels become unbalanced or depleted, cell function in the muscles, gut, and heart will slow or possibly shut down.
After a period of prolonged sweating, electrolytes should be supplemented for several days to make up for losses. If you plan to go on a weekend trail ride or horse show during hot weather, you can also start supplementing electrolytes several days in advance and then continue giving them throughout the event.
By the same token, not all horses need electrolyte supplementation. Horses living in cooler climates who don’t sweat regularly likely won’t. As stated above, balance is what’s most important!
Types of Electrolyte Supplements
One thing to keep in mind is that not all electrolyte supplements are created equal. Many contain sugar and other fillers, which aren’t desirable—especially for horses with insulin resistance, Cushing’s, or other metabolic conditions.
Peak Performance Nutrients, Inc. carries both paste and powder electrolytes which are made with high-quality, food-grade ingredients.
Our electrolytes contain:
• Concentrated chloride levels;
• Chelated minerals for improved absorption; and
• No sugar, fillers, dextrose, or sodium bicarbonate.
Bottom Line
It’s important to understand not only what electrolytes are, but which horses can benefit from supplementation. When choosing an electrolyte supplement for your horse, always look at the ingredients to ensure you’re getting a quality product which will provide minerals without the added sugar.
Turmeric Aid For Horses. You may have heard of turmeric (curcuma longa), a culinary spice often used to season Indian dishes. However, turmeric is also gaining popularity as a nutritional supplement for humans and animals alike. In truth, turmeric has been used medicinally for years in both ayurvedic and Chinese cultures, but it seems people in the West are just now catching on.
Many people take turmeric supplements for arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, and the purpose is very much the same when feeding turmeric to horses. Turmeric Aid For Horses
Additionally, Turmeric Aid For Horses has been shown to support:
Increased gastric wall mucus production, which helps protect and support normal stomach lining;
Healthy immune and respiratory system function;
Treatment of skin conditions.
When searching for a turmeric supplement, you may see it labeled as curcumin. This is the active ingredient in turmeric which gives the spice its bright yellow pigment and has also been associated with turmeric’s therapeutic effects. More specifically, curcumin is believed to contain antioxidant (neutralizing damaging free radicals), and anti-inflammatory properties.
Since performance horses commonly suffer from some degree of inflammation in the joints or soft tissue, turmeric may be a good option to support healthy cartilage, synovial fluid in the joints, and pain management.
You can find turmeric in bulk in most health food stores as well as many online locations, but unfortunately, turmeric, alone, has poor bioavailability. Another potential problem is that natural turmeric only contains about 3% curcumin, which is the component with the most health benefits. Turmeric Aid For Horses
There is some good news though: It’s been found that feeding Omega 3 fatty acids in conjunction with turmeric can dramatically increase its absorption, and adding piperine, an extract of black pepper, appears to further increase the bioavailability of curcumin. It’s believed that piperine affects certain digestive enzymes, allowing more time for the curcumin to be absorbed by the body.
At Peak Performance Nutrients, we carry a unique equine turmeric product called TumeriGOLD. This product uses a highly concentrated, extracted form of turmeric and includes Omega 3 fatty acids, as well as Bioperene® standardized piperine black pepper extract.
While other turmeric products often only provide 1% curcumin, fifteen grams of TumeriGOLD is all that’s needed to ensure your horse will receive the full, therapeutic benefits of curcumin.
Just like humans , horses as well has nutrition that keeps them calm. Supplements to calm your horse? While it may sound too good to be true, there are, indeed, certain nutrients which have been known to improve a horse’s “attitude”. We bring you Best Calming Supplements For Horses
Best Calming Supplements For Horses. However, before giving any type of calming supplement, it’s important to rule out other issues that could be negatively affecting your horse’s behavior. Ulcers, subtle lameness, or dental problems, among other things, could be to blame. Likewise, a horse working on an empty stomach is more likely to have behavioral issues—so ensure that forage is always offered before work.
But if other problems have been ruled out, a calming supplement may very well benefit your high-strung horse. Let’s take a look at some commonly used ingredients in Best Calming Supplements For Horses:
Magnesium Many horses are magnesium deficient and can benefit from supplementation. Magnesium is actually one of the most important nutrients needed by the body as it regulates over 325 enzymes and increases oxygen delivery to muscle tissue. Additionally, magnesium activates enzymes needed for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. This mineral is well-known for its ability to relax muscles and have an overall calming effect on horses.
B Vitamins B vitamins may also play an important role in reducing stress. Horses can generate the majority of their own B vitamins, which occur as micro-organisms in the hind gut, but there is some evidence showing that additional supplementation can benefit horses during high stress situations or extreme exertion, such as that experienced with endurance riding or racing.
Let’s take a look at some specific B-vitamins and their functions Of Best Calming Supplements For Horses:
Thiamine (B-1): Thiamine aids in transmitting nerve impulses. Feeding higher levels of this B vitamin is thought to have a calming effect on nervous horses.
Riboflavin (B-2): Like magnesium, this B vitamin is crucial for carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It also plays an important role in the function of the nervous system.
Niacin (B-3): B-3 is also essential for the metabolism of fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Additionally, it helps to increase blood flow in the extremities.
Pyridoxine (B-6): B-6 is essential for protein metabolism, energy production, and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
Folic Acid (B-9): Folic acid helps to produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, essential for a healthy circulatory system.
Herbs A number of herbs are also known to have calming properties, but the drawback is that they may have an over-tranquilizing effect, interact with other medications, or have possible unwanted side effects. Chamomile, valerian, black cohosh, ginger root, and passion flower are a few examples. Additionally, some herbs will show up on drug testing.
At Peak Performance Nutrients, we carry several calming supplements such as Ex Stress, an all-natural, herb-free formula which can help your horse handle the stress of travel and competition. This product is available as a powder, pellet, or event-day paste. Out of 30 calming supplements tested, Horse Journal picked Ex Stress as the overall best choice.
Best Calming Supplements For Horses, We also have two multi-use vitamin, mineral and amino acid formulas for race horses: Pro V.M. and Pro V.M. with EFA’s. These two products include magnesium as well as several B vitamins and may have a positive effect on behavior.
When it comes to Equine Horses, most people associate Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) with racehorses, but the condition can, in fact, occur with nearly any type of performance horse.
In Equine Horses EIPH occurs when blood vessels in the lung break as a result of intense exercise. Usually, only small blood vessels are involved. The blood enters the airways and moves up the trachea (windpipe), where in most cases, it’s swallowed and never seen. However, in a smaller number of cases, larger blood vessels rupture, and the amount of blood is too much for the horse to swallow. This causes blood to appear in the nostrils (epistaxis), and this form of EIPH is more serious.
Researchers believe EIPH may have a number of causes, ranging from increased blood pressure during exercise to respiratory disease or even heart problems in Equine Horses.
According to research, EIPH affects between 40-80% of all Equine Horses racehorses (though some sources say nearly all racehorses experience EIPH), 45% of barrel horses, 30% of polo ponies, and 13% of eventers. In most cases, the incidence and severity of EIPH increases with age.
While mild bleeding likely has little to no effect on performance, moderate to severe EIPH will negatively impact performance. Repeated episodes of EIPH cause scarring and irreversible damage to the lungs, so identifying and treating the condition early on is crucial.
Chinese Herbs for EIPH
Yunnan Paiyo is a blend of herbs which has long been used as a hemostatic and blood coagulating agent in both human and veterinary medicine. Clinical studies have shown Yunnan Paiyo to speed blood clotting and reduce inflammatory response.
Giant puffball is another herb (mushroom) known to have hemostatic effects and is particularly beneficial for oral or nasal bleeding. Urn orchid (bletilla striata) reduces swelling, decreases bleeding, and promotes new tissue formation. This herb is often used to treat chronic cough, tuberculosis, and bronchitis.
EIPH should never be taken lightly, and veterinary management is recommended. However, Chinese herbs can offer support for normal and healthy lung function in horses. Please consult your veterinarian before using any treatment for EIPH.
Azzalure is a mode of action when injected into the target muscle, Azzalure (botulinum toxin type A) binds to the presynaptic nerve endings, crosses the pre-synaptic nerve membrane and blocks release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This results in a reversible, inhibition of neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction of the injected muscles (1-5)
Azzalure Effect
After injection in the glabellar muscles (corrugators and procerus), moderate to severe glabellar wrinkles are reduced.
The median time to onset of response is 2 to 3 days following treatment. An optimal effect was demonstrated for up to 4 months after injection. Some patients were still responders at 5 months. The treatment interval depends on the individual patient’s response after assessment. Treatment interval should not be more frequent than every 3 months (6-10). RSO
Potential risks associated with the use of Azzalure ®
The nature of the potential adverse reactions is consistent with the pharmacological action of botulinum toxin type A and the injection procedure. It can include injection site reactions, headaches or clinically detectable effects in the muscles adjacent to the target muscles injected. Every effort should be made to avoid injection of excess botulinum toxin (i.e. overdosing) which can bind to sites outside the target area (11-14) or very rarely lead to remote effect of botulinum toxin A.
Knowledge of facial anatomy, training on the injection of botulinum toxin A in the glabella, consideration of the patient’s goal, examination of the patient’s facial mimics and wrinkles and the use of Azzalure ® according to the recommendations in the SmPC, i.e., for dose, product reconstitution and injection sites, will optimise treatment effect and safety. The most frequently occurring adverse reactions are headache and injection site reactions. In general, treatment/injection technique related reactions occur within the week following the injection and are transient.
This article focuses on parasites and puppies. Puppies are immature dogs, and the word “puppy” describes dogs from birth to sexual maturity, which is around 4 to 6 months of age. It varies depending on the breed. You may have heard the term “deworm” which is, basically, treating for parasites using drugs called anthelmintics. Given the term deworm, people seem to mainly think about worms, but a couple of other categories of parasites are worth mentioning.
Common Parasites That Affect Puppies
There are five main groups of parasites that commonly infect puppies:
Ascarids (roundworms)
Nematodes (hookworms, heartworms, whipworms)
Cestodes (tapeworms)
Coccidia (Isospora, Cryptosporidium)
Protozoa (Toxoplasma and Giardia)
Only a few of these parasites can be easily seen: tapeworms, whipworms and roundworms. The rest are microscopic, and they are identified in body fluids, primarily in the feces. So, if your puppy has diarrhea but you don’t see any “worms” that doesn’t mean parasites are not the cause! The most important being roundworms, hookworms, coccidia and tapeworms.
What Parasites Are Most Common In Puppies?
While parasites can infect dogs at any life stage, puppies are a concern because they don’t have a mature immune system, they don’t have a lot of fat stores to use for energy and they have higher fluid intake demands than adults. Because most of the common parasites cause inappetance, diarrhea and vomiting, loss of fluid is more harmful to puppies than adult dogs. Some parasites are spread to puppies through their mother via the placenta or through mother’s milk — roundworms are a key example of this. The following table gives you an idea of how common these parasites are:
So, in puppies, the greatest concern is infection with roundworms and hookworms because they are very common and cause serious illness. Tapeworms and whipworms, while sometimes found as frequently or more often, don’t cause as serious of disease in puppies.
Symptoms And More Of Specific Parasites
Diagnosis Of Worms And Other Parasites In Puppies
Some puppy parasites are large enough to see and can be found in the feces or on the areas around the anus. I would say the most common is the tapeworm. Tapeworms are made up of segments (proglottids) where their eggs are contained. They shed these segments in the stool, and many puppy owners see these segments in the stool, on their puppy’s fur or on the ground. They look like small maggots or cooked rice grains that move — YUCK!
Even if you see parasites in your puppy’s stool, a veterinarian should still examine him to determine exactly what is infecting your puppy. Choosing the treatment, knowing if the parasite is a danger to you, other pets or your family, and the need for environmental/home cleaning all depend on the type of parasite causing the infection.
Have you ever been asked by your veterinarian to “bring in a stool sample”? Well, that’s what we examine to search for parasite eggs and microscopic parasites. This is the most common method to diagnose roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and coccidia. Other parasites, namely whipworms and Toxoplasma, don’t shed their eggs routinely in the stool. There are other tests of the blood and serum for those parasites whose eggs are not readily found in feces; these are mostly used for Giardia.
Treating Worms And Other Parasites In Puppies
Many treatments are available for control of parasitic infections, and these come in many formulations: pills, chewable dog treats, liquid, granules added to dog food, pastes and injections. The benzimidazoles are most popular and include drugs like fenbendazole, mebendazole and albendazole. This class of anthelmintics (anti-parasite drugs) are used to treat roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. A typical treatment protocol would be to give the product for one to three days and then repeat the dosing in two to three weeks. The repeat dosing is used to kill the parasites that were not adults (eggs, larvae) during the first treatment but have now “grown up.” Most life cycles of puppy parasites are around three weeks long.
ther parasite treatments include praziquantel, used for flukes and tapeworms; pyrantel pamoate for roundworms and other nematodes; and macrocyclic lactones like ivermectin and milbemycin found in heartworm preventives. So, by using most monthly heartworm preventives, you can also treat for intestinal parasites.
Side Effects Of Deworming Puppies
For the most part, the major classes of anti-parasite drugs (avermectins/benzimadizoles) have a very high margin of safety, meaning that giving too much will rarely cause problems. That being said, always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for deworming.
Puppies with a large number of parasites (high worm burden) may become ill after treatment. Imagine all of the parasites in the intestines all dying at once, the lining of the intestines become inflamed, causing diarrhea, vomiting and lack of appetite. This is usually a self-limiting problem, and puppies are back to normal within a day or so.
Use of heartworm preventive in higher doses (ivermectin) is very effective against most parasites; however, some breeds cannot tolerate the higher dose. This relates to a mutation in a gene called MDR-1, which codes for proteins that protect the brain (blood-brain barrier). When dogs with MDR-1 mutation get drugs like ivermectin, opiates (morphine-like painkillers) and chemotherapy, they can have serious problems like lapsing into a coma, tremors and death.
Prevention: Puppy Worming Schedule And The Environment
Using many of the same drugs for treating parasitic infections will also prevent them. Current recommendations from the CDC and the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists are to provide deworming medications against roundworms and hookworms at 2 weeks of age, repeating the dewormer every 2 weeks until the pups are 2 months old. Ideally, treat monthly from 2 months to 6 months of age to eliminate different developing stages of the intestinal parasites. Puppies should be dewormed using the above protocol despite fecal exam results.
Puppies may have prepatent infections with minimal to no parasite eggs being shed in their feces.
Pregnant dogs should also be treated to try to prevent transplacental infection to the fetal pups and to prevent transmission through nursing. Your veterinarian will provide a plan for you, because there are a few regimens available. Housing conditions and location are important factors related to parasitic infection. Puppies housed together, with frequent exposure to new dogs and puppies, are more likely to become infected. Unclean conditions, exposure to other animals’ feces, and transmission from other creatures — like fleas, mosquitoes and cockroaches — increase the chance of infection, too.
Natural Dewormers
As with any medical product, there are persons who search for more “natural” ingredients. The problem is that there is little scientific data proving or disproving their effectiveness. Many products have multiple ingredients like sage leaf, fennel seed and papaya leaf. Although individual ingredients can have some degree of anti-parasite activity, the exact dose and combination needed to kill and prevent parasites is largely unknown to the scientific community.
Some naturalistic and holistic health care providers recommend products like diatomaceous earth and garlic to prevent parasites from infecting the GI tract. I could find little peer-reviewed, scientific information on whether that combination truly is effective in puppies. However, there was one paper in the journal Veterinary Parasitology that stated garlic and papaya do not control parasites in goats and lambs.
In my opinion, because the more modern dewormers (fenbendazole, praziquantel, pyrantel) are so safe, proven and relatively inexpensive, there is no need to experiment with herbs and plants on your puppy to treat his or her worms.
Puppy Parasite Danger To Humans
Not only do many of these parasites cause illness in puppies, but some can infect people and other species like cats. Contagious agents that infect multiple species and spread from animals to humans are called “zoonotic.” Hookworms and roundworms can invade broken skin, causing “larva migrans,” which are parasites that migrate through an unsuitable host. Parasites need their hosts to not only get food, but also to complete their life cycle and reproduce.
When puppy parasites like hookworms, roundworms and Toxoplasma infect people, those parasites cannot complete their life cycle. However, they will cause problems! For example, say you are playing catch in the dog park and bend down to tie your shoelace. Then you wipe your brow, unsuspectingly infecting your eye with a dog roundworm. Well, that worm can cause ocular larva migrans. It will actually grow and move around inside your eye, and could cause blindness. Visceral migrans occurs when roundworms migrate through the inside of the abdomen, causing damage to internal organs. Canine roundworms are the leading cause of visceral and ocular larva migrans. Hookworms cause cutaneous larva migrans; they penetrate the skin and live under the surface, creating red, irritated marks. I tell my kids that they are never to run around a sandbox or playground without their shoes on because stray dogs and cats frequent those areas to find food from trash bins. It’s likely that they’ll also urinate and defecate in those same areas, infecting the ground with parasites.
If you have children, then you’ve probably heard about toxoplasmosis, which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a very common parasite found in cats. Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects and death of the fetus, in dogs and in humans. This protozoan needs a feline host and most cats never become ill from it. They shed Toxoplasma oocysts in their feces. This parasite is not a major problem for puppies.
Coccidia and Giardia are also zoonotic and many dogs will have a few of these parasites but not have illness associated with them. Some experts believe that all dogs have coccidia and Giardia as commensal organisms, like the bacteria that live in your mouth. Most recommend only treating for these parasites if symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and such are present.
Cryptosporidium is a major problem in cows and other ruminants. Dogs are rarely affected, but puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems can get sick, typically with vomiting and diarrhea. Luckily the strain that infects cows and people rarely is found in puppies. That strain led to a major outbreak of illness in Milwaukee back in 1993. It was the largest waterborne outbreak of disease in U.S. history!
In The Know About Parasites In Puppies
I hope that you now have plenty of information about parasites affecting puppies. Remember, all puppies should be treated from 2 weeks of age to 8 weeks of age, minimum. Products like fenbendazole are very safe and effective. Many parasites that your puppy may have can infect you and your family, like roundworms and hookworms. Please speak to your family veterinarian about parasite control and stay away from “Dr. Google,” where you’ll find thousands of testimonials on how a homemade brew of herbs and such cured a puppy’s whipworm infection.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is best known for decreasing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and reducing chronic pain. But recent research shows there may be a link between CBD oil and weight loss.
How to use: Take 2 full droppers (1 milliliter, or mL) up to 2 times per day.
A regular exercise routine is a significant part of losing weight. To keep the momentum going, you may need help with recovery. In addition to relieving stress and improving focus, CBD oil may help you recover from exercise-induced inflammation, helping you return to physical activity.
With 17 milligrams (mg) of plant-based CBD per 1-mL serving, this gluten-free, non-GMO oil also contains a variety of beneficial compounds, including phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids.
Choose from lemon twist, organic blossom, olive oil, and mint chocolate flavors, and opt for a 30-mL or 100-mL bottle. Charlotte’s Web is a little on the pricey side, but they do offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Sputolysin® Poeder 420g is a secretolytic for use in respiratory disease in horses. Efficacy has been demonstrated in lung function tests. Clinical use and pharmacological studies in laboratory animals established the following mechanisms of action: 1) pronounced expectorant effects 2) secondary anti-tussive action 3) an increase in the anti-atelectase factor which compensates for decreases in lung surfactant (lowered surface tension in the alveolar region caused by stress and disease) 4) increased lung compliance
Remember, it’s just 15 minutes so you want to give it everything that you’ve got.SEE THE WORKOUT IN ACTION https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmlunLdw5Nk?rel=0
ADDING MORE RESISTANCE FOR BIGGER GLUTES & THICKER THIGHS
Here’s what will happen.
After a while your muscles will become accustomed to your bodyweight therefore, you will hit a plateau.
This simply means the muscles are getting stronger and they need heavier weights to break down and grow bigger.
So here’s what you can do.
For the following workouts you can add a 20-30 lb dumbbell for extra resistance.
Double squat twist
Kneel to jump squats
Remember, you’re trying to achieve that slim thick body and a big component of that look is having thicker thighs with bigger glutes.
So don’t be afraid to add a dumbbell, that’s how you will break the plateau and enter a new stage of growth.
Another thing you should remember is that muscles DO NOT recognize weight and they don’t care what exercises you do!
Your body can’t tell if you’re doing a lunges or a squat.
A few decades ago, Dubai was nothing but a fishing and pearling town along the creek. Life was tough in this harsh desert. They reared sheep and goats for food and wool. Wool was a necessity during winters. They used falcons for hunting and horses for wars. But above all, one animal became an integral part of their daily life. If not for these beasts, it would have been impossible for them to survive the desert. I am talking about the camel — the ship of the desert.
There are two predominant theories as to why they are called the ‘ship of the desert’. One theory suggests that it was because of the way they walked, swaying side to side like a ship on a tumultuous sea. According to the other, it was because of the incredible ability of these animals to traverse the desert with so much weight on their back.
Camels and Arab heritage
Camels were a prized possession of Arabs. They took pride in the number of camels they owned. Camels were expensive and served as a source of wool, food, and transportation. In the past, the Agals (the black ring that Arabs wear on top of their headdresses) were made of camel wool. Look at the volumes of poems they penned about Camels to really understand the love Arabs have for camels. When Arabs liked something a lot, it was in their nature to versify their love. Poetry ran in their blood. They called their camels like they would call one another.
Even today, as modern technology has taken over much of Dubai, they still love their camels. Numerous camel farms across the country are evidence of this. You won’t see camels anymore in metropolitan Dubai except as tourist attractions. They are mostly found on farms on the outskirts of the city. But some Bedouin families have their own camels even to this day.
