Philosopher and historian Will Durant said, “Education is the progressive discovery of our own ignorance.” This is true in all aspects of life, especially horse care. Some of the most experienced horse owners, trainers, and breeders will tell you they still learn new things each day.

Keeping horses healthy, no matter what discipline, is a crucial goal for all horse owners. The owner’s responsibility is to look out for the horses’ health, whether they are pasture pets or national quality show horses. Holistic horse care encompasses nutritional therapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, magnetic therapy, herbal homeopathy and more, and can be a valuable asset to your equine health program.

Information about using natural methods to keep your horses healthy is available through an array of avenues. For the Internet savvy or not-so-Internet savvy, learning more about holistic horse care is within your grasp.

The Literature

Books to check out:

·      A Modern Horse Herbal by Hilary P. Self

·      Physical Therapy and Massage for the Horse: A Comprehensive Approach to Equine Kinesiology, by Jean-Marie Deniox

·      Healing Your Horse, by Meredith Snader, Howell Book House

·      The Natural Horse, by Jaime Jackson, Northland Press

·      The Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method, by Linda Tellington-Jones

·      A Healthy Horse the Natural Way: The Horse Owner’s Guide to Using Herbs, Massage, Homeopathy, and Other Natural Therapies, by Catherine Bird

·      Alternative Therapies for the Treatment of Livestock in Organic Certified Herds, by R.J. Holliday, DVM

·      Holistic Horsekeeping, Madalyn Ward, DVM

·      The Bahnm Dictionary of Holistic Horse Medicine and Management, by Keith Allison

·      The Holistic Management of Horses, by Keith Allison and Christopher Day

·      Homeopathy for My Horse: Holistic Help for the Most Common Ailments and Diseases, by Claudia Naujoks

·      Almost a Whisper: A Holistic Approach to Working With Your Horse, by Sam Powell and Lane Carter

This list isn't comprehensive, but it offers a good place to start. There are many other books available about holistic horse care. To find them, look at your local libraries or bookstores, or use an online site such as Amazon.com or Half.com, or a general search engine like Google or Yahoo.  Be sure to check the copyright dates on each book so you know you are getting current information.

Books, magazines and websites all offer endless storehouses of knowledge that can benefit you and your horse.  Holistic Horse is a quarterly magazine that offers informative articles and resources about holistic health care. Many articles are available online as well at www.holistichorse.com/dnn. This website also has places to ask experts questions and find more books or websites. The site even has podcasts, an e-newsletter, and a forum discussion board.

Another helpful website that is user-friendly is www.theholistichorse.com. This site features products for holistic horse care and information about those products. Also look into www.holistichorsekeeping.com, which also offers online forums, newsletters, and resources. Checking websites for updates is a great way to keep current on the latest holistic horse care.

Networking

A Chinese proverb says a single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study. In short, networking and face-to-face interactions with other horse enthusiasts and experts are the greatest resources on the planet. Businesses that offer holistic health care sometimes offer classes to expand your knowledge of horse health. Look in your local phone book or ask local horse clubs, feed stores, and veterinarians to find out about events in your area.  Keeping strong working relationships with your horse care providers also helps ensure a steady flow of knowledge.

For the Internet savvy, online chat rooms, conferences, and seminars offer places to discuss holistic horse care ideas and broaden your own network of horse affiliates. Many seminars, conventions, or workshops are listed in horse magazine classifieds, so keep your eyes open for one in your area that fits your interests. The websites previously mentioned for Holistic Horse and Holistic Horsekeeping offer forums with topics related to horse care. There, you can post questions and subscribe to newsletters to keep informed and updated. 

The community of local stables and clubs offers a chance to swap horse care secrets and tips. The benefits of such contacts are immeasurable and last far longer than a magazine subscription. Be sure to always take advice in stride and double-check with professionals to ensure your horse’s safety. Remember, education is a necessary part of horse ownership; enjoy the progressive discovery of your own ignorance.

Happy learning!