Updates from Margaret Parsons

Chicken, Turkey, AND Duck

  • Margaret Parsons
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Originally posted Fall 2019

 If you follow my Facebook page you may have seen the Live video I did a couple of weeks ago when I  talked about my dog, Ardy's, allergies. I've suspected allergies with  Ardy for a long time. We have changed his food so many times that I was starting to wonder if 1) I was totally wrong or 2) he was allergic to something in our house and not his food. 


 

For most of Ardy's life, he has experienced periods in which his ears would swell a little, produce mass amounts of ear wax (very stinky ear wax), and he would scratch his poor ears until they would bleed, scab over, and lose his hair. I would apply an ointment and he would heal.  Most recently, the  ointment stopped working and the scratching was happening to more than just his ears. I had reached my breaking point  (thankfully, right before Ardy reached his). I called a local holistic vet and requested an appointment. We had to wait for a cancellation to be able to get in before 2020.

Ardy got a much-needed chiropractic adjustment and we found out which of his body systems need the most support. In addition, we found out that his body contains high levels of aluminum and formaldehyde (he was over-vaccinated as a puppy).  Finally, he was allergy tested for A LOT of stuff. It was determined that Ardy is sensitive to grains and seriously allergic to poultry....  guess what food I had been feeding Ardy? Yup... Chicken, Turkey, AND  Duck all in one food.

Although the vet put together a  personalized supplement list, I wasn't prepared for the complete sticker shock of the appointment and then the supplements on top of it. 

I'm glad I couldn't just buy everything then and there. As much as I wanted to do whatever necessary to get Ardy healthy, I didn't have time to do my own research. I did, however, immediately and completely change Ardy's food to a pork-based, grain-free kibble.

I  needed more time to research the other things the vet had recommended-  including a raw diet. It seems super overwhelming to feed my dog raw when I, in fact, have three dogs and I struggle to keep my daughter and husband eating healthy, balanced meals.

When I started researching the supplements the vet recommended and liver detoxing for dogs, I realized that  I already owned quite a few things that would assist Ardy on his journey to recovery. 

So...  once we changed his food I did my best to keep his ears covered in ointment to help the outer skin heal. Two weeks later, and with no other interventions, his skin was healed, but still hairless.  He was great for his chiropractic to follow up, but he seemed itchy again. I  honestly assumed he had just gotten into the other dog's food or the cat food since both have chicken. The day after his follow up appointment (of course) I noticed his right ear (the one that had plagued him the most) was really bothering him and it was actually draining (but not really stinky- thank goodness!).


We were so close to healing! I was definitely disappointed that we had another issue. I mixed up a concoction to try to relieve his discomfort. I soaked a cotton ball in the mixture and then squeezed out the excess liquid. Then I  placed in the opening of his ear, put the flap down and gently massaged the outer base of his ear (this technique was suggested by a vet tech).  That first night, I started him on two of the supplements I had on hand- one to support his immune system and the other a mineral supplement. The next day, I  repeated the concoction and cotton ball routine and fed Ardy one probiotic capsule with breakfast and one with dinner. 



As of this writing, we are five days out from the right ear issues resurfacing and I am happy to report that  Ardy is growing hair on his ears again and they don't appear to bother him. I am continuing the probiotic and minerals for regular supplementation.

In addition, I recently acquired an iTovi scanner. Ardy's first scan revealed that his body would respond well to some essential oils  that I have been incorporating as well.


Want to learn more about the iTovi scanner? Check it out here. I offer scans for people local to me for $10 or you can save money on your own scanner by using this link.

Want to learn the details about what we have done for Ardy? It certainly hasn't been an easy road- you can join my facebook group to hear more about it 😉


Biomechanics: Why every rider should understand the basics

Biomechanics: Why every rider should understand the basics

I remember barely touching on the subject of biomechanics when I was growing up. Luckily, the way I was trained to ride already took biomechanics into consideration. However, there is something to be said about having a personal understanding of biomechanics and the ramifications of not riding/ training in accordance to the natural biomechanics of the horse.


When I really started to explore the topic of biomechanics, I slowly began to realize that there were horses in my past that I did wrong simply by not understanding their biomechanics. I had horses that would consistently knock poles in show jumping or refuse a lead in our dressage tests. I also had horses that would not quit tossing the head! UGH! It was all so frustrating at the time… and each of those horses were rehomed so I could get a horse that wasn’t quite so difficult. 


If only I knew then what I know now... 


Biomechanics is the study of structure, function, and motion of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the horse.


Did you know the following injuries and shortcomings of the horse are directly caused by improper riding/ training techniques?:

Over-reaching, knocking poles, failure to pick up a lead, hunter's bump (aka- rotated sacrum), and head tossing.

In addition to these common issues, improper riding/ training that doesn't consider proper biomechanics causes the horse to tense in certain areas which will lead to 1) pain; 2) overuse of some muscle groups and underuse of others, and 3) higher risk for injury.


There are definitely other contributing factors to consider besides riding and training methods. For example, how your horse’s feet are shod can directly influence the way your horse moves. This also means that changing the way your horse is shod will directly impact your ride. 


By understanding the structure and function of all of your horse's moving pieces, you will be able to get out of their way. Your horse will be able to reach their highest potential and you can worry a little less about a potential injury.


It is important to note that when you find that your horse’s biomechanics have been impeded in some way, they will most likely be sore or even dead lame, depending on how long it took you to discover the problem. In this case, you will need a good CESMT that is familiar with the causes of pain and biomechanics. If you aren’t in my working radius, you will find a highly qualified CESMT here.


I would love to invite you to join me in my Naturally Minded Horse Lovers community on Facebook where we talk more in-depth about biomechanics and other natural ways to support your horse 😀

Ulcers in Horses: Signs, Effects, and Natural Solutions

Ulcers in Horses: Signs, Effects, and Natural Solutions
Ulcers seem to be more common now than they were, say, 15 years ago,  but I would wager that we just didn't know what we were dealing with then. Ulcers are erosions of the stomach lining and they are usually painful.

Signs of ulcers can include reduced/ poor appetite, weight loss, dull skin and hair coat, attitude/behavior changes (especially when saddled), colic, reluctance to work, and impaired performance.

If you can see some of these signs in your horse, it may be wise to get a diagnosis. There are a  couple of good ways to do that. First, you can have your vet run a  gastroscopy (AKA "scope") down the horse's throat and to the stomach to literally see if there are ulcers in the stomach. It is possible to have ulcers in the hindgut though and those will not be visible with the "scope."


 
Another way to diagnose ulcers is with acupressure. This may be something that your vet can do or your CESMT (like me) or another natural health provider could be capable as well. You can check this link to get an idea of what this diagnosis technique involves.

Once  you have determined that your horse is suffering from ulcers, or at  risk for developing them, you have some changes to make. Ulcers have been determined to be caused by high-stress levels, seriously restricted grazing/ pasture time, and diets high in carbs.

First of all, it isn't always possible to completely eliminate our horse's  stress- especially if they are highly competitive athletes that travel frequently. One thing you can do that will benefit your ulcer prone horse is to make sure they get plenty of turn out time. Horses are NOT meant to be stuck in a stall for hours at a time. They were built to be grazing freely and moving constantly throughout the day. Wild horses usually only rest for short periods in between grazing. Not only does the consistent grazing keep their digestive system moving (keeping natural buffers for the stomach lining healthy and strong), but it also plays a role in their circulation.  It may not always be possible to provide extended turn out time even though it is ideal. If that is the case, the best thing you can do for your horse is to make sure that they don't go long without forage. 
In addition to pasture time, changing how and what you feed can also help reduce your horses'  stress level and improve their stomach health. The one thing that always seems to surprise people is to NOT feed your horses on a strict schedule. 

This may seem counter-intuitive, but when your horses are used  to being fed at the EXACT same time EVERY day, they experience extreme stress if you are late. In fact, you may have already noticed your horses standing at their gates and calling out to you and pawing the  ground as they catch sight of you coming out to feed. Though it can seem cute to have them calling out to you, it is a stress response. If you are more flexible in your feed times you will find that your horses are still out in the field when you come out to feed and while some may run to their feeders, you will find others will calmly and casually make their way in. This also helps when there is something that prevents you from feeding "on time." None of your horses' will be panicking that you aren't there to feed them- they will not think twice if you are an hour later than usual.

One of the biggest contributors to ulcers is poor quality, high carb foods. Concentrates or grains are generally high carb and your horse's digestive system was not made to process them in high quantities. Again, if the horse is an athlete or a  "work" horse, it may not seem possible to completely eliminate grains from your horses' diet. There are foods that you can incorporate to nurture the stomach and also, replace some of the grains your horse is consuming. First, alfalfa hay provides natural buffers for the stomach lining. Remember to avoid long periods without forage- going more than 6  hours in between meals has been shown to increase the prevalence of  ulcers. Second, you can feed high-fat foods (think stabilized rice bran, raw pumpkin seeds, and flaxseed oil)  to replace the carbs for energy and also protect the stomach lining. You can also feed raw cabbage and aloe vera juice to support a healthy digestive system in your horses. Third, make sure your horse ALWAYS has access to clean, fresh water (easy enough 😉). 

Finally, if you use straw as bedding, you may need to reconsider- if your horse eats a sizable about of straw, they are adding  to the formation of ulcers.

To recap- give your horse as much pasture time as possible. Make sure they always have water.  Don't let them go long without forage- the more quality forage they get the less grain they will need. Supplement when necessary and add some flexibility to your feeding schedule.

Keep your vet in  the loop as you treat your horse for ulcers- you may need help or more detailed guidance depending on the severity of the ulcers and the goal is to have happy, healthy horses- two heads are better than one 😀 

Interested in more information like this? Join my Happy Horse, Happy Life community on Facebook!

Mother's Day- a Mother Worth Honoring

  • Margaret Parsons
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Originally Published In May of 2017.

     Every mother deserves to be honored. It really doesn't matter what she has or hasn't done. Being a mother is not easy and honestly, the longer I am a mother, the more I learn about the complications that come along with motherhood. Especially when it comes to what and how much of life a mother shares with her child.

     In the last year, I have learned a lot from my mother about what her life was really like when I was a kid. I have been blessed to discover so much of what she was dealing with when I was growing up and how it has shaped me as a mother. It should be no surprise to my mother that I have the deepest respect and appreciation for the sacrifices that she made to protect me from as many hurts as possible and also the support she gave me that allowed me to form and chase my passions. I could not ask for anything more from my mother. And that is not because we had an easy life and a fantastic relationship. It is because she instilled in me a  confidence that gave me the frame of mind that I knew I was and am capable of ANYTHING that I wish to pursue. I watched her struggle and was never quite grateful enough for everything she was going through to give me what I wanted- and she was patient enough and strong enough to endure my ungrateful attitudes because she knew that my world view didn't include all of the things she was constantly doing for me.

     Mother's Day is not just a day that I celebrate my mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and several other human mothers in my life. There is also a  special horse named Rompaway Ocala, that I think of every Mother's Day.

     Several years ago, in typical spring fashion at our family's Standardbred racing farm, we were prepping for foaling. Ocala was in her late teens and due any day. She was extremely healthy and really did not show her age at all. As usual, there was an air of excitement and a divvying up of foal watch duty. 
I received an early morning text that Ocala had foaled in the night and that my sister needed to be relieved of duty since she had been up all night with mom and baby. I was excited to get to the barn and to share such an exciting and beautiful surprise with my young daughter. When we arrived, we found a very beautiful baby and a very healthy mare. However, I also learned that the foal had not successfully stood on its own yet- and after being in this world for several hours, this was not good news. 

     My sister spent her evening milking the mare and feeding the foal, but something was wrong because the milk just came out of his poor little nose. I relieved my sister and took over trying to love life right into that foal. The vet came and went, doing everything he could to no avail.  Everyone spent the day brainstorming and trying to help our new little colt stand and eat. Nothing we did helped. Ocala remained calm and let us help and work with her and baby into the afternoon.

      Eventually, our tiny friend's body began to fail him. Within 24 hours of birth, he died. To say we were crushed and heartbroken doesn't seem to convey the magnitude of our dismay. My step-father and his friend (and fellow trainer/breeder) took the tractor out to the field to dig a small grave and Ocala continued to smell and nuzzle her baby's body. She was actually very calm considering. However, when the men came back to retrieve the foal, her real mom feelings began to show.

     I  will never forget the panic in her eyes as her colt was removed from her stall and she began to spin in circles and attempted to find a way out of the barn to her baby. Her screams are forever seared into my mind. I felt for her, from mother to mother.

     Just a short time after we finished filling in the hole and I had explained to my daughter what had happened and why Ocala was so upset, we received a call from another breeder in the state that she had lost her mare shortly after she had delivered a strong and healthy foal. They were desperately searching for a mare that would be able to nurse this foal in order to not lose him too. In an effort to save the foal we loaded Ocala up within an hour or two of her loss for a several hour ship to the other farm where a new foal was scared, alone and hungry. 

     This was a risk. Not all mares will just allow another mare's foal to nurse from her and some will even attack another mare's foal. Ocala, however, is a mother through and through.  Without hesitation, Ocala put aside her pain and loss and took in the orphaned foal as her own. This was such a relief and honestly, it is still awe-inspiring. Ocala demonstrated exactly what it is to be a mother- self-sacrificing and radiating unconditional love. I'm not sure I, or anyone I know, could have done what Ocala did at all, let alone with so much grace.



I  am happy to report that Rompaway Ocala is now completely retired and enjoying life in a very green pasture- she has raised her many children well.

Rescued and Stressed

  • Margaret Parsons
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I started learning about essential oils to find out what they could do for my physical body and that of my husband and daughters. What I found was that essential oils are very powerful and can impact emotions as well as the physical body AND they can be used safely with my dogs, cats, and horses!! That's HUGE! The day after my Young Living Everyday Oils Starter kit arrived at my house, I brought home a 6-month-old lab-pitt mix puppy. His former family loved him but had recently received a serious medical diagnosis that would make it impossible to give our sweet pup (Ardy) an adequate home. When we arrived home, my oils were still spread out on the coffee table. Ardy was obviously stressed- he had just been picked up by a stranger and brought to a totally new place. I took him off the leash to let him explore and he quickly made his way to the coffee table. His little nose was basically attached to the bottle of Stress-Away essential oil on the edge of the table. He plopped right down and continued to deep breathe it- cap still on the bottle. Stress-Away, Peace and Calming, Valor (all 3 are in the Oils Starter Kit), and Trauma Life essential oils (and several others) are FANTASTIC for people and animals whether they are a little stressed or are feeling anxious. Another fabulous option is the CBD Calm Roller. I can't promise you that if you use these you (or your pet) will be cured of anxiety (so much plays into this!), but I can say that you will FEEL better 😉 When using oils with your dogs, remember that they are intelligent beings and they know what they like and don't like. Trust their instincts. Offer an oil before applying it to them- if they run away- that's a HARD NO 😂 

Wearing an oil yourself or diffusing it is a great way to see if your dog likes it. REMEMBER that when you are diffusing around animals they need to have the option to leave the area with the diffuser and switch up what oils you diffuse regularly. Dogs and cats do not metabolize oils the same way that we do. For more info on cats and oils, check out this post by Lindsey Elmore: https://lindseyelmore.com/essential-oils-and-cats-are-they-all-doomed/     I personally choose not to apply oils to my cats, but they LOVE the diffuser (most of the time) and will nap right next to it when it's on. 

We have "rescued" all three of our dogs from circumstances that were less than favorable and they have all come with their own needs and issues. Our oldest, Maggie (17 next month!!) loves Frankincense and other oils that offer her old body comfort. Our middle pup, Domino, has struggled with separation anxiety and still has bad days. Ardy has also struggled with separation anxiety. One of the best things I did for the boys is make a spray to apply to the beds before we leave. The spray is in a 2-ounce bottle half water and witch hazel (alcohol-free) and about 25 drops of Trauma Life essential oil. Something else to consider is how you may be unknowingly encouraging anxious behavior. Here is an article that really helped us when we first encountered separation anxiety: https://www.cesarsway.com/dealing-with-dog-separation-anxiety/  Good Luck ♥️

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Meet Margaret

 

I've worked with and studied horses for the majority of my life. I have seen my fair share of injuries and lameness. I've had horses that were trained and some that we broke to ride ourselves.

Through this, there were horses that didn't heal as fast or as thoroughly as I'd hoped. There were also horses that had chronic behavioral issues and/ or were difficult to train. At that time, I believed that was the end of the road with those horses- they had reached their highest potential and it wasn't enough for my ambitions.

Sometime in 2017, I came across a Facebook post that showed before and after massage photos and told the story of a horse that had been struggling to pick up his left lead and was constantly knocking poles in the show jumping ring. After several massages, there were no more pole knocks or problems picking up canter leads. That had my attention. I followed the page that made that post for a little over a year before I finally took the plunge and signed up for the equine massage certification program through Midwest Natural Healing for Animals.

Watching/ following that Facebook page inspired me. I wanted to be able to just look at a horse and KNOW what problems they may be dealing with and how to fix the root CAUSE. I can confidently say that I have learned all of that and more.

I find joy in the relief and release that I provide to horses from all disciplines- I find that helping the horse physically creates a better situation for everyone. Obviously, releasing tension in a horse will lead to relaxation, and relaxation can open the horse up to a deeper connection to the handler. This can also lead to advancement in training and higher performance.

Ready to learn more? 


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