Electrolytes: Many sources  

Electrolytes are an absolute necessity if your horse is working or performing in heat. Talk to your holistic vet or therapist about what they recommend. Many times vitamin and mineral supplements will have electrolytes included so check the labels of your products. I use Blue Ridge Distribution for my electrolyte supplement. You will find them at www.wintreats.org 

White Salt and Trace Mineral Salt Blocks: Your local farm supplier

For many years the salt blocks were all anyone used. They still have a place in large fields for many horses as they tend not to melt away too quickly. Also the white salt blocks are a nice addition if your horse enjoys several sources of salt. Remember these salt blocks are processed salt so there may be some chemicals involved for binding it into block form. The rock salt is totally natural rock from the earth.

Trace Minerals: Rush Creek 1:1 Minerals www.abcplus.biz  

Horses in the wild are always searching to satisfy their salt and mineral needs. I like to offer horses granulated trace minerals and let them tell me if they need something. Some nibble a bit, some ignore it, some lick the tub clean! Be careful and do not overfeed these minerals. To some horses it's like chocolate and they will overindulge. I like to offer it to my horses once per week in a one cup measure and see how it goes.

So far this has been the right amount for horses under my care. But I feed organically, I supplement, I provide salt choices and hay choices.  Your horse may be on a different feed and grazing program.

Try 1 cup in a tub or even on the ground and see how they like it. If they knock you over for more give them one more cup that day. Spread your mineral offerings out to 3 times per week, then down to once per week for maintenance. Don't waste the minerals on horses that don't want it.  Let them tell you what they need!

 

"That oil is wonderful. My high headed mare has continued to like it.  Especially in this heat, I wash her face with baby shampoo, having to carry a jug of water to do that, water is low here, 15 triple digits heat days in Oklahoma. She's IR, in a dry lot, gets a dirty face.

I got all sorts of dirt out of her nose last night. Dust in the air, fire danger, heat climate we live in, she is really appreciating the extra attention and comfort, lowering, shaking her head a little, like she's trying to get her nose to drain some moisture out. She acts like it makes her feel so much better to get this little bit of comfort given to her in this crazy heat.

She licks and chews, shakes her head, lowers her head. I never thought she would be so into oils rubbed on her nose, she is now. The first few weeks she was a little resistant. She lays her head against my chest, it's amazing. I call it the 'nose oil' posture, she's done it several times now.  

Now,  a whole new world opened, I can wash her nose easy, she lets me wash her face with baby shampoo and use the hose, pistol grip guadge  set on mist, right on her face, rinse the dirt and shampoo off. The best thing is the sunscreen. She has a white nose, it burns, Oklahoma is blistering hot. I've tried before, with some success, not like this, though. 

After I finish with the oil, I take some sun screen and rub it around the flare of her nostrils and nose. She's always burned, peeled, had red skin in that area, no hair to cover that area, just skin. I've been trying for a long time to get her to let me put sunscreen on her nose, without a fight. Now, she's fine with it.

I have a question, has anyone ever said the product helped with runny eyes? It seems her eyes are a lot less runny this year. It hasn't been a good year, either, windy. Sometimes I notice some clear drainage from her nose after the oil, she will blow, sometimes, too."

-Wanda Cardella, Oklahoma

From Mary:  

Well, has anyone had a similar experience with their horse's eyes clearing up by using the oil blend? We/I would love to know!

"I finally finished using my first bottle, have another one, but will order a back up soon. Thank you so much for sharing the oil with people like me, it's wonderful."

Hello Mary,

This is actually my 2nd order & includes a bottle I'm giving to a friend.  I'm certified in equine massage and, altho I mainly work with my own horses, I like the relaxation this imparts, not only on the horse, but also on me!

Regards,

Debra Stephenson

Plum Lake Dressage, Wisconsin