Epsom Salts are used to soak sprains and strains, to draw out foreign objects, to pull out infections or abcesses and as a laxative given internally.
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for maintaining health of muscles, heart, lungs, bones, eyes, teeth, hair, nails/hooves/claws, etc. And soaking in a hot magnesium (strong epsom salts) bath will relieve the kidneys (of humans) of some detox/filtering duties by drawing toxins out through the skin (from the bloodstream and lymph).
Abcessed horse hooves can be healed by soaking the cleaned hoof in a tub of very warm (almost hot) water with 1 pound of epsom salts dissolved into it. This needs to be done 3 times daily until soundness returns (consult with your holistic Vet). One half cup of epsom salts can be added to a bran mash as a laxative for horses, up to 3 days (once daily), then a half cup of flaxseed oil should be fed.
We use epsom salts soaks for people, dogs and horses for older, chronic injuries that pull muscles, bruise tissue or tear tendons or ligaments. Acute injuries should always receive cold therapies!
A paste of epsom salts and warm water will help pull out splinters and thorns, applied to the sight of the object and replenished as it cools.
Of course, always consult with your health care practitioner in cases of disease or injury. We wish you all a happy new year and ask for your patience with us as we sort out internet service at our new location! Our first Workshop: Holistic Horse Care will be February 6th, 2010 at 595 Lujan Hill Road, Las Cruces, NM, 88007 (write or email for a flyer/entry form). We are Dharmahorse, now located at Flying Horse Farm.
Naturalpaths is a division of Dharmahorse, offering Compassion not Compulsion & Advanced Animal Awareness.
Namaste'
