When in need of support and healing, the wild animals in natural surroundings would seek out the healing properties of plants - roots, leaves, bark, blossoms, fruits, etc.
Our own ancestors learned which plants possessed which properties and medicine, so to speak, was born.
I have made my own herbal and plant based medicines (Phytotherapy) for my horses since the early '70's. What I found was a non-toxic, proactive and reliable way to maintain good health and support healing when needed. Not only through oral supplementation, but also by making salves, oils, balms, drenches and powders from totally natural, organic sources and materials. And by using the entire plant product rather than one chemical synthesized from the plant, the complex properties that often prevent side effects remain(ed) present.
For wounds in horses, it really came down to two basic products that I have made most often and used so successfully:
- The Comfrey Balm - a comfrey herb based salve used to soothe and rapidly heal both wounds and bruising.
- The Herbal Wound Powder - a rosemary leaf based powder, for weeping wounds or for injuries on the lower leg (even fungus), that creates an antiseptic "scab".
These two essentials help me address almost every injury that happens in my Stable. A wrap can be used over the Comfrey Balm (not over the wound powder, though, it contains phenol in the rosemary) and the balm can be used in a leg sweat. If a wound looks infected, I use the wound powder with rosemary - it does not contain carcinogens as some allopathic ointments do. Of course, in cases of infection, deep or serious wounds, a health practitioner must be consulted.
Learn More - Natural Leg Care Methods
