Herbs and natural remedies for horses

Please note: This post is not intended to replace or downplay good veterinary advice.

Some of you know that I have been giving Beamer burdock root, nettles, cider vinegar and alfalfa pellets for his arthritis. The only place he has arthritis is his left knee, where Coyote Belle kicked him years ago- the hazards of live cover.
I tried Turmeric for him, just as a powder added to his ration but he hated it. So I decided to try it again, but this time as Golden Paste. So many health benefits! Studies have been done on arthritis:
"Turmeric and Arthritis: In traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurveda medicine, turmeric is used to treat arthritis. A 2006 study found the turmeric helps reduce join inflammation. A different study from the same year found turmeric to have anti-arthritic effect. And a 2012 study provided evidence that curcumin might even be more effective for rheumatoid arthritis than anti-inflammatory drugs."
So- golden paste is now included in Beamer's num nums.
It's very simple to make.

Half a cup of Turmeric powder, a cup (or more as needed) water, simmer for 6 -8 minutes until it forms a thick paste, let it cool to lukewarm and add 1/3 cup coconut oil and 3 tsp freshly cracked black pepper.

Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.  There are lots of ways to use it for yourself too, I'm not a fan of the taste but I think I'll have to suck it up and start taking it too. Can also feed it to dogs so Tess will get some too. If you are interested, there is a plethora of info on the internet.

Another thing I'm doing for Beamer is making sticky bud oil; now, I googled it by that name to look up the health benefits and had to laugh because it's all marijuana sites- but this is actually the sticky buds from poplar trees. Another simple thing to do: pick the buds while they are fresh and sticky and put them in a glass jar and cover with oil- I made one with coconut oil (which I keep in a warm place to keep it liquid while it infuses) and one with olive oil. Use enough oil to allow for the buds to expand, usually 2 times the oil to the volume of buds. Should be ready to use in about 2 weeks.

It's just an infusion, very simple, but can also be made into a salve.  Here is a bit from that page:
"One of my favorite plants to gather in the springtime is the bud of the poplar tree. These resinous buds are rich in salicin, which your liver converts to salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. An infused oil made from poplar buds will reduce pain and inflammation and is excellent for sore muscles or rheumatic conditions. It is also excellent for simple wound healing and used as an expectorant rub on the chest when suffering from a boggy spring chest cold."

Sunday Stills- Bitter

Sunday Stills challenge today is the word, bitter.  We don't get bitter cold here in the Creston Valley- at least, not like we did back in the 70's. And I don't have any bitter disappointments or bitter people in my life. What I do have, is bitter herbs; in particular the ones I feed Beamer for his arthritis.

Every morning, I take a teaspoon of dandelion root, 

and a teaspoon of burdock root...

Combine them and add some boiled water; then I let them steep until the afternoon.

My kitchen is starting to look like an apothecary

In the large jar is stinging nettles; he gets a handful of that on top of 2 cups of alfalfa pellets; then I add the steeped herbs and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. A bitter concoction, to be sure!

I also make myself a tea of a tsp. of dandelion and of burdock

I let it diffuse all day, and drink it in the afternoon as a cold drink that I can just chug back. I actually don't mind the taste.