Equine Cushings disease is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production and regulation of hormones. Symptoms include a long, shaggy coat that does not shed, excessive drinking and urination, laminitis, a tendency for recurring infections in the hoof (foot abscesses), and a loss of muscle mass, especially along the topline and rump.
At Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue, we've discovered what appears to be a cure for Cushings disease in horses. We're not licensed nor are we doctors, but we know what has worked for our horses and for lots of others, so we wanted to share our experiences in case it helps cure your own horse of equine Cushings disease.
While looking through a nutritional healing book at Debra's Natural Gourmet in West Concord, Mass., I came across a sentence that said "Chasteberry feeds the pituitary gland." Chasteberry in recent times has been used mainly for "women's complaints." I know it works because it beats the crap out of PMS, you feel better in 20 minutes. "Hmm," I say, "I like chasteberry, let's see what it can do for our two Cushings horses."
Bess, our 26 year old Shetland had obvious symptoms: long hair that didn't shed and she was a sway back. Not as bad as some, but still obvious. I couldn't wait for the vet to take some blood to find out her "numbers." The results were positive for Cushings. I put her on one teaspoon twice a day, three weeks on and one week off. Though she began to shed her coat of "buffalo" hair almost immediately, she never was a very slick pony. But I was determined to keep her on the chasteberry one year before testing her blood again. If I saw results then, I would tell the world.
One year later, after Bess' test results came back, the vet said, "I don't know what you're doing, but keep on doing it." Bess' numbers were down 33 points! I don't know exactly what these numbers represent, but evidently this never happens in real life! After one year of feeding her pituitary gland, had I managed to reverse her Cushings disease? I was very excited as this ailment affects the lives of millions of old (and not so old) horses in so many negative ways. This disease is more common now than it has ever been in the past. No one really knows why, though I have my theories. That is another tale for another day.
I was getting whole chasteberry in one pound bulk bags from Natural Gourmet and running it through a coffee grinder. The seeds are very hard and I figured it would come out the other end the same way they went in, unless we knocked the shells off them. You run the grinder until most of the pinging of hard berries can't be heard anymore. You cannot grind them up completely, but that's okay. Horses are made to digest roughage. They handle the chunks just fine. You should have a grinder for this purpose only, as your coffee might taste funny if you use the grinder for both.
Right around the time I was ready to tell the world about this "cure," another product came on the market called Hormonize. It is a liquid and costs around $45 per liter and lasts two weeks for your average size horse. That's $90 per month to treat the horse. The developers of this product found it to be effective not only on mares in heat, but it also did some impressive things for Cushings horses, too. It is sold for this purpose as well. It is an all natural herbal remedy. A bit pricey, though.
I checked out the ingredients. It is a tincture of chasteberry! I think they call it vitex or monks pepper on the back. I'm not sure. It greatly saddens me that the treatment for such a devastating disease sells for so much.
Horses don't need herbal tinctures. They can and do digest some pretty coarse stuff (have you ever tried to eat dry timothy hay?). They can not only digest the herb, but utilize it in that form beautifully.
Bess, unfortunately, died at age 28 when she decided her mission was accomplished, so we never got a third blood test from her. We have two other Cushings horses, and all of our older mares are on chasteberry as well. Junebug, who is 8 years old, was tested last year and we'll test her again soon to see where her numbers are. Snowdrop was never tested, but all her symptoms have disappeared and she is doing well at 24 years old.
If any of you out there would like to try chasteberry, here's what to do. Go to your local health food store and special order one pound bulk bag whole chastetree berry from the Frontier herb company (please mention Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue when you do). You might want to order more than one bag so that when you're down to one you can reorder. One bag will cost you less than $20 and will last a couple of months per horse.
Run the berries through your coffee grinder and feed one teaspoon twice a day with feed. We give the same amount to horses and ponies. It works on both mares and geldings. Give it to them three weeks on and one week off all year round. It will even keep the mares from being quite so crabby in the spring.
We also give them all vitamin E in the evening, vitamin C in the morning, and MSM. No sugars or carbohydrates (not even a carrot). There are feeds out there that are low in both, such as Blue Seal Racer and some of the senior feeds (do some research). All in all, chasteberry is the answer. Even our two 30-year old mares don't have Cushings, only Bess, Junebug, and Snowdrop, who came to us with the disease and it appears to be reversed. I never had horses of my own get Cushings. I have every horse in town that has Cushings on chasteberry and they're all doing great! This is a cheap, easy, healthy remedy for Cushings disease.
About The Author
Nina Arbella is founder and president of Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue of Stow, Massachuetts. Contact Nina and visit the rescue center's website at http://www.equine-rescue.com.
A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part... Read More
Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can... Read More
On June17, 2005 Guidant Corporation recalled close to 50,000 heart... Read More
Since early 2004, it has become more apparent every day... Read More
"If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it... Read More
Medical Billing SoftwareThe practice is running smoothly, with patients coming... Read More
In the next few years paramedics, first responders and military... Read More
Risperdal is an atypical anti-psychotic drug that balances the levels... Read More
With more medical advantages, an adjustable bed finds more functions... Read More
When you search online for Electric Wheelchairs, like any other... Read More
The recent withdrawal of the prescription drugs Vioxx and ... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome can be a nightmare?constant diarrhea and terrible... Read More
Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed... Read More
Heel pain, medically termed plantar fasciitis, is a common and... Read More
Addictions come in many forms. It's important to recognize the... Read More
Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have... Read More
If you take a simple stroll down the foot product... Read More
Chrisopher Reeve has died. But his vision of a "Cure"... Read More
Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammagory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation,... Read More
NAION is the latest side effect linked to Viagra and... Read More
SJS is an allergic reaction to certain medications that can... Read More
When Aspirin Isn't EnoughIt's surprising how clearly we can recall... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so I may modify this... Read More
As many as 8 out of 10 adults will experience... Read More
Acid reflux (also known as GERD or heartburn) is a... Read More
When you (or loved ones) are taking prescription or over... Read More
As much as 95% of the population suffers from some... Read More
Lunesta may be the only sleeping pill that is FDA... Read More
We've all had garden variety headaches from time to time.... Read More
Millions of Americans suffer with Peripheral Neuropathy and until recently... Read More
Step One: The Big DecisionOne of the most frustrating things... Read More
Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one... Read More
When you're in need, the quickest way is the best:... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome is a debilitating and distressing condition, which... Read More
Medical Billing PDAOne of the first things I notice about... Read More
The beginning is very much hard to spot as we... Read More
Dr. Horsley is Cornea fellowship trained and Lasik board certified... Read More
Phenylpropanolamine, or PPH, used to be an active ingredient in... Read More
If you are missing a tooth or a group of... Read More
What Medication Can Cure Me?1. Am I expecting a cure?... Read More
Americans are on the go. According to a NSGA Survey,... Read More
Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: An editorial regarding dangerous drugsGenerally my... Read More
Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands... Read More
At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More
There are many different causes of heel pain, but the... Read More
Thalidomide is responsible for causing more than 10,000 children to... Read More
It just seemed too absurd to be true, but there... Read More
Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired... Read More
When you're in need, the quickest way is the best:... Read More
I think this is a good time for a checkup,... Read More
Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More
Zicam is a homeopathic intranasal zinc remedy that is intended... Read More
Healthcare professionals are under pressure to remember, utilize and absorb... Read More
Let's face it: purchasing prescription drugs in the U.S. can... Read More
The World Health Organization declares that heart disease is the... Read More
Serzone is a prescription medication that is given to patients... Read More
Stool Softener Laxatives - EmollientsStool softeners and emollients work by... Read More
A thick, yellowish nail with splotchy white areas is a... Read More
There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate... Read More
Lunesta may be the only sleeping pill that is FDA... Read More
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This... Read More
Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every... Read More
You might disagree, but hear me out on this...The drug... Read More
We've all had garden variety headaches from time to time.... Read More
Sit down in a quiet place alone and take a... Read More
Chemical dependency recovery provides with positive changes in reactions and... Read More
Medicine |