The QuarTerly Journal of holisTic eQuine care

Apr/MAy/June 2018 www.naturalhorse.com Volume 20 Issue 2

Potomac Horse Fever:

What it is, How to Treat it.

KNoW tHe Nose?How well do you

DIY tail conditioner!

An Equestrian’s Guide to

WIlDlIFe rescueAnswering the Call:

www.naturalhorse.com NATURAL HORSE Magazine – VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2 • 29

OF InTEREsT 2

Step 1 – Raise Awareness to perspectiveIf you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. ~Wayne Dyer

Like many of your horse’s health concerns, you can view aural plaque from varying perspectives. Most often, problems such as aural plaque are only seen from a labeling and object perspective. Meaning, aural plaque

would simply be recognized as a result of a papilloma viral infection transmitted by biting insects that are carrying the virus.

If we stick with only this knowledge and point of view, we must then accept that the lesions caused by the body’s chronic inflammatory response are purely controlled by external forces that are beyond prevention. The resolution, therefore, is limited treatment options of topical pharmaceu-ticals that offer minimal relief and often a low percentage of full recovery.

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The horses shown in the photograph are mustangs from the Sand Wash Basin. The Sand Wash Basin is home to an extraordinary herd of wild horses. Located in the northwest corner of Colorado on public BLM land about 48 miles west of Craig, Colorado. If you would like to learn more about the horses, enjoy more photographs of them, and discover their stories head over to www.sandwashbasin.com.

The Insider ’s Guide to

AuRAl plAqueS:3 Steps to Keeping Your eye on Your Horse’s earsby Angie Wells

30 • NATURAL HORSE Magazine – VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2 www.naturalhorse.com

Step 2 – Adjust or Change perspectiveIs there another view point from which to approach aural plaque? As with most other health conditions the answer is yes. It is important that we resist accepting only the isolated view point that objectifies the body’s symptoms. To gain a new perspective, we need to take a few steps back and view the whole horse, the big picture.

This big-picture approach still aligns and agrees with the understanding that the lesions formed are a result of a papilloma viral infection. Yet the plan of what needs to be addressed and the action steps that are recommended can look vastly different.

The traditional route of treatment will be based upon the germ theory. Most of us were taught and conditioned to believe the germ theory. Focused on combating germs, bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. A structure of good versus bad and annihilation of what is viewed as bad.

What is lacking is the consideration of lifestyle, the principles of cause and effect, and laws of health that Nature has put in place. Instead, the goal is to fight and kill bad germs, bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. If the horse experiences undesired symptoms…suppress them. What has resulted from this practice is many horses on prescription medications, injections, and medical procedures that promote further concern or at the least will create a perpetual cycle of treatment and relapse if the lifestyle is not reviewed and imbalances addressed.

A whole-health solution is to look to Nature and the terrain theory viewpoint of health. Understand that Nature has a balance and seeks to support life and health. The opposing or alternative view to Louis

Pasteur’s germ theory came from the studies of Antoine Béchamp. Many natural health resources and professionals believe Béchamp’s findings to be accurate and true to Nature.

The natural view of aural plaque concludes that a horse who contracts the papilloma viral infection does so due to an imbalanced, stressed, and dis-eased terrain. The focus will then be on the solution, which is to promote health, balance, and homeostasis. The opposite would be to focus on the problem, in this case aural plaque, and fight it or suppress it.

The concern with focusing on the problem is that what we focus on grows. Béchamp discovered that when he tried to combat or eliminate pathogens they would fight back by morphing and becoming stronger (creation of superbugs). When he instead focused on supporting a cleaner, healthy cellular terrain he found that the pathogens worked with the cell to restore health.

Aural plaque is a great example of this theory in practice, as it has been regularly seen that in a herd of horses in the same environment, surrounded by the same biting insects carrying the virus, not all horses show signs and symptoms of infection such as aural plaque. Therefore, the horses who do express signs of aural plaque are those who have a com-promised cellular terrain, which is what allowed the virus and pathogen to take over and offset the body’s state of health, creating a state of dis-ease.

Step 3 – evaluate Your Horse’s lifestyle& Individualize Care to their NeedsTo promote and focus on what you want, which is health and balance, your

www.naturalhorse.com NATURAL HORSE Magazine – VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2 • 31

goal should be to assess your horse’s lifestyle. First and foremost, ensure that the nutrition is clean and species appropriate, not full of chemicals and toxins that increase a morbid terrain and environment for pathogens and illness.

Evaluate the horse’s exercise and rest habits: are they appropriate? Is the horse’s environment well adjusted to foster health? Is the air, water, and access to sun practical?

Once the lifestyle has been reviewed and adjusted to align with how the horse is designed by Nature, you can then assist the body in stimulating the return of health with natural remedies such as herbs, essential oils, homeopathy, flower essences, etc.

For a moment think of your horse’s health like a bank account. If health concerns are present, that means the account has been overdrawn. Just like with a bank account…once your horse’s health “account” has been overdrawn or depleted, it is only logical to allow time for recovery as your “health deposits” accrue. Health deposits will be actions that you take to support the body in regaining balance, not suppressing symptoms. Be patient with yourself and your horse through this process and work with a qualified professional to know if you’re on the right track.

The lesions are more of a cosmetic nuisance for some horses, while painful for others. So be aware that behavioral concerns may arise until the problem resolves and health returns. Headshaking, being defensive of their ears, trouble bridling and even haltering can be common as the horse protects and preserves their ears.

Keep an awareness that the process of health and care is most effective when it is individualized specifically to the horse’s needs. Which means that the remedies and solutions can look different from horse to horse (and often do) when the big-picture, whole-horse approach is the perspective of choice.

Great natural options to begin support after the horse’s lifestyle has been reviewed are therapeutic grade Frankincense essential oil, Copaiba essential oil, curcumin, turmeric, and devil’s claw.

Whether aural plaque is something your horse is experiencing, or this is the first time you have heard of it, aligning your horse’s lifestyle and care with Nature’s design will ensure that your horse is on the path to health.

The journey to your horse’s health begins here and now, you decide when to take the first step.

About the author:Angie Wells is the founder of Equine Essential Wellness, she is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, Equine Sports Trainer, and Certified Animal Health Coach. For over 10 years, she has been empowering horse keepers around the

world with the tools and information they need to get their horse looking and feeling their best, naturally. You can learn more and find free resources at www.equineessentialwellness.com

Photo courtesy of Foothills Mobile Veterinary Service, M

arion, NC

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Aural Plaque case mid treatment, crusts were abraded prior to treatment.

Photo courtesy of Foothills Mobile Veterinary Service, M

arion, NC

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Aural plaque case prior to medical treatment.