askHELTIE HELTIEhorse® Did you know that it is not always wise to give a detox to your horse?

Did you know that it is not always wise to give a detox to your horse?

In spring and autumn you hear and read a lot about detoxing horses. We also participate in this, because detoxing is a natural phenomenon in horses and has health benefits. But detoxing is not without risks and should always be given with careful consideration. In this blog, we want to tell you why detoxing is not always wise. If you want to detox your horse, always consult with us first or do it after consulting with a therapist.

Nettle

Detox

Organs

16 August '22 • 2 min reading time

Wild horses detox too

Wild horses also detox when they live in natural conditions. These horses live according to the rhythm of nature, which means they gain a lot of weight in the summer, but lose a lot of weight in the winter due to scarcity. Toxins are stored in the body in fat tissue, and as the horse loses weight, it slowly gets rid of these toxins throughout the winter. In the wild, horses do not only eat high quality hay or fresh grass, they eat whatever they can find. During certain periods, this includes herbs with a cleansing effect. These herbs are only available for a short period of time, so they only have a brief cleansing effect. A wild horse naturally ensures that its body is regularly cleansed.

Detoxing is not without risks

As horse owners, we want the best for our horses, and we know that a clean body is the healthiest and allows nutrients to be absorbed better. Especially horses with summer eczema, mites, or other conditions benefit greatly from having a clean body. Therefore, it is recommended to detox in the spring (March/April) and in the fall (September/October). But what happens during a detox? During a detox, stored toxins are released so that the liver and kidneys can eliminate them. This means that the toxins enter the blood and travel throughout the body. If a horse has a lot of toxins in the body, it can be harmful when a large amount of toxins are suddenly released. Detoxing is intense for every horse and it requires energy, as the blood is then full of toxins that the body needs to process. Therefore, always adjust the workload when detoxing your horse. If there are an excessive amount of toxins, they can accumulate in, for example, the hooves, resulting in laminitis. Additionally, other conditions can manifest as a result of detoxing. Therefore, never give a detox blindly, but carefully consider whether your horse can handle it.

In these situations, NEVER give a detox

There are situations where we always advise against detoxing, as a detox can be too intense in these cases and may exacerbate symptoms or trigger conditions. Therefore, do not give a detox to your horse if:

  • It is overweight

  • It is susceptible to laminitis

  • It is susceptible to tying up (muscle disorders)

  • It has a weakened immune system (due to illness)

  • It is sick

  • It has recently been operated on, vaccinated, or dewormed

If you are unsure whether your horse can handle a detox, consult with us or your therapist. But when it comes to detoxing, we always say "when in doubt, don't do it". If you want to detox after a vaccination or deworming, wait at least 4 weeks so that the horse's immune system can recover on its own.

Liquid nettle tincture as an alternative to detox

Some horses really need a cleansing because toxins are hindering recovery or because a condition cannot be properly addressed. In that case, choose liquid nettle tincture. This tincture purifies the blood and can be seen as a mild detox, without the risk of being too intense. An additional benefit is that it also provides a tremendous boost to the immune system.

Also interesting:

Nettle

Detox

A horse in nature cleanses its body twice a year through a period of scarcity (winter) and by seeking out cleansing plants and herbs. Did you know that waste products are stored in fat tissue? In winter, when there is a scarcity of food, horses in nature lose weight, causing the fat tissue containing the waste products to break down. A very natural process through which the horse cleanses its body throughout the year. In summer, horses in nature are very capable of eating herbs and plants that support the body in cleansing. Our horses do not have this option, so what then? And do you choose liquid nettle or a detox for your horse?

When do you choose nettle and when for a detox for horses?

A horse in nature cleanses its body twice a year through a period of scarcity (winter) and by seeking out cleansing plants and herbs. Did you know that waste products are stored in fat tissue? In winter, when there is a scarcity of food, horses in nature lose weight, causing the fat tissue containing the waste products to break down. A very natural process through which the horse cleanses its body throughout the year. In summer, horses in nature are very capable of eating herbs and plants that support the body in cleansing. Our horses do not have this option, so what then? And do you choose liquid nettle or a detox for your horse?. What are the benefits of liquid nettle for your horse? We humans often see nettle as a weed that causes itching if touched incorrectly. But horses see nettle as normal food. Some horses eat them fresh, but most horses prefer them dried and without the "sting". Nettles are extremely healthy for horses, rich in minerals, and have an alkaline effect. But most importantly, they purify the blood! And it is this blood-purifying property that makes nettle a nice herb for horses. Ideal for hor...

Nettle

Detox

You often hear that a herbal detox is good for your horse. It is a natural way to cleanse the body. Horses in the wild also 'detox'. Firstly, because they lose fat tissue - and thereby a lot of waste products - during the winter months. And secondly, by eating various herbs and branches. Is a detox also a good idea for your horse?

Which horses benefit from a detox?

You often hear that a herbal detox is good for your horse. It is a natural way to cleanse the body. Horses in the wild also 'detox'. Firstly, because they lose fat tissue - and thereby a lot of waste products - during the winter months. And secondly, by eating various herbs and branches. Is a detox also a good idea for your horse?. It is important to ask this question because a detox is not suitable for all horses. For example, sick horses, horses with extreme overweight or laminitis and pregnant horses should not be given a detox treatment. Sometimes, a mild purification with nettles may be a good idea for these horses. So, a detox is always a matter of customization. What are the benefits of a detox? A detox is intended to remove toxins from the body. Toxins arise in daily life, for example from digestion or from minuscu...

Detox

Wild horses eat everything: grasses, herbs, branches, and shrubs. They choose their food according to the season and their needs. A natural diet contains plants that provide detoxification, so that waste products are removed and the body is cleansed. Our domesticated horses have fewer choices. When is it time to give your horse an herbal detox? And when is it not a good idea?

When do you give your horse a detox?

Wild horses eat everything: grasses, herbs, branches, and shrubs. They choose their food according to the season and their needs. A natural diet contains plants that provide detoxification, so that waste products are removed and the body is cleansed. Our domesticated horses have fewer choices. When is it time to give your horse an herbal detox? And when is it not a good idea?. For some horses, a detox is a good idea, but for others, it is actually a very bad idea. The timing of the detox also matters, you preferably give a detox at a time of the year when the horse would naturally detox as well. Twice a year In general, the advice is to give healthy (non-pregnant) horses a detox twice a year. This can improve their skin and coat, give them more energy, and boost the immune system and metabolism. Early spring and the end of summer are suitable times for this. For horse...

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