askHELTIE HELTIEhorse® Horse with liver problems? Then don't do a detox!

Horse with liver problems? Then don't do a detox!

We notice that many horse owners perform a detox on horses with liver problems. With good intentions, of course, but not actually very wise. They want to support the horse and the liver so that they are back in order as soon as possible. But a detox is not suitable for that, we are happy to explain to you!

Detox

Organs

15 November '22 • 2 min reading time

A detox stimulates the liver

Every form of detox (herbal combination or, for example, pure milk thistle) has the function of putting the liver to work extra and stimulating it to clean the body. It is a semi-annual cleansing for horses that are healthy and feeling well. Firstly, a detox should never be applied to a horse with reduced health, because a detox is intense and can also cause problems. We therefore always recommend contacting us or a therapist before applying a detox to your horse. And secondly, the liver can be so extremely activated/stimulated that it becomes overloaded and exhausted. A horse with liver problems has a liver with a "burn-out" - if you push it even more, the liver will protect itself by shutting down. Fortunately, the liver is very capable of renewing and recovering itself, but it takes time. And during the period that the liver shuts down, its function is not taken over. You want to prevent the liver from becoming completely exhausted and stopping working at all costs.

Therefore, we strongly advise against giving a detox to horses with liver problems or elevated liver values! Also, don't give a milk thistle cure, don't give herbs that stimulate the liver extra. You want to relieve the liver!

Relieving the liver is most important!

As indicated, there is a chance that the liver will "shut down" if it is overloaded. Therefore, it is important for horses with liver problems to relieve the liver. Not trigger the function, not stimulate it extra, but relieve it!

The liver has various functions, including the production of vitamin C. An easy way to relieve the liver is by giving extra vitamin C to your horse. The liver does not have to take on this function then and has time for other functions. Extra vitamin C can be given in the form of rosehip (tincture) or, for example, human vitamin C (always in deacidified form!). Do not give a high-fat ration to a horse with liver problems. Digesting fat requires bile, but a horse does not have a gallbladder and produces bile in the liver. If you don't give extra oil, the liver doesn't have to produce extra bile and you relieve the liver. The liver is also involved in the production of proteins, a very important building block for horses. You can support the liver by providing the horse with a comprehensive protein/amino acid complex. The liver then has to produce less itself.

Furthermore, a cure with nettle tincture is very healthy for horses with liver problems. This is blood-purifying, but does not trigger the liver and is good for the overall resistance of the horse.

In short, with a horse with liver problems:

  • Never give a detox or milk thistle

  • Give extra vitamin C

  • Limit oil/fats in the diet

  • Provide extra proteins if necessary

  • Provide nettle tincture if desired

Also interesting:

Detox

Many people are hesitant to do a detox for their horse. They are often afraid that the horse will suddenly develop all kinds of ailments or that a detox is very intense. But is this justified? And what should you pay attention to if you decide to give your horse a detox? Read more about this in this blog.

Is it justified to be afraid of doing a detox for the horse?

Many people are hesitant to do a detox for their horse. They are often afraid that the horse will suddenly develop all kinds of ailments or that a detox is very intense. But is this justified? And what should you pay attention to if you decide to give your horse a detox? Read more about this in this blog.. What is a detox? Detoxifying, detoxing, cleansing, and purifying. All terms that have the same goal in mind, namely to cleanse the body (liver and kidneys) of accumulated toxins. In nature, horses regulate this themselves by seeking out certain plants that help with the removal of toxins. Unfortunately, horses in the Netherlands do not have this free choice enough, so toxins are not expelled and the body's natural filters become clogged. You can compare it to a filter in your car. Throughout the...

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

Organs

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.

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.. 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 peri...

Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .