Page 626 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

onto a piece of apple. They must be stored away from bright light, extremes of temperature

and substances with a powerful smell, e.g. aromatherapy oils, peppermint and garlic.
VetBooks.ir Electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, computers and televisions can also reduce
their potency.

Most vets practising homeopathy do not use it to replace conventional medicine, rather to

add an extra dimension to the treatment options available to their patients.

HERBAL MEDICINE

In many parts of the world there is still a great dependence on plant-based medicines. In

some cultures, remedies have been passed down from one generation to the next as the
healing properties of certain plants were recognized. Many early veterinary remedies were
made from plant material and a considerable number of our modern medicines have been

manufactured from plant or fungal extracts. A few examples include:

• salicylic acid (aspirin) from meadowsweet or white willow
• digoxin from the foxglove

• morphine from the opium poppy

• quinine (an anti-malarial drug) from the bark of the cinchona tree

• penicillin from moulds.

As herbivores, horses in the wild have the opportunity to selectively graze the plants that
have a particular therapeutic effect. However, with only restricted access to limited pasture,

this opportunity is lost with modern horse management systems. In the last few years there
has been revived interest in herbal medicine and an increase in the number of herbal

supplements available. A wide range of these are offered as dietary supplements by feed
manufacturers. There is good quality research showing that particular plant extracts have

anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate chondrocyte production in cartilage.
In the pure form, however, some herbal substances are toxic to the horse. Herbal

medicines must only be prescribed by a vet who has specific training in this area. The vet
will carry out a thorough examination of the horse, its environment and the history before

prescribing a particular remedy. These medicines come in a variety of forms including:
• freshly cut or dried herbal preparations

• infusions (made by adding boiling water and allowing to stand for 15 minutes) and

decoctions (made by simmering for 15 minutes)