Page 627 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• tinctures

• ointments
VetBooks.ir • compresses and poultices.

When prescribed at the correct dose, it is thought that these herbal medicines work in a
gentler way than manufactured pharmaceutical products. It may be that inclusion of the

whole plant rather than purified extracts enhances the therapeutic value of the plant in ways
that we do not fully understand and has fewer side effects than concentrated drug extracts.

Vets who prescribe herbal medicines do so as part of their approach to the treatment of a
particular individual. Herbal medicines cannot replace conventional veterinary treatment in
every situation.

Warning
Some herbal medicines are licensed for veterinary use but many are not. Their use

can lead to risks from unknown withdrawal times which may cause a problem for
the competition horse. Do consider this when using herbal medicines and

supplements.

HEALING

Whilst conventional veterinary treatment is very important, the overall wellbeing of the horse

should not be forgotten and this section by Margrit Coates is included to highlight this.

HANDS-ON HEALING

Margrit Coates MNFSH, SBRCP

Author of Healing for Horses, Horses Talking, Connecting with Horses, The Voice of

Animals and Hands-on Healing for Pets.

The history of healing

The therapy of healing using hands to channel beneficial energy into the spirit or soul of a

human or an animal is many thousands of years old. In fact it is the oldest form of medicine
and, as well as historical documents from numerous cultures, there are ancient drawings and