How to Treat Stringhalt

By Jackie Rive at www.brookbyherbs.co.nz 
Helping horses and dogs live healthier and happier lives, naturally.

It saddens me to hear that so many horse owners are having to deal with that horrible and deeply frustrating condition, stringhalt, at the moment.

For those that have been lucky enough to avoid it so far, the clinical signs of stringhalt basically involve an exaggerated lifting of each hind leg as the horse moves forwards and backwards. In very severe cases, the horse will go to walk off and get one leg stuck up under it's belly, as though the leg was glued there. In such cases, horses can often only move with a bunny hopping motion where they have both back legs up in the air at once and paddle along on their front legs.

In mild cases, exaggerated lifting of the leg is only obvious under special circumstances, such as when the horse goes backwards, is upset, turns sharply sideways, or in cold weather.

Mild cases are often first noticed when a horse is backed off a float, and in severe cases the horse cannot go backwards at all. The severity of the signs in a horse can be quite varied and are made worse by cold, excitement and alterations to daily routine.

This high stepping gait is accompanied by wastage of muscles in the hind limbs. Affected horses will have muscle wastage in the gaskin area just above the hock and between the shoulders, and these are occasionally accompanied by changes in the forelimb gait.

Treatment:

Fortunately, the horses do eventuall recover. We recommend the Herbal Calmer blend which contains valerian, vervain and dandelion to help restore the nervous system.

Here are some words from herbalist Robert Mcdowell in Australia and his point of view on it.

'Stringhalt is probably the most frustrating condition I have been faced with in my practice over the years.

Various weeds like Dandelion in NSW, and Fireweed in Victoria, are blamed, but I am certain there is some fungus which inhabits these plants at times and it is the fungus which can damage the central nervous system of susceptible horses.

My treatment revolves around the herbs which physically rehabilitate damage to the central nervous system and the brain itself.

The mix includes Comfrey, Dandelion, Magnesium Phosphate, Mugwort, Pine Bark, Sage, Saw Palmetto and Valerian along with the Bach Flowers Heather, Vine, Elm, Vervain and Rescue Remedy.

This course is given over a 12 week period and a single dose each day of yoghurt (acidophilus) about a couple of dessertspoons is given as well. Along with the recommendation that no Lucerne products should be fed during this time.

The aim of the treatment is to clear any fungal residue and speed the recovery, which often occurs anyway over time.

The treatment is also formulated to help rebuild any muscle wastage resulting from the condition and to reduce sensitivity so that the animal will be much less likely to come down again with Stringhalt.'

Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals.