Health Food for Horses!

Want to feed your horses treats which they love and are good for them too? Here are a few of nature's health foods for horses.

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

APPLES are the number one fruit fed to horses as a treat. Like carrots, they are a good source of Potassium, vitamin C, and Complex Carbohydrates. Not only do they taste good but they contain Flavonoids, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that have antioxidant properties.

BREWER'S YEAST is a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals. It contains Calcium, Methionine, Chromium, PABA, B Complex, and Potassium to name a few. It also contains all the essential Amino Acids needed for complete Protein utilization. Brewer's Yeast is a valuable addition to any conditioning program.

CARROTS are the number one vegetable fed to horses as a treat. They are a rich source of vitamin A which is important for healthy skin and eyes. Carrots are a good source of Potassium, vitamin C, and complex carbohydrates.

FENUGREEK seed is an appetizing herb that can be used for conditioning the body and hooves. Its rich vitamin content makes it an excellent tonic.

CALENDULA aides in maintaining a healthy digestive system. It is useful for liver conditions and so could be helpful with things like arthritis and laminitis.

CHAMOMILE is used to relieve anxiety and restlessness, while aiding digestion. Chamomile is high in B vitamins and is a bit of a cure all.

GARLIC is an amazing herb. It has been used for everything from fighting infections, cough and inflammation to aiding the circulatory system to fly control. And garlic is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

GINSENG is an adaptogen. It can strengthen both physically and mentally the ability to manage stress. Ginseng also improves resistance to infection and is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Iron, and Calcium.

HAWTHORN adds PABA, which aides in the metabolism of protein and 19 important Bioflavonoids which can improve circulation, normalize blood pressure, and cause blood vessel to become stronger and more flexible. It also adds B vitamins, Iron, and potassium.

HOPS are a soothing and relaxing herb, which can help to relieve flatulence. It adds B vitamins.

LEMON BALM is relaxing and helpful for improving the digestive system and relieving flatulence. Lemon Balm has a high mineral content including Iron, Calcium, and Potassium.

NETTLE is loaded with minerals, especially Iron. Nettle is especially helpful for improving the condition of the hair coat.

PARSLEY is a dark, leafy green herb that is high in vitamins A and C, and in iron, magnesium and potassium. It has been used as a tonic and to aid digestion. It is a good "pick me up" food.

PEPPERMINT aids digestion, has a wonderful aroma and taste. It is soothing to the stomach.

ROSEHIPS can strengthen and condition hooves and connective tissues. They are also a good tonic for liver based ailments, are high in vitamin C, and can help build a barrier against infection.
Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals.

Pet Owners Favouring Organic And Natural Options For Both Themselves And Their Animals

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

 Increasing numbers of pet owners are paying more attention to what they are feeding their dogs, cats and horses, with many turning to organic, natural and herbal alternatives.
According to recent research from the United States, spending on nutraceuticals and pet care supplements is expected to continue rising throughout 2011, with sales predicted to reach $1.6 billion by 2015, a 27% increase from 2010. The senior and joints category is especially buoyant, accounting for approximately one-third of retail sales of dog supplements, one-fifth of sales of cat supplements and almost one-third of horse supplement sales.

Brookby Herbs founder and Managing Director, Jackie Rive, believes that the growing popularity of these pet care supplements is due to an increased awareness of alternative treatment options in general.

‘More and more people throughout both New Zealand and the rest of the world are now taking an interest in using non-pharmaceutical treatment options to care for their own health as well as the health of their families,’ explains Jackie. ‘Pets are an integral part of many households so it comes as no surprise that people want to include them in their quest for healthier living.’

‘There has also been something of a backlash against unnatural processed foods recently,’ she adds. ‘Individuals are becoming much more aware of where their food and supplements come from and just how much they are contributing nutritionally. This new found attitude is crossing over to how they look after their pets and is driving purchases of natural and organic products.’

Jackie also points out that the fact that herbal supplements are gentler and often involve fewer side effects than the conventional pharmaceutical medicines is also a draw card.

‘Of course, the first step should always be to take the pet to the vets if there is anything wrong,’ says Jackie. ‘However, more veterinarians both here and overseas are now recommending herbal treatment alternatives for certain conditions. It is becoming widely accepted that they can be kinder on the organs, such as the liver and kidneys, than some of the pharmaceutical options.’

For more information on Brookby Herbs, visit http://www.brookbyherbs.co.nz/
Visit www.brookbyherbs.co.nz for a full range of natural organic herbal health blends for animals

Brookby Herbs Launches in Australia!!

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

Brookby Herbs, New Zealand’s leading family owned supplier and manufacturer of natural and organic herbal healthcare products for pets has successfully cracked the Australian market this month.

The range can now be purchased from a number of physical and online outlets throughout Australia, including Horse Supplies Direct in New South Wales and Natural Horse World in Tasmania. An Australian based manufacturer has also been brought on board to produce and distribute the brand’s selection of dry herbal products.

Brookby Herbs founder and Managing Director, Jackie Rive, believes that there is a growing international market for natural herbal healthcare for
pets.

‘As people across the world become more health conscious and increasingly aware of the food and supplement choices they make, they are also turning their attention to the health of their pets,’ explains Jackie. ‘This trend can already be seen in countries such as the United States where, according to a recent industry report released by the Packaged Facts market research company, annual retail sales of organic and natural pet food are expected to grow three times as fast as pet food sales overall through 2015. Pet owners are paying more attention to the feed and healthcare supplements they are giving their dogs, cats and horses and are starting to recognise the benefits a more natural and holistic approach can provide.’

According to Jackie, New Zealand’s clean, green image also gives producers of natural and organic products in this country an advantage.
‘Consumers overseas think of New Zealand and automatically imagine a healthy, pure environment. This perception is ideal for Kiwi pet care brands offering natural and organic alternatives,’ says Jackie. ‘We already have a large customer base in the United States, who purchase through our website and we now have the interest from Australia as well. It is definitely a market that is expanding, despite the global economic slowdown.’

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

Rosehips- A Brilliant Anti-Oxidant Food for Horses.

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

Rosa Canina- Dog Rose

Dog Rose is native to Europe and is considered a weed in parts of Australia which is unfortunate as it has such wonderful health giving properties for both ourselves and our horses. The hips of the dog rose were a popular sweetmeat in the Middle Ages. The term sweetmeats usually refers to candy or sweet confections. Doctors in the Middle Ages often concealed bitter medicine in candy form, so that it was more palatable to patients. However, many patients believed that medicine wasn’t working unless it tasted awful.

Constituents: Rosehips contain vitamin C , A, B 1, B 2, B 3 and K, flavonoids, tannins, invert sugar, pectin, plant acids, polyphenols, carotenoids, volatile oil and vanillin.

Rosehips are a fabulous herb or fruit for ensuring great health for both horses and humans. Because of the Rosehips anti-oxidant properties they are a brilliant food for maintaining good health. Research has shown that antioxidants protect the body against certain diseases such as cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases

Antioxidants can protect against free radical cells which can damage tissues and are implicated in causing many diseases. Excessive free radicals are caused by poor nutrition , stress and damaged tissues. Infections will lower your horses vitamin c levels and this can also inhibit the growth and repair of cartilage and bone tissue if it is constantly deficient.

Rosehips have an important role to play in neutralising free radicals therefore they are a wonderful food for keeping your horse healthy and in peak condition. Research has established Rosehips as the highest source of flavonoids and biotin which is great for strengthening horses hooves as well.

Naturally occurring vitamin C has been found to be far more readily absorbed than artificial vitamin c, therefore the benefits of feeding rosehips to horses should be an obvious choice.

Rosehips are a great source of Iron and can be used to rehabilitate weak kidneys .They are also a good tonic for liver based ailments and can help build a barrier against infection.

Rosehips can be made into a tea by mixing 2 dessertspoons of granules into 1 liter of boiling water and steeped until cool. This tea is then poured over your horses feed. For those of you who don’t have time to make your own tea then Brookby Herbs have a Rosehip and Garlic tonic in cider vinegar already made up for you and available through selected stockists.

For a Free on-line herbal guide “37 herbs & remedies for fabulously healthy animals” visit http://www.brookbyherbs.com/

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