Compassionate Care For Special Needs and Neglected Horses

Guest article by K.J.

We all have pets we love and take care of. Unfortunately, there are some folks who forget our animals have feelings and needs. Where we board our horse there is one horse that has been sadly forgotten by its owners. This horse never gets to pasture or enjoy a horse life beyond its stall. How do you help a horse without putting yourself in a legal bind? has been a question that has perplexed many. While many are trying to beat or go through the legal system this poor horse stands alone and wonders what he did to be forgotten. I searched, surfed the net, and e-mailed many for help. Most replies had to do with "legal ways" of making the owners take care of their animal or "legally" taking possession of the animal. This was all helpful information. But while these steps are being taken the wait time in between still leaves this horse alone.

Herbal Remedies That Are Safe And Helpful For Our Pets

Some of these ideas were passed on to me. Some are ideas that have proven effective over time.

• Take a sponge and wipe face, neck, legs, spine with lavender oil and witch hazel mixed in warm water. The animal will relax and take in the soothing smell. This mixture cleans the coat and soothes the animal.

• Sprinkle baking soda with crushed or powdered lavender over the coat. Brushed in, then back out. Dirt and grime will lift out and off the horse.
  Use this if you do not or cannot use the water method.

• Allow horse to graze on fresh herbal mixture of freshly picked dandelion, wheat grass, nettle leaves and red clover. The shine will come back into their coat and the sigh of pure pleasure of smelling fresh greens.
  Dandelion helps with gas and preventing colic..but don't over feed the dandelion.

• Calendula essence put into water 2 times a week brings softness come back into their coats and clears cloudy eyes.

• Fresh chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and peppermint make a hot compress. Wrap legs with compress to relieve strain and stiffness from standing so long and lack of exercise.
  How to Make Hot and Cold Compresses

• Try to have the horse moved to a stall that is airy and at least some part of the day gets a little sunshine, and where people pass by regularly.

Combine all this and you will have a horse who looks forward to people again and some of the gloom lifts from their spirit. The forgotten horse will start feeling that it is not alone and not all humans are crazy. At the same time you are safe and legal. Even though some owners forgets about their animals, the animals don't have to suffer alone.. A little compassion goes along way and is priceless. Compassion helps us remember "all" animals have feelings and "all" animals need love.

About this contributor: K.J. is a compassionate horse owner and pet owner.