With this new series we aim to help the horse owner deal simply and effectively with the everyday ailments which so often affect horses causing pain and discomfort but which can often either be avoided altogether by following a sensible code of practice, or can be alleviated by using simple remedies which are widely available.

We are grateful to Christopher Day (MA VetMB VetFFHom MRCVS) for his wisdom and guidance in the advice which we are able to pass on to The Joy of Horses readers by means of this column. Regretfully no personal correspondence can be entered into regarding ailments or injuries nor diagnosis given, however should you wish further information please visit www.alternativevet.org which may be useful to you.

About Chris Day

Christopher Day qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge in 1972. His mother and father are both veterinary surgeons, now retired. He was introduced to homoeopathy in his early teens and started using it on some of his patients from the outset of his veterinary career. This use increased rapidly as years went by. He also took up acupuncture, having studied abroad, and now uses these two medical systems in conjunction with other “alternatives” in his alternative medicine practice. He champions the holistic approach to horse medicine (involving a study of all aspects of the horse including its working life, farriery, saddlery, other tack, diet, teeth management, etc.) as the best approach to cure. He works closely with those saddlers, farriers, chiropractors, nutritionists and other specialists who understand holistic principles, in order to obtain optimum health for his patients.

Veterinary Help

It is not intended to suggest that Chris Day recommends doing away with the need for actual veterinary care. Some conditions are not suitable for simple homecare, whilst others are potentially serious, but it is possible that a home prescription could well alleviate the problem while veterinary help is being sought.

Most of us would agree that prevention is always preferable to having to seek a cure to an ailment or problem, whether the patient be ourselves or our animals – in this instance the equines in our care. Despite which it is all too easy to slip into certain habits when caring for our horses which can, and usually do, later cause them problems, discomfort and even pain, simply because we failed to think out their routine from an equine point of view.

It should be the aim of all horse and pony owners to devise a routine of care and management that has its foundations based firmly on the intention of providing the best possible care in all instances where the animal is unable to choose for itself and given the rather artificial circumstances and environments in which most equines find themselves, this means owners having to take responsibility for making wise choices on a daily basis to keep their animals healthy and contented.

© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004