Last week, we explored the early signs of toxicity in horses. Today, we revisit a previous episode to clarify what toxicity is and how it affects your horse.

Toxicity is one of the leading causes of equine disease. When the toxic load of horses exceeds what they can process, it becomes hard for their tissues to remain healthy, their organs to function as they should, and their body systems to work together to sustain good health.

Today, I scratch the surface of the vast and complex topic of toxicity, giving you a little food for thought. Since this is a massive subject, I will likely revisit it and dive deeper into some of the points we cover today in future episodes.

Understanding Toxicity in Horses

Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can harm cells, tissues, organs, or entire systems. For horses, toxicity often accumulates gradually, influencing their health over time. Genetic makeup, nutrition, and environmental exposure are all factors that determine how well a horse can handle toxins. Well-nourished horses with good constitutions and minimal exposure to harmful substances are generally more resilient. Yet they can also struggle as they age, particularly between 14 and 16 years, when signs of imbalance often emerge.

Early Signs of Toxicity

The initial effects of toxicity can be subtle and easy to overlook. A horse may develop a dull coat, cracked hooves, or irregular shedding patterns. Some subtler changes, such as stiffness, swelling, joint discomfort, a weakened immune system, or slow recovery from illness, could also indicate that the body struggles to handle its toxic load.

Key Sources of Toxicity

• Environmental chemicals in feed, hay, and water
• Fertilizers, preservatives, and additives
• Pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, and parasites

Dietary imbalances

Dietary imbalances are another major factor contributing to poor equine health. Excess sugar or protein can stress the body and lead to inflammation, metabolic issues, and poor gut health, and a diet heavy in oils can disrupt the gut microbiome.

Acidity

Acidity in the body often results from an imbalanced diet, leading to conditions like leaky gut, systemic inflammation, and joint issues. Hormonal imbalances, such as prolonged high cortisol or insulin levels, also cause significant damage over time, contributing to tissue breakdown, laminitis, and immune dysfunction.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are crucial for combating free radicals, the unstable molecules that damage cells and DNA. Free radicals naturally occur during metabolic processes, but increase with high toxic loads. Without sufficient antioxidants to neutralize them, free radicals can accelerate aging, weaken the immune system, and cause long-term damage.

The Cumulative Effect of Toxicity

Even though toxins seldom cause immediate harm, they accumulate over time. A horse that has consumed feed with additives, dealt with multiple infections, or been on long-term medications may eventually show signs of toxicity. The cumulative effect often leads to nutritional deficiencies, compromised immunity, and declining health.

Strategies for Reducing Toxicity

• Eliminate unnecessary supplements and observe how the horse responds to a more natural diet.
• Prioritize high-quality feeds and hay with minimal additives, and avoid excessive sugar, protein, or oils, as they can disrupt metabolic health and the gut microbiome in horses.
• Address pathogens and infections promptly.
• Support detoxification with bioavailable nutrients to restore reserves and help the body manage its toxic load effectively.

Final Thoughts

Toxicity develops slowly. Understanding

We’re talking about toxicity today.

I’ve been seeing several cases lately where toxicity plays a role, so I thought it was time to revisit the topic. In episode 53, I covered the definition of toxicity and what it means for your horse, so you can go back and listen to it after this episode for more details.

Stay tuned as I share the signs to look out for.

Understanding Toxicity in Horses

Toxicity in horses often develops slowly and subtly through accumulated exposure to feed contaminants, environmental chemicals, medications, or poor-quality diets. Unlike sudden poisoning, this buildup can take years to show outwardly. Younger horses may appear healthy despite ongoing exposure, but as they age, resilience drops and health issues surface, usually from around age 12 onward.

Early Warning Signs

Subtle behavioral and physical changes often signal toxicity. These can include fatigue, dull eyes, reduced social engagement, depression, or anxiety. Appetite changes are also key clues- horses that suddenly become picky or disinterested in food may be reacting to gut irritation or inflammation. Paying attention to these small shifts helps catch toxicity before it escalates.

Behavior and the Nervous System

Toxicity can impact the nervous system, leading to high anxiety and nervousness. While horsemanship helps build horses’ confidence, chronic anxiety can point to underlying health issues or an internal imbalance. Ulcers and overactive immunity often accompany this state, as pain and inflammation trigger more stress in a self-perpetuating cycle.

Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the most common consequences of toxicity. It often presents as laminitis or joint stiffness, even when blood work looks normal. Laminitis is particularly revealing as hoof tissues react early to systemic inflammation. Many arthritic horses may actually be struggling with toxic buildup rather than structural degeneration, and they often improve after detoxification.

The Liver

The liver detoxifies all chemicals entering the body, but chronic overload eventually leads to fatigue and dysfunction. As detoxification slows, toxins accumulate, affecting hormone balance, immune strength, and overall vitality. So, even when liver enzymes appear normal, the liver may still be under strain.

The Gut–Toxicity Connection

Gut health is often the first to suffer. Long-term exposure to irritants, sugars, or intolerant feeds leads to inflammation, leaky gut, and cecal acidosis. A damaged intestinal lining allows toxins to circulate through the body, causing hives, laminitis, or chronic infections. Gut inflammation also prevents nutrient absorption.

Nutrient Deficiency

Toxicity compounds over time. Horses with chronic gut irritation or sugar-heavy diets often experience nutrient depletion because their inflamed intestines cannot absorb key minerals and vitamins.

Common Physical Signs

Visible indicators include dull or coarse coats, cracking or separating hooves, weepy eyes (often linked to liver dysfunction), nasal discharge, and reduced energy. These may seem mild or age-related, but they could reflect systemic imbalance from long-term toxicity.

Reversing the Effects

Improvement begins with removing toxins from feed, water, and the environment. Cleaning up the diet allows the liver, kidneys, and gut to recover. Even older horses can regain their vitality after reducing their toxicity and with good nutrition.

Long-Term Prevention

Reducing toxicity is one of the most effective ways to prevent disease. By being mindful of feed quality, ingredient lists, and exposure sources, owners can dramatically improve their horses’ health spans and overall...

Today I’m sharing winter nutrition tips for horses.

As temperatures drop and the seasons shift, you will need to adjust your feeding to support your horse’s health through the colder months. I’m in Calgary, Alberta, where we experience extreme temperature swings. Wherever you live, the degree of cold you experience will influence how you should feed your horses for optimal health, and one of the most important factors to consider is your horse’s weight regulation.

Managing Weight in Winter

Winter poses challenges for both easy and hard keepers. Easy keepers often enter the season carrying extra weight, while hard keepers struggle to maintain condition due to increased energy demands for warmth. Managing both types requires paying attention to diet, sugar levels, and feeding strategies.

Easy Keepers: Use Winter as an Opportunity

Winter can help easy keepers lean out naturally. When grass is dormant or covered by snow, sugar intake gets reduced. That is ideal for managing insulin resistance, PPID, and equine metabolic syndrome.

Encouraging natural movement and moderate feeding

Encourage natural movement and moderate feeding by spacing hay stations far apart. Avoid free-choice hay for overweight or sugar-sensitive horses. Instead, feed in controlled portions, ideally using slow-feeding nets, ensuring they don’t stand for too long without food.

Leaner winter conditioning helps restore insulin sensitivity, supports metabolism, and prepares horses for spring.

Hard Keepers: Prioritize Calories and Warmth

For hard keepers, maintaining weight in cold weather is essential. Offer them free-choice hay or extra feeding sessions separate from easy keepers. Provide larger mashes (such as beet pulp or alfalfa cubes) to boost calorie intake and hydration. You can use extruded feeds temporarily for better absorption and calorie density. Even if the ingredient list is not perfect, the priority is to prevent weight loss and support their muscle mass through the winter.

Once spring arrives, you can detoxify them and move them back to cleaner feeds when forage becomes available.

Supplements to Prevent Deficiencies

When a horses shift from grass to hay, the levels of fat-soluble nutrients (especially essential fatty acids) drop sharply. Supplementation is the key to preventing deficiencies that affect skin, coat, and metabolism. Crushed flax, hemp hearts, or chia seeds are excellent plant-based sources of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oils, such as flax, camelina, or hemp, can be used short-term, but only in small amounts. They must be stored properly, however, and selected for stability.

Selenium and Vitamin E Support

Horses on hay-only diets are usually deficient in selenium and vitamin E, which are vital for immune function, circulation, metabolism, and hoof health. The two nutrients work synergistically, as selenium enhances vitamin E’s antioxidant action. Since hay rarely provides enough nutrition, consistent supplementation is essential. It is always best to use high-quality supplements that are free of unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Carrots and Beta-Carotene

Carrots provide beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, and easy keepers can eat them in moderation. The fiber and phytonutrients in carrots prevent blood sugar spikes, making them a beneficial winter addition.

Winter Nutrition Takeaway

Winter is the perfect time to fine-tune your horse’s nutrition. Allow easy keepers to lose weight gradually on their own while ensuring hard keepers receive enough calories to stay warm and maintain their condition. Focus on good quality hay, balanced supplementation, and moderate feeding to support movement and metabolic health. By managing your horse’s sugar intake, providing...

This week, we’re tackling a question horse owners often ask, which is why their horses eat dirt.

Some horses only lick or nibble dirt occasionally, while others take it to extremes, even digging holes in their paddocks. The term for this behavior is geophagia, or pica, which in humans means eating things with little or no nutritional value. In horses, that behavior always points to an underlying cause that owners must explore.

Why Horses Eat Dirt

Horses that eat dirt are not just engaging in random behavior. They are seeking to soothe discomfort or fulfill a nutritional or emotional need. The causes often relate to mineral deficiencies, digestive issues, or stress and boredom. Identifying the reason involves careful observation and systematic elimination of possibilities.

Nutritional Deficiencies

When domestic horses eat dirt, it often signals unmet mineral needs, particularly sodium or selenium. Even horses on synthetic multi-mineral mixes may not be absorbing nutrients effectively, especially if their digestion is compromised or the mineral forms lack bioavailability.

Improving Mineral Intake

Offer free-choice salt, ensuring it’s free from unnecessary additives. Experiment with different salts for 10 days, adding 1–2 teaspoons to a mash if needed. Selenium deficiency is common. You can use organic selenium (selenomethionine) to correct it, even pairing mineral supplements with plant-based sources for better absorption. Products like Riva’s Remedies Happy Horse or Happy Horse Senior provide natural, bioavailable minerals and added herbs for cognitive support in older horses.

Digestive Health

When horses are getting adequate nutrition, eating dirt may stem from digestive discomfort or ulcer-related pain. Horses may also be searching for probiotics from soil or manure. Support their digestion with a high-quality probiotic, and notice whether the behavior occurs before or after meals, during stress, or when the stomach is empty.

Lifestyle and Environment

Horses in dry lots or dirt pens often experience boredom, stress, and periods of fasting between meals. Empty stomachs continually produce acid, which can irritate the stomach lining and lead to ulcers. Providing slow-feeder hay nets, extra hay feedings, turnout time, and social interaction can reduce stress-related behaviors. Ensure your horse has companionship and mental stimulation, as isolation and lack of forage contribute to habits like dirt eating.

Eating Manure

Dirt eating can also signal a lack of fiber or probiotics. Horses on lush pasture may need added fiber sources like beet pulp or timothy cubes to support hindgut health. You can give horses a human probiotic with 50 billion CFUs daily to help restore their microbial balance and reduce manure eating.

Balancing Behavior and Biology

Occasional dirt licking is normal. That behavior typically disappears once the nutritional and emotional needs of the horse are satisfied. Owners only need to be concerned when dirt eating becomes excessive or destructive.. Each horse is different, so resolving the issue requires observation, experimentation, and patience.

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With winter just around the corner, I decided to offer some tips today, for preparing mash in the colder months.

Stay tuned for practical tips to make soaking and preparing mash far easier- not only in winter, but throughout the year.

Keep Mash Prep Simple

Keep mash prep simple by using single, whole ingredients rather than mixed commercial feeds full of synthetics and fillers. This approach supports recovery and makes year-round feeding easier.

Soaking Cubes and Beet Pulp

Always soak cubes or alfalfa to prevent choking and improve digestibility. Use warm water to soften them, and soak overnight when possible. It is also essential to expand the beet pulp and pellets by allowing them to soak overnight.

Preventing Mold and Spoilage

Beet pulp molds easily in warm barns, so never leave it for more than a day. Store soaked mash in a cool, dry spot to keep it fresh.

Adding Dry Ingredients at Feeding Time

Keep dry ingredients separate until feeding. Mix the soaked portion first, then add dry ingredients right before serving to maintain freshness and nutrient quality.

Preparing in Advance

For convenience, prepare ziplock bags with a month’s worth of pre-measured dry mixes. Label each bag and then add it to the soaked mash when ready to feed.

Handling Oils and Apple Cider Vinegar

Add oil and apple cider vinegar at feeding time, and not in advance. Oils can go rancid if left open or exposed to heat, and vinegar is most effective when added just before feeding. It supports digestion and metabolic function and can even be offered in water if horses like the taste.

When Soaking Isn’t Practical

If soaking is impractical, use dry ingredients like alfalfa pellets or bran and moisten them slightly before feeding to make the meal more palatable.

Simplifying for Helpers or Travel

If you need to go away and have someone else feeding your horse, you can simplify things by providing pre-packed dry mixes. Short breaks or simplified routines will not undo your horse’s progress, and you can resume full feeding once you return.

Consistency Over Perfection

If you can only prepare mash three times a week, it is still worthwhile. Consistency matters more than perfection, and horses benefit even from partial improvement.

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Today, we are exploring how our mindset can influence the decisions we make about challenges to our horses’ health.

Whether you are dealing with a common issue or a new diagnosis that feels overwhelming, it is essential to stay grounded in practical knowledge and clear reasoning rather than emotion because disease labels can sometimes influence our perspective and choices in ways that do not serve the best interests of the horse.

What Disease Labels Really Mean

Disease labels are clinical tools that help classify health problems in horses, based on their blood tests, symptoms, and behavior. They can provide a framework for understanding what is happening in the body and guide the appropriate care. Some diagnoses, such as insulin resistance, are straightforward, while others may not be quite as clear. The key is to know whether a diagnosis will guide your next step or limit your perspective.

When Diagnosis is Useful

When progress has stalled or the symptoms fail to add up, a well-defined diagnosis will clarify what you are dealing with. Knowing the specific problem will allow you to tailor your support holistically, through diet, nutrition, stress management, and other natural approaches.

The Power of Belief and Fear

Disease labels can shape an owner's mindset, often leading to fear-based decisions. When a horse receives a diagnosis, the label can carry emotional weight, narrowing all that the owner may believe is possible. That fear may prevent a deeper exploration of other options, which could influence the horse’s energy and its recovery.

The Laminitis Example

Beliefs about laminitis have evolved drastically. Years ago, pads and shoes were considered the only option for comfort. Today, however, many horses recover with patience, proper hoof care, and the right nutrition. Unfortunately, outdated beliefs still cause many owners to give up on their horses prematurely, leading to unnecessary suffering or euthanasia.

The Cushing’s (PPID) Example

PPID is another condition that evokes fear. While some horses may require lifelong medication, others can improve naturally through holistic management. High ACTH results do not always mean a permanently broken pituitary. Each case is unique, so it is essential to avoid assuming the worst before exploring all options.

How Beliefs Shape Outcomes

What an owner believes about their horse’s condition will directly influence its healing. Negative expectations can impair recovery, while confidence and calm leadership encourage it. Horses mirror the emotions of their owners, so if you believe your horse can heal, you create the space for that healing to happen.

Emotional Leadership

Your emotional state guides your horse. If you stay grounded, hopeful, and consistent, your horse will feel safer and more able to recover. That mindset will also protect you from burnout by replacing your anxiety and grief with trust.

Managing Financial Fear

Avoid letting your financial fears drive your decisions before fully understanding what is truly needed. Financial pressure often amplifies the stress of a diagnosis, so owners may assume they will be liable for massive costs before exploring all options. Yet many horses recover with far less expense and intervention than expected.

Old Beliefs

Many beliefs about equine health stem from decades-old assumptions or limited studies. Always question the source of your information. Was it from a solid, well-designed study, or just anecdotal experience? Our modern understanding continues to evolve, and open-mindedness can make all the difference between despair and recovery.

Health and Recovery Gray Areas

Equine health often lies in the gray areas, and recovery could...

As we move from summer to fall, and temperatures at night start to cool, subtle changes begin to occur in our horses.

Shorter days trigger powerful hormonal shifts, often before we even notice. Those shifts play an essential role in the health of our horses- especially those with metabolic conditions.

Hormone Shifts and Metabolism

Seasonal hormone shifts influence how horses process sugar, maintain muscle, and manage inflammation. In fall, ACTH levels naturally rise, increasing cortisol to drive fat storage and coat growth in preparation for winter. When those hormones remain elevated for too long, however, problems like delayed shedding, thick coats, sweating, muscle loss, inflammation, and a higher risk of laminitis may emerge.

Fall as a High-Risk Season

Far more horses tend to experience metabolic flare-ups in the fall as it brings a dangerous mix of hormonal shifts, fat storage, and higher pasture sugar levels, all of which raise the risk for equine metabolic syndrome and PPID. As horses naturally conserve energy and build fat reserves before winter, insulin resistance also tends to worsen.

Testing and Diagnosis

A single test showing high ACTH in fall is not enough to diagnose PPID. As ACTH naturally rises seasonally, it is essential to use multiple test results, and get a complete health profile before deciding on lifelong medication.

Insulin, Inflammation, and Weight

Insulin is fundamentally a fat-storage hormone. If it is high, horses cannot lose weight. Chronic inflammation from laminitis or hoof pathologies drives insulin even higher, and elevated cortisol keeps blood sugar high, locking horses into a state of fat storage. That combination often causes gain weight and soreness in the fall.

Diet and Forage Management

Careful forage management is the foundation of supporting metabolic horses. Prioritize low-sugar hay and limit access to rich pasture, especially during high-risk seasons, like fall. Slow feeders, soaking hay, and controlled turnout can all help regulate sugar intake. Consistency in diet not only stabilizes insulin and energy levels but also reduces the risk of flare-ups.

Lifestyle and Stress

Stress management is as important as diet. Horses need freedom to move, regular forage, and companionship to regulate their cortisol levels and maintain metabolic balance. Stalled or isolated horses, or horses with long gaps between feedings suffer higher stress levels, which compounds hormone problems, and no supplement can overcome the damage caused by chronic stress and inappropriate living conditions.

Long-Term Management

Consistency is essential. Progress may seem slow at times, but steady attention to low-sugar forage, regular exercise, and stress reduction leads to lasting improvements. Expect seasonal setbacks, but they will be temporary. Over time, consistent care helps horses rebuild their health and resilience.

Hormonal Considerations in Mares

Mares can be susceptible to seasonal hormonal shifts. Changes in daylight and hormone levels often affect their cycles, behavior, and comfort. For mares with metabolic issues, those fluctuations may add another layer of stress, making careful monitoring and consistent management even more essential.

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This week, we are diving into skin problems with horses.

Skin problems are hard to ignore. They are right in your face, so they grab your attention instantly.

Types of Skin Problems in Horses

Skin issues range from dry, flaky skin to severe allergic reactions. Horses may suffer from hives, sweet itch, infections like rain rot or mud fever, and chronic itchy skin. These conditions may appear as sudden, alarming outbreaks or develop into persistent, long-term struggles.

Why Skin Problems Demand Attention

Unlike hidden health issues, skin problems are visible and alarming, often pushing owners to act quickly. Acute flare-ups can appear to be emergencies, and chronic flare-ups may frustrate owners when topical treatments and medications only provide temporary relief.

Beyond the Surface

The skin is an organ and part of the immune system. When reactions occur externally, it is a sign of deeper imbalances, such as inflammation, immune dysfunction, or a toxin overload that can also affect internal systems.

Digestive Problems

Digestive problems often correlate with skin flare-ups. Ulcers, leaky gut, and poor liver function can raise histamine levels, leading to hives, itching, and chronic skin irritation. When the liver and gut cannot properly eliminate toxins, issues frequently surface in the skin.

The Role of Histamines

Histamine release is a natural immune response that can cause symptoms like swelling, itching, and hives. Horses with gut issues often produce excess histamine, making them more prone to skin outbreaks. Treating your horse only with antihistamines can suppress symptoms, but that does not solve the root cause.

Diet and Allergens

Some feeds can trigger skin reactions. Allergies or intolerances (such as to alfalfa) may take years to appear as acute symptoms. Long-term toxic buildup from feed, medication, or supplements can overload detox pathways and weaken skin health.

Liver Health

The liver plays a central role in detoxification. Over time, medications, poor nutrition, or stress can overwhelm the liver, leading to chronic skin problems. Supporting liver health is the key to sustainable recovery.

Triggers

Hormone imbalances and stress can affect skin health. Stress-related cortisol and adrenaline spikes increase histamine production, sometimes also triggering ulcers and hives. Managing stress is critical for restoring balance.

Long-Term Solutions

Quick fixes rarely last. Holistic management focuses on supporting digestion, detox pathways, nutrient balance, and emotional well-being. Owners may need to experiment and make gradual adjustments to find lasting solutions.

Key Takeaways

Skin health reflects whole-body health. A methodical approach that addresses gut health, liver function, diet, hormones, and stress will lead to lasting improvements, whereas symptom-only treatments will keep horses stuck in recurring cycles.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome...