Stories from the herb garden
Learn about keeping your horse in optimum health, naturally
Equi-Vital Sponsors David Quick
Prominent equestrian identity David Quick has accepted a sponsorship from Equi-Vital, Australia’s only all natural feed supplement. David is a popular showjumping coach around Australia, principal of Isle of Wight Warmbloods at Murchison, Vic, and President of the...
The Healing Power of Honey
It is now widely accepted by the medical and veterinary professions that honey is a very effective healer. Honey has been used for centuries by many diverse cultures as a healer and a nutritious food, so it is wonderful to see that modern science is finally catching...
Preventive Equine Nutrition Naturally
Preventive equine nutrition naturally is the best way to promote optimum health and vitality for your horses or ponies. Over the past 20 years the VF Natural Diet has been embraced by thousands of horse owners across Australia – encompassing every breed and sport....
Horse Care in Hot Weather
Unfortunately extremely hot weather is now becoming very common, and our horses and other animals need special care to cope with these challenging conditions. KEEPING YOUR HORSES HYDRATED Ensuring horses are well hydrated is at the top of the list, which means they...
Herbal Medicine – A Short History
It all began with animals In the last two decades the ancient wisdom of herbal medicine has undergone a huge renaissance. It is now firmly entrenched as a healing modality for humans and animals. It will continue to grow in popularity in the future as more people seek...
Herbal Rehab for Off Track Thoroughbreds
I love bringing out the natural brilliance in off-the-track Thoroughbreds, they’re actually my favourite breed. Over the past 40 years I have bred, bred, trained and competed on Thoroughbreds in showjumping, eventing, showing and dressage, and mustered sheep and...
Does your Horse have Ulcers or just Shitty Livered?
Being “shitty livered” is common terminology in the human world, but it just as real in the equine world. These days any horse that is girthy, irritable, with picky appetite and abnormal manure, is suspected of having gut ulcers, which is often the case. In any...
Stringhalt – VF Herbal Remedies
Australian Stringhalt In Australia, stringhalt is apparently caused from horses ingesting toxins associated with grazing of pasture weeds – namely Hypochaerisradicata and Hypochaeris glabra also known as Catsear, Flatweed, Smooth Flatweed and False Dandelion. The...
Calypso the Dressage Pony Virus Recovery with VF Herbal Remedies
Kaye Watson’s beautiful dressage pony Calypso returned to the arena at the Nationals to take a 2nd&3rd in the Novice Pony classes ridden by Jessie Fleming. Kaye consulted me in March to prescribe and dispense herbal remedies for Clippy who was under severe viral...
Herbs for Hormonal Mares
There are some fantastic herbs for balancing reproductive hormones in mares, whether they are used for breeding, pleasure riding or competition. It is not just a matter of throwing some Chastetree Berry in the feed, in fact I never use this herb at all. See Case...