Horse Health

Horse Health

Banamine, Curse or Cure
Betty Burlingame, 2002

The drug Flunixin Meglumine, commonly referred to as Banamine, is a
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, smooth muscle relaxant. It is
used for a variety of reasons. Its primary use in horses is for the
alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal
disorders and for alleviation of visceral pain associated with colic
and occasionally used for adjunct treatment of laminitis. It is suggested
that this drug be used with caution on horses with gastrointestinal
problems such as ulcers, kidney or urinary problems or hematological
disease. This drug can be used in place of phenylbutazone for horses
with adverse reactions to that drug.

The drug itself is a very good drug, but can be overused by owners and
trainers. It is more important to find the root of the disorder for
which this drug is used, rather than prolonged or frequent use to mask
the disorder. Colic in horses can be, in most cases, avoided by
understanding the underlying causes of colic. Prevention is more important
than the cure for this disorder. I read a bumper sticker one day that
read "Think education is expensive? Try Ignorance." This truism becomes
evident as it applies to knowing what causes colic in horses. It seems
to me that most people rely more on the cure than they do on the cause.
As long as the cure is so readily available, they don't have to worry
about figuring out why their horses colic.

A few simple guidelines and rules of thumb can be applied to colic prevention.
The number one cause of colic is parasitic intrusion. Sometimes horses
colic from adhesions caused from encysted worm infestations, and sometimes
colic is caused from a large infestation that is killed at once,
causing an impaction from a big wad of dead worms trying to pass at the
same time or they may get sick from the large amount of necrotic tissue
formed by a bunch of dead parasites in their guts. A regular de-worming
schedule can be administered, easily enough to eliminate this cause.
Another easy-to-eliminate cause of colic is sand ingestion. A product
called psyllium can eliminate sand collection with a regular monthly or
weekly application. Some horses' sensitivity to change is also a variable
that needs to be considered in the search for a reason why they colic.
Change in habitat, barometric pressure, feed, water, temperature and/or
routine can cause some horses to colic. The psychological reasons are
harder to figure out than the physiological ones. It isn't possible to
prevent all the changes that occur in a horse's life, but eliminating
the physical causes and keeping your horse healthy and content is a very
good way to prevent colic. To me, this makes far more sense than keeping
6 tubes of Banamine on hand, and is far less expensive.

Banamine is a very good drug to use, on those occasions when a horse
will benefit from the temporary administration of the drug. It was a
lifesaver when two of my miniature horses reacted to their regular
immunization shots when we had an unseasonably warm spell immediately
following their injections. Both had temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
They both responded immediately to the administration of the drug, and
within 2 days, had normal temperatures. The important aspect to remember
is that drugs are for the exception, not the rule. In my lifetime, I've
had twelve horses. The only horse who has colicked under my care was one
of my mini's, from sand colic. I didn't know his belly was full of sand
when I bought him. He's never colicked since.

What to include in your horse "First Aid Kit"

The following items (stocked at Rockn Bee) should be included in your horse first aid kit. When you need "first aid", you need the items quickly. There isn't time to run to the drugstore and get the items. Often horses hurt themselves at a time when most stores are closed. (Does 2 a.m. ring a bell?) Items need to be stored in a chest of some sort that will keep dust and foreign particles out of your first aid kit. I use a plastic storage bin, with a lid that has a lip that locks. It is 24" X 18" X 30".

Items:
1-2 rolls of sterilized cotton batting
6-12 telfa (ouchless) bandages
1 package of small sized disposable baby diapers (work well on joint injuries)
6-12 rolls of gauze
6 pairs of rubber gloves
6-12 rolls of vet-wrap
3-4 rolls of elasticon adhesive bandage
1 pair of bandage scissors
1 tube ophthamolic terramycin (for conjunctivitis)
1 can of Granulex
1 Quart of Betadine Scrub
1 pint isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning hands & instruments)
1 Quart of chlorox for sterilizing instruments and for a 1-10 solution for scrubbing hooves before treating for thrush
1 clean, sterilized spray bottle
1 clean, sterilized squirt bottle (dishwashing liquid bottle)
1- 2 sterilized hypodermic syringes (cut out the tip, use for giving antibiotics, Banamine, or Phenylbutazone)
1 pint of 2% iodine
1-2 tubes triple antibiotic
1-2 tubes hydrocortisone 1% strength
1 tin of ichthamol drawing agent (for abcesses)
1 quart of liniment (for sore muscles)
1-2 tubes aspirin paste or a tub of aspirin powder
1 quart of sheath cleaner
1 quart of thrush treatment (Coppertox)
½ gallon of Epsom salts
4-6 pieces of clean terry cloth toweling
1 8 oz bottle of Pepto Bismol
1 tube of probiotic
1 jar of Swat (for summertime to keep flies away from face and ears, and wounds)
1 sterilized medium-sized scrub brush (for scrubbing hooves)
1 sterilized tooth brush (for scrubbing hooves)
1-2 quilted leg wraps (for your knees)

Home Remedies for Horse People
By Jayne Pedigo

In the "olden days" veteran horsemen had their own patented methods for caring for the horses in their stables. Today's horsemen and women have adapted these time-honored remedies and added some new ones of their own. The remedies and ideas shown below are taken from the Horses Discussion forum and thanks go to Karice, Carrie, Deborah, GiddyUpGo and DVietz for sharing them with us all.

Caring for Wounds

Preparation H - aids in the reduction of proud flesh and also encourages hair growth on wound sites.
Meat tenderizer - moistened into a paste takes the sting out of bug bites and stinging nettles.
Turpentine -For sores that won't heal - turpentine on a white cloth wrapped around the sore.
Sugar and Iodine - mix into a paste for use on scrapes and burns - the sugar keeps the flesh from dying and the Iodine fights the infection.
Sugar Water - For a blister or scrape make a poultice of sugar water mixed with some aloe (from the plant) and wrap in place over the wound.

Plain Crest toothpaste - shines up silver on saddles & bridles beautifully. Caring for Tack
Murphy's Oil Soap - works great to clean leather, very mild.
Kerosene - Soak rusty tools (hoof nippers, fence tools, pliers, etc.) over night a bucket of kerosene to remove rust. Really bad rust may need to be soaked longer.
Oats - Put 2 or 3 cups of whole oats in a 5 gallon bucket, bury the bit in the oats, and rub the oats all over the bit. It gets off dried grass & shines the bit back up.

Caring for The Coat

Wisk - really gets white/grey horses/markings white, but make sure and rinse thoroughly
Simply Green - use to remove those stubborn grass stains.
WD40 - use to put a shine on manes/tails in show ring, also good for getting burrs and pine sap out of your horse's mane and tail.
Old fashioned 'Blueing' - a few drops in water to whiten coats and tails.
Vinegar - put in horses feed for natural fly repellant/shiny coat.
Fly Spray: - 2 cups white vinegar, 1 Cup Avon Skin So Soft bath oil (original), 1 Cup water and if you can get it 1 Tablespoon eucaliptus oil. Mix in a spray bottle.
Mane and Tail Detangler: - Mix 1part calgon bath oil beads (dry) to 3 parts water in a spray bottle.
Listerine - Douse the whole tail from top to bottom twice a day. Works great for itchy tails and it helps repel bugs and soothes itchy, irritated skin. Works on manes too!
Liniment: - 2 pints clear alcohol, 2 pints wintergreen alcohol, 2 pints witch hazel, 1/2 bottle store-bought equine liniment. Pour all ingredients into a clean gallon container, top off with white vinegar.

Jello - mixed in with the feed, encourages hoof growth. Caring for Hooves and Teeth
Chlorox - use in a spray bottle to spray underside of hooves to treat thrush.
Diapers - place on the underside of the hoof and wrap with duct tape - great for holding poultices in place and for keeping abcesses clean between treatments. Can also be used as "Easy Boots".
Baking soda - sprinkle in the feed to help horses with teeth that need floating often.

Miscellaneous

PVC plumbing pipes -, buy these at home improvement centers and use them as jump poles.
Gallon size plastic Milk jugs - can be filled with water or sand for stability. Make great dressage ring markers.
Old car mats - great for putting under hoof at show for applying hoofshine - keeps hoof clean and dry. Also good for kneelling on, etc.
Clear plastic zipper bags - use for organizing things so you can see them, but won't lose them - like braiding materials (precut yarn, clips, threads, needles, pullthru, etc.) and any small items. Label bags, and do a pre-show check to make sure all items are there, and ready to go.
Rubber (or plastic) tote boxes - use for everything from First Aid kit to the tack accessories for shows. No more hunting for things. Choose size and colors to fit your needs.
Pillowcases - use to keep rags, one for clean other for dirty, and toss the whole bag into wash (commercial machine - with soap and bleach)

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