Animals Healing.com - A Modern Horse Herbal Book by Hilary Page Self

A Modern Horse Herbal is a detailed guide to medicinal herbs for horses and how they can help in the treatment of a wide range of common ailments. It has been written for the new generation of horse owners seeking a more natural approach to their horse's health.

The book provides an A-Z of common ailments and conditions - from allergies to wounds - which can be effectively and safely treated with herbal medicine. In so doing it draws on the latest research in herbal medicine as well as traditional plant-based remedies, and is full of tried-and-tested advice. Throughout, the author underlines the importance of veterinary consultation, and explains how certain herbs can be used to complement and support conventional treatments.

To provide background information a Materia Medica lists the properties of fifty readily obtainable herbs, giving details on habitat, collection, actions and uses, enlivened by fascinating folklore and case histories. In addition the author discusses several non-herbal products, such as cider vinegar, honey, yoghurt and probiotics, whose healing properties can be harnessed for horses.

There are guidelines on how to make herbal preparations, such as teas and infusions, and on how to use herbs in compresses and poultices. Advice is given on how remedies are selected and dosages determined, bearing in mind that most herbs take time to bring about a healing reaction, because they work to strengthen the body as a whole rather than deal with symptoms in isolation.

The author shows how herbs can be put to good use in the day-to-day management of horses - to improve all-round health and vitality, reduce stress, overcome nervousness and excitability, strengthen hooves, add lustre to the coat and generally put a gleam in the horse's eye.

In the final part of the book, the author describes a range of alternative therapies which can be used alongside conventional and/or herbal medicine.

Hilary Self BSc, MNIMH is a Medical Herbalist and a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She lives with her husband in Somerset, UK where they run a highly successful business - Hilton Herbs, a company that manufactures herbal health-care products for animals. Hilary is responsible for all the company's formulations and for additional clinical research into the use of herbs for horses. As well as working in the business Hilary runs her own herbal practice, and works with her local veterinary practice, taking clients on referral.

In 2004 Hilary was presented with an award from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists for innovative projects in herbal medicine, in recognition of clinical trials she undertook into the application of herbs for horses with Cushing's disease.