Just a little Fourth of July food for thought!

Another Fourth is upon us. I don't know how your guys are, but this time of year means my boys stick close to home for a week.. Even though we have no immediate neighbors, for about a week prior and a week following the 4th, we will hear booms and bangs from all of the surrounding areas. My horses don't care much for it and will huddle together by the gate, as to say "let me come inside and hide!" Being that that is NOT an option, there are many choices for easing your horse's stress during scary situations. Or, perhaps, you just have a nervous horse. One of the homeopathic remedies is Valerian root. Although you can obtain it in several forms, I would prefer the powdered form. You simply combine one teaspoon of powdered root with 5 oz. of hot water and steep like tea, then mix with your regular feed. Some of the benefits of using Valerian root are that, along with offering a calming effect, it also slows peristalsis, thus slowing the passage of food through the stomach and reducing the risk of diarrhea and other symptoms of colic. Some of the other homeopathic remedies are Chamomile, Vervain Root, and Melatonin (which may make him drowsy). There are also manufactured products such as Confidence Plus and Calm & Cool (I have never used either) that will apparently have the same effects. Keep your horses and dogs in mind during this holiday and remember that they might be a little scared. A carrot a day does a good job too. ;)