The Benefits and Dangers of Alternative Medicine
by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

The primary concern for any horse owner is keeping your horse in great health. With several options in healthcare to choose from, deciding on the best program for your horse can be overwhelming. Alternative therapies can be a positive addition to your horse’s health program, but like anything else, it is important to educate yourself in the world of alternative medicine before introducing them to your horse.

When considering alternative medicine for your horse it is important to remember that not all alternative products are purely natural, and not all natural products are completely safe. There has been a rise in the use of alternative medicine over the last decade in the United States. From herbology to homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, acupressure and chiropractic therapy, this “new” yet ancient way of healing has become a trend. The problem with any trend, however, is the misconception about these products and services that flood the population.

Advertising promotes the purchase of alternative medicines and focuses on the natural healing power of their contents. The biggest misconception comes from the highly used term “natural”. An uneducated consumer may see this word on a product and believe that the product is harmless. This is not always true. Seeking advice from a trained veterinarian and being aware of potential dangers is an important part of becoming an educated consumer, especially when it comes to your horse.

A horse’s anatomy and chemical make-up differs from that of a human and therefore may react differently to an alternative medicine than expected. It is not reasonable to assume that a medicine that is safe or effective for a human would be safe and effective for your horse. In addition, alternative medicines are usually most effective when used to compliment conventional medicine. Working with a trained veterinarian can help determine the needs of your horse and the best way to use alternative medicines in this respect.

There are both benefits and dangers to using alternative medicines for equine health. Some of the benefits include:

Typically, alternative medicines are reported to have fewer or less severe side effects for your horse than conventional medicines. This may be an attractive quality that drives consumers to seek an alternative method of treatment.

The basic philosophy behind treatment with alternative medicine is based on the concept of being proactive with your horse’s health rather than reactive. Several conventional medicines work to treat an illness after it has become a problem. Alternative medicines typically work to maintain the health of your horse resulting in illness prevention. Alternative medicines also work to treat the horse itself and not the symptom or illness.

Natural remedies have been used for centuries to maintain health in a variety of cultures. Many people who are frustrated with conventional medicine are turning to the Earth for answers in health.

For some, working with and using alternative therapies for their horse provides a sense of independence from traditional medicine. This allows them to take a more active role in their horse’s health and well-being.

Some of the dangers associated with alternative medicines include:

Not only are alternative medicines not regulated by the FDA, there is also a lack of sufficient research in this area. Because less research is available, the risks involved with using alternative medicine can be higher than that of conventional medicine. Thankfully, the rising demand for alternative medicine is resulting in more research. As this research becomes available consumers will be able to make more educated decisions in health. In the meantime, it is still necessary to be cautious when using products that are not regulated.

It can be difficult to predict how alternative medicines will react with other medicine, both conventional and otherwise. There is a chance that an alternative medicine could either lessen the effects of conventional medicine, or provide adverse effects for your horse. In addition, alternative medicines could react with each other. For this reason, it is important to use caution and speak with a veterinarian when considering integrating alternative medicine into your horse’s health program.

Both direct and indirect toxicity is possible when working with alternative medicines. Some chemicals present in plants could have adverse effects to equine health. These effects are not always noticeable right away, but prolonged use has the potential to cause damage to you horse’s health.

Alternative medicines could potentially be a great way to compliment your horse’s health. It is important, however, to know the facts about alternative medicine and how it compares to conventional medicine prior to changing your horse’s health program. Thankfully, veterinarians are becoming more open minded to alternative therapies every day. They can provide insight into the benefits and dangers of alternative medicine while developing a program to fit your horse’s individual needs.

The rise in alternative medicine has provided an array of choices that could potentially be overwhelming for a consumer. Though alternative medicines have several benefits for equine health, the dangers should not be ignored. Go out, get the facts, speak with your veterinarian and do some of your own research before changing your horse’s health program. Taking an active role in your horse’s health is an important part of making the right choices in medicine.

Reader Comments

Submit your comments

Link to this article

----------------------   It's easy! Just copy code below and paste into your webpage     --------------------

<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/benefits-dangers-alternative-medicine.html">The Benefits and Dangers of Alternative Medicine</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your link will appear like this:
The Benefits and Dangers of Alternative Medicine ~ EquestrianMag.com