Aloe Vera USA - Horses FAQs

Which Aloe Vera Preparations are suitable for horses?
Most Aloe Vera preparations can be used on horses. Use Aloe Vera gel orally and for skin conditions use Aloe Vera soap and shampoo to clean the area, followed by an Aloe Vera spray or Aloe Vera with propolis cream rub.

What's the best way of giving Aloe Vera Gel to horses?
Directly into the mouth. Put into their food or add to drinking water. Any food or water not consumed that day should be discarded and replaced.

What is the best treatment for ringworm?
Spray all areas with Aloe Vera spray. Apply Aloe Vera gelly to the infected areas of the skin daily as often as you can. Give Aloe Vera gel in the food each day. In persistent cases change from the Aloe Vera gelly to the Aloe Vera with propolis cream.

Which Aloe Vera product is best for wounds?
If the wounds are not suturable, excellent healing can be achieved by first cleansing the wound with diluted Aloe Vera soap, spraying with Aloe Vera spray and then dressing the wound with Aloe Vera gelly. Most wounds heal up to 35% quicker than when using conventional preparations resulting in less scaring and more hair re-growth.

Will Aloe Vera Gel help with poor appetite?
Yes, in most cases, by giving oral Aloe Vera gel, appetite is restored, usually within 48 hours.

Which products are suitable for tendon injuries?
Competition horses frequently strain tendons. This results in an acute inflammatory reaction causing damage to the collagen fibres. It is very important that this inflammatory reaction is limited as soon as possible. Achieve this using cold, pressure, analgesics and rest, (Cold hose the limb, apply frozen crushed Aloe Vera gel in a towel followed by massaging with an Aloe Vera and MSM gel; then a padded pressure bandage and allow plenty of rest). This procedure should be repeated 4-6 times a day while this acute inflammatory condition is present. After a few weeks when this acute heat-forming reaction has subsided then an Aloe Vera heat rub with eucalyptus can be applied. Also add Aloe Vera gel, or Aloe Vera with glucosamine and chondroitin and MSM, to their diets.

Can Aloe Vera be used as a wormer?
Aloe Vera has been used as a purging wormer for several centuries. Unfortunately, although purging would clear out a few of the adult worms it has little effect on the majority and no effect on the immature migratory stages. Aloe Vera should therefore not be relied on as a wormer. Trials have indicated that the daily addition of Aloe Vera gel to a horse’s diet boosts their natural immune system against intestinal parasites.

Is Aloe Vera suitable for pregnant or lactating animals?
Oral and topical Aloe Vera gels and Aloe Vera gelly that are made from 100% stabilised gel are perfectly safe to use in horses which are pregnant or lactating. A number of studies carried out in the sixties showed that Aloe Vera has no measurable levels of toxicity.

Is there an Aloe Vera preparation suitable for Mud Fever?
Mud Fever is a dermatitis, which particularly affects the pasterns of both ponies and horses. It does not always have to be associated with muddy conditions. We frequently get cases in the summer when conditions are dry. The lesion consists of scabby areas particularly on the backs of the pastern, which often develop into areas of moist eczema. To help these areas heal, clean them off and break down the scabs gently with Aloe Vera spray before finally applying Aloe Vera gelly. Too much washing creates dampness, which can make the condition worse so it is advisable not to over wash. If the area appears very infected, use an Aloe Vera with propolis cream rub instead of the gelly.

Can Aloe Vera be used to help animals suffering from fits?
No. Epilepsy in animals is caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain the cause is unknown but they often occur following periods of relaxation or sleep. Unfortunately, Aloe Vera has no influence on these discharges.

Can Aloe Vera preparations be used for "Sweet Itch?"
While sweet itch must be treated conventionally the dermatitis does respond well to Aloe Vera. Firstly wash the area with the Aloe Vera soap, dry well, spray the area lightly with Aloe Vera spray and finish off by applying the Aloe Vera gelly or Aloe Vera with propolis cream rub. Adding Aloe Vera gel to the diet would also help. Sweet Itch is an allergic dermatitis set off by biting midges. The dermatitis is easily controlled with Aloe Vera products; the problem is preventing the midges from attacking the horse/pony and the self-mutilation inflicted by the patient. We have found that diluted Aloe Vera cleanser and an Aloe Vera heat rub with eucalyptus can help in preventing the insect attacking the animal.

Is Aloe Vera Gel suitable for elderly animals?
The Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent preparation for our more mature equine friends. It acts as a general ‘pick me up’ and helps keep all systems, particularly an immunological system in peak performance. We recommend dosage of 100-120mls per day. Each year vets are called to examine mature horses from January onwards because they are losing weight and showing signs of not coping. When these are examined and blood tested, many show signs of poor digestion and liver/kidney problems usually associated with the ageing process. These animals need a well-balanced, appetising and nourishing diet, protection from the weather, check teeth and worm regularly. As animals age they will develop arthritis and therefore we also recommend they are given Aloe Vera with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM daily.

Which Aloe Vera products are suitable for gastric ulcers?
These are most commonly present in over 90% of race horses in training. Since the cause is mainly associated with the way the horses are managed this needs to be corrected first where possible. Aloe Vera gel at a rate of 250mls daily added to the food is an excellent supplement to correct management.

Which preparation can be used for Rain Scald in horses?
This is a condition seen particularly on the backs of horses left out during wet weather. Any area where water accumulates on the skin allows multiplication of spore-forming bacteria, called Dermatophilus Congolensis. This damages the epithelial layer of the skin, allowing secondary opportunist bacteria (such as Staphylococci and Streptococci) to also invade, making the infection worse. Eczema-like lesions develop, similar to ‘Mud Fever’ of the lower limbs. Always deal with the cause first and bring the horse in from the wet weather. Wash off areas, which are essentially similar to moist eczema (often scabby and matted hair), with a medicated scrub or Aloe Vera soap. Dry very well. Spray lightly with Aloe Vera spray and rub in Aloe Vera gelly. For the first five to seven days expect the ‘healing crisis’, after which the lesions should heal quickly. Any persistent areas with secondary infection can be encouraged to heal using an Aloe Vera with propolis cream rub. Do not repeatedly wash these areas because it will only make the condition worse.

Which preparations are suitable for skin allergies?
Most skin allergies lead to areas of Dermatitis, which we usually refer to as eczema. It is always important to first identify the cause of the allergy. This may be from something the animal has eaten or it may be initiated by direct contact with the skin. Whatever the cause the end result will be inflammatory type skin reaction. This irritates the animal leading to rubbing, scratching and licking of the areas. When trying to help this type of condition first remove the cause, if known. Gently wash any discharges and accumulated debris from this area with dilute Aloe Vera soap. Dry the area. Then spray lightly with Aloe Vera spray. Follow this with reasonable amounts of Aloe Vera gelly rubbed into the area. Repeat the Aloe Vera spray and Aloe Vera gelly combination 4-6 times daily. Too much washing can make the condition worse. As the eczema improves, the daily applications can be reduced to twice daily. If the area is particularly infected change to an Aloe Vera with propolis cream rub. Because this allergy is a result of a hypersensitivity reaction where the immune system has become over-active, it is important to give Aloe Vera gel orally to animals either directly by mouth or in the food.

Will Aloe Vera Gel help in cases of Navicular in Horses?
This is a complex condition because the cause is often related to conformation, shoeing practices and the type of work the horse has done. The picture is further complicated because not only is it bilateral but also it is often present as degenerative joint disease in other joints and today is often referred to as distal limb polyarthritis (D.J.D.) navicular syndrome. Aloe Vera with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM can help if it is combined with corrective and often surgical shoeing (bar shoes). When combined with corrective shoeing use 250mls of Aloe Vera with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, given as 125mls twice daily until the lameness improves. This should take about 3 months, after this time keep them on a maintenance dose for the rest of their lives of 120mls per day.

Will Aloe Vera help in conditions that lower the immunological response?
This is one area where Aloe Vera gel excels itself. In conditions which decrease an animal’s immunological response, the incorporation of Aloe Vera gel in their diets for at least 6 weeks has relieved their symptoms in up to 80% of cases. Horses require 250mls daily. Part of the mechanism of action is the Aloe Vera’s ability through its acemannan component to increase the cooperation of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes thereby increasing antibody production. It has proven useful in all species, which suffer post viral lethargy syndromes, and in any disease where the immunological response is decreased.

Can Aloe Vera preparations help with laminitis in pony's?
It is very important to enlist the help of the pony’s veterinary surgeon and farrier. With correct management Aloe Vera products can help. To help prevent the reoccurrence of this, problem ponies need to be kept on 60 to 120 mls of Aloe Vera gel per day depending on how susceptible they are. Strict control of the diet and regular exercise are essential. If the pony has an acute attack then the vet and farrier should be called immediately and the pony given 200mls of Aloe Vera gel by mouth daily. This level should be maintained until the symptoms improve when it can be reduced to 120mls. When recovered the pony should be kept on 60mls daily. Together with correct management and assistance from a vet and farrier Aloe Vera can help control this problem in 80% of cases. This result will not be achieved with Aloe Vera alone.

Can Aloe Vera be used in cases of Grass Sickness?
This disease is most commonly seen in horses during the spring and in summer when they are at grass. Although the cause remains unknown, it is believed that a neurotoxin present in the grass damages the autonomic nervous system, which controls the movement of the digestive system. In the past most cases were put to sleep because they either were wasting away or suffered from colic. Recently six cases were treated with up to four litres of Aloe Vera gel per day. Initially this was either given by a vet via a stomach tube or by owners giving small amounts at regular intervals throughout the day. All the horses treated in this way made a full recovery.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Any product information or advice on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinary practitioner. You should not use the information contained here for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. We make no medical claims or otherwise for the treatment, prevention, cure or mitigation of disease, and cannot assume responsibility for those who choose to treat their animals themselves. If your animal has a medical condition, we recommend that you consult veterinary practitioner, who will assess the condition and recommend the correct treatment and/or product and dosage.