As all horse carers know, horses are incredibly accident prone! Having to keep horses in small holdings means they often have undesirable encounters with fencing causing themselves injury. Smaller holding paddocks also don't allow enough space for horses to move out of each other's way or keep a respective distance, especially from dominant alpha horses. This leads to harm from being kicked at, lunged at and bitten or squeezing through a tight space in escape such as near a fence and getting caught up in it etc. Housing horses in stables sees them sometimes cast in a box, where they get down for a roll but end up lying on their back with their legs propped up against the wall unable to retrieve themselves from this position without human assistance. Horses take stumbles in the paddock when they run about in excitement or angst, cavort acrobatically, trip into the odd hole or depression and slide awkwardly in wet mud; frequently leading to the consequences of strains and sprains, bumps and bruises, torn ligaments or muscles, dislocations or worse. Horses ridden in sporting events, on a rough trail, jumping, cattle mustering etc will often yield the results of various types of injuries.
With so many avenues for the horse to be harmed it is no wonder that the homoeopathic remedies Rhus-tox and Ruta-grav are of great assistance in the farmyard. Amongst other remedies, these are must haves in the 'First Response Kit'. The following is a brief prècis on these useful remedies:
RHUS-TOX...muscle or bone soreness and stiffness with pain showing most at the beginning of motion but improves with continued motion or warming up. Inflammation and swelling of long bones; soreness of prominent projection of bones; low back pain and sciatica; cervical stiffness; arthritis; rheumatism; tendonitis; skin eruptions...vesicular, red, intensely itchy and burning that are worse at night and better for hot bathing; poisoning by oak or ivy; fever blisters about the lips. Affects right side more often than the left. Complaints are worse from cold or cold wet weather and better for warm bathing. The horse is restless and displays a desire to change position all the time. He is better for constant motion but soon tires and must rest again which in turn becomes restlessness. He will be seen to be worse in the stable and better outdoors in the field. Often used alternated with Ruta-grav for aches and pains!
Worse - cold damp weather, after rain, exposure to wet; getting chilled or being hot and sweaty; at night; beginning of motion; before a storm.
Better - continued motion; heat, hot wash; stretching limbs; and walking.
RUTA-GRAV...specific to damage of periosteum of bone. Prominently used for connective tissue ailments; cartilage, muscles or tendons/ligaments; lameness after sprains especially of the fetlocks, knees, elbows, hocks or stifles; strained or sprained flexor tendons; neck strains; frozen shoulder; damaged tendon sheaths; bruised and broken bones, fractures and dislocations; slipping stifles; pain on bending joints; cracking in joints; contracted hamstrings; rheumatism; myositis; injuries from overuse; sciatica; bruised over-strained eyes. Parts of the body are painful, as if bruised, sore aching and restless. Easily tired from physical exertion. May be suspicious or fretful. May have increased thirst for cold water, drinks much and often.
Worse - from movement of any kind; climbing up or down hills; cold, wet weather or dampness.
Better - warmth; rubbing or scratching the area.
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