Barefoot Equine SRQ

10/10/2026

09/15/2026

Glyphosate and Equine Ulcers

My post a few days ago seemed to resonate with a lot of people who have noticed the increasing trends in the metabolic health of our equines and the increased presence of glyphosate in all aspects of the lives of our animals (and ourselves).

People also noticed the increase in other immune related issues related to things such as EPM, Lyme, sweet itch, hyperreactivity to vaccines, and overwhelmingly- gut health issues.

Unfortunately even though so many people have stories about how they have witnessed health decline in their horses when exposed to glyphosate, there are almost no equine related studies that we can reference.

BUT... there is one! (Link in comments)

Schusser GF, Köller G, Recknagel S, Lindner A. (2022). [Glyphosate detection in the duodenal fluid of horses with gastric ulcer syndrome]

This shows a connection between the presence of glyphosate in the duodenal fluid of horses and gastric ulcers in horses.

In my own experience, i have seen subclinical and chronic lamintis symptoms in horses with gastric ulcers. I can often see the quality of the feet, presence of repeated stress lines, sole depth, posture and overall comfort in the feet, whether or not a horse is suffering with ulcers.

I'm unsure if the cause of those hoof changes are due to chronic systemic inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, bacterial die off or imbalances in the microbiome causing a toxic systemic reaction or all that and then some? But if this study is correct, and glyphosate can be connected to the presence of ulcers, that is another connection between glyphosate and hoof health.

Once again, not implying that glyphosate is the ONLY cause of ulcers, there are so many things that can contribute, but the case is there and we need to informed. I promise my page won't turn into all glyphosate, all the time, but while I am educating myself more on the topic I may as well share!

06/22/2026

05/02/2026

When considering end of life decisions I want people to be realistic.

I often hear of people being guilt tripped by their own vets and other people when it comes to end of life decisions. Keep in mind that’s part of a vets job is to keep the horse alive…..the options for drugs and interventions are becoming more every year. A death is often seen as a failure and I think that’s something that needs to change. We are all on the planet for a blip of time, when you feel this weight…..zoom out to the bigger picture. We are born from Star dust and we will return to star dust. Horses don’t count their day in quantity but rather quality….Hell horses don’t count days at all! What I do know is that they are built to mask pain being a prey animal. I have seen horses whose kidneys are necrotic mush who died with a full stomach and mouthful of food…..that’s how strong their survival instincts are. I have seen black, yes black intestines in horses who died in pain because their human wanted to see another year.

Wild/feral horses average life span is 15 to 20 years, some populations are even younger depending on weather conditions and predators. The minute the horse slows down, it’s on the menu.

Domestic life has advantages for the horse but I feel in many ways it actually has less because of what we do the horse to suits our needs, not theirs. We segregate the horses in small stalls and label it luxury yet in humans we call this a prison cell. Movement is medicine yet we have convinced ourselves that stables are caring. Let me tell you, one time after a long haul flight and being restricted to my seat for a 17 hour flight I decided to go to the gym the following day. I got 15 mins into my work out before my hamstrings got the worst cramp I’ve ever experienced and I was in immense pain for two weeks after. Where are race horses always tight? Hamstrings. I had allot of sympathy for stabled performance horses after that. Movement is medicine, not just for one hour of the day.

There are so many fractures in equestrianism that are seeing daylight now and people are divided. Balance needs to be restored.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.

Two things I have noticed when horses are struggling, they either remove themselves from the herd or they attach themselves to another horse neurotically. Macular(eye) degeneration in older horses is very real and I see it allot, these horses also become spooky. If they lose weight over winter, it’s a sign their bodies not processing nutrients effectively. If they can’t stand to have their feet done comfortably. If they spend long periods of time in the paddock with their head down. If they can’t rest effectively, to fully rest they need a good stay apparatus or to lay down fully. These are all reasons to call time.

The horses I struggle to dissect the most are the ones who suffered silently, not the young horses who were put down humanely put down never to be forced to comply with human expectations. End of life choices are for the owner, the owners sees the slow decline.

******for the people triggered by my comments about vets at the beginning, it’s not ALL vets! This is not an ALL vets problem. I say it because it does happen, I hear about it often on my dissections. I say the same thing to them as I am saying here, find a realistic vet. Being a vet is hard, they are just people too with their own opinions and beliefs. This is not a vet bashing post, being a vet is a hard gig and I’m so grateful to vets.

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

Cortisol!!!

Common trends I see at events -
𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐭. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.

I am CONSTANTLY picking up inflammation in these three specific areas with my acuscope readings at every major event I go to. Hands down they are some of the most common hot spots I see.

It’s the accumulation of small stressors that compound together.

The hauling, the competing, the stalls, the STRESS

After only 1–3 hours hauling horses show significant increases in cortisol (stress hormone) which is produced from the adrenal glands… Guess where they are located? Low back😉 (Miller, et.al. 2021) Can you imagine if we multiply that number by 10? A huge percentage of the horses at these big events aren’t just hauling an hour or two down the road… A number of them are traveling 10, 20, even 30 hours. Then we ask them to compete.

In addition to an increase in cortisol, physiologically there are also an increase in inflammatory responses post-hauling, PLUS an increase in white blood cells (specifically neutrophils). Now add in several nights in small stalls (in a loud barn with lights consistently on) AND competing (inflammation + microtrauma = more stress)… All also significantly affecting immune function.

Cortisol increases
Neutrophils increase
Lymphocytes decrease
Lactic acid + anaerobic metabolic byproducts accumulate

The extra little details add up when it comes to recovery!!

Some consistent patterns I’ve recognized with horses that are often see recovering faster -

• Lots of walks out of their stalls
• Magic cushion, lots of shavings, mats, etc…. their poor feet get SO sore standing in those stalls
• Cold spa and/or icing to control inflammation (I love adding in salt and Lameaway)
• On a regular acuscope schedule
• Happy tummies!! This is HUGE

Every 1% matters… even MORE when it comes to preventative maintenance and recovery!!

#𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨