Headshaking, onions ans flymasks!!...

[Charlie007]

Just goes to show you never stop learning......

I have posted before re my horses headshaking. I was reading through this forum and someone mentioned a company thay does very strong herbs in Newzealand. I e-mailed to find out how much their allergy herbs were. The lady replied with detailed answer but said first I should try the common white onion!! ONION!!. She said its an anti-inflammatory and a dual inhibitor. I didn't think he would eat it as he hates garlic and strong smelling stuff but he scoffed it down!! One large onion a day for a large horse and a small one for a small horse. Well since he has had it his air way has been clear, he usually suffers from pinched nostrils!! He has not been headshaking at all!! I understand the weather has alot to do with it, but its been really hot here and I have been suffering badly. The real test will come next spring when the rape is out, but for the last few days I have been amazed, long may it last!!

And (sorry, won't be long!!)

I have been having terrible trouble getting his fly mask on, he hates it, runs backwards and just gets generally upset. I noticed in the field tonight the flies were upsetting him so thought I would have another go at putting it on. Instead ofapproaching from the left as usual I approched from the right and had no problem at all!! Perhaps the onion is making him feel funny!!!!

 

[berry]

I wonder if I can try it with my in foal mare. Might ask the vet on Monday if onions have any known side affects during pregnancy .

 

[thehorseloader]

Thanks, this is really interesting.
Couple of questions, don't laugh! Did you peel the onion? Do you give the onion whole or do you chop it up and mix it through the feed?

 

[Charlie007]

Hi thehorseloader, not silly at all. I peeled them. The lady said she wizzes hers up in the blender and adds a bit of cider vinegar, but I roughly chop his up and just mix it in as you would an apple. Really didn't think he would eat them but he loves them. The lady said give one onion between two feeds. For the first few days I gave him the whole one in the eve but now I'm a bit more organised I split it.