Chronic Inflammation in Horse and Rider

In humans we call it a “disease of civilization.” I think it’s safe to call it a “disease of domestication” in our horses. The idea is that it is an ailment that is commonplace in western/domesticated populations, but is nearly or entirely absent in hunter gatherer/wild counterparts.

Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest of these diseases. In our horses and in our own bodies, it shows up as skin and coat, joint, digestive, behavioral, and metabolic dysfunction.

While some acute inflammation is beneficial, and even necessary, in a healthy individual, chronic, constant inflammatory stress is damaging in more ways than we may even know. The good news? There are some easy steps you can take right now to reduce inflammation and start the healing process.

Step 1: Reduce Inflammatory Foods

The easiest place to start is to reduce your intake of inflammatory foods. For us, this includes sugar, refined white flour, caffeine, alcohol, and any ultra processed foods. In our horses, this includes refined grains and starchy feeds, sugary treats, and refined vegetable oils.

Instead of trying to quit all of these these cold turkey, challenge yourself to see if you can make just one swap at your next meal (or feed store run). If you try to make just one swap per meal, by the end of the week you will have cut at least 21 possible opportunities for inflammation from your diet.

Step 2: Increase Anti Inflammatory Foods

Just as above, try to just add opportunities to eat anti inflammatory foods at each meal, or each day in your horse’s bucket. These include whole foods, green tea, nuts, and herbal anti inflammatories like turmeric and ginger for us, and omega 3’s and anti inflammatory supplements like turmeric and devils claw for our horses.

Step 3: Reduce Stress

I know, this is a big ask. But try your best to reduce stress in your daily life. Prioritize good sleep, gentle movement, deep breathing, and meditation wherever you can fit it in. You know what stresses you out better than anyone, so do what you can to minimize stress and maximize relaxation in little moments throughout your day.

For our horses, this might look like more turn outs, grazing time, enrichment activities, or a slow feeder.

If you’re ready to reduce inflammation in your body and your horse’s, join me for our one week Horse and Human Inflammation Reset.