Chemicals are abound when we talk about horses; cleaning agents, fly sprays, detanglers, and hoof polish to name a few. Getting back to the natural thing, it taxes the system of the horse and human to use chemicals. They are foreign substances that the body doesn't always know how to process and break down.
Fly sprays are probably the most potent thing the horse comes into contact with the most. They commonly contain permethrins. Permethrins are defined as a synthetic chemical and functions as a neurotoxin. And you want to spray that all over your horse? Not to mention if you give your horse a bath the runoff will also affect aquatic life. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency permethrin is likely a carcinogen. I think I would like to pass on harsh fly sprays. There are more natural remedies to keeping those pesky flys, mosquitoes, and knats at bay.
Chemicals are not limited to fly sprays and cleaning products. Feed contains chemicals as well. Insecticides are used on the plants before harvesting. Chemicals are sometimes sprayed on to help with food longevity and freshness. Most (if not all) processed/pelleted feed contains chemicals to some degree.
I feel the more we bombard our horses with chemicals, the more problems could arise. I feel that many ailments are caused by the over use of harsh chemicals. Our bodies can only handle so much before we begin to see problems. Personally, stopping the use of synthetics chemicals has very much reduced my allergies and asthma symptoms.
Go Green! I am in full support of using safe substances to clean horse equipment and to keep pesky flying insects away from my horses. I feel the less chemicals we use the safer it is for us, the animals, and the environment.
*This website is for informational use only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure and is not to replace traditional veterinary care. The information described is from my experiences and observations.
