natural nutrition | Synergy Equine Liberty

understand insynergy - equineliberty (clickme)

When looking at medicine holistically, the first question to ask is what is health?

Health is defined as freedom from disease. In conventional medicine “normal,” chronic conditions are accepted as healthy, as long as the animal is considered free from devastating illness. In other words, many signs of chronic disease, when not life-threatening, are accepted as normal health. According to this definition many domesticated horses are not truly healthy. Many horses have low-grade problems that few people regard as signs of ill- health; the practitioner simply treats each symptom as it appears. True health in holistic terms is freedom from any signs of disease. It includes the ability to acquire common, self- limiting diseases, such as the flu, and have adequate immunity such that the illness is short-lived and requires little medication to recover. A healthy individual should mount a strong reaction to an infectious disease, often running a high fever (up to 105°F or more) for a short period of time, followed by a quick recovery. A horse, by nature, is a prey animal. It lives in areas with scrub-type vegetation, and moves twenty hours a day eating, with about four hours spent resting and sleeping. Humans expect horses to adapt to our ways of living, eating, healing and exercise, and, for the most part, horses do this very well. However, the levels of stress brought on by the unnatural living conditions create and exacerbate chronic disease and cause weakening of the immune system. Recognition of the nature of horses helps the practitioner understand how best to treat them in a holistic manner. Signs of disease manifest as mental or physical symptoms that range from mild to severe. Any deviation from health can be considered a sign of disease, but may only indicate an imbalance in feed. It is important for humans as guardians of animals to become more observant of the following signs of disease. Mental signs that chronic disease may be present include excessive fears, nervousness and inability to adapt to change. Horses with repetitive behaviors such as weaving, stall-walking, self-mutilation or cribbing appear addicted to these behaviors and are probably not dealing with the stresses of confinement very well. If a horse is forced to adapt to the stress of confinement, the immune system is probably being compromised and the horse’s health may deteriorate. It is crucial to provide our equines with an environment conductive to healing, thriving and optimal brain function.

a holistic and supportive approach to equine health by enabling horses to actively engage in meeting their nutritional and wellness needs. The InSynergy method involves offering horses a recommended daily dose of supplements- or botanicals, carefully diluted in one quart (1 L) or more of clean water. This preparation can be provided either free choice—allowing the horse to self-select when and how much to consume—or under supervised conditions targeting feedback collection. Using zoopharmacognosy as a guideline, this method not only facilitates natural instinct-driven choices but also encourages horse owners to tailor feeding and management practices. Observing the horse’s preferences can highlight specific nutritional gaps or imbalances, making this an invaluable tool for informed equine care.

Generally, synergy is defined as the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

When evaluating animal welfare, it is crucial to emphasize the interconnectedness of behavioral and physiological parameters.

In medicinal research field, however, the understanding of synergy is complicated. This study has classified the concept of synergy broadly into two main categories, based on the mode of actions—pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic synergy.

The Liberty Approach complements existing equine management systems by addressing specific seasonal or situational challenges. During colder months horses may show an increased preference for herbs with warming or anti-inflammatory properties. In periods of stress, they might gravitate toward calming herbs. Recognizing these tendencies allows caretakers to align interventions with the horse’s instinctive coping mechanisms, reducing the reliance on synthetic treatments.

a herd of horses standing on top of a grass covered hillside

A proactive approach to equine management integrates zoopharmacognosy principles to preemptively address a horse’s physical and emotional needs. This method anticipates imbalances and challenges, contrasting sharply with reactive practices, which focus on resolving issues only after they emerge. By observing self-selection behaviors, caregivers can identify subtle indicators of health and provide targeted support, fostering long-term wellness and resilience.

herd of brown horses eating on green grass hill

The first type of synergy describes two or more agents that work on the same receptors or biological targets that result in enhanced therapeutic outcomes through their positive interactions. The second type of synergy results from interactions between two or more agents during their pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) leading to changes of the agents quantitatively in the body and hence their therapeutic effects

strategically selected whole botanicals superior to pelleted or powdered supplements?

Proactive application of synergy for equine management suggests leveraging zoopharmacognosy principles to anticipate and meet a horse’s needs before issues arise, contrasting with reactive methods that address concerns only after they manifest.

Zoopharmacognosy, derived from the Greek roots "zoo" (animal), "pharmakon" (drug or remedy), and "gnosis" (knowledge), underscores the innate ability of animals to address specific imbalances or deficiencies. Observing horses’ behavioral and physiological feedback during this process offers invaluable insight into their current health state. For instance, signs of a horse’s preference for a certain botanical preparation may signal a mineral deficiency or metabolic need. Conversely, avoidance of certain options could reflect adequacy or aversion based on taste or instinctive awareness of what is unnecessary.

Free-choice offering is regarded as the ideal method because it minimizes external influence, allowing the horse’s instincts to guide their selection. When a horse has unrestricted access, they are more likely to make choices reflective of their actual needs.

The practical application of zoopharmacognosy also supports deeper equine welfare considerations. For example, offering a variety of botanical-infused water options or supplement blends not only enriches the horse’s environment but also satisfies their exploratory instincts. Horses, as grazing animals, thrive on diversity in their diet, and the ability to self-select mirrors natural foraging behaviors. This practice promotes psychological well-being by reducing boredom and enhancing their engagement with their surroundings.

Careful documentation of a horse’s choices over time can also build a comprehensive health profile. Patterns in selection provide early indicators of potential health issues, such as electrolyte imbalances or digestive concerns, enabling preventative care. This integration of zoopharmacognosy with traditional veterinary practices creates a robust framework for optimizing equine health.

Track turnouts and enrichment practices are vital for animal welfare, supporting both physical and mental health. Allowing for movement and socialization, the environment conducts the appropriate or natural states for learning and healing patterns leading to stress reduction and preventing harmful behaviors associated with confinement. These spaces promote natural locomotion, improving circulation and muscle tone, while also providing mental stimulation. Enrichment, such as toys, sensory inputs, or problem-solving opportunities satisfy natural instincts, reducing boredom and stress and effectively enhance emotional well-being and physiological health by lowering cortisol levels and improving immune function. Both practices create an environment that fosters a balanced, healthy life for animals.

The therapeutic value of synergistic interactions has been known since antiquity, and many different healing systems have relied on this principle in the belief that combination therapy may enhance efficacy, followed by recent studies

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empower equines with freedom to health

a couple of horses standing on top of a dry grass field

When evaluating animal welfare, it is important to recognize how closely intertwined behavioral and physiological factors are. An animal's physiological condition, such as heart rate, hormone levels, and immune system status, often reflects its behavior and its interactions with the environment. For instance, stress-induced behaviors like pacing, avoidance, or aggression often coincide with physiological markers such as increased cortisol or altered blood pressure. On the other hand, healthy behavioral expression—such as grazing in herbivores or socializing in herd animals—promotes physiological stability, reducing stress and supporting overall health. This symbiotic relationship also highlights the role of the autonomic nervous system, which links behavioral changes to physiological responses like changes in gut motility, immune function, or blood circulation. Understanding these connections is vital, as behavior can indicate early signs of physiological imbalances, while good physiological health tends to encourage natural, adaptive behaviors. Through this lens, both aspects should be assessed in tandem to fully gauge an animal's welfare.

black horse on snow and pine tree covered field

Horses are herbivores and are designed to eat a diet high in fibre and low in starch, obtained through freedom of movement to select and forage from a diverse range of plants in the company of other horses.

While very specific constituents of individual herbs have been identified as providing specific medicinal effects, the medicinal action of most herbs is provided by the presence of not only the primary chemical component but also secondary components which are not as easily identified. Herbalists believe that for herbs to provide their greatest effect they should be administered whole in order to provide an effective dose of both primary and secondary constituents. The presence of secondary constituents that act to increase the effectiveness of primary herbal components is the logic behind the common and usual practice of administering multiple herbs in order to achieve a single purpose.

Occurrence of a specific secondary metabolite requires unique biochemical pathways in each group of plants. Learn more here

FRIENDLY WILDLIFE

In Chinese medicine practice, a special concept of herb-herb interaction is utilized when multi-item prescriptions are formulated. Although each individual herb included in a prescription is indicated for certain symptom(s), when multiple herbs are administered together, the mixture is more than a random group of herbs. Rather, they work in unison through mutual interaction resembling different roles of the government official hierarchy, with each herb figuratively designated as either “emperor”, “minister”, “assistant”, or “servant” further highlighting the importance of understanding codependent ingredients and interactions in blends.

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