Herb testing or Applied Zoopharmacognosy can be done in one sitting, up to two hours or be broken up over a few days.

 

There are between 65 - 80 small bags of herbs in this kit. These are to be used for testing only. Some are powdered while some are chopped. They are broken down and evaluated by herb actions (healing/nutritional properties) and their energetics (warm/cool/dry/wet, etc.). Please remember, herbs have many levels of healing and/or nutritional actions. For example: Basil falls under digestion and detoxing but it also has anti-fungal/bacterial properties as well as helping with headaches, chest infections, fevers and colds. Basil is a warming (energetic) herb, and contributes to the sweet, bitter and pungent tastes. 

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When doing Applied Zoopharmacognosy, there are reactions your horse can show, as it is these reactions that are key to understanding what your horse is saying.

 

Demonstration video coming soon!

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Licking, chewing and/or yawning (LCY): This is the ultimate response as it is known as the thinking response for a horse. When a horse shows any of these releases, it is the body’s way of saying, “this herb is good for me or can help me.”

 

Positive, NO LCY: This response can be accompanied by the horse showing a lot of interest in a particular herb; trying to eat it, nudging at you, blinking of the eyes, dropping the head in a deep relaxation. Sometimes with this response, there can be a sigh or maybe the horse steps into you. But, remember, there is no LCY but still these are positive responses.

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No Response: If the horse smells the herb and either doesn’t like the smell or the herb gives it a feeling that it is not beneficial, they will often turn their head away, back up or even try to leave. This negative response can also be accompanied by sneezing or coughing and even pinning the ears back. 

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IMPORTANT POINTS:

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*It doesn’t matter what time of day you test, as long as it’s a few hours before or after your horse eats. DO NOT allow horses to graze during the test or resting period, it can interfere with their thought process and reactions. 

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*Do not force your horse to sniff an herb. I have found when a horse jerks away quickly, it's usually is a "negative" or "no" response. 

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*Once you get a response, keep the herbs together that match the response (LCY or positive no LCY or negative). If you are unsure of the response, just make a separate pile. 
 

*You can try and assess the test yourself but I highly recommend taking a picture of the result sheets and text, messenger or email it to me. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR THIS. Please allow me 2-3 days to go over the results and make my assessment.

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*Just because your horse may seem to pick a lot of herbs, doesn’t mean they will need to take all of them.  A horse may pick 30 herbs and only get 10 or 5 or 20 depending on both the actions and energetics of each herb. 

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*We want to start the healing at the deepest level, sometimes I can suggest a pre-made blend but in most cases, creating a custom blend is most beneficial, which is what most of my clients do as well. Then it's time to get your herbs and watch the healing begin. 

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* MOST IMPORTANT: These herbs and all blends are meant to be fed with a forage based pellet. If you want to continue feeding grain, the Natural Equine diet will not work. It is very important to not feed anything with soy, as soy can block the absorption of certain nutrients, but I have also found it will keep the herbs from working at their strongest properties. This is especially important where hormonal issues are a concern.

 

Your kit will include step by step, easy instructions, a checklist for when testing is completed and a breakdown of all the herbs and their actions. Your testing herbs will be in a nice little case for storage. A waist server apron with three pockets, each pocket represents the horses reaction to make it easier. 

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Purchase the kit here: Herb Testing Kit

For extra copies the checklist click here

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