Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their specific symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to each patient.

The name homeopathy, coined by its originator, Samuel Hahnemann, is derived from the Greek words for ‘similar suffering’ referring to the ‘like cures like’ principle of healing. Hahnemann was born in Germany two hundred and fifty years ago. At this time the old world-view was being renovated and traditional beliefs, many flimsily based upon superstition, were being increasingly subjected to the rigour of experimental scrutiny and assessment. The practice of Homeopathy is based upon science, while its application is an art.

Hahnemann discovered that Cinchona bark (which gives us Quinine) was an effective medicine to treat malaria. His discovery was based on the fact that when given to a healthy person it was able to produce symptoms similar to malaria. Hahnemann went on to document his work, and his texts formed the foundations of homeopathic medicine as it is practised today.Modern homeopathy is born from this and still based on the principle that you can treat ‘like with like’, that is, a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms.

In order to try and render his medicines safe he went on to experiment with diluting them to extreme levels. what he discovered has baffled even modern science as it seems totally counter intuitive. As he methodically further diluted and violently agitated (known today as succession; a specific way of shaking) his medicines he produced both increasing safety but also miraculously an increased curative power.

There are many advantages to using homeopathic medicine even today:

Homeopathic medicines will never interfere with conventional drugs that you may already be administering or taking. Judiciously prescribed homeopathic medicine is totally safe for any animal including young animals and also those that are pregnant or lactating who are normally very limited in the treatment options that are available to them in conventional medicine.

In many cases homeopathic medicine can also prove to be a cheaper option then some of the manufactured pharmaceutical drugs on offer. This can be a useful consideration in the case of serious illness where bills have mounted up and funds are running low.

Although simple in its main premise that “like treats like” the success of homeopathy is very dependent on the abilities of the prescriber. A thorough understanding of the animal or patient needs to be gathered and then interpreted to ascertain the best remedy to prescribe. This is particularly important in trickier more serious illnesses where several factors may be at play. Hence why you may read on forums why one remedy has “cured” an illness in one animal but made no difference in another. So whilst you can experiment a little yourself with your own health & animals there really is no substitute to seeking the assistance of a qualified homeopathic vet or practitioner who can work alongside your own vet.

Homeopathic remedies are very “delicate” and also require a degree of careful handling and administration that is very specific.

In the case of administering to a horse it is necessary to observe the following to ensure best success:

• Do not touch or handle the pills directly. Administer directly into the mouth or in a small portion of organic carrot or apple. I personally dispense the correct dosage into a feed scope & add a little grated apple or carrot or some dried rose hip to “tempt” my horses to eat the pills.
• Do not give with hard feed. So under no circumstances just add to your horses bucket feed. Ideally you shouldn’t feed for at least 15 minutes before or after.
• Strong aromas can destroy them so do not give concurrent with aromatherapy unless instructed by your homeopathic vet. Also be careful of things like feeding peppermints etc.
• Keep them away from sunlight, extreme heat or frost. Store them in an airtight, brown glass container, in a cool, dark cupboard. DO not refrigerate.

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We recommend finding a vet registered on the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS) to help you get started.

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