 Laminitis Season is Here, Let’s Talk Prevention
After a wet winter here in California, spring grass is coming in fast, and with it, an increased risk of laminitis. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, laminitis is often connected to deeper imbalances in the spleen, liver, and kidney systems. These patterns can be influenced by: • High-sugar intake (lush pasture, grain) • Stress or overwork • Underlying conditions like PPID or insulin resistance Prevention and support go hand-in-hand. With the right combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and thoughtful management, we can support horses through laminitis, and reduce the risk of future flare-ups. Every horse is different, which is why individualized care matters. We offer consultations and custom herbal formulas tailored to your horse’s unique constitution. Learn more & book a consult to get the right formula for your horse!
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 Herb of the Week: Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry)
Botanical name: Vitex agnus-castus Chinese name: Man Jing Zi Vitex is one of the most well-known and widely used herbs for supporting hormonal balance in horses. Unlike hormone therapies, Vitex does not contain hormones. Instead, it works by supporting the pituitary gland, the regulatory center of the endocrine system, helping the body maintain healthy estrogen and progesterone levels naturally. This makes it especially helpful for: • Mares with difficult or irregular cycles • Behavioral changes associated with hormonal fluctuation • Horses needing long-term endocrine support (Cushing's) Vitex has also been shown to influence dopamine pathways and support natural beta-endorphin release, which may help with mood and comfort during challenging cycles. Because it works through endocrine regulation, Vitex is not a fast-acting herb. Consistent use for 8–12 weeks is typically recommended for best results. Vitex is a key ingredient in our Mare Mix and Stallion Mix, thoughtfully formulated to support hormone balance in mares, geldings, and stallions. Get your horse support with Vitex:  Strength doesn’t have to come with tension.
Whole Horse Stallion Mix is formulated to support balanced behavior, steady focus, and a calm, trainable mindset, without synthetic hormones. By supporting the endocrine system naturally, this formula helps stallions, and geldings who need additional hormonal support, stay focused, responsive, and manageable in their work. For competitive riders, it’s important to note that the FEI no longer allows the use of Regumate in stallions or geldings. This has made natural hormonal support an important consideration for many owners and trainers seeking compliant options. Hormonal balance isn’t about suppression. It’s about regulation. 🌿 Learn more about Stallion Mix here:  Formula Spotlight: Whole Horse Gastric Support!
When life changes, a barn move, travel, injury, or the loss of a herd mate, stress often shows up in the gut first. The digestive and nervous systems are closely connected. During times of transition, you may notice decreased appetite, subtle weight shifts, girthiness, tension, or a horse who just feels “off.” Whole Horse Gastric Support is formulated to soothe and protect the stomach lining, support healthy acid balance, and promote digestive resilience during stress. If your horse is navigating change, this formula offers steady all natural support. Learn more or order here:  Meet the Founder: Gloria Garland, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. & Ch.
The Heart & Wisdom Behind Whole Horse Herbs From her first horse-love spark to decades as an herbal expert, Gloria Garland’s journey is about passion, curiosity, and care for the animals we cherish. Who is Gloria? Gloria Garland is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist with over 30 years of experience blending ancient herbal wisdom with practical, modern-day equine care. Her journey began with a deep personal desire to help her own arthritic gelding find relief, a moment that changed everything. After earning her Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine, Gloria went on to become a respected author, educator, and clinician, featured in publications like Equine Wellness Magazine, Equus, American Natural Equine, and more. She has also taught hands-on seminars nationwide, empowering horse owners with knowledge that makes a difference in daily care and long-term wellness. Why Whole Horse Herbs? Out of her quest for natural, effective support for her own horses, Whole Horse Herbs was born, bringing traditional herbal formulas and thoughtful care solutions to the equine community far and wide. Gloria’s work is rooted in respect for the land, sustainability, and a belief that gentle, herbal support can complement modern veterinary care beautifully. When she isn’t formulating remedies or consulting with horse owners, you might find Gloria hiking with her dogs, gardening, or exploring the Sierra Nevada with her horse Noche living the life she once dreamed of. Fun fact: Gloria’s decades of real-world equine herbal experience means she’s one of the most trusted practitioners in the space, and always has a story, tip, or herbal insight to share  The Heart of the Horse
The horse’s heart is truly remarkable. It is large, powerful, and built for endurance, weighing anywhere from 8–10 pounds or more, significantly larger, relative to body size, than the hearts of many other mammals. With each beat, a horse’s heart can pump several gallons of blood per minute, delivering oxygen and nutrients efficiently throughout the body to support movement, stamina, and recovery. This extraordinary organ allows horses to respond quickly to exertion, stress, and rest, reflecting a deep connection between the heart, circulation, and nervous system. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is more than a physical organ. It is the home of the Shen, the spirit. The Heart governs: + presence and awareness + emotional regulation + connection and relationship + the ability to rest, sleep, and feel at ease When the Heart is supported, there is clarity, vitality, and connection. When it is strained, by stress, illness, grief, or overexertion, we may see restlessness, anxiety, tension, or disconnection. This February, we’ll be exploring the Heart as a center of whole-being, through the lens of Chinese medicine, herbal support, nervous system health, and the deep bonds we share with our animals. Because caring for the Heart means caring for the whole horse.  ERU is the leading cause of blindness in horses, but holistic support can make a difference.
Our ERU herbal formulas are designed to support immune balance and comfort during flares and long-term management. Raine’s journey is a reminder of what’s possible when we support the whole horse. Send us your testimonial and get a discount on your next order at [email protected]  Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) is a chronic, immune-mediated condition and the leading cause of blindness in horses. Because the body’s own immune response drives the repeated inflammation inside the eye, supporting balanced immune and inflammatory responses can be an important part of overall management.
Our bestselling Whole Horse Herbs’ ERU-Acute™ formula, blends herbs selected for these supportive actions, helping promote comfort and balanced responses during flare-ups when inflammation is high. If your horse is facing ERU, steady care and proactive support can make a meaningful difference in comfort and quality of life. Have you tried herbal support during a flare? Share your experience below!  If you have called Whole Horse Herbs to chat about herbs for your horse there is a good chance that Danielle has answered the phone.
Danielle is one of our incredible team members here at Whole Horse Herbs. Danielle is an animal lover and a passionate advocate for herbal and holistic medicine. She has devoted herself to supporting Gloria in the herbal department, continually expanding her knowledge and sharing her expertise to assist customers with herbal solutions for various health challenges. Apart from her professional endeavors, Danielle finds joy in exploring the scenic Sierra Mountains through hiking and camping adventures with her two children and dogs Macaroni and Mila. We love you Danielle and are so grateful you are part of the team! Got a question for Danielle? Email her directly at [email protected]  Happy Holidays from Whole Horse Herbs! Horses teach us the true spirit of the season: presence, patience, and the quiet joy of being together. Wishing you and your herd a peaceful, heart-centered holiday season filled with warmth, wellness, and the magic only horses can bring. From all of us at Whole Horse Herbs, happy holidays. Pictured from left to right: Gloria, Danielle and Jenn  |
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Gloria Garland, L.Ac, Dipl. Ac. & CH.. of Whole Horse Herbs. She has 30 years of experience
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