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Our 2008 list of lambs and adults for sale is now available, you can access it from the site as a pdf or just drop us a line at info@reedbird.com and we’d be glad to send it snail mail.    We have some really lovely ewe and ram lambs this spring in gorgeous colors.  All were strong and healthy from birth onward and are growing very well on our well-watered spring pastures!   There shall be showers of blessings…   I will try and keep the list current as to which animals are still available, if you’d like more information about a specific animal or pictures, just ask. 

We are expecting lambs soon and have several adult ewes and rams for sale this year, along with lambs we decide are of breeding quality.   Our leadersheep ram has sired  ewes and a ram that are really beautiful with great personalities.   The ram himself has already shown leadersheep qualities and we are accumulating interesting stories of his intelligence here at the farm.   We look forward to his lambs and will have adults and lambs by him for sale this year.   We also have some animals with excellent fleece and color and milkiness.   Even if you don’t plan to milk your Icelandic sheep (and you certainly can, the milk is healthy for you and delicious),  a ewe with good milking genetics can raise lambs easily and quickly.   Lambs gain weight well when their mothers produce plenty of milk.   We do not supplement our lambs with added feeds or creep, they get mother’s milk and access to pasture and good quality grass mix hay.   We feel this is healthy for the ewe and the lamb.  If you are interested in an addition to your flock or a package deal of breeding ewes and unrelated ram, please contact us and we will be glad to give you information on what’s available.   There is a discount for multiple sheep purchases.   You are also welcome to stop by and see the flock or inquire about how we raise the sheep.  We are always glad to share techniques that work for us and give tips on minerals, herbs and general sheep care. Our farm guarantee applies to  all sheep purchased from us.   They are healthy at time of sale and are guaranteed reproductively sound (if purchased as breeding stock) or your money back or a replacement sheep of equal quality.   All purchases come with your choice of either a newsletter membership to ISBONA (Icelandic Sheep Breeders of North America) or a copy  of Pat Coleby’s “Healthy Sheep Naturally” or Juliette de Bairacli Levy’s “The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable” to get you started on the road to good health with your flock.   We provide continuing support and answer all questions about sheep care and breeding.   If we don’t know the answer, we’ll find someone who does!   All sheep purchased as breeding stock are registered with the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation, wethers are usually not registered but are still purebred and subject to our health guarantee.   Alethea KenneyDavid BainbridgeReedbird FarmShevlin, MN allie@reedbird.com 

 

If you think your horse has a case of colic, CALL THE VET!   While you are waiting for the vet to arrive, review some of this information.

 

Herbs are referred to using common name but scientific name appears following in italics for clarification in identifying herbs used.  

 

As with all therapies, herbs or applications, always use caution and common sense and ask the advice of a qualified practitioner or veterinarian before embarking on any course of action for yourself or your animals.  The following is a compilation of traditionally used therapies for colic in horses, it is not meant to be a diagnosis or prescription for your situation or animal.  

 

Normal Values for a Horse:

 

Body Temperature:  

normal:  100F (38C)

mild fever:  102F

moderate fever:  104F

high fever:  105F

Pulse:

resting rate:  28-48 beats per minute

younger=faster

mares may be faster than stallions or geldings

fit horses will have slower rates than pasture potatoes

Respiration:

adult healthy: 8-16 breaths per minute

young (at rest) 12-20 breaths per minute

Gums:

salmon pink-healthy

blue or purple-lack of oxygen

blotched could be toxic reaction

pale pink-anemia

dark pink may be dehydration or okay, just oxygenated

yellow-kidney disorder or jaundice

(Bird, 2002, p. 13-14)

 

Potential Colic Symptoms (remember, this is serious, call the vet):

 

1.  Passing hard dry manure or diarrhea

2.  Pawing the ground or standing stretched out

3.  Turning to look at either side, biting or kicking at belly

4.  Restlessness, unable to decide whether to lay down, stand or roll

(Bird, 2002, p.  196).  

 

Types of Colic:

 

Spasmodic Colic: A spasm of the wall of intestine.  Causes include parasites, stress, nervous tension, too much rich food, fast barometric pressure drops (Self, 2001, p. 78)

 

Impaction Colic:  Impaction of food in the large intestine, usually the vet will give painkillers and then drenches with paraffin, linseed or salt water (Self, 2001, p.  79)

 

Displaced Internal Structure:  Something in the large or small intestine or spleen has become displaced or twisted (Brennan, 2001, p. 200)

 

Other Causes:  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the intestinal tract is extremely sensitive to environmental dampness, cold, sudden changes to this damages the spleen and stomach meridians yielding digestive upset (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 422)

 

Herbs Used Traditionally for One Type of Colic:

 

Spasmodic Colic:  chamomile (Matricaria recutita), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), marshmallow (Althea officinalis), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), licorice (Glycyrrihiza glabra) (Self, 2001, p. 78)

 

Impaction Colic:  comfrey (Symphytum officinale), marshmallow (Althea officinalis)(Self, 2001, p.  79)

 

Nervous/Stressed Digestion and Colic:  probiotic before and after stress, yogurt with honey, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) (Self, 2001, p. 117)

 

Other Herbs Traditionally Used for Colic (Separately or in combinations):

 

Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) (Self, 2001, p.  26)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Romm, 1989, p. 3)

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) (Self, 2001, p.  33)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) (de Bairacli Levy, 1991, p. 315)

Gentian root (Gentiana lutea) (de Bairacli Levy, 1991, p. 314)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Self, 2001, p.  49)

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)  (Self, 2001, p. 58)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) (Self, 2001, p.  59)

Viburnum (Viburnum opulus) (Romm, 1989, p.  3)

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) (Romm, 1989, p. 3)

Willow (Salix alba) (Self, 2001, p.  61)

 

Herbs Traditionally Used to Recover From Colic:

 

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) (Bird, 2002, p. 45)

Dandelion  (Taraxacum officinale) (Bird, 2002, p. 45)

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) not in pregnant mares (Bird, 2002, p. 50)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (Bird, 2002, p. 51)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) (Bird, 2002, p.  54)

Linseed oil as laxative (de Bairacli Levy, 1991, p.  315)

Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) (Bird, 2002, p.  57)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) (Bird, 2002, p.  59)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) (Bird, 2002, p.  62)

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) (Bird, 2002, p.  63)

 

Essential Oils Recommended for Colic:

Some of these are recommended as topical applications, diluted in carrier oils and some as inhalants.   Some horses may react to essential oils (or any foreign substance) and some may not appreciate the scent.   Offering an essential oil to the horse to sniff before applying it can tell you if the horse enjoys that scent, will react badly or does not care for that particular odor (Bird, 2002, p.  129).  Always dilute essential oils before applying to skin or any internal application.   1 drop of essential oil to every mL of carrier oil (Bird, 2002, p.  112).

 

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) topical, relieve pain and symptoms (Bird, 2002, p. 113)

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamom) diluted and topical, problems of nervous origin (Bird, 2002, p. 113)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) inhalation or topical, affinity to liver or spleen and immune system (Bird, 2002, p. 117)

Hops (Humulus lupus) relieves cramping, esp. nervous (good with lavender)

Lavender (Lavendula spp.) cramping, esp of nervous origin(Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Lemon (Citrus limon) calms, esp. with fever (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Litsea cubeba decrease gas (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Melissa (Melissa officinalis) relaxes (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Sandalwood (Santalum album) decreases diarrhea (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) anti-inflammatory, balancing and calming, encourages detox (Bird, 2002, p.  127)

 

Homeopathic Remedies for Colic (Please review materia medica for homeopathic remedies before deciding on a particular remedy.   All symptoms, personality and physical clues must be considered in each individual case and may differ from one animal to another or one episode to another.  The following list is by no means complete and indications are not given in entirety.   Use caution with remedies, or do not use them at all):

 

Aconitum napellus (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Belladonna (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Calcium carb (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Carbo veg (Brennan, 2001, p. 201)

Colchicum -gaseous colic or bloat, esp. after eating excess clover, worse between sundown and sunrise, motion or vibration, better with warmth, rest.  Colic often in autumn, worse with stretching (Bird, 2002, p.  143)

Colocynthis -gassy colic with distended abdomen, pain in waves or groups, better with firm pressure on abdomen, irritable, chilly, worse with damp and cold, much worse with eating and drinking (Harmon, 2003, p.  25)

Ipecacuanha (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Mag phos (tissue salt) - neuromuscular coodinator and nerve relaxant, muscle spasm, spasmodic colic with pain anywhere along intestinal tract, diarrhea, constipation from stress, muscle twitching or pain in myofascial tissue (Bird, 2002, p.  197)

Nux vomica -impaction or gassy colic, dull or violent pain, worse with motion, irritated with touch, sometimes better with heat (Harmon, 2003, p.  24)

 

 

Other Alternatives:

 

Acupressure and/or Moxibustion over points assoc. with large intestine, soothing to spasmoic colic, BL25 (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy (Harmon, 2003, p.  24)

Bach Flower Impatiens-prevents recurring mild colic (Brennan, 2001, p.  201)

Massage ears/Reflexology for stomach pain (Bird, 2002, p. 197)

 

Follow Up Care After Colic Episode:

 

Linseed oil laxative once a week for several months after episode (de Bairacli Lvy, 1991, p.  315)

Mucilaginous and/or carminitive herbs -chamomile (Matricaria recutita), peppermint (Mentha piperita), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) (Bird, 2002, p.  198)

Example formula: slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow (Althea officinalis), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), comfrey root (Symphytum officinale),  and 1/2 part licorice root (Glycyrrihiza glabra), 1-2 tbsp. daily for 1 mo. after (Bird, 2002, p.  198)

1-2 cups chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita) to nightly feed for 1-2 mos. 

Offer essential oils (see note above), may place these where horse indicates (poll, neck, chest, abdomen): basil (Ocimum basilicum), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lavender (Lavendula spp.), juniper (Juniperus communis), frankincense (Boswellia carterii), marjoram (Origanum majorana) (Bird, 2002, p. 198)

Repeated episodes require re-evaluating lifestyle for “undigestible” aspects (yours and the horse’s), work, training, living arrangements (Bird, 2002, p.  198)

 

 

Some  Formulas Traditionally Used for Colic or Digestive Upset (Provided for your entertainment, some appear to be poisonous):

 

Gassy Colic:

2 parts chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

1 part fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

1 part peppermint (Mentha piperita)

1 part marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

(Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 422)

 

Chronic Dry Manure or Constipation:

4-6 oz of flax or hemp meal/day

2 parts marshmallow root (Althea officinalis)

1 part dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

1 part fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

2 oz distilled aloe juice

(Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p.  422)

 

Acute Colic:

1 tsp powdered grain and paradise (amomum melegueta)

1/2 tsp powdered caraway (Carum carvi)

20 drops oil of peppermint (Mentha piperita)

1 tbsp powdered slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)

1 pint hot water (from 1854)

(Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p. 422)

 

2 oz tincture of ginger (Zingiber officinale)

20 drops oil of peppermint (Mentha piperita)

2 drachms (7.4 mL) chloric ether (mix of chloride of sodium, manganese, sulphuric acid and strong alcohol)

1/2 pint of thin gruel

Administer, rub belly, use enemas

(Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p.  422)

 

Spasmodic Colic:

Warm ale or porter with bit of whisky or 1 tbsp ground ginger (Zingiber officinale) drench of 25 drops aconite root (Aconitum napellus) 1 oz spirit of turpentine with bottle of cold ale or porter (from 1917) (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p.  422)

 

Simple peppermint (Mentha piperita) tea (Wynn & Fougere, 2007, p.  422)

 

Works Cited:

 

Bird, C.  (2002).   A Healthy Horse the Natural Way.   Australia:  Lyons Press.  

 

Brennan, M.  (2001).  Complete Holistic Care and Healing for Horses.  Vermont:  Trafalgar Square Publ.  

 

De Bairacli Levy, J.  (1991).  The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Farm and Stable.  London:  Faber.

 

Harmon, J.  (2003).  Homeopathic First Aid for Horses.  VA:  MacHelp Assc.  

 

Romm, A.  (1989).  Editor’s Branch.  Journal of American Herbalists Guild.  Vol. 4 (1).

 

Self, H.  (2001).  A Modern Horse Herbal.  Great Britian:  Kenilworth Press.  

 

Wynn, S. & Fougere, B.  (2007).  Veterinary Herbal Medicine.  MO: Mosby Elsevier.

 

As always, this article was written by Alethea Kenney and she retains all rights to publishing or copying in any form.   

 

 

Have a care when looking for different species of plants.   Some species are not common or found in sensitive areas and you may do much damage without realizing it.   In some areas, harvesting plants from the wild is illegal.   Public land use may require a permit.  It is YOUR responsibility to find out where and when or if a plant can be harvested or an area may be visited.   This information is for educational purposes only.   Please assume responsibility for your own actions.   Thank you.

Identification and Harvesting:

 

Scientific names, why do I care?  

1.  Unique to each plant species, doesn’t change from place to place or internationally

2.  Links plants together in families, genuses, species by similarities, primarily in flower structure

3.  Get a good botany text or plant guide with explanations

4.   Books have errors and the internet even more so.   Use websites that are maintained by extension services, universities or known to you as accurate.   

 

Family-Genus-Species

 

Family is the large group of loosely related plants.   This can be thought of as your own extended family.   Grasses are in the Poaceae family, mustard, broccoli, cabbage in the Brassicaceae family (used to be Cruciferae family for the flower petals in the shape of a cross)

 

Genus is a further subdivision of Family and is like a surname for the plant.   Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)  is in the Fabaceae family and Genus Medicago, which it shares with black medic (Medicago lupulina).

 

Species is the designation like a fingerprint for the plant, a plant shares the complete name of “Genus species” with no other plant.  But the Genus and species must go together.   Like asking if you know Jane?   Which Jane?  Jane Doe?   Doe is the Genus, Jane is the species.  Red Clover is Genus Trifolium and species pratense.   Genus and species are written in italics and Genus capitalized with species lower case.  Trifolium pratense, Fabaceae (Genus species, Family)

 

How leaves look and feel are clues, glaucous bloom (waxy coating) on stems differentiates raspberry canes from blackberry canes.   Blackberry canes are square while raspberry canes are round.  

 

Mint family plants have square stems (Lamiaceae) but not all plants with square stems are mints!!  

 

 

 

How to tell one plant from another:

1.  Three field guides, at least one with photos makes it easier

2.  Grow a nursery plot, label and learn plants from seed to flowering to winter

3.  Don’t learn only flowers, some plants have inconspicuous flowers or aren’t harvested when in flower (ex.  burdock, raspberry)

4.  Each plant has a genus and species, you need to know both or you don’t have enough info to identify

5.  Learn plants by groups of characteristics.  Note the above ground parts and below ground (not always a root, can be a tuber or other type)

 

Above ground consists of shoot, leaves, flowers, seeds (in flowering plants, the exception is conifers)

 

Annual:  whole life cycle is in one growing season, seed to plant to flower to seed

examples:  calendula (Calendula officinalis)  

 

Biennial:  first year is a rosette (ring of sessile leaves), overwinter then second year shoot to flower to seed and death of plant

examples:  burdock (Arctium lappa), yellow dock (Rumex crispus), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)

 

Perennial:  A plant that survives more than one season and returns each year to reproduce

examples: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), red clover (Trifolium arvense)

 

Woody plants: deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, can be difficult to determine where a plant falls in this category.   Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) can be classed as perennial or shrub and some shrubs may be sapling trees.  Rule of thumb, if it has multiple stems it is a shrub, not a tree (but then basswood Tilia stump sprouts when cut and can be mistaken for a shrub).

 

Flowering plants consist of roots, stems, flowers and leaves.   Pay attention to all parts.

 

Stems have nodes and buds. 

 

Roots can be 

1. simple (dandelion Taraxacum officinale) 

2. creeping, a rhizome that is underground stem and gives rise to other plants

3. corm, tuber on the end

4. bulb (onion Allium species)

 

Leaf arrangement:

alternate

opposite

whorled (Galium species)

basal (dandelion)

Leaf type:

simple

compound: each “leaf” is referred to as a leaflet (walnut Juglans nigra)

complex compound: the leaflets are subdivided into leaflets

 

Plants are classified according to similarity of structures, particularly flower structure.   However, flowers are not the best way to identify plants in most cases since the flowers only appear for a short time each year or every few years.   Medicinals are not typically harvested at flower so learn to recognize the vegetative state.

 

 

Responsible Harvesting/Wildcrafting (Ref. 1):

 

 

1.  Be aware of your environment, wet areas and bogs are damaged merely by walking on them   

2.  Take leaves off trees and shrubs from outer edges of plants, bark from branches not core trunk and NEVER girdle a tree.

3.  Harvest where there are many of that species and leave at least 80 to 90% of the community or stand.

4.  Try to leave no trace, return soil carefully, replant disturbed plants.

5.  Walk, don’t take motorized vehicles as they cause soil compaction, erosion, pollution.  

6.  Do NOT harvest near roadways, wet areas drained off parking lots or other polluted areas, sprayed fields or ditches.

7.  Plants can pick up heavy metals and incorporate them into their structure, becoming toxic even if you wash them.

8.  Never harvest rare or endangered species, a list for your area is available from the NRCS office or DNR.

9.  Get permission from landowners and ask about state and recreational areas, a permit may be required.  

 

When to Harvest

 

1.  If you want to harvest leaves (ex.  mints) then usually do so before the plant flowers and in the morning just after the dew dries (there are exceptions).   The Native Americans divided medicinal uses of plants into pre and post bloom.

2.  Flowers are best after they open completely in the morning after the dew dries.

3.  Seeds when they are fully ripe or after they have dried on the plant.

4.  Fruit must be completely ripe and not decayed.

5.  Do NOT take any part that is discolored, bug eaten, wilted, damaged in any way.   This changes the chemical composition of  the part, plants release chemicals in response to injury just like we do.  

6.  Roots, if a  biennial, are harvested the first year fall or second year early spring before leaf growth, perennials in early spring or  late fall when energy is in the root.  

7.  Bark is harvested usually in the fall but spring after sap rises can work.  

These are guidelines and rules were meant to be broken.  If you need a particular herb but the time is not perfect (like white oak bark Quercus alba in midsummer) go ahead and harvest it.   But for storage and preservation try to follow the rules for best results.

 

 

1.   Green, James.  The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook.  CA: Crossing Press, 2000.

 

As always, the information contained in this article is the sole property of the author and may not be reprinted without permission.   Please use your own judgement when deciding to use herbs.  Always consult with a qualified practitioner for diagnosis, prescription or treatment of any ailment you may have.    I hope you enjoy the information!