ENGLISH TEXTS
It’ s easy to apply, even for children. You just have to rinse thoroughly.” The benefits are many and the results, reportedly, astonishing:“ It draws out all toxins after a workout, hydrates and softens muscle mass. The muscles become more functional and thus offer better skeletal support. It treats myositis, tendinitis … In twenty minutes, the horse has a whole new bounce. It’ s bursting with energy! When a trotter races every two weeks during the peak season, it’ s the perfect recovery solution. Add a massage, and your horse is at its best.” Even foals can benefit.“ When they’ re frail or bruised after a tough birth, this boosts their growth thanks to the minerals.” Marine benefits also help correct limb alignment.“ Wrapping reconditions the tissues, tones tendons and muscles. Ideally, you should work in sync with a farrier to rebalance posture and an osteopath for structure— the seaweed takes care of the rest, remineralizing the bones and muscles.” As for tendinitis, the Cryotendon paste reportedly works miracles.“ It’ s faster than cauterization and painless. The seaweed-based product delivers cold all the way to the bone. It’ s a joint coolant with no swelling effect. I had a thoroughbred who was 50 % lame. In a month and a half, the gap was gone and the fibers were aligned. That’ s why our slogan is‘ The Power of Seaweed’.”
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
� PAGE 70
BENEFIC- ES OF ME- DICINAL PLANTS:
PHYTOTHERAPY
� PAGE 71
By Serge Okey
A STRONG ENTHUSIASM IN A NICHE MARKET
In a field driven by the pursuit of performance, where every little detail can make a difference, phytotherapy manages to stand out. In France, the market is worth around 25 million euros. That’ s both little and a lot. Little, compared to the millions spent on other livestock like cattle. A lot, if we consider the constantly rising turnover figures.
In stables, complementary treatments based on medicinal plants are widespread and often rooted in ageold traditions. Everyone has their little habits or recipes, their own“ grandmother’ s secrets,” passed down from father to son. Even if it accounts for a small share in reality, the world of equine phytotherapy is growing and aligns with the growing concern for animal welfare.
“ A whole industry built around alternative care” Based in Normandy, near Lisieux, Edhya is one of the key players in the market with“ 70 products in the catalog, 90 % of which are phytotherapy-based,” explains Ludovic Rey, head of the equine division at the Bernard group, an expert in the agricultural sector.“ With Europe pushing towards demedicalization, an entire sector has developed around alternative treatments.” In the animal industry, horses aren’ t big in“ betfood”— meaning, not as“ bankable” as the massive cattle herds.“ But they are valuable animals, performance-driven.” And subject to strict regulations, alongside pharmaceutical monopolies.“ Like lemon oil or coumarin, several natural raw materials are banned in animal nutrition or under racing codes due to doping concerns.” Overall, dietary supplements serve three main purposes:“ to reduce stress, to provide quality nutrients like calcium, and to meet antioxidant needs.” The current trend?“ Supporting immunity to maximize resistance to winter illnesses and travel stress during race meetings.” In breeding, the rising number of matings goes handin-hand with a focus on“ the birth and growth of foals.” Some products claim to boost embryo numbers and improve joint and tendon quality. Stables are wellversed in the anti-inflamma-
155 # 8