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Post by Sue Palmer on Nov 13, 2008 12:54:10 GMT 1
I just looked up whether tea is a diuretic, because if it was, that could explain why it reduces swelling in the legs (diuretics are commonly used in humans for certain swollen lower leg conditions). According to the (all-knowing!) internet, it is commonly believed that the caffeine in tea acts as a diuretic. However, it has been shown that we build up a 'caffeine tolerance' (don't we know it!!!), and therefore the amount of caffeine in the tea we drink does not have a diuretic effect, and we would need to drink the equivalent of 6 cups of tea for it to have that effect. However, I wonder, since horses don't (presumably!) have a 'caffeine tolerance' whether it does have a diuretic effect on them?
Sue
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Post by Catrin on Nov 13, 2008 13:28:55 GMT 1
We have one horse in 'captivity' with the one with the abscess in his foot. The companion's back legs have swollen up as his five acre field has been replaced by a small yard, so he will get a cup of 'builder's brew' tonight with his sugar beet. I shall report back!
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Jenna
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by Jenna on Nov 13, 2008 16:42:38 GMT 1
Well, it's definitely the tea that's helping Lui. I ran out one day and forgot to make a new 'batch' for the next, and decided to leave it a few days and see what difference it would make.
After about 3 days, his back legs were noticeably filled. Back on the tea for Lui, and here's hoping he doesn't build a tolerance to the caffeine.
Mind you, if it's caffeine that does it, why isn't coffee better? Anyone tried giving their horses coffee??
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Post by mags on Nov 13, 2008 17:43:17 GMT 1
Helped with dan, he likes earl grey and drinks it out of a cup
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Post by Emma R on Nov 16, 2008 21:36:27 GMT 1
lol. we have tetley tea. will try those and see how i get on! redbush tea is meant to be better for you than normal tea though isnt it? maybe thats one to try next! Red Bush tea is naturally caffeine free and contains half the tannin of ordinary tea which is why it's better for you but if it's the caffeine in tea that helps with puffy legs then it won't be much good!
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dingbat
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Post by dingbat on Nov 16, 2008 22:01:32 GMT 1
i think we should experiment with different teas. someone who knows tea works, it'd be handy if they could switch to redbush to see if it works or not. if it does, then its not the caffeine.
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pip
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Post by pip on Nov 17, 2008 13:25:21 GMT 1
When I first saw this thread I thought the tea was being washed onto their legs, not drunk! I use tepid tea for bathing sore eyes, and that works very well; it is the boiled water and slightly antiseptic action of the tannin, I believe.
There was a TV programme that I sadly missed, that said the British tea drinking habit lead to the population explosion in Victorian england, as people were drinking boiled water, which also had a slight antiseptic action, and so saved many from illness and death.
The "cure for filled legs" is interesting - how much does a horse need?
The duretic effect is also supposed to be why tea drinkers don't suffer from cellulite, or "orange peel skin."
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dingbat
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Post by dingbat on Nov 17, 2008 14:18:32 GMT 1
well - i drink loads of tea so thats not true!?
i wish.
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Boony
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Post by Boony on Nov 17, 2008 14:47:23 GMT 1
My two have both had slightly puffy legs over the last month due to coming in at night even though they are in huge stables but I suppose still standing around, I treid a mug full of builders mate in bothe there feeds over the last two nights and it has cleared it up a treat, although their water consumtion hasnt gone upi their was a definate increase in the amount of wet bedding and I,m sure it had a slight tea smell to it as well, so yes it works, nice one !!
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Post by Lorraine L on Nov 17, 2008 19:16:25 GMT 1
Excellent news Boony !
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Suz
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ET & VHT practitioner Cranio-sacral Therapist
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Post by Suz on Nov 21, 2008 18:01:57 GMT 1
Just be carefull using tea for competition horses as caffine is a banned substance. No idea how long it stays in the system etc. Tea is also used in cases of yew poisening as I discovered last week. The anti-oxidants are meant to help with the toxisity of the yew. Turns out my boy prefers it with a little sugar in!
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Post by donnalex on Feb 10, 2009 23:25:05 GMT 1
I have used cold tea in the past for swollen legs but bathed their legs in it, not fed it to them. It works because it is mildly astringent so it tightens up everything. Might try putting it in feed next time we have a swollen leg, it was my vet who told me to use the tea to soak the legs in.
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laylaw
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Post by laylaw on Feb 11, 2009 14:02:57 GMT 1
What is fab for swollen joints and oedema is washing soda crystals. Crush them to texture of course salt and wrap in muslin/cotton hankie/material and place on swollen area. bandage it on and leave overnight. The crystals draw out the fluid from the joints and area. Same for people as well with swollen knees, ankles etc.
Also horses prone to swelling tend to have weak lymphatic systems and diet plays a key here - natural proteins and supplements to help the kidneys - picking dandelions from your garden, feeding nettles, cleavers.
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Post by maggiesmum on Feb 13, 2009 22:04:25 GMT 1
I was told it was the caffeine that helps with the swelling.
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Post by mynameislin0708 on Mar 1, 2009 20:13:10 GMT 1
At last hopefully a solution that will go some way to relieving my mares puffy legs and 'gunky' eyes. I have started using in her feed and for her eyes tonight so I will be reporting back with the results in due course! I will also be looking into using the euphrasia herb tea to use, particularly with the spring and hopefully summer on it's way some time soon.
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