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October 29, 2009 by Cindy McGinley Leave a Comment

Press Release : New Website for the Equine Cushings and IR Group

This just in!
– CLM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Collins
October 26, 2009
threecatfarm@cyberpine.net

Equine Support and Research Group
Celebrates Ten Year History and 8000+ Members
New Web Site Launched – Success Stories Unveiled

Health, longevity and quality of life for horses is an ever increasing concern among owners. Whether acting proactively or trying to help an animal with a history of chronic health conditions, public awareness of equine metabolic syndromes and diseases is on the rise. An all volunteer, non-profit group rising to support horses and their owners, the Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group is a beacon on the internet to reach that awareness.

The EC and IR Group is formed to sort myth from reality….

In the late 1990’s, a young scientist, Robin Siskel, was seeking information to help her life long companion and Cushing’s mare, Night Flight, and became dissatisfied with the knowledge available. Little was known then about Equine Cushing’s Syndrome now more accurately described as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID).

“Horse Owners were drowning in bad or no advice. Insulin Resistance wasn’t even recognized back then,” said Siskel in a recent interview. She established a small internet bulletin board to trade information and experience among horse owners that was scientific, specific and medically oriented.

A BS in Biochemistry and a Masters in Health Physics from Texas A&M helped keep Siskel on the path she set for the EC and IR Group. Experiences of horses owners were shared, digging into the details with a scientific medical look. Protocols and marketing claims were required to be backed by evidence. The human owner part of the equation was also key and emotional support for owners was included, but Siskel insisted on digging out the information to fully address any issue.

In December of 1999 Siskel moved the Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group to Yahoo. For some time she had been communicating with noted author and veterinarian, Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD. Siskel knew Dr. Kellon as a leader in the fields of nutrition and nutraceuticals. She was also fascinated by Dr. Kellon’s sensible and effective approach using the concepts of Linus Pauling’s Orthomolecular Biology. (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/) Robin wanted to get Dr. Kellon on board with the EC and IR Group.

“I was aware of Robin’s group and intrigued but at the time, due to other commitments, I could not accept Robin’s invitation” said Dr. Kellon.

Siskel adds, “Eleanor did say I could run any of the hardest veterinary issues or toughest problems past her within reason. And after a while of me teasing and tempting her with the most interesting ones, she gave in and joined the group as a full member in 2001.”

Dr. Kellon became co-owner of the group with Siskel in 2004.

How the EC and IR Group works and what makes it different…

In the ten years since its inception, the EC and IR Group has become the largest field trial of its kind with current membership of over 8200 horse owners, vets, nutritionists, feed companies, farriers and trimmers.

A clearing house for clinical information and formal study results, most of the leading veterinary Universities also have members on the EC and IR Group who keep their finger on the pulse of what horse owners in the trenches are doing. Grants for formal research have been written based on the anecdotal findings of the group. Researchers who are on the forefront of equine metabolic issues in turn inform the group with the deep background of their findings.

Historical milestones include discovery that soaked hay reduced sugar content beneficial to IR horses, early recognition of PPID/Cushing’s seasonal rise, establishment of the Diagnosis, Diet, Trim and Exercise protocol, FDA approval of compounded pergolide as a veterinary drug, early concern of efficacy of some forms of pergolide, early recognition of high insulin and the compromised hoof, use of herbal and nutraceutical treatments with documented positive outcome, and most importantly, thousands of better informed owners with healthy horses leading productive lives.

The EC and IR group now manages four additional sister groups, ECPhotos, ECHoof, ECHistory and ECHistory2. As of today group archives contain 135,000 messages with over 1000 Case Histories. New members arrive at the rate of 30-50 per week. In recent years similar equine groups for horses diagnosed with Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) and Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) have been formed to support owners. These groups function similarly to the EC and IR Group with volunteer nonprofit support. They also establish protocols, report clinical signs, and keep track of success as well as areas of needed improvement or further exploration.

Dr. Kellon explains, “The EC and IR Group is an example of the internet working like it should. By collecting histories and laboratory data from thousands of horses with PPID and IR, we have been able to carefully monitor responses to treatment and management changes, both good and bad. This is real life, in the barn research at its best. There are no fees charged or products being sold – it’s all about the horses and the dedicated people who own them.”

A new Web Site to celebrate the work of ten years past and into the future…

The EC and IR Group has formed extensive libraries of files, photos, data and archived messages. It can be a daunting exercise for members to get through and understand the material, especially if
the owner has the added worry of a horse in crisis. With the help of a dedicated support team, a new or existing member is guided through potential diagnosis and diet issues, trim and exercise suggestions.

To simplify the learning curve, in October 2009 the EC and IR Group launched a new intensive and well-organized web site: www.ecirhorse.com

“This is really to help all the new members just coming on board and all the old members seeking new information. It’s about providing organized access to information. It’s a place for people to send vets that doesn’t require joining anything. I wanted information that was simple enough for the new member who needs to breathe deeply and be armed with enough information to clearly interact with their local professionals,” notes volunteer web designer Amberlee Ficociello of Canada.

EC and IR Group’s new web site explains in detail the signs, symptoms and physiology of Cushing’s/PPID and Insulin Resistance. Detailed information on various testing procedures and treatment is available. For equine professionals and for owners wishing to learn all they can, detailed supporting studies and back up data are also given.

Says Ficociello, “We’ve really just scratched the surface for the potential help this site can offer to owners and their horses. We expect to have much more information up in the coming months.”

A Success Stories section on the new web site illustrates with photos, narrative and data the rehabilitation of several horses through various stages of PPID/Cushing’s, IR, laminitis episodes, founder and other health issues.

“The format is the same for all EC and IR Group Case Histories and Success Stories. We stick to sound nutritional and physiological equine science and factual, measurable responses. We’re following Robin’s original tradition of taking apart the confounding factors of the most difficult cases and sharing the info freely,” says volunteer Nancy Collins of New Hampshire, who formats the Success Stories. “There are six Success Stories with updates now posted on the site and many more on deck to be organized and shared. After ten years and a library of thousands of case histories, it’s really easy to find them,” Collins continues.

A complete approach to getting results….

“Today people use the term holistic but don’t realize that in the truest sense of the word the EC and IR group is probably the most holistic of any horse or nutrition group around,” says long time volunteer member and equine nutritionist, Patti Kuvik of Arizona.

“The group looks at the whole horse. His head, his feet, his insides, his urine and manure, his diet, his environment, the weather. We have a basic healthy diet that addresses all of the horse’s requirements. There are modifications available for when the horse is no longer in crisis mode and for return to work,” says Kuvik.

When asked to comment on her continued dedicated contribution of time and skill to the EC and IR Group, Dr Kellon replied, “You know those credit card commercials that run through a bunch of
things with price tags and end with a moment that’s “priceless”? That is truly how I feel every time a new member comes here frazzled or wired and strung out after being told their horse, pony, donkey or mule should be euthanized and then later tells us about the light coming back in their eyes, those first voluntary steps out of a stall, the first spontaneous trot, buck or canter or when the feet start to concave and a hundred other positive signs of getting well. Most of all, it’s about the animals.”

Volunteer Web Master Ficociello concludes, “We look forward to the EC and IR Group’s new site getting lots of use and hope visitors will make ample use of our feedback email address.”

The feedback address is ecirhorse@gmail.com

For more information about PPID/Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance on the web go to
www.ecirhorse.com
and
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/

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October 9, 2009 by Cindy McGinley Leave a Comment

Press release

“ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring or training. Individuals who engage in a coaching relationship can expect to experience fresh perspectives on personal challenges and opportunities, enhanced thinking and decision-making skills, enhanced interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life roles.” – ICF Global Coaching Client Study

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September 29, 2009 by Cindy McGinley Leave a Comment

Magnesium is Underrated “Master Mineral” (Holisitic Horse)

Another good article, courtesy of Mary Donald. Speaking of magnesium, I have made a recent personal discovery (with the help of Eleanor Kellon) that magnesium supplimentation works extremely well to prevent migraines also!

Magnesium is Underrated “Master Mineral”

Enjoy,
Coach Cindy

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September 28, 2009 by Cindy McGinley Leave a Comment

Ideas for Happier Feelings from RealAge

I am subscribed to Tips from realage.com, and this one struck me as being extremely helpful for my clients, so I’m sharing (click on the link below).

The Simple Key to Happier Feelings

Enjoy!

– CLM

Filed Under: 1

July 15, 2009 by Cindy McGinley

Making that Commitment

I believe in balanced nutrition and integrated healing methods for both people and equines. This can sometimes involve a lot of herbal suggestions. Herbs can take a bit longer than a pill from the pharmacy to become effective because they are whole and natural and work with the body systems. Often, people understand that they may have to take an herb for a month or so before they begin to see results. And while people will put a nasty-tasting herb or mineral in a capsule and swallow it, or put it in a taste-disguising foodstuff and choke it down because they know it will eventually help them, horses are another story. Horses need to be convinced that something is good for them, especially if it isn’t coated with molasses. And the convincing can take some time!

Unfortunately, I have seen horse owners (many of whom will take their *own* supplements like clockwork) that just don’t seem committed enough to doing things for their horse in a natural way, and they are reluctant to allow the time it takes for the horse to adjust, both physically and mentally. Oh, they start out like gangbusters, but about two to three weeks into a new herbal regimen, they suddenly realize, “Hey, this is work.” Well, they didn’t want to have any extra work, and now they’re mixing and measuring and trying to get stuff loaded into a dose syringe and down the throat of a resistant horse. “I thought the horse would just eat it all in his feed tub…” is the frequent lament.

Well, some horses do. Other horses are extremely finicky and *never* do, requiring more innovative methods from the owner. Eventually, the horse will probably adjust, but it takes a lot of effort and tweaking of the foodstuffs to get just the right flavor to entice your horse to eat. After all, like almost all horses in this country, s/he grew up on molasses-covered sweeties – like recent humans grew up on sugar. Why eat broccoli when you can have candy? Your horse feels very much the same way. But, just like humans, candy isn’t good for horses, as evidenced by the metabolic issues that are running rampant in both species. Molasses-coated oats and corn, however fortified it may be, is just like you or me eating dessert for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That can’t be good for anybody!

It is the rare horse who comprehends that this new, foreign stuff in his feed tub is going to help him feel better. Most of them only realize that they aren’t getting sweeties anymore. He’s like a child in that way. That’s when the owner has to be the “parent” in the relationship and make sure he gets what’s good for him. Your horse will do whatever he can to make you feel sorry for him and give him back his sweet feed. Your horse will do whatever he can to avoid that weird-tasting spirulina or jiaogulan or whatever it is that you’re trying to get down him. After all, not many horses ever get the opportunity to eat blue-green algae or Chinese herbs. They are certainly an acquired taste. You have to be firm and matter-of-fact about the whole business. And whatever you do, DON’T apologize for trying to help him.

The good news is, a horse who is being helped by the herb WILL acquire a taste for it, but the owner has to be consistent – first, to give the herb a chance to actually work the way it’s supposed to, and second, to give the horse a chance to realize that THIS is what’s helping him feel better. How can either of these things happen if you don’t give the minerals or herbs consistently? As a certain veterinarian I know is fond of saying, “Half-way measures get half-way results.” You have to be willing to make your horse’s health part of your daily routine, because you aren’t going to be able to give your horse an herb or mineral haphazardly. I can guarantee that you won’t get good results that way.

So be honest with yourself. If you aren’t willing or able (for whatever reason) to make that daily commitment to your horse’s health and well-being, if you can’t guarantee that you will give your horse what he needs as frequently as he needs it, every day without fail, then you probably shouldn’t waste your money on herbal remedies, nutritional consultations, or custom vitamin/mineral mixes. If, on the other hand, you are committed to seeing your horse happy and healthy in all aspects of his being, you might want to give balanced basic nutrition and integrated healing a try.

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