New Products & The Real-Life Stories Behind Them
FROM SKODE'S HORSE TREATS INC.
June 2009
Nearly four years ago, I needed an all-natural, low sugar and low starch treat to feed my Insulin Resistant horses. There weren't any.

With the guidance of world renowned veterinarian and equine nutritionist, Dr. Eleanor Kellon, I invented one.

That was a fabulous feeling -- to be able to create something I wanted and then to find out other people wanted it and needed it, too.

Today I introduce to you several more products, each of them born from a real life circumstance in which a horse needed something and a human found a solution. Some of these products come from me. Others come from horse owners like you -- experienced women who did whatever it took to meet their horses' needs.

Then, like me, they ended up sharing their own home-grown companies. I stand behind their products as I do my own: with great trust and pride. Everything I offer to you I offer to my own horses, dogs and cats. And goats, too!
A fast acting blend of powerful Certified Organic and Wildcrafted  herbs known for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

The story behind the invention:  Formulated by a Master Herbalist at The Herb Shop in Grants Pass, Oregon, this blend eradicated the fevers and flu-like symptoms of Skode's horse and pony, as well as several other horses effected by a virus traveling through the county where Skode lives.  In the case of Skode's horses, this virus had been resistant to anti-biotics. Luckily, it is as delicious as it is effective as it includes juicy bits of organic, dried fruit.

A blend you will be thankful you have when you need it! (Fred loved it!)

Ingredients: Lomatium, Elder Berry,  Yerba Santa, Rosehips, Organic Fruits, Echinacea and Yarrow Flower.

* Can be fed as a top dressing over feed but we recommend for fastest results that it be brewed and steeped as a loose-leaf tea (this releases the herbs volatile oils, which are quickly and easily absorbed by the horse's stomach).
1 lb of this Herbal Blend is enough for one horse for 10 to 14 days.
Certified Organic, Medicinal Strength Herbs for the Low Sugar/Low Starch Lifestyle:

The longer I care for horses, the more I rely on herbs to help my horses enjoy health and a sense of variety in their diets.

Vashka and his pony, Theo, run in from their paddocks to gobble up their meals.

A month ago, Catherine Bird, author of A Healthy Horse The Natural Way, recommended Fennel for my babies, a new addition to their nutritional programs, as both were a little bit beyond plump :)-

The result was so impressive that I decided to share a new line of extremely high-quality Herbs with Skode's customers.

I buy these organic goodies from across the street from where I live, at a spectacular, 140 acre-Organic Herb farm that supplies herbs and whole foods across the country.
All Natural Fly Spray
Developed by horsewoman Cindy Daigre of Ferrell Hollow Farms.

This all-natural spray contains a proprietary blend of five, high-quality essential oils in a base of organic apple cider vinegar containing "The Mother" -- a powerful, pulpy substance from the tree hollow in which the vinegar is cured.

Cindy is a long time herbalist, equine consultant and experienced senior horse care specialist who takes exquisite care of her horses on her senior retirement horse boarding ranch in Middle Tennessee.  When I say exquisite, I mean her boarders get their choice of at least three different kinds of low sugar/low starch hays.  They get groomed with all-natural salves and sprays. They even get low sugar/low starch horse cookies! (From Skode's of course!)
How Cindy became a professional horsewoman: It was a difficult time in many ways in Cindy's life. Back then, she owned and ran a counseling service that helped teenagers and their families. Work was long and hard and there were internal conflicts inside her company. Cindy's respite was the peace she found amongst her horses. It was then that her beloved mare, Turnip, fell ill.

The added stress of a sick horse would have thrown others into a debilitating depression. Cindy says it was always the horses -- no matter what -- that pulled her through the difficulties.

I asked her how that could be, when Turnip was ill. Wasn't that an added stress?

"When it came to the horses I was able to embrace what was going on," Cindy said.

And in that total embrace was born the idea for a retirement ranch and the all-natural products Cindy has developed to lavish upon the lucky horses now in her care.

Skode's personal experience with Ferrell Hollow Farm  fly spray: I have to admit that when my sample arrived in the mail, I was dubious. I haven't had much luck with natural fly sprays. The Oregon flies are extremely resistant little buggers!

I am happy to say that when the flies begin buzzing toward my horses, there seems to be an invisible shield that protects them. (Fred would not allow me to test the spray on him)
Immune Boosting Colloidal Silver
Another high-quality offering from Ferrell Hollow Farms.

Colloidal Silver is pure elemental silver that is evenly distributed into water. The silver is not dissolved but suspended evenly throughout the solution as a result of the positive electrical charge that is attached to each particle of silver as it is electrically sintered off of the silver electrode into the water. The process is made using a Colloid Master generator, distilled water, and 99.99% pure silver.

It is odorless, nearly tasteless and a potent non-toxic disinfectant and healing agent. It should be stored away from direct sunlight and if done so, has a shelf life of around one year. Colloidal Silver is considered a Homeopathic Remedy and is also makes for an effective wound healer.
Why Cindy began making CS: "I began using Colloidal Silver on my horse, Haley, after he received 2 months of traditional medication for EPM (Equine Protozoa Myelitis) treatment. When test results finally showed that he had cleared the protozoa that had wreaked havoc on his central nervous system, I wanted to use a product that could keep his immune system healthy and ward off any further protozoa attacks. I knew that he would not be able to handle further damage to his spinal cord."

Skode's Story about her use with Cindy's CS: As I always do with any new product, I test it out on my own animals first. I was really grateful to receive Cindy's CS via Priority Mail, as I have an older cat who is quite thin and suffers from diarrhea. In addition to the pro-biotics that I feed her, I wanted very much to give her the added benefit of a natural immune booster.

I put about 2 tablespoons of Cindy's CS in Plummie's drinking water. Within 24 hours, I noticed she hadn't had her usual early morning "accident" outside her liter box. This effect has continued with regular use of Cindy's CS and it comforts me to know that my dogs  -- and yes Fred -- are also enjoying its benefits.
Skode's goat, Fred
Certified Organic, Medicinal Strength Herbs for the Low Sugar/Low Starch Lifestyle:


Fennel Seed: A delicious herb that is also a fruit. Known for helping to naturally regulate a horse's appetite. Knonw as "The Diet Herb" for plump ponies.

Milk Thistle Seed: Considered "the liver" detoxifier. A wise choice for horses with chronic health conditions such as Insulin Resistance and Cushings. Contains natural sources of selenium.

Psyllium Seed:  A tremendous source of natural fiber. Often fed to help metabolically challenged horses slow down the absorption of glucose. A great idea for a monthly cleanse in all horses who do not have access to regular grazing, as the herb froms a gelatinous mass in the horse's stomach and is thus relied upon to clear sand and dirt from the hind gut.

*Do not feed on a daily basis if depending upon as a sand clearer, as regular use of this herb will cause the bacteria in your horse's stomach to utlize he herb as a food source as opposed to a "cleanser."
Psyllium Seed
Organic Cotton T-Shirts -- It's About A Lifestyle!
Let's get straight to the story on this one:  I have wanted to carry T-shirts with Skode's logos on them for a long time. The reason I hesitated is because of my father.

He told me when I was growing up: "Don't wear T-shirts or anything else with logos on them. You just make yourself into a walking advertisement."

For a long time  I have never worn knowingly with any obvious logos. Until I got a horse. Then I started wearing T-shirts with Dr. Eleanor's Kellon's class information on it. Why? Because I believe strongly in what I have learned from her and I want to spread the word in any way I can. (Plus I like the design that Katy Wicks, the illustrationist for my website and logos, drew.)

Now I want to wear a T-shirt with my company's logo on it.











I bet people will notice the beautiful white horse that Claire from Shotgun Ranch drew when Skode's first began. And perhaps from there they will ask about the horse and I will have a chance to tell them about Vashka --  and how with the right low sugar/low carb diet, he recovered from laminitis.

If you would like to have a chance to spread the Low Sugar word, check out Skode's new all-organic T-shirts. No matter what conversations occur, you'll look great!



"Life is not about avoiding the storms- It is about learning to dance in the rain" 


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