The Science & Benefits Behind Vermate
Introduction
The soil environment can be regarded as the host for most microbial species on earth. It is a well known
fact that animals, when given the choice, would prefer to drink dirt water than water that is unspoiled with
soil. As a matter of fact, most animals in nature will walk halfway into a pond before drinking. The reason
for this is to stir up the silt at the bottom of the pond with their feet before drinking. By doing so they
ingest all the healthy soil microbes, trace minerals and humus or humates that collects at the bottom of the
pond through rain wash off. This is nature’s way of replenishing the rumen microbes on a daily basis.
In modern agriculture animals are prevented from replenishing their rumen microbes in a natural way.
The result is an endless cycle of sickness management that results in significant financial losses.
Vermate product is developed with the aim of restoring the ruminant animal’s link with nature within a
modern agricultural environment.
Microbial Interaction
Vermate makes use of the vast diversity of soil microbes to supplement the rumen microbes on a daily
basis. The aim is to keep the rumen microbes as close as possible to that of animals that would have
natural exposure to soil microbes.
The equation therefore is simple – the more microbes in the stomach the better the nutritional uptake and
the better the health of the animal. Apart from the cumulative effect obtained from the vast number of
different microbial species in the Vermate product, one major difference of Vermate with commercial
probiotics is the occurrence of nitrification and denitrification bacteria. These are soil bacteria that enable
the efficient breakdown and conversion of nitrogen in feed rations into dietary proteins. Most commercial
probiotics consist only of lactic acid bacterial strains or yeasts. These strains do not possess specific
nitrogen breakdown and conversion characteristics. Evidence of this comes from people that use Vermate
in feed rations that experience a huge reduction of ammonia smell in animal waste and urine. Efficient
break down and processing of nitrogen in an animal’s metabolic system is a key factor in improving the
animal’s immune system. Ammonia and nitrates that are not efficiently processed and excreted from an
animal’s system is circulated back into the animal’s blood stream. This is a major cause for a weakened
immune system that leads to lower production levels and diseases.
Another attribute of the Vermate product is the use of Duddingtonia fungi. These fungi have the ability to
control nematode parasites and liver fluke in ruminant animals. This provides a powerful tool for parasite
control on a pro-active maintenance basis.
Humates and Animal Health
It is a well known fact that micro-organisms are responsible for the breakdown of organic material in
nature. It is a less known fact that humus or humic acids are formed in the process. Humic acids are
formed when the micro-organisms that feed on organic material dies off and mineralize. Various
components such as DNA, RNA, mitochondria and other cellular components break down and rearrange
themselves to form humic and fulvic acid molecules. Humic and Fulvic acid has proved to be one of
nature’s most powerful organic electrolytes and it serves to balance cell life. When organic electrolytes
are introduced, the individual cell is restored to its normal chemical balance and its electrical potential
where otherwise disintegration and death would occur. Where beneficial microbes help to balance pH on
a macro level, humates helps to balance pH and electrochemical potential at a cellular level. The result is
improved mineral transfer into the cell that result in improved nutrient uptake; improved restoration of
damaged cells in the case of illnesses or injury and also higher resistance against cell degradation.
Humic Acid Trace Minerals
Most trace minerals in their elementary form can be toxic to animals and humans even at very low levels.
Plants have the ability to absorb and chelate toxic elements in their plant tissue to a more acceptable form
for humans and animals to consume. Microbes that feed on decaying plant material absorb these elements
and take the process even further to ensure that when they die off and form humic acid molecules, the
trace minerals are even further chelated and diluted in order to be safe and absorbable for animal and
human consumption. Some trace elements that were detected in humic acids include the following:
| Aluminum | Chlorine | Hafnium | Molybdenum | Rubidium | Terbium |
| Antimony | Chromium | Holmium | Neodymium | Ruthenium | Thallium |
| Arsenic | Cobalt | Indium | Nickel | Samarium | Thorium |
| Barium | Copper | Iodine | Niobium | Scandium | Thulium |
| Beryllium | Dysprosium | Iridium | Osmium | Selenium | Tin |
| Bismuth | Erbium | Iron | Palladium | Silicon | Titanium |
| Boron | Europium | Lanthanum | Phosphorus | Silver | Tungsten |
| Bromine | Fluorine | Lead | Platinum | Sodium | Vanadium |
| Cadmium | Gadolinium | Lithium | Potassium | Strontiu | Ytterbium |
| Calcium | Gallium | Lutetium | Praseodymium | Sulfur | Yttrium |
| Cerium | Germanium | Manganese | Rhenium | Tantalum | Zinc |
| Cesium | Gold | Magnesium | Rhodium | Tellurium | Zirconium |
Vermate Health Aspects:
Blood Properties
Red blood cells have the ability to carry more oxygen when in the presence of humates. Healing of
injuries as a result of additional oxygen is therefore much quicker. Humate molecules allow higher
oxygen levels in the blood with a quicker breakdown of lactic acid in overworked and stiff muscles.
Recovering from stiffness in hardworking horses is therefore much quicker.
Mineral Transfer
Humic acid allows easier transfer of minerals from the blood to the bone and tissue cells through the
chelating or mineral carrying ability. This ensures higher calcium levels in bones as well as uptake of
nutritional substances.
Literature reports additional transport of iodine from foods into the thyroid glands due to the presence of
humates. This results in stabilizing of hormonal functions as well as improvement of fertility in animals.
Improved mineral transfer due to chelating properties of humates also means enhanced removal of
metabolic waste and toxic elements in the body.
Stress Management
Humates in the Vermate product block or reduce the production of stress causing hormones allowing
animals to be less affected by the outside stimulus of stress causing conditions. Animals on Vermate feed
more leisurely and perform better in competition or stress related circumstances.
Colic/Acidic Stomach
Concentrate fed animals are less prone to acidifying stomachs and colic due to the buffering effect of
humates as well as microbes in the Vermate product. The risk of stomach acidosis or colic is therefore
greatly reduced when Vermate is given on a daily basis. If acidosis or colic does occur, high dosages of
Vermate enable the cause of the colic to be dissolved.
Cell Mutation
Humates within the body work with DNA and cellular division, tending to prevent cellular mutation such
as cancer cell formation. Humic acids also significantly accelerate the healing process of stomach ulcers.
Somatic Cell Count in Milk and Mastitis Teat Infection
The somatic cell count in milk gives an indication of the amount of dead cells that a cow releases into her
milk as a result of normal metabolic functions. The somatic cell count is used to measure the quality of
milk and can be used as a very efficient tool to assess the animal’s overall health. High somatic counts are
often associated with mastitis teat infections.
Humates have the ability to make sugars more complex which is a healthier form for the body to absorb.
This allows the manufacturing of glycoproteins that attach to the Killer and T cells which regulates the
immune system. The humate glycoproteins therefore acts as a communication link between these cells
and prevent either the T or Killer cells from becoming out of balance. Excessive killer cells can attack
bone and joints causing arthritis. Conversely, excessive T cells can cause auto-immune diseases whereby
the body breaks down its own cells. Humates therefore assist the immune system to function in balance
and helps it to recognize its own dead cells thereby reducing infection. A reduction in somatic cell counts
in milk from dairy cows has been observed due to the immune regulatory properties of Vermate. The
incidence of milk allergy and diarrhea in lactating calves and foals have been greatly reduced by reducing
the somatic cell counts in the mother’s milk.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Humic acids are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Not only do the humates relieve swelling
from joint inflammation, it bonds to the collagen fibers to aid in repair of damaged tendons and bone.
Recovery time for tendon injuries has been shown to increase by as much as 75% with localized humate
treatments.
Detoxifying Properties
Life sustaining minerals are placed in a chemical or chelated state that is readily absorbed by cells. On the
other hand, toxic elements and metabolic waste are placed in a chemical state that is less absorbable
through cellular metabolism and more easily expelled from the system.
Odor Reduction
Humates decrease volatile ammonia in animal waste through chelation interaction, thereby reducing
ammonia odor. It also improves the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio in animal waste which facilitates
improved microbial breakdown and less odors.
Miscellaneous Properties:
- Animals being fed humates on a regular basis are less likely to react to the possible intake of
poisons or toxins. - Humates have the ability to increase fertility.
- Bone growth keeps up with muscle growth, reducing the risk of contracted tendons in growing foals.
- Coat condition improvement.
- Exhilaration of hoof growth and improved hoof quality.
- Reduction in healing time of tendon and muscle injuries.
- Improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Humates and soil microbes have a great effect in reduction of mastitis as well as lung infections.
- Humates and soil microbes reduces diarrhea in lactating animals
- Due to improved digestion as a result of beneficial microbes improvement on feed uptake as well as
feed conversion ratios have been observed. - Horses with colic that were treated with high dosages of Vermate showed immediate relief as well as
complete recovery from symptoms. - Improved fertility as well as reduction in foot rot has been observed in dairy cows and sheep.
- Reduction in gall sickness as well as red water has been observed in dairy cows and calves.
Vermate Parasite & Stress Control
Parasite Symptoms in Horses:
Poor condition, ulcers, colic, mange, diarrhea, rough coat, lethargic, infertility in stud animals.
Main Causes of Parasites in Horses:
Parasites thrive in any imbalanced or stress related environment such as:
✓ Exposing the horse to stress, for example travelling or breaking their routine.
✓ Metabolic stress due to poor feed quality, high starch, sugar and protein feed.
✓ Excessive exercise.
✓ Bad pasture and manure management practices. When horses are kept on overgrazed pastures where manure is not constantly removed, they inhale and ingest the parasite eggs from their own dung. This will make any form of parasite treatment inefficient.
✓ Seasonal changes may lead to increased levels of gastrodiscus parasites.
Vermate Recommended Dosages – Horses:
✓ Maintenance dose for competition horses – 15ml twice per day applied on food.
✓ Pregnant and lactating mares; Horses not in training – 15ml per day applied on food.
✓ Foals – 5ml per day applied orally.
✓ Race or endurance horses in training/competition – 60ml before a race; 60ml with each vet check.
✓ Colic symptoms – 200ml administered orally.
✓ Visual symptoms – 60ml per day for 3-5 days applied on food.
The Science & Benefits Behind Thermal Mud
Thermal Mud was created knowing that many wild animals have a natural inclination towards wallowing in mud, a behavior rooted in instinctual and therapeutic benefits.
Understanding the value of this for animals is what led to the development of Thermal Mud. A successful and widely used product.
Microminerals present in mud are readily absorbed through the skin, enriching the body with essential nutrients. | The diverse microbial composition of mud facilitates expedited wound healing and shields against infections. | Mud exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the reduction of swelling and pain. | Humates found in mud play a crucial role in discerning between healthy and diseased cells, rendering it effective in the treatment of growths and sarcoids. | Mud accelerates the healing process of muscle and tendon injuries. | Application of mud post-intensive workouts serves as a preventive measure against injuries. | Mud acts as a natural barrier, providing protection against harmful sun rays.
Why Thermal Mud And Vermate Are Used Together?
Thermal Mud is applied externally, the best results are obtained when used together with Vermate which is administered orally. Thermal Mud increases circulation to the affected area while Vermate addresses infection through the bloodstream. Vermate plays an important role in detoxing the body and improving the immune system. This ensures a healthy system that heals faster.
Important Aspects To Consider:
- The quicker the treatment after injury the better the results. Older wounds take longer to heal. The healing process can last anything from 2 weeks to 3 months.
- Old or infected wounds and sarcoids may start itching once the healing process is activated. If the animal starts to scratch or lick the area and that leads to bleeding, don’t get frightened. Bleeding is a good thing, it allows the body to drain toxins, infectious and cancerous cells. Once the area is cleaned out, the bleeding will stop. This is all part of the healing process.
Thermal Mud Treatment Procedures:
Sweet Itch / Mange / Allergies in Horses:
1. With a brush or sponge, wash the area with clean running water.
2. Dry the area but make sure it is still damp for easier application.
3. Dilute Thermal Mud with enough water to be absorbed through the hair and skin. Apply to the whole affected area.
4. It’s important to rub the Mud in lightly.
5. Leave it to dry.
6. Wash the dried Mud off completely before each application.
7. Repeat the above steps twice per day. Improvement will be noticed in about 3 days and should be cleared within 10 days (depending on the severity of the case).
NOTE: It is crucial to give 30 ml-60 ml Vermate 2 x per day with the treatment. The Vermate will assist in detoxing the horse and ensure healing FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
Intense Training (Prevent Leg Injuries in Horses):
1. After an intense training session or after a show/ race/ intense workout. Hose the horse’s legs and make sure the area is clean from sand, thorns, or any foreign objects.
2. Leave the legs damp for easier application.
3. Thermal Mud should be diluted enough to be absorbed through the hair and skin.
4. Apply it to the whole leg from above the knee/hock joint down to the coronary band above the hoof. Optional: Use cling wrap and cover the applied area from the knee/hock down. Take bandage fillers/cotton wool and cover each leg with a bandage (keep covered for a couple of hours or overnight).
5. WARNING: Please check the heat reaction after 5 minutes from applying cling wrap. The heat reaction can cause blistering so it’s very important to check. If the heat is too severe, you can leave the Thermal Mud on without covering.
6. After removing the bandages, hose the legs with cold water to remove all the dried Mud.
NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO BANDAGE PROPERLY AS INCORRECT BANDAGING CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE.
Greasy Heel / Mud Fever:
1. Wash the ‘scabs’ and dirt off with clean water. You can trim the fetlock hairs surrounding the area.
2. Once the area is clean, dry it with a clean cloth/towel.
3. Dilute the Thermal Mud about 1:1 with water for easy application and to be absorbed through the skin.
4. Apply the Thermal Mud to the whole affected area, making sure it goes into the grooves and folds of the skin. You can apply it to the surrounding area as well.
5. Repeat 2 x per day.
6. Improvement should be seen within a couple of days.
NOTE: In some cases, the Mud Fever can be quite severe and spread up the legs. Make sure the Thermal Mud gets rubbed into the skin. This is CRUCIAL. Apply Thermal Mud twice a day. Please note that each case is different and may need more or less time to clear up.
It is always advisable that 30 ml of Vermate is given 2 x per day with the Thermal Mud Treatment, as the Vermate will ensure a detox and healing reaction from the inside out.
Open Wounds:
1. Clean wound with water and 10% Hydrogen Peroxide (optional) if there is infection.
2. Dilute the Mud with enough water that it sticks into the wound.
3. Pack the Thermal Mud into the wound.
4. Apply 2 x per day. It is VERY IMPORTANT to wash ALL the old Mud out of the wound before applying the new Thermal Mud layer.
5. For open wounds on lower limbs, cover the wound after Thermal Mud has been applied with cling wrap, bandage inner and bandage. Leave on for NOT LONGER THAN 1 hour at a time and not more than ONCE a day.
6. Clean wound 2 x per day and re-apply Mud, but only cover 1 x per day. Let Mud dry and wash off.
NOTE: If there is already proud flesh present when starting with the Thermal Mud treatment, the proud flesh will rot away so don’t panic when the wound smells bad. Wash with 10% Hydrogen Peroxide before each new Mud application.
Wounds with proud flesh can be covered 2 x per day for no longer than 1 hour at a time.
Sarcoids / Growths:
1. Wash the growth with 10% Hydrogen Peroxide and ensure its clear of all dried blood, scabs and dirt.
2. Apply Thermal Mud onto the growth, also rub the Mud into the area around the growth and especially where it meets the healthy cells.
3. If possible, cover the growth with a plastic bag and tie with a cut elastic band.
4. Before each application, remove all old Thermal Mud carefully from the growth. Repeat process 2 x per day.
5. If the growth is scabby and or flat, rub the Thermal Mud into it thoroughly.
NOTE: When treating sarcoids, the healing process will allow the body to push the sarcoid out. The blood flow will start to drain the area which may lead to bleeding or swelling of the sarcoid.
TAKE NOTE THAT THE SARCOID IS NOT GROWING, IT EXPANDS DUE TO INCREASED BLOOD FLOW. IT IS ON ITS WAY OUT. JUST CARRY ON WITH THE TREATMENT AT THIS POINT AND DON’T PANIC!! THIS IS PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS.
Muscle Maintenance:
1. After strenuous workouts, wet areas where Thermal Mud is to be applied.
2. Neck, back, lower back, hamstrings and/or shoulders.
3. Dilute Thermal Mud 1:1 with water and apply onto the muscles.
4. Note the heat reaction as the Thermal Mud works its magic by activating healing where muscles are taking strain.
5. Let the Thermal Mud dry and brush it out of the coat or wash it off.
6. Notice how stiff muscles become more supple and horses are more relaxed and willing to work correctly.
7. Treat legs as per ‘Intense Training’ above.
Puffy Joints / Windgalls / Capped Hock:
1. Wet the area where the Thermal Mud is going to be applied.
2. Dilute Thermal Mud 1:1 with water, or enough to be absorbed through the hair and skin.
3. Apply to puffy joints/windgalls/capped hock.
4. Cover with cling wrap, bandage inner and bandage.
5. Check the heat reaction after 5 minutes. If too severe, do not cover it again. Leave open and apply Mud 2 x per day.
6. Let dry and wash off before the next application.
7. If the heat reaction is not too severe. Wrap legs again and leave overnight. This is the most effective and quickest treatment for eliminating puffy joints, windgalls, and capped hock.
Phleg Leg / Lymphangitis:
1. Wet area where Thermal Mud is to be applied.
2. Dilute with enough water to be absorbed through the hair and skin.
3. Massage into the whole affected area.
4. It is best to leave uncovered, do not bandage.
5. 2 x per day, wash all of the old Mud off and re-apply.
6. For the best results, give a double dose of Vermate (30ml 2 x per day).
NOTE: Phleg leg is very difficult to treat or to get 100% recovery. But we do get some good results and bring relief to these animals.
Treatment is not always successful as there are many variables, the severity and time the problem has been present play a huge roll.
Tendon / Ligament Injuries:
1. Wet the area to be treated.
2. Dilute Thermal Mud with enough water to penetrate hair and skin.
3. Apply a liberal amount to an injury.
4. Cover with cling wrap and CHECK HEAT REACTION after 5 minutes.
5. If not too severe, cover with bandage inner and stable bandage overnight (blistering can occur if the heat reaction is too severe).
6. In the morning, wash the Mud off with running water and re-apply the Thermal Mud.
7. Leave to dry and wash off. Bandage the leg again for support without Thermal Mud.
8. In the evening, wet leg and apply the Thermal Mud and cover for the night.
9. Repeat until the horse is sound.
NOTE: Treatment is most effective when started immediately after an injury has occurred. Recovery is 75 to 80% quicker than usual for injuries of this kind.
If older injuries are treated, recovery is also quicker than usual, but obviously not as quick.
Muscle Injuries:
1. Wet the area to be treated.
2. Dilute the Thermal Mud with enough water to penetrate hair and skin.
3. Rub into the area of injured muscle, for example, neck, shoulder, back, lower back, hamstrings etc.
4. Note the area heats up as the Thermal Mud works its magic by activating the body’s natural healing mechanism.
5. Repeat 2 to 3 times per day.
NOTE: The thermal reaction is due to the body’s natural healing mechanism being activated. Increased blood circulation ensures oxygen and nutrients are transported to the injured area.
Tying-Up (Monday Morning):
In the case of Tying-up, prevention is obviously much better than having to treat. This said, Vermate and Thermal Mud used together is the answer to both scenarios.
PREVENTION
1. Give 60ml Vermate 2 x per day the day before a race, or hard training session.
2. On the day of the race/hard training, give 60ml via syringe in the morning before the race/hard training.
3. Use Thermal Mud as per ‘Muscle Maintenance’ above.
4. Give 60ml Vermate 2 x per day the day after.
TREATMENT
1. If the horse is already tying-up, give 200-400ml via syringe into the mouth.
2. Apply Thermal Mud all over the neck, back, lower back and hamstrings.
3. If needed, give a second dose of 200ml Vermate.
4. If a horse is prone to tying-up, give 30-50ml Vermate 2 x per day for maintenance.