Advertorial

BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

Performance is paramount, but a horse’s appearance in the sales ring, winner’s circle or show pen completes the picture. That dazzling coat and overall well-being reflect quality of care and concern with the horse’s welfare.

Cuts, abrasions, rub marks and skin sensitivities affect most horses at some point—often at the most inopportune time, such as before a sale, show or race.

When it comes to healing wounds, repelling flies, and promoting healthy skin and coat, owners, trainers and consignors are adding new tools to their arsenal. And they’re doing so with natural products that use ancient ingredients supported by centuries of results.

Kawell is the #1 equine product brand in Chile. Using native ingredients from the region, Kawell has created care products backed by extensive university and government research.

Their products work in alignment with the body’s natural healing process to support skin health and improve wound care management.

The Kawell story started with copper alloy horseshoes that utilize the natural antimicrobial benefits of copper to eliminate bacteria and fungus. These properties make the shoes successful in treating and preventing troublesome hoof conditions, including seedy toe, white line disease and thrush. 

Kawell’s copper alloy horseshoes and inserts are a patent design. They are the only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified horseshoes on the market to help improve hoof health and overall quality.

Following the in-depth studies on the horseshoes, research conducted at the University of Chile expanded to using natural plant extracts for an effective line of horse and pet care products, making Kawell’s products available in the United States. 

“Here in Florida, we have the perfect storm for skin issues with the humidity and insects, fungus and bacteria,” said Kaelyn Moseler, field manager for Kawell USA. 

“Kawell is focused on horse welfare and we want to provide products that line up with that approach, including for wound care,” Moseler said.

“Kawell are my go-to products for all my horses’ first aid and skin health needs. These products work and they align with my natural approach to horse husbandry. I even use these products on myself and my family,” says Tiffany Rowe, Licensed Parelli Professional 3 Star Instructor and Horse Development Specialist.

WOUND CARE AND MORE

Supporting the body’s natural healing process is especially important with horses in training or heading to the sales where appearance is a priority.

Sometimes horses get rub marks or scratches during shipping or develop skin irritation from a change in bedding. And of course, there’s always the horse healing from a significant wound or injury when scarring is a real concern.

The active ingredients in Kawell’s wound and skin care products are backed by 21st century research, and hundreds of years of practical application. 

Using these proven natural ingredients was a no-brainer when Kawell developed their product line that includes wound and skin sprays, shampoo, hoof paste and fly repellent wound ointment.

A closer look at two key ingredients reveals why horse owners rely on Kawell’s products formulated with these ingredients.

MATICO

Also called Orange Ball Tree or Golden Globe Butterfly Bush, Matico is known scientifically as Buddleja globosa Hope (Buddlejaceae). It’s the leaves of the plant that provide such impressive benefits.

“Matico was known as the ‘soldier’s herb’ because of its antiseptic, antifungal and analgesic properties,” said Moseler.

Research proves that Matico is active in all steps of wound repair and:

• Reduces inflammation
• Provides analgesic effects to reduce pain  
• Protects cells to promote healing
• Supports cells that rebuild skin and tissue

“The antioxidant effects of Matico protect the healthy cells around the wound so it can heal more efficiently,” said Moseler. “It can even increase fibroblast growth to repair issue, which promotes wound healing.”

Itching is often related to inflammation, so calming the inflammatory response helps skin stay calm and resilient.

Research also shows that Matico activates opioid receptors, which explains why it helps reduce pain.

It is a key ingredient in Kawell’s Matico Natural Skin Spray for Horses and Matico Horse Shampoo.

The skin spray soothes itchy dry skin, promotes wound healing and helps horses with scratches, rain rot, sweet itch, ringworm and dermatitis. It’s even effective for dental sores and oral wounds.

Unlike some chemical shampoos, there is no buildup with the Matico shampoo, which deep cleans without stripping natural oils. Horses with sensitive skin and seasonal skin allergies especially benefit from the product.

DRAGON’S BLOOD

One glance at the rich red sap from the croton tree and it’s easy to see how it earned the name Dragon’s Blood.

“These trees, which also come from the Amazon, take 100 years to mature. Their sticky sap has been used medicinally for centuries as a liquid bandage allowing wounds to breathe, while protecting from infection during healing,” said Moseler. 

Written references to the use of Dragon’s Blood date back to the 1600s. 

As Moseler explains, the Spanish naturalist and explorer P. Bernabé Cobo found that the sap’s curative power was widely known throughout the indigenous tribes of Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.

Despite its dramatic name, Dragon’s Blood is 100% non-toxic and safe to use on breeding stock, including pregnant mares, and horses of any age.

When it comes to wound care, Dragon’s Blood has numerous benefits, including:

• Promotes healing by forming a protective barrier over wound
• Provides pain relief for comfort
• Supports healthy tissue production 
• Helps prevent scarring

“Dragon’s Blood has unique properties that help prevent scarring and encourage hair to grow back. Taspine is an alkaloid in the plant that prevents scarring and stimulates collagen production and tissue recovery,” said Moseler.

These properties made Dragon’s Blood an ideal ingredient for Red Repel, Kawell’s fly repellent wound ointment. The product includes citronella to keep flies away as a wound heals, and 20% zinc to work in conjunction with the Dragon’s Blood, which forms a protective barrier over irritated skin.

Horse owners find Red Repel effective on summer sores, rain rot and other fungal skin conditions.

“Both our Matico and Dragon’s Blood formulations are food grade, safe to ingest, and have analgesic properties, so they can even help with dental injuries,” said Moseler. 

This provides peace of mind when using the products for sensitive areas, wounds and even oral applications.

MELANOMA PRODUCT COMING

As owners of gray horses know all too well, it’s not if they will develop melanoma, but when.

Based on 17 years of research, in 2026 Kawell USA will release K/EXT to promote the reduction of melanoma. This over-the-counter topical cream is launching shortly while continuing through the FDA approval process. 

Designed to be used in the early stages of melanoma, the cream is formulated using an extract from Lithraea caustica (also known as the litre tree) found in the Amazon rainforest.

“This product is a clean alternative to traditional melanoma treatment and is 100% natural,” said Moseler. 

TRY KAWELL

Kawell USA products are available locally at T&T, Seminole Stores, Ocala Breeders Feed & Supply, Country Lane Tack & Equine Supply, as well as online via their website.

“I represent Kawell USA because they’re focused on horse welfare, quality ingredients, and research-driven solutions. That commitment to doing things the right way is something I respect in this industry,” says Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos.

Kawell USA offers up to three free samples for horse owners interested in trying products. Only cost is shipping.

www.kawellusa.com
888-576-5237
info@kawellusa.com

---

Return to the March 10 issue of Wire to Wire