How to support your horse’s respiratory system

During the wintertime, when our horse’s stabled time increases, it can in some cases be detrimental to our equine’s respiratory health. Issues ranging from mild coughs and runny noses to debilitating cases of Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) can affect our horses and ponies, with conditions often exacerbated by stabling in dusty environments. Respiratory disorders can create a welfare problem and cause reduced performance in our equines. The horse cannot succeed in, and enjoy ridden work if suffering with a respiratory problem as the equine’s ability to respire literally dictates how much oxygen can be inhaled and in turn how much energy can be produced; as oxygen fuels muscle contraction.

 

What Damage Can Respiratory Issues Cause?
When our horses are stabled, inhaling an increased quantity of dust and mould spores can lead to damage such as; inflammation of the airways, reduced air space and irritation of the cells. This may cause secretion of mucus leading to a runny nose, coughs and a weakened immune system due to stress.

What Conditions can Equines suffer from?
Most commonly our equines will suffer from conditions such as congestion, bronchitis, tracheitis, and in severe cases our equines can develop more serious conditions such as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) or Equine Heaves.

How can Respiratory Issues be avoided?
When considering minimising the risk of respiratory problems, management choices are key. Horslyx takes a look at some top tips to help reduce the risk of respiratory compromise…

 

Top Tips from Horslyx to Minimise and Manage Equine Respiratory Problems

1. Though sometimes it can be difficult during the winter, it is well worth trying to turn out our equines in the field wherever possible. This enables our equines to spend a period breathing fresh, uncontaminated air.
2. The stable that you provide should be well ventilated, particularly if your horse or pony spends much of their time inside. Stabling with a high roof, such as an American barn style is ideal as it increases the amount of air changes, reducing heat and minimising excessive dust.
3. Investing in high quality bedding that is dust extracted too is highly important as purchasing cheap, dusty bedding really is false economy. It is also vital that horse owners commit to keeping their stable, muck heap and yard area clean and hygienic.
4. In addition it is important to support our equine’s immune system with a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates all the vital vitamins and minerals they need.

Respiratory Horslyx not only contains menthol, eucalyptus and aniseed to help support a clear airway and healthy breathing, but it also provides a high specification vitamin, mineral and trace element package. Vitamins C and E are included at a high level.  These antioxidants help support and maintain a healthy immune system with Vitamin C the antioxidant found in lung fluid naturally. This unique formulation supports a healthy immune system which maximises the ability to maintain healthy lung function.

With the correct management protocol in place, your equine can breathe easy all winter.