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Equimins Ltd Blog | Natural Horse Supplements, Supplies & Products Equimins specialises in producing natural horse supplies, products and supplements for the major areas associated with caring for a horse. All products are proudly made in the UK and excellent specification quality products are of paramount importance. Using this blog we want to share some of the knowledge we have gained through nearly 30 years of experience.

09 October 2015 ~ 0 Comments

Top tips for respiratory health this winter

There are lots of reasons why respiratory issues rear their ugly heads in the winter months. It could be because the horse is spending more time inside in a potentially dusty environment, or that his bedding irritates his respiratory system, or that he has an allergy to the dust or spores in hay…the list goes on! Whilst it would be impossible to prevent all respiratory issues in horses, there are ways to reduce dust and improve the horse’s environment to prevent the ones caused by these issues. Here are our top tips to support respiratory health this winter.

 

  • Bedding – some bedding can be incredibly dusty and, even if your horse doesn’t have an allergy to dust as such, a dusty environment is not good for him to be in.
  • Neighbours – it’s not just your horse’s bedding or hay that could have an influence on his breathing…what his neighbour uses can too as dust can travel, so be aware of this.
  • Ammonia – ammonia is more than just a bad smell that makes your eyes water, it can also have a detrimental impact on the respiratory system. Look at beddings that naturally remove the smell of ammonia and/or look at floor fresheners and disinfectants like Stable Fresh that have been developed to remove the smell.
  • Muck out – muck out as thoroughly as possible each day to reduce ammonia…but always make sure your horse is removed from the immediate area when you do it. Moving bedding and hay around will create dust, and your horse is much better in the field and away from it.
  • Hay – some hay is dusty and some isn’t…and there are lots of factors that can influence this. If your hay is dusty, look to soak or steam it before feeding to reduce the dust. Feeding from the floor can also help as the horse isn’t creating dust at a higher level.
  • Respiratory FormulaTurnout – getting some fresh air can help the horse’s respiratory system and also help body and mind. Even if your fields are waterlogged and you can’t ride, it’s important to give your horse the opportunity to stretch his legs, have a roll and be a horse! This can be done in an arena if a paddock isn’t available.
  • Supplement – if your horse’s respiratory system needs additional support, don’t be afraid to try a supplement. We have a number of these in our Respiratory section. Whether you’re looking for a herbal solution, pure garlic or something more comprehensive like Respiratory Formula, Clear Breather or Air-Way Liquid, we have the product to help!
  • Ventilation – even in the coldest winter weather, it’s important that your horse’s stable has adequate ventilation to provide fresh air and help reduce dust.
  • Get help – some respiratory issues aren’t caused by dust and need veterinary attention, so if you’re worried about your horse, it’s worth giving your vet a ring as the respiratory system is sensitive and can become damaged quite easily.

 

To find out more about our range of respiratory supplements, just see the website. Don’t forget that we’re here to help, so if you have any questions, just contact us.

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