Dust is the horse's lung's worst enemy. In the stable, a horse breathes air all day long that can be full of fine particles from hay and bedding. This page lists complementary feeds that owners use for the airways, but the most important work happens in the stable itself.
Environment first
No supplement outweighs clean air. What you can do yourself:
- feed hay with as little dust as possible, for example dampened, and do not shake it out in the stable;
- let your horse eat with its head low, from a haynet or slow feeder close to the ground;
- provide ventilation without draughts and muck out while your horse is outside;
- turn your horse out as much as possible.
Haynets, slow feeders and feed buckets are in stable and field.
What is in this collection
Lick tubs from Horslyx: the large 5-kilo Respiratory Balancer and the Mini Respiratory. Handy for horses kept outdoors that do not get hard feed.
Dried herbs from the Excellent Horse Herbs line, such as thyme and aniseed, to mix into the feed. These herbs have traditionally been used for horses; they are feeds, not medicines.
When to see the vet?
If your horse coughs persistently, has nasal discharge, a fever or is visibly breathing harder at rest, have it examined. A respiratory problem can be an infection or a chronic condition and needs a diagnosis. A supplement is at most an addition to what the vet advises. If you compete, check that the herbs you feed are permitted.
Related groups: vitamins and minerals and stomach and gut. Or look back at the overview of horse supplements.
Frequently asked questions
Will a supplement help my horse's cough?
A supplement does not treat a cough. Always have a persistent cough examined by your vet; a low-dust environment is often the most important measure.
Why dampen hay?
Dampened hay releases less dust when your horse eats. Do feed it promptly, because wet hay can start to heat in warm conditions.
Is a lick tub suitable for every horse?
A lick tub is practical for horses at grass, but you do not know exactly how much each animal takes in. With horses that gain weight easily, or in a herd with a lot of competition, that is a drawback.