With cold temperatures blanketing much of the United States, finding ways to maintain respiratory health is on everyone’s mind. You shouldn’t forget about your horse’s either, as challenges to respiratory health can decrease wellness and potentially limit performance.

Here are a few tips that can help keep your horse healthy:

1. Practice good husbandry practices – Minimizing nose-to-nose contact both in the barn and while trailering, keeping water buckets, tack and grooming equipment clean, and separating any horses that have traveled off the farm from the rest of the herd (at least a few days) are all husbandry practices that can help keep horses healthy and any challenges to respiratory health to a minimum.
2. Reduce the presence of dust and allergens – Having a well-ventilated barn, keeping aisle ways swept, soaking hay, keeping hay off the ground, avoiding round bail hay, and using low-dust bedding material such as wood chips, peat moss, or recycled cardboard can all help minimize the presence of dust and allergens in your barn and thus reduce potential challenges to your horse’s respiratory health.
3. Minimize stressful events and situations – Events such as veterinary or farrier visits, weaning, shipping, changing of social groups, and high-intensity exercise or performance can all be stressful for horses. Stress can weaken the immune system and increase you horse’s risk of respiratory health challenges. Your veterinarian can offer suggestions on how to help your horse cope with stress and minimize these risks.
4. Add a respiratory health supplement – Equistro Secreta Pro Max is Tomlyn’s newest equine product and it contains ingredients that support normal respiratory function and health. Thyme and black horehound support maintenance of a clear, unrestrictive airway. Coltsfoot, grindelia, mullein flowers, and climbing ivy help maintain secretion production that is of optimal viscosity. Thyme, liquorice, burdock, grindelia, and mullein flowers support a horse’s respiratory hygiene status, and Vitamin E support normal defense mechanisms. This product is a highly palatable pellet that is administered daily as needed to support respiratory health.

Following these tips and obtaining regular wellness veterinary care will help keep your horse healthy and active this season!