Can feed help with coughing?

 

Irritated or diseased airways in horses often manifest themselves by coughing. There are many possible causes. The veterinarian will clarify and treat the medical conditions, but you can also strengthen and support the health of the respiratory tract of your horse by appropriate care and feeding. We at marstall give tips which measures help.


  • What causes coughing?
  • How does the horse's body defend it?
  • What to do against coughing? - Keeping
  • What to do against coughing? - Feeding
  • These marstall products help
  • Coughing and feeding: Conclusion

What causes coughing?

Coughing can be caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites or by mould toxins in the feed or litter. Allergies can also be responsible for recurring coughs. Often, however, the classic pathogens are not the cause ─ or at least not alone.

If the respiratory tract is irritated, horses react sensitively to dust, fine feed particles and too dry air, for example. Cold or a high ammonia load in the stable can also trigger a coughing irritation. Coughing can also occur in older horses in connection with heart failure (cardiac insufficiency), but can also be caused by overwork and sensitivity to the weather.

Often several triggers come together. For example, acute bronchitis is usually triggered by a viral disease, as a result of which the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract also become bacterially inflamed. Stress, dust or a strong ammonia load can additionally strain the respiratory tract and the immune system. Poor husbandry conditions with mould in hay and straw are also additional triggers for bronchitis. If the inflammation does not subside but becomes chronic, the respiratory tract may become narrowed and clogged with solid mucus. This is known as chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB).

Cough triggers at a glance:

  • Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites)
  • Mould toxin
  • Allergens
  • Air dryness
  • Mechanical irritants (dust, feed particles)
  • Thermal stimuli (cold)
  • Chemical stimuli (ammonia pollution)
  • Signs of age/heart failure
  • Weather sensitivity/overload

How does the horse's body defend it?

In addition to the immune system, which attacks bacteria and viruses, the horse's body has other defenses against diseases and irritations of the respiratory tract: The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are an important barrier and a self-cleaning mechanism. They continuously produce mucus which, for example, binds particles which then flow out of the respiratory tract with the mucus: The fine cilia of the mucous membrane cells move the mucus towards the throat.

If the mucous membranes are irritated, they produce more mucus and its consistency changes. At best, more sputum is produced, which is coughed up. However, it can also happen that viscous mucus remains in the airways and disturbs breathing ─ up to spastic reactions (coughing cramps).

Horse in the arena

What to do against coughing? - Keeping

Just a look at possible causes of coughing (see above) shows how much can be achieved through improved keeping conditions. Horses should have access to a stress-free and draught-free outdoor area and, for example, should be able to recover from dusty bedding and ammonia pollution by regular grazing or well-tended open stable management. Increased cleanliness of stable and bedding, dust-free bedding alternatives and a special attention to flawless hay will help additionally. Sufficient exercise helps to support the respiratory tract in its self-cleaning process.

What to do against coughing? - Feeding

Vitamins are of great importance for the optimal supply of the mucous membranes. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can intercept harmful, highly reactive molecules (so-called "free radicals") before they can damage the cells of the respiratory tract. Vitamin E is no less important for healthy respiratory function. It is one of the most important components of the membranes of the cells of the respiratory tract.

Trace elements in organic form are also essential for the optimal functioning of the antioxidant enzymes that are part of the lung's immune defence system. In horses with respiratory tract diseases it should be checked whether sufficient magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine and selenium are present in the ration. These trace elements are important for the active regeneration of the mucous membranes and for the growth of the fine cilia which remove the mucus. In addition, magnesium, manganese and selenium help to relax.

Many natural herbs have proven their expectorant and antispasmodic effects, including some whose effects are also appreciated by humans ─ for example thyme, sage, aniseed, fennel, coriander, camomile, caraway, eucalyptus, juniper berries, garlic, fenugreek seeds, nettle, birch leaves, spruce needles, ribwort herb and marshmallow leaf herb.

These marstall products help

You can feed the above mentioned natural herbs and essential oils, but also vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and other important trace elements such as copper, zinc, manganese and iodine with marstall Sinfonie. Sinfonie is an oat-free, aromatic muesli mixture for every horse and contains further vitalising ingredients such as brewer's yeast, linseed and alfalfa structure.

marstall ProAir also helps to support the natural function of the respiratory tract in horses. The recipe does not only contain the mentioned vitamins and trace elements ─ above all vitamin C, which acts like a protective shield against harmful free radicals ─, but also the organic sulphur compound MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane) in ProAir contributes to the anti-inflammatory and calming effect. Studies have shown that MSM is very well distributed in the body and the sulphur is therefore also effectively biologically available.

Coughing and feeding: Conclusion

Coughing in horses can have many causes. To identify and treat pathogens, you should consult a veterinarian. Keeping conditions play a (co-)triggering role. Here, feeding is one way of supporting the respiratory system's defences - also in conjunction with medical treatment.

Important vitamins and trace elements such as vitamins C and E, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine and selenium can be added. Herbs such as anise, fennel and caraway with their essential oils are also a valuable supplement and can have an expectorant, calming and anti-inflammatory effect. Depending on your horse's needs, we therefore recommend our products Sinfonie and ProAir as a cure and Sensation-Pro and Sensation-Free as normal concentrated feed.

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