FEBRUARY 2011 THE RIDER /9 The Battle of Equine Respiratory Issues


Provided by Tamaran Gray of Equine BodyWorks, www.equinebodyworks.ca


If your horse or pony has a respiratory problem such as a cough, he wheezes or is short of breath they could be suffering from Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Horses and ponies suffering from these condi- tions need special care and management to allow them to live a comfortable and active life.


cultural College, measured the effectiveness of steaming hay to reduce bacteria, mould and yeast spores.


In that study, samples were taken from five bales of good-quality untreated dry hay. Then the bales were steamed for 80 minutes in a steamer. More samples were taken after the steaming cycle was complete. After being


Difficulty in breathing causes the horse’s flanks to heave - hence equine respiratory problems have been traditionally known by many horse owners as “Heaves”. This condition is also described as “broken wind”, “hay- straw allergy” or emphysema. RAO and COPD both affect the smaller airways of the lungs and affect the horse’s capacity and ability to breathe. These diseases cause thickening of the airway walls and the secretion of excess mucus. It is essential to have these conditions correctly diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. One of the first indications that your horse has a respiratory problem is repeated coughing as he tries to shift the mucus in his airways. This coughing usually occurs when he is kept in dusty condi- tions or exposed to mould spores. The symp- toms can also show up when a horse is being exer- cised.


By working with the mucous blanket in the lungs, a Transpirator helps to expel the excess mucous and in most cases any bacteria living there. Common respirato- ry ailments such as bronchitis, viruses and colds, may be shortened with the use of Transpirator Therapy, allowing many horses to get back to regular training and racing faster. The general health of horses that are exposed to dust, allergens and air pollutants will be helped with Transpirator Therapy.


Here are a few equine therapy modali- ties that will help with res- piratory issues.


incubated, results of a comparison showed that the dry samples contained more than 4 million colonies of TVC bacteria per gram, and more than 10 million colonies of mould spores per gram and more than 6.5 million yeast colonies per gram. The steamed hay contained only 800 colonies of TVC bacteria per gram and no mould or yeast colonies per gram. (Merial


Moore-Colyer and Rebecca James [2009] Royal Agricultural College) If you are current- ly “soaking” hay look at giving a steamer a try! Unfortunately, respiratory issues in hors- es are a continually growing problem, but there are also some new and exciting ways to keep your horses breathing strong.


The Transpirator is designed to provide heated water vapor therapy to promote the clearance of airway mucous obstructions that can lead to exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and poor performance. The Transpirator filters and preconditions the horse’s entire inhalation with heat and droplet-free water vapor, which thins the mucous blanket, dissolves mucous plugs and promotes mucous clearance. The resulting removal of airway obstructions reduces the potential for EIPH or poor performance in most cases without the use of drugs.


The soothing output from the Transpirator is deliv- ered to the horse by muzzle mask. All breeds and all ages seem to enjoy the treatments. Uses of the Transpirator:


• Respiratory conditioning of healthy horses • Promoting mucous clearance and reducing resistance to air movement in the bronchioles and other passages in the lungs


• To help with bleeders


The Transpirator is not a nebulizer. Nebulizers deliver aerosol particles of water or medication, whereas the Transpirator delivers only vapor phase water. Aerosol particles cannot penetrate into the small bron- chioles of the lung and cannot humidify inhalation until they evaporate. This requires energy from the horse. Hence, a nebulizer will tend to cool the airways rather than warm them as the Transpirator does.


To further help with respiratory issues and control the dust and spores in hay there are products like Hay- gain Hay Steamers.


Exposing your horse to mould and fungal spores in hay can over time sensitise them to it and cause a hyper- sensitivity allergy which will develop into a respiratory condition.


While steaming hay has been a growing trend in the equine industry in the United Kingdom, it has recent- ly begun to take hold in the North American market as well.


There has been several tests exploring the concept of steaming hay as an alternative to soaking hay. More recently, Dr. Moore-Colyer led research at Royal Agri-


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