Here’s the thing – horses can develop respiratory problems like every other animal. Not to mention, younger horses (much like younger humans) are quite sensitive to allergens. This means that you have to be very careful about your steed’s lung health. That’s where horse respiratory supplements can help you big time.
As the name suggests, respiratory supplements are designed to promote lung and overall health. And that’s why we’ve compiled a list of 7 best respiratory supplements for horses for your viewing pleasure. All you need to do is scroll down and choose your supplement of choice.
In a hurry? Here are our top picks:
- Stride Animal Health Lifeline Supplement (best overall)
- Finish Line Air Power (best budget option)
What Are Respiratory Supplements?
To say that horses are active animals is an understatement. In fact, horses need intense physical exercise to maintain their overall health. All living things need a healthy dose of oxygen to function – but horses, with their need for physical exertion, need healthy lungs more than most.
Breathing problems in horses can arise due to infectious and non-infectious diseases. The only difference is that non-infectious diseases are often caused by dust or allergens. Though, non-infectious disease-related breathing problems are no easier to handle than the infectious type.
This is where respiratory supplements can help you in sustaining your horse’s health. You see, respiratory supplements can not only help in improving your equine’s lung health, but they can also help in fending off future allergy attacks.
From managing allergy symptoms to getting rid of excess mucus – horse respiratory supplements are a great way of supporting clear airways.
Additionally, these supplements contain natural substances like herbs and vitamins. Respiratory supplement ingredients like bromelain promote cartilage and joint health. If you’re looking to improve your horse’s joint health, then you might also want to check out our list of the best horse joint supplements. Most supplements also include antioxidants that fight off free radicals.
How To Choose Respiratory Supplements?
When it comes to choosing respiratory supplements, a little research can go a long way. It’s not that the process involves rocket science, but there are certain factors you should be aware of.
The most important bit of info is – that respiratory supplements can not replace any type of prescribed medication. Instead, as the name suggests, supplements work along with such medicines to make your horse get back on his feet faster.
To put in simple terms – supplements are a kind of a back-up. This doesn’t mean supplements aren’t important. They can be very effective when it comes to fighting off respiratory issues.
Aside from this, we’ve amassed a few other aspects that’ll help you in choosing the right respiratory supplements. Here’s what they are..
1. Smell
Did you know horses have a way better sense of smell than humans? This means that it’s very likely that your horse will refuse to eat anything that smells funky to it. This is also why some horses can be picky eaters.
Why does any of this matter concerning respiratory supplements? A lot of supplements available have the kind of odour that can spread far and wide. We’re not kidding – some respiratory supplements have been known to initiate the gag reflex in horses and horse owners alike.
To avoid any such unfortunate mishap, it’s better to look for a supplement that offers a minimum odor. Plus, the smell of a supplement has nothing to do with its efficiency – so you won’t lose anything by opting for a supplement that your horse will agree to eat. Not to mention, if your horse refuses to eat the supplement you’ve purchased because of its smell, then you’re looking at a sick horse and a waste of money. However, we recommend following our detailed guide on how to make a horse eat its supplements
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2. Ingredients
As unfortunate as it is that respiratory supplements can’t include sugar, spice, and everything nice, you should still pay close attention to a horse supplement’s list of ingredients.
Thankfully, most respiratory supplements on the market are made from a blend of all-natural ingredients. This includes things like vitamins, minerals, enzyme extracts, herbs, etc.
However, we’re somewhat partial to the supplements that include anti-oxidants. The reason for that tri-fold – anti-oxidants help build immunity, they fight off inflammation, and they help soothe allergic reactions.
The best part about buying supplements is the sheer amount of choices you’ll have at your disposal. But, technically, respiratory supplements should include herbs for horses with respiratory problems. Here are a few ingredients you should keep an eye out for:
- Cranberry
- Vitamin C
- Camu Camu
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Garlic
- Aniseed
- Red-Clover heads
- Coltsfoot
3. Horse Allergies
4. Syrup or Powder Form
I think we’ve established the importance of lung aid for horses. But, there’s one factor that we’ve not touched upon yet.
Respiratory supplements are remarkably versatile – concerning the forms, they’re available in. You can find supplements in the form of powders, pellets, and pastes, even. But, instead of focusing on the form, pay attention to what customers are saying about its smell and taste.
Most of the time, equestrians are partial to the type of supplements that can be mixed with a horse’s diet – so that there’s less of a chance of the horse refusing to eat the supplement.
7 Best Horse Respiratory Supplements
Do you want to know all about the best vitamin and mineral supplements for horses out there?
That’s good – because our list of the 7 best respiratory supplements for horses has something for everyone. Don’t believe us? All it takes is a few minutes of reading time to prove us wrong.
1. AniMed Natural HistALL H Respiratory Horse Supplement
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We’re big on antihistamines because we know how annoying and painful a sudden attack of allergies can be. That’s why the first entry on our list also happens to be a powerful antihistamine supplement for horses.
A guaranteed analysis reveals that AniMed’s HistALL H includes the following:
- Vitamin D – 10,000 IU min
- Vitamin C – 640mg min
- Turmeric – 5000mg min
- Bromelain – 2,000gdu
But, that’s not all – the HistALL H also includes garlic powder, citrus bioflavonoids, and ginger root. If you’ve been paying attention to what we’ve told you so far, you’ll realize that ingredients like garlic and turmeric are known for their ability to reduce inflammation and fight allergens.
However, it should be noted that this supplement does have non-natural ingredients such as Pyrilamine Maleate USP. Pyrilamine Maleate is a chemical used in making antihistamines, and as such we advise our readers, to thoroughly research this product before purchasing it.
2. Farnam Cough Free Powder
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If you’re still browsing our article for the best supplement for horse cough – then take a look at the Farnam cough free powder for horses.
This all-natural formula includes ingredients like ginger root, kelp powder, fenugreek seed, and gentian root. Apart from an easy to remember the name, this cough supplement has received rave reviews by users who had horses suffering from issues like heaves, coughs, allergies, and congestion.
However, be advised that the Farnum cough powder includes ingredients like sulfur – which may not go down very well with your horse’s sensitive sense of smell.
Although, the instructions state that owners can mix the powder in warm water and dose the horse via a syringe. That seems to make sense, considering the fact the horse won’t have to deal with the strong odour for long if the dose enters the throat right away.
According to us, the ingredients and popularity of this supplement were too good to leave it out of our list of best respiratory supplements.
3. Stride Animal Health Lifeline
The next runner up is Stride Animal Health’s Lifeline + Equine supplements. The entry is for all our readers who were on the hunt for vitamin and mineral supplements for horses.
First, let’s talk about this supplement’s nutritional information. The Lifeline + Equine pellets include a healthy dose if plasma, alfalfa meal, wheat middlings, dried cane molasses, and natural and artificial flavors.
This supplement can give your horse the push in the right direction as far as good health is concerned. The Lifeline pellets include ingredients that promote immunity and high-beneficial for a horse’s lungs, gut, joints, and reproductive system.
The Lifeline pellets are suitable adult horses only, and they can be used during training, traveling, or periods on extreme activity.
4. Equistro Epic Daily Immune Support Horse Supplement
Number four in our list of top supplements for horses is Equistro’s Daily Immune Support Horse Supplements.
Equistro came into being in 1986 in Germany, and it’s products made their way to the US and Canada in 2017. Still, the company has some serious quality control, and its products have earned a great reputation.
As far as the Daily Immune supplement is concerned, the product comes in the form of a powder, which can easily be mixed in your’s horse’s feed. The supplement helps your horse strengthen its immune system, and promotes the animal’s natural defence.
That’s not all, though. The Daily Immune supplement also aids in the promotion of a healthy digestive and respiratory system. It’s particularly suitable for horses who under stress due to an intensive training routine or competition programs. The best part, however, is that the powder is quite palatable for horses, which means they won’t kick up a fuss at chow time.
5. Silver Lining Herbs Respiratory Support Horse Supplement
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Silver Lining Herbs has been making health products for horses and dogs since 1999. They’re based in Idaho, and if you happen to be searching for an all-natural solution to your horse’s respiratory problems – then you should definitely give this product a go.
The company makes excellent health products for horses such as their CBD oil tincture for horses that helps fight inflammation and pain. But we’re all kinds of impressed with their all-natural Respiratory Support supplement for horses.
The supplement not only helps in maintaining the respiratory function, but it also supports faster recovery after strenuous activity. The natural herbs also aid in supporting lung health, and the blend includes ingredients like goldenseal, Irish moss, licorice, and echinacea.
If you’re into natural remedies for ills and pains, then it doesn’t get better than the Silver Lining Herbs Supplement.
6. Finish Line Air Power Cough Relief Respiratory Horse Supplement
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The name of this supplement may be quite a mouthful but believe us, this supplement’s well worth the trouble.
The supplement’s active ingredient is menthol, and inactive ingredients include honey, aloe vera, eucalyptus oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and ethyl alcohol. Talk about a cough-busting line-up!
The Finish Line Cough Relief supplement can relieve coughs for up to 4 hours with just one dose, and the best part is the supplement’s natural ingredients have no side-effects. The supplement is extremely helpful when it comes to soothing irritation that develops from excessive coughing. And, it’s perfect all the picky horses out there.
7. Ampicillin (Generic) Capsules
Thus far in the list, we’ve covered supplements that can help you, when your horse is suffering from respiratory problems from non-infectious diseases.
But what happens when your horse catches an infectious bug? That’s why the next entry on our list is good ole’ Ampicillin. For those of you who’ve never suffered from any type of infection in your life, ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can pretty much blow most types of respiratory tract infections out of the water.
The antibiotic is also used to treat skin and soft tissue infections, and it’s available almost everywhere.
The ampicillin capsules we’ve recommended here are ideal in the treatment of infections of the genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tract.
Phew, that’s a powerful drug. But when dealing with antibiotics it’s always best to take your vet’s advice instead of self-medicating.
FAQs About Horse Respiratory Supplements
Before you go rushing out to get your hands on the horse supplement of your choice, take a moment to check out our FAQ section. It’s jam-packed full of information about our favorite topic. Plus, we’re pretty sure you won’t regret checking it out.
What can I give my horse for a cough?
The first thing you should do when your horse starts coughing is not panic. There can be a dozen reasons why your horse is coughing, and some are pretty harmless.
However, to make sure your horse isn’t suffering through some infections, it’s best to determine if your horse has a fever. If the fever is anything higher than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, then you should contact your vet. That’s because cough with a fever can be the sign of an infection.
If there’s no fever, then give the stables a thorough once-over to discover what may be causing the cough. The medication your vet will prescribe depends on whether your horse is suffering through infectious or non-infectious disease.
Is Vitamin C good for horses?
Unlike humans, horses can produce vitamin C naturally. However, because horses lead very active and sometimes strenuous lives, the amount of vitamin they produce is not enough to benefit their overall health.
But, there’s no doubt that vitamin C is very good for a horse’s health for several reasons. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can fight free-radicals that result from the oxidative process.
Horses who are undergoing stress because of training or competitions can benefit from vitamin c. Aside from all this, vitamin C can also help boost the immune system of a horse. This can help it fight off all types of viruses and infections.
What causes heaves in horses?
Heaves is sometimes referred to as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (or RAO). It’s a type of allergic respiratory disease, and it’s symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, and breathing difficulties. The most leading cause of heaves is allergens found in hay and straw. The respiratory illness is most common among horses that are stabled and bedded on straw, and are fed a diet of hay.
Do horses make their own Vitamin C?
Humans lack the enzyme – L-gluconolactone oxidase – which is responsible for converting glucose into vitamin C. That’s why we need a supplemental supply of vitamin C.
However, horses are capable of producing the L-gluconolactone oxidase enzyme in their livers, and thus, are capable of producing vitamin C. Although, a horse’s capacity to produce adequate amounts of vitamin C depends on how healthy its liver is.
