Immune System

Through their lives horses give their owners a great deal of pleasure, it is our duty to ensure they receive quality life in their veteran years. Just like old people bits get worn, tired and weaken. One of the most important areas is the Immune System Response, if or as this starts to weaken, so overall health deteriorates leaving it open to viral, bacterial and fungal attack. To help the Veteran Horse there are some simple points to realise.

Timmy is now over 30 and has Cushings. Therefore his immune system is very low

Pathogens (Bad Bugs) need Alkalinity to survive and multiply, this is called the pH factor. Neutral pH is 7 , so basically any level above pH 7 is ideal for pathogen and disease growth. The other area is the gut micro flora or gut balance, herein is the secret to the overall well-being of the horse. We all know how grotty an upset stomach can make us feel. It is important to remember that antibiotics and some chemicals not only kill the bad bugs but also kill off the beneficial bacteria that form the gut micro flora, a healthy gut micro flora aids good feed utilization and protects the villi against disease. In the Wild the horse is a group animal and a trickle feeder i.e. eats small amounts over an unrushed grazing period. Instinct has taught the horse to seek out herb rich pastures, whilst another inbuilt metabolism trigger makes it search for elements and micro nutrients lacking in its diet, but needed to maintain good health and high levels of Immunity. Again in its group, Stress is kept to a minimum. With the often solitary stabled horse stress can be caused by poor quality feed, water and air. Stress is also caused by physical things like illness, noise and strangers. We must try to reduce stress at all times, because when stressed, the hormone Adrenalin (Fear and Flight) is secreted this dramatically raises body pH leaving the horse open to disease attack. Many people under estimate the importance of clean air, think about this as Humans, We can live without food for approx 14 weeks. We can live without water for about 14 days. We can ONLY live for 4 minutes without air. So air quality is very important, always provide plenty of good draught free ventilation and keep ammonia and dust levels as low as possible. So what can we do to help our charges? We have already mentioned a well ventilated, hygienic and dry stable, this can be achieved by using the new highly absorbent dry powder disinfectants. To this must be added a balanced diet with easily digested energy, short chopped fibre and no excess of protein, which could cause scours and looseness. Roughage is vitally important to the older horse to keep the correct gut balance, old teeth may be cannot chomp hay too well but sugar beet pulp can be substituted as this is a good source of energy and fibre. Vitamins and Minerals are important too, as are elements, micro and macro nutrients and amino acids. Amino acids are the bodies building blocks, forming and repairing tissue, skeleton and empowering the Immune System. To achieve the optimum from this kind of product we advocate the use of Marine and Botanical extracts, these being of natural origin means that they are readily available on demand, not possible with chemically synthesised products. Blending several types of dried seaweed from around the world with plant extracts, and fish and Soya oils(G.M.Free) and specific herbs provides a product rich in everything the horse needs, to maintain a good body metabolism and boost the immune system.

Many regular tasks, such as worming can be achieved without using chemicals, our knowledge of what makes the immune system tick, means that we can use botanical extracts to achieve this, then by by adding herbal tinctures we can target specific problems, such as worm and lice control, even Sweet Itch and Laminitis. This natural approach causes less stress, no micro flora damage and no colic as is often associated with chemical wormers. A new break through, pinched from human medicine, is the use of a Betaine based, low pH product known to strengthen the heart and vascular system and maintain a high-level electrolyte fluid body balance, two factors of importance in the older horse. Betaine is used in human medicine on people who have had or are at risk from Heart attacks, long distance athletes use the product to maintain keep an optimal body fluid balance.Luckily, as antibiotics are becoming less effective, our knowledge of alternative equine medicine is growing leading to better life for equines young and old.

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