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| Sumita Pawar |
A horse is considered one of the most beautiful and graceful animals on the planet but owning a horse comes with certain responsibilities. In this global world, disease is spreading on a great scale. Your horse’s immune system must be strong whether you use your horse for your work or as a hobby. The immune system is designed to protect the body from invading pathogens and is extremely complex. When everything is functioning in synchrony, the system works well. Some infections and diseases are fatal and hard to cure, but a strong immune system will help your horse to fight against them. Many different factors can affect a horse’s health, and maintaining your horse’s health must be the number one priority for a horse owner.
If a horse is malnourished, the immune system and cell production will be impacted negatively. Even a well-fed horse on a diet that doesn’t contain the vital micro- and macro-minerals they need can be at risk of suppressing their immune system. The micro-minerals the horse needs to support their immune system include zinc, copper, cobalt, selenium, and manganese, while the macro-minerals include calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Young and old age can affect the immune system as well. In very young horses, the immune system is in a developmental stage. In old horses, its capabilities are diminished as part of the aging process. The problem is that many things can compromise the immune system, increasing the risk of developing a disease.
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A horse’s body is constantly under attack. Many diseases and viruses affect horses: tetanus, influenza, strangles, rabies, just to name a few. Parasites are a natural part of life for grazing animals and attack the horse’s body. Just like pathogens, several types of worms can infect a horse year-round. The energy spent fighting infections can deplete overall nutrition and weaken the immune system. Serious conditions can develop if a horse’s immune system is improperly maintained. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can affect a horse’s health. Also, the recovery process can not only be long and time-consuming, but it can also be very expensive.
Allergies are extremely common among animals, and great care is required to eliminate these allergies. Allergies are an immune response against a foreign substance that typically leads to inflammation. When you think your horse is suffering from allergies, you should try to maintain the health of the horse’s immune system. This can be achieved with the help of a well-balanced diet, dust elimination, and the provision of supplements with specific nutrients. These supplements can help support the immune system and reduce your horse's chance of allergies. Skin allergies are the most common for horses and can be caused by pollen, dust, or mould. This allergic response is due to the immune system's interaction with the nervous system. There can be other types of allergies, like respiratory and food allergies. One of the most effective supplements that can reduce allergy symptoms is omega-3 fatty acids, an integral component of a healthy diet.
Essentials for A Healthy Horse: From Vaccination To Enrichment
Many things need to be taken into account when keeping a horse healthy. Most importantly, a healthy immune system starts with receiving the necessary vaccinations. Most horse owners will give horses the standard spring shots, but that does not protect them from all the different diseases and infections they can get. It’s important to consider what the horse will likely be exposed to and vaccinate accordingly. Keeping a horse’s hooves clean is the best way to prevent thrush from developing. A horse’s hooves should be trimmed by a farrier every 6-7 weeks. Parasite control is very important in maintaining your horse’s health and preventing intestinal damage. A regular worming schedule that uses the three main types of worming chemicals is key to a healthy horse and a strong immune system. Flies are not only a nuisance but can carry diseases. Keeping flies at bay is an ongoing process with horses. Several types of fly control products are to consider, including specified feed, natural repellents, chemical repellents, and protective masks. Another important factor that can negatively affect your horse’s immune system is their stress level. There could be various stressors that your horse is going through that are affecting his immune system. It may be hard and long training hours, frequent travelling, tough competitions, etc. This does not apply only to working horses but also to those who stay in farmhouses. There can be some signs of stress that an owner can tell, such as a reduced appetite, out-of-character behaviour, and weight loss. Providing your horse with enrichment and improving their overall lifestyle can improve their stress level drastically.
Feeding a consistent and balanced diet will help improve the horse’s immune system. The best foods to feed a horse are quality grains and hay. Upsets to a horse’s digestive system can increase the chance of developing infections. Regular exercise keeps blood flowing properly and the immune system healthy. Be sure to exercise the horse regularly, especially if it is stalled. Good grooming stimulates blood circulation and can help find sore spots. Early detection of sore spots can help prevent costly infections. A regular schedule to float a horse’s teeth is key to a horse’s proper eating habits and nutrition. When considering the immune system's health, it’s important to consider the horse’s intake of vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, hoof nutrition, digestion, muscle support, and cardiovascular support.
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A regular vaccine program is crucial in building the strong immune system of your horse. However, some horse owners do not consider a regular vaccine for their horse as much important. All horses, not just show horses, need a regular vaccine program to stay strong and healthy. One can consult with their veterinarian to examine their horse and be recommended a vaccine schedule that is essential for their horse’s health. Concerning foal, a mother that is well-vaccinated will result in a foal that is safe from many diseases. However, some necessary vaccinations are recommended to ensure your foal’s good health. It is essential to always follow the vaccine times and take care of specific intervals to vaccine your foal.
Sometimes the body lacks some nutrients that help in building a strong immune system. Some nutrients can be fulfilled with diet, but others may require supplements to be given to your horse to fulfill their essential nutrients. Some important supplements include different vitamins and proteins. Vitamin A is necessary because it enhances the working ability of white blood cells in a body to fight against infections and diseases. Vitamin C is important because it helps prevent free radicals from damaging tissues and organs. Antioxidants that are found in vitamin C help make electrons highly volatile. Free radicals can cause mental and physical stress, illness, injuries, joint and muscle inflammation, and pollutants and toxins without these excited electrons. These electrons match up with the free radicals, helping them to neutralize and make them less harmful. Some vitamins are so important because the body cannot produce them on its own, meaning we have to take them from supplements and through food. Vitamin E is one of these vitamins. Vitamin E helps to make the immune system stronger and contributes to better muscle and nerve function. This vitamin is essential for growing horses because their body needs it the most. Vitamin E deficiency weakens the immune system, and the horse can easily get a cough and cold. Proteins must be a part of the horse diet to build a strong immune system. Proteins enable the horse’s body to produce enzymes and antibodies and help to repair damaged tissues. High sources of protein for horses include soybeans, legumes, and clovers.
There are two types of omega fatty acids, and a balance between the high-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and the low-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids is necessary for good health. Foods that can cause an inflammatory reaction are best avoided. On the other hand, supplements like low-inflammatory omega fatty acids should be incorporated into their diet. These supplements are recommended to enhance the immune system’s function and efficiency. Environmental interventions can also prevent these allergies. Dr Gill-Favier said, “You have to manage the environment and nutrition and take a totally holistic approach. Small steps can lead to significant results, from keeping dust under control to managing insect activity and choosing a high-quality, anti-inflammatory diet together with the right supplements."
We at Immuvet strive to provide you with the best quality products. IMMUN-K® is an all-natural specialized micro-dosage formula designed to help support the horse’s immune system. BRONCHOLIXIR® is a micro-dosage proprietary blend formulated to help support respiratory health in horses. These products are safe and have been effective for over 18 years. Veterinarians, owners, and trainers have used these products with great results. Both products can be given to horses of any breed and lifestyle.