Keep Your Horse’s Lungs Healthy (Especially During Fire Season)

Share this article:

Wildfires. It seems like they’re everywhere these days. If you live in the Western US or Canada, then you know them all too well. And even the Eastern states have gotten wind of the residual pollution this summer. Put all that on top of dust from the pasture or the arena that gets kicked up when you’re riding, and seasonal allergies, too. (Hello, ragweed!) As humans, we have the benefit of escaping into our well-ventilated homes after a day in the barn, but our horses don’t. They’re still out there, surrounded by all of it 24/7.

Wildfires and Air Quality

The recent surge in wildfires has led to poor air quality in many regions. Just as humans can experience respiratory discomfort due to smoke and particulate matter, our horses are also vulnerable to these adverse effects. Smoke inhalation can irritate their lungs and compromise their breathing. Not to mention all of the toxins that are in the air when things are burned like carpet, paint, roofing, and other household chemicals. It’s important to monitor local air quality reports and limit your horse’s outdoor exposure on days when air quality is poor. Providing proper ventilation in stables or shelters can also help reduce their exposure to smoky air.

In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love tackles a crucial concern for horse owners this summer: how to safeguard our equine companions from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. Join us as we delve into expert insights shared from firsthand experience.

Listen on Apple >> Listen on Spotify >> Listen on Youtube>>

Pollen and Dust

With summer comes the inevitable presence of pollen and dust in the air, which can exacerbate respiratory issues for horses. Horses are particularly sensitive to airborne irritants, and these particles can lead to discomfort, coughing, and even more serious respiratory problems. Regular grooming can help reduce the accumulation of dust on their coats, and maintaining clean bedding in their stables can minimize dust exposure.

Herbs for Better Breathing

Now imagine trying to run in a competition on top of all that! While an air-conditioned barn probably isn’t in your budget any time soon, there are still some steps you can take to protect the integrity of your equine companion’s lung health! (And they’re much more affordable.)

The Better Breathing Bundle from Silver Lining Herbs is a unique combination of supplements that have been specially formulated to promote and maintain optimal respiratory health in horses. The herbs in these supplements work synergistically to support lung function, aid recovery after strenuous activities, and provide much-needed support in the face of environmental stressors like smoke, pollen, and dust.

These supplements can play a supporting role in safeguarding your horse’s lung health during this challenging season. They help maintain the integrity of the respiratory system, enhance endurance, and reduce the effects of environmental stress. Whether you have a performance horse or a cherished companion, their respiratory health is important!

By staying informed about air quality, implementing proper stable management practices, and getting extra support with the Better Breathing Bundle, you can continue to provide the best support for your horse.

Better Breathing Bundle for Horses

Better Breathing Bundle for Horses includes everything you’ll need to care for an active horse and prevent lung bleeding. The Bundle includes the following products: Respiratory Support for Horses and Immune Support for Horses.

Respiratory Support for Horses helps maintain normal respiratory functioning for your equine companion.

Immune Support for Horses helps your horse comfortably expel and evacuate substances from the body, helping your horse be in peak shape and ready for performance.

Shop Now

Foals Need Bodywork, Too!

Early bodywork can profoundly impact your foal’s development, ensuring they grow into healthy, balanced, and well-adjusted adults. Let’s talk about essential timing and techniques of early bodywork, helping you recognize signs of misalignment and understand the benefits of starting bodywork from a young age.

Summer Heat and the Best Electrolytes for Horses

As the summer heat sets in, it’s important to consider your horse’s electrolyte needs. Proper electrolyte supplementation can help keep your horse happy, healthy, and performing their best even in the hottest weather. Discover the importance of electrolytes and get our top recommendation for the best electrolytes, along with tips on when and how to use them effectively.

Help! My Horses’ Eye is Swollen, Watery, or Goopy.

Are you seeing swelling above or below one of your horse’s eyes? Is the inside corner of the eye inflamed and pink? Is the eye constantly weeping, watery, or goopy? These are all symptoms of equine uveitis (inflammation of the eye). You can learn how to prevent or help improve this issue yourself with our easy-to-learn hands-on horse bodywork techniques and save thousands of dollars on multiple vet visits.

My Horse Has Kissing Spine! What Do I Do?

Wonder if your horse may have kissing spine? Or have you just received a “kissing spine” diagnosis from your vet? Don’t give up hope! Learn to improve this issue yourself while saving thousands of dollars on additional veterinary treatment options and medications. Let’s explore what causes kissing spine, its symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and the holistic and traditional treatment options available.

Summer Time Tune-Up for Your Horse

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to give our equine companions the extra care they need to thrive during the summer months. From hoof health to hydration and performance support, here’s a quick guide to tuning up your horse for the season ahead.

The Equine Ribcage: Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Connections

Get more power + stamina! The ribcage has a vital role in your horse’s overall function. Its extensive connections to breathing, intestinal health, the psoas muscle, and spinal health significantly enhance your horse’s performance capabilities.

Biomechanics of the First Rib

Ready to explore some insightful and helpful biomechanics info about your horse’s shoulder, first rib, front limbs, and hooves? Mastering this knowledge can keep your horse happy and moving freely well into their 30s! How do you know if your horse dealing with troublesome issues in these areas? Read on…

Tips to Tune-Up Your Horse in Spring

As the vibrant colors of spring emerge and the weather warms, horse owners are gearing up to provide their equine companions with the care they need for the season ahead. Here are some essential spring tune-up tips to keep your horse happy, healthy, and ready for action.

Maintaining Healthy Weight in Older Horses with Vegan Fat Sources

In this episode, our founder, April Love, shares valuable information on maintaining the well-being of older horses, focusing on a simple recipe for a vegan fat source. The discussion delves into practical tips for horses with missing teeth, difficulty gaining weight, and the importance of identifying and addressing insulin resistance.

The Hyoid and First Rib Connection

Many people talk about the hyoid as the cause of an issue. The equine industry has established that the hyoid is connected not only directly to the tongue, forelimb, and poll but also indirectly to the hindquarter. However, looking at this from a holistic perspective, it is also important to consider what else the hyoid is affected by. The prominent first rib misalignment, as we talk about so often here at Holistic Horseworks, will not only impact the front end of the horse but also back to the hind end and even all the way up to the hyoid.

Sign-Up for Our Newsletter