Spring is in full-swing and for some horse owners, this can be the start of another long season of heaves and related respiratory issues. You might be thinking, what is “heaves” and what does it have to do with spring and sea buckthorn berries? Well, like many inflammatory diseases, heaves can severely affect your horse’s performance and overall well-being, and sea buckthorn berry may help turn things around.
What is “heaves”?
Heaves is the common name for a respiratory illness in horses characterized by coughing and asthma-like wheezing. It is also known as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and formerly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The respiratory tract of these horses are so inflamed that sometimes their airway is completely obstructed by mucous and chronic swelling. Most of these horses must cough frequently to clear their airway and they breathe heavily at rest. Horses with severe or chronic heaves may sport a ‘heave line’ along their abdomen from where their abdominal muscles have had to work over-time just to breathe.
Some experts think that human asthma and heaves are similar diseases with a common cause: poor air quality, which causes chronic irritation and over-reaction of the immune system.(1) There are generally two types of heaves, one being ‘summer pasture-associated’ and the other ‘winter/stable-associated.’ Spring and summer sufferers of heaves are irritated by increased pollen and mold counts and smog. These horses typically have more problems when they are housed at pasture. Horses that are stabled frequently or all the time are often ‘winter’ sufferers, and these horses react to the aerosolized particles found in the dusty environment of a typical barn.(2)
Many horses who suffer from heaves have difficulty performing to their potential. Some horses are retired early due to this issue. Some may have an episode or two in their lives where they simply cannot breathe, requiring emergency interventions.
Treatment
There are a great number of treatments available for horses with heaves. Most veterinarians recommend strict environmental management. For example, summer pasture-associated sufferers may benefit from being housed in a low-dust barn and away from blooming grasses in the pasture. Dunking hay in water to remove dust particles is also a helpful management strategy. Concrete-floored barns with good ventilation are optimal. The solid floor can be frequently swept and hosed down to keep the dust from building up. Feed and hay should be stored away from the main barn area to keep down the dust. Bedding can also be an issue, as some horses react to the dust found in wheat straw or pine shavings.
Mild cases can be managed through environmental change and sometimes antihistamine therapy if the vet suspects an allergic component. Other cases may need inhalants such as bronchodilators and even steroid therapy for management.
The goal of treatment is to prevent or curb inflammation so that the airways are not swollen and causing obstruction. There are a great number of compounds in sea buckthorn berry that may help with cases of heaves. Omegas 3 and 7 are especially noted for their anti-inflammatory prowess.(3) The airway is lined by a type of epithelium called the mucous membrane, which is severely inflamed in horses with heaves. Sea buckthorn berry has been shown to promote healing along the surfaces of mucous membranes throughout the body, not limited to the oral cavity and stomach.(4)
Supplementing your horse daily long-term may lower inflammation to an acceptable level and for some horses, this may make all the difference. Talk to your veterinarian about incorporating sea buckthorn berry into your horse’s treatment plan and consider it daily for optimal overall health.
Resources:
(1) Mazan, Melissa. Horses and Humans: Shared Environment, Shared Disease? ACVIM Proceedings. 2011.
(2) Couetil, L. et al., Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2007;21:356–361
(3) Corbee, Ronald. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Diseases. 22nd ECVIM-CA Congress Proceedings. 2012.
(4) Huff, N. et al., Effect of sea buckthorn berries and pulp in a liquid emulsion on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses. J Vet Intern Med. 2012. Vol. 26(5) 1186-91.
Our equine companions are living longer than ever and some performance horses are still going strong well into their 20’s. The horse’s natural ability to move gracefully and with strength is what captivates us. In order to preserve this movement, it is important for us to protect their joints from the march of time. But what is it that causes horses to develop painful joints in the first place?
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, most commonly known as arthritis, is the inflammation of the cartilage that lines the joints. Over time and with enough damage, the cushioning cartilage will wear away, allowing the surface of the bones to come in contact with each other, causing pain and inflammation. Arthritis can be caused by a number of problems, including injury, infection (from penetrating wounds or sepsis), poor conformation and daily wear-and-tear.
The most common signs of arthritis are lameness, swelling of the joint, pain upon flexion or extension, ‘grumpiness’ and reluctance to perform. If there is a significant amount of arthritis present, a “crunching” sound or feeling (crepitus) may be observed when the joint is flexed or extended. Due to the unique blood supply of the cartilage, it can take some time for horses to recover from joint injuries. It can be even harder to prevent lasting damage to the cartilage in the absence of anti-inflammatory therapy.
Horses of all ages and activity levels can benefit from natural, holistic nutritional joint support. The key factor in preventing pain and nourishing the joints through natural remedies is to start them before problems happen. However, even if your horse has suffered an injury, these products still have significant value and can improve recovery times.
Glucosaminoglycans (GAGs)
GAGs have been used in horses for several decades to help nourish cartilage and ‘treat’ arthritis. GAGs are naturally occurring compounds that are found within the cartilage of other animals, particularly sharks and mollusks. When these compounds are introduced into the diet, taken up by the synovium of the joint and it in turn can “lubricate” the joints more efficiently.
GAGs also have a mild anti-inflammatory effect at the level of the joint. One of the downsides to using GAGs is that some products are made from non-environmentally friendly sources, such as factory-farmed beef cartilage and shark cartilage. If you use GAGs for joint support, select an ocean-friendly source such as sustainable New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel.
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is scientifically known as Hippophae rhamnoides, which means “shining horse.” The Ancient Greeks noted that when their horses foraged on the leaves and berries of the sea buckthorn plant, that it had a wonderful effect on their health. Their coats were shiny, hooves were stronger and the horses had an overall “bloom.” Today, researchers have begun to understand why we see these health benefits.
Sea buckthorn berry contains over 190 bioactive compounds that support every aspect of your horse’s body. This sustainably wild-crafted food is rich in omega-3, omega-7 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, numerous antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. One of the most important reasons to consider using sea buckthorn as a joint support supplement is the high levels of omega-3 and omega-7.
Extensive research in dogs, cats, primates, rats and horses have shown that across the board, the high levels of omega-3 and omega-7 fatty acids found in sea buckthorn controls inflammation, arthritis pain and supports joint health.(1,2,3) Recently, two important groups of anti-inflammatory compounds in the body have been discovered called resolvins and protectins. These molecules are made in the body from dietary omega-3 fatty acids found in sea buckthorn berry. These compounds are “switched on” during inflammatory process and act as a “braking signal” which prevents prolonged inflammatory over-reaction within the body.(2) These findings show that high levels of omega fatty acids can be extremely helpful for controlling arthritis-related inflammation and prevent further cartilage damage and degradation. The antioxidant punch of sea buckthorn also helps to prevent free radical damage not only in the joints but in the rest of the body as well.
It is a good idea to use a combination of natural remedies, including GAGs and sea buckthorn for your horse’s joint health. Both supplements work in different ways and can complement each other. If you have a horse that is taking a NSAID such as phynelybutamine (“bute”) for severe arthritis pain, laminitis, or an injury, sea buckthorn has another benefit that GAGs do not. “Bute,” combined with the stress of recovering from an injury, can predispose horses to painful gastric ulcers. Studies in horses and dogs have shown that sea buckthorn berry puree and oils have a natural preventative gastro-protective effect and can speed the healing of gastric ulcers.(4,5)
Numerous users of sea buckthorn have reported an increase in their horse’s energy level and flexibility. Even small improvements in performance can make all the difference, especially for demanding disciplines.
Horses, despite their power and strength, are somewhat delicate animals. Keeping them healthy and performing at their peak without pharmaceuticals is in everyone’s best interest. Your veterinarian will likely agree that use of holistic products like sea buckthorn will help your horse to outshine the rest.
Resources
1. Patel, C, et al., 2012, Remedial Prospective of Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. (Sea Buckthorn). ISRN Pharmacol. 2012: 436857.
2. Roudebush, Philip. Nutrition, Inflammation and Pain. Hill’s Global Mobility Symposium. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, Kansas.
3. Mozafarian, D. et al., 2010, Trans-Palmitoleic Acid, Metabolic Risk Factors, and New-Onset Diabetes in U.S. Adults. Annals Intr Med, Vol. 153, no. 12.
4. Huff, N. et al., 2012 Sep-Oct, Effect of sea buckthorn berries and pulp in a liquid emulsion on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses. J Vet Intern Med. Vol. 26(5) 1186-91.
5. Xing, J. et al., 2002 December, Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats. Fitoterapia. Vol. 73(7-8), 644-50.
