September 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: Supplements for Equine Respiratory Health

Dealing with respiratory problems can be stressful, especially since they can impact overall health and performance. In addition to veterinary care and a management plan, the right combination of ingredients in an equine respiratory supplement can also help support healthy lung function in horses with respiratory issues, so you and your horse can enjoy your rides!

Equine respiratory supplements primarily work by supporting healthy tissues and structures throughout the respiratory tract, including the trachea and the lungs. Additionally, because seasonal allergies can cause difficulty breathing, some respiratory supplements contain herbs to help support a normal immune response (allergic reactions are a result of hyper-sensitivity in the immune system).

When looking at a respiratory supplement, there are certain ingredients to look for. MSM provides support for a normal response to inflammation throughout the body, including in the respiratory tract. Meanwhile, grape seed extract, super oxide dismutase, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids offer support for respiratory cell health. Finally, there is N-acetyl cysteine, which has been shown to help protect airway tissues from seasonal respiratory conditions.

SmartPak’s SmartBreathe Ultra Pellets provides comprehensive support to help soothe and maintain your horse’s airways. This equine respiratory supplement offers those ingredients, along with spirulina, a freshwater blue-green algae that has been reported to help horses prone to respiratory issues, and DHA, a specific type of omega-3 from fish oil, which was shown in a recent study to provide benefits to horses with airway syndromes.

Further Reading

• August 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: Supporting the Horse’s GI Tract
• July 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: SmartSalt and SmartLytes for Salt and Electrolyte Loss
• June 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: Important Ingredients for Joint Support for Horses
• May 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: How to Help a Nervous Horse
• All SmartPak SmartTips