Your horse’s delicate respiratory system is easily aggravated by changes in the environment. Feeding a respiratory supplement may provide the support they need to breathe easy, particularly during the winter and times when they are stabled for long periods of time.
Here are a selection of products currently available on the market:
Equiform ExCel ResPRO
RRP £25 for 1 litre
Excel ResPRO combines a highly concentrated antioxidant complex and nucleotides with vitamins C and K to provide natural support to the lung tissue and overall lung integrity.
The primary antioxidant, extracted from melon, supports fitness and performance. Nucleotides — essential nutrients that are often depleted in horses under stress — support stress recovery. Vitamin C and vitamin K offer support during healing.
Excel ResPRO’s combined ingredients offer powerful support to the respiratory system. It is ideal for horses sensitive to their environment, older horses and after respiratory challenges.
Hilton Herbs Freeway PLUS
RRP £37.50 for 500ml
Freeway PLUS is a concentrated liquid feed supplement for competition horses to support healthy and efficient airways and maintain a strong resistance to seasonal allergies.
It contains 100% human-grade plant tinctures for fast absorption and can be used during training, travelling, competing or periods of restricted turnout.
It is formulated in accordance with FEI Clean Sport regulations, and all ingredients have been independently tested to be free of common feed contaminants and naturally occurring herbal prohibited substances.
Equine Products UK Ltd Breeze Up
RRP from £21.54 for 1 litre
Breeze Up has been formulated to assist healthy breathing in environments where dust or pollen are present.
It contains only natural ingredients and can be added to the feed or fed directly to your horse at the first signs of discomfort.
It contains eucalyptus, menthol, honey and plant extracts.
Feedmark Clarity
RRP £46.99 for 1.75kg
Clarity maintains your horse’s natural lung defences and respiratory health for optimum comfort and performance.
It includes powerful, beneficial herbs and antioxidants such as liquorice, coltsfoot, oregano, garlic and elderflower.
It is ideal to feed during the winter months for horses who are sensitive to dust as it supports the mucosal lining that protects against particles, allowing your horse to perform at their best.
Science Supplements Repiraid DHA
RRP £44.99 for 1.85kg
The ultimate support for long-term respiratory health. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentenoic acid (EPA), alongside powerful antioxidants.
This supplement aids the management of respiratory problems such as coughing, nasal discharge and breathing problems. Results can be seen in as little as 14 days.
Aviform Breatheasy
RRP £26.95 for 1 litre
A completely natural complementary supplement containing ingredients known for their exceptional benefits to the respiratory system, which can open up the airways to ease your horse’s breathing.
The horse’s respiratory system can sometimes become compromised due to changes in their environment, such as being stabled for long periods of time with irritation from the dust in hay and some bedding.
Spring and summer can equally bring respiratory challenges for the horse, with tree or grass pollens and crop flowers such as rapeseed.
Hiform Breathe
RRP £25 for 500g, £98 for 2.5kg
Formulated by equine nutritionists in Australia, using herbal extracts which may help prevent and relieve equine respiratory issues. This 100% natural supplement includes liquorice, fenugreek, thyme and marshmallow.
These naturally occurring herbs have been used for thousands of years for their healing and soothing properties.
Using human-grade ingredients, Breathe has been designed to help horses who are spending prolonged periods of time in the stable or are exposed to high levels of dust.
Five Star Respirator Boost
RRP £32.99 for 1 litre
Respirator provides valuable nutritional support to the respiratory mucosal immune system and the delicate capillary blood vessels that surround the lungs.
Respirator contains a concentrated solution of natural antioxidants, alongside herbs such as ginger, rosehip and blueberries, chosen for their support of healthy lung function.
Echinacea is also included, for immune system support. Respirator is also recommended where close contact with other horses showing respiratory stress may be a concern.
Essential oils in Respirator Boost help maintain clear airways.
Hack Up Instant Liquid Air
RRP £24.99 for 500ml
This palatable syrup contains all natural ingredients and is designed to support your horse’s breathing during exercise or at rest.
It can be given just before work or daily to help maintain healthy airways. It contains traditional and proven remedies of honey and aloe vera for their soothing properties, apple cider vinegar, oil of eucalyptus and menthol.
Lincoln Herbal Koff Syrup
RRP £8,50 for 500ml, £13.99 for 1 litre, £47.99 for 4 litres
A fast-acting syrup, formulated to utilise the natural properties of liquorice, glycerine and aniseed to calm and soothe the airways. This syrup provides support for horses who may be sensitive to dust, pollen and mould spores. It is particularly supportive in winter when horses are stabled for longer periods.
When pollen levels are high in summer, it gently soothes dry, tickly airways. The highly palatable formula makes it easy to administer, either by syringe or top dressed over a feed.
Pro-Equine Airway
RRP £29.95 for 1 litre
A powerful blend of plant extracts and oils to encourage full capacity lung function in horses and to support a healthy immune system. Airway contains garlic, eucalyptus, echinacea and British cold-pressed rapeseed oil, making it highly palatable and adding valuable omega oils and vitamin E.
Airway is recommended for horses with an occasional unexplained cough and those exposed to a dusty environment or sensitive to even slightly dusty forage.
Horslyx Respiratory Balancer
RRP £17.50 for 5kg lick
Respiratory Balancer contains menthol, aniseed and eucalyptus to support your horse’s airways and an antioxidant package containing vitamin C to help maintain immunity.
It also contains a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals and trace elements required to balance any deficiencies in forage and grazing, along with high-quality proteins and linseed oil.
Licking takes time and patience, which can also help reduce stress and boredom — perfect if your horse is in his stable for long periods.
