Horse Protein Natural Supplements, Foal Milk Replacers, Feeding Horses, Orphan Foals

The health of the horses’ respiratory tract is a performance variable that is often overlooked in today’s intensive stabling and travelling practices.  Healthy respiratory function is essential for athletic performance and endurance, and respiratory disease is currently one of the major causes of lost training days and horse wastage, both in Australia and internationally. 

One of the greatest causes of respiratory disease is Ammonia, the potent respiratory tract irritant that is found at high levels in stables, horse floats and trucks. Ammonia is a small molecule with a characteristic strong and unpleasant odour, formed by urea, a nitrogen rich molecule found in urine and faeces.  While urea in its pure form is odourless and non-toxic, once it has been excreted it rapidly changes into the highly potent ammonia that is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes that line the mouth, eyes and respiratory tract of the horse. 

Continued exposure to high environmental ammonia levels may lead to Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), a respiratory infection which narrows the airways and causes mucous to accumulate, significantly reducing the respiratory function and therefore the athletic ability of the horse.  IAD is characterised by coughing during exercise and decreased endurance during training and competition.

While there are a number of antibiotic based treatments available for IAD, recent studies have recommended that antibiotics are over prescribed when treating coughing horses in Australia, suggesting that, when treating respiratory infections, improved stable environment management practices may reduce the need for high-cost medications.

Prevention is better than cure - reducing the level of moisture and ammonia in barns is a big step towards reducing the risk of respiratory disease!

ePro® Stable Xtra is a natural and safe alternative to traditional ammonia absorbing substances such as lime.  Made from extra fine Crystalline Alumino-Silicate, an ancient mineral that is highly efficient at trapping moisture and ammonia within tiny micro-channels, ePro® Stable Xtra can absorb up to 50 times its own mass in toxic gasses and moisture. 

Designed to be used with existing bedding, ePro® Stable Xtra is an innovative stable management solution with a great range of applications.

Facts about ePro® Stable Xtra:

• 100% safe – ePro® Stable Xtra is non-toxic and does not irritate the skin, mucous membranes or respiratory system.
• Does not dry or crack hooves.
• Reduces stable cleaning time and volume of bedding used.
• Cost effective – save $ on bedding and vet bills!
• Can be used to safely absorb ammonia and excess moisture in chicken pens, cat litter trays, dog kennels and high traffic areas.
• Excellent fertiliser – place used ePro® Stable Xtra on garden beds as a slow release fertiliser.

 

How can ePro® Stable Xtra help your horse?

Stables & Barns

Horses that are continuously stabled are at much greater risk of IAD than non-stabled horses.  Studies have shown that ammonia levels in barns can be in excess of 200 parts per million (ppm), given that safe levels of exposure to ammonia gasses for humans have been set at 35ppm for a maximum of 15 mins, it is clear that the respiratory systems of stabled horses are exposed to excessive and unhealthy levels of toxic ammonia gasses. 

Measurements of ammonia gas within different areas of the barn have shown ammonia levels are highest near barn and stable floors, which is where all the manure and urine accumulates.  Even if solid material is removed, the liquid remaining is rich in urea ready to be converted to ammonia gas and contaminate the barn. 

To reduce the risk of respiratory infection in stabled horses:

• Use 200 g - 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra under the bedding to absorb ammonia and moisture from urine and faeces.
• Use 200 - 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra in high traffic areas, tie-up stalls and walkways.
• Provide proper stable ventilation - open windows and doors, use fans or install rotary ventilators.
• Do not allow horses to eat directly from the floor, always use hay bags and feed bins to provide feed.
• Clean stables regularly and keep surrounding facilities clean and dry.
• Allow horses as much time out of the stable as possible.  Injured horses especially are often stabled 24/7, check with your vet how much movement the horse is allowed and ensure that he is given as much fresh air as possible.

Float, Truck and Air Transport

Medium to long distance transport of horses, can result in acute respiratory tract disease (ARTD) and travel sickness, in fact, during the 2000 Sydney Olympics one of the greatest issues relating to long distance transportation of horses was respiratory tract dysfunction.

 While ATRD or travel sickness is rarely fatal, suffering from either may rule horses out of competition for several weeks and may have significant consequences for future athletic performance, even after recovery.  Excluding individual horses response to travel, the greatest factor contributing to the onset of ATRD or travel sickness is the environmental conditions inside the truck or trailer, which can significantly decline during travel depending on the number of animals, type and quality of bedding and forage, amount of urine produced, air filtration rate and humidity of the air inside the transport unit.

To reduce the risk of travel sickness and respiratory infection during transport:

• Use 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra directly on the floor under the bedding to absorb ammonia and moisture from urine and faeces.
• Improve ventilation and airflow during transport by opening windows and top panels in floats and trucks and installing rotary ventilators.

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The old sailors saying ‘water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink’ rings too true after the devastation of the recent floods in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.  While we usually welcome the rain to fill dams and water pastures and crops, too much water can severely compromise the availability and quality of food and water resources and have detrimental effects on equine health.   The following information will help you to decrease your horses’ risk of post-flood disease and loss of condition.

Drinking water
Dams, ponds and water troughs that were submerged during the floods may be contaminated with chemical run-off, agricultural toxins and debris.  Check your horses’ water sources thoroughly to make sure that they are safe before allowing horses to drink from them.  Muddy, brackish water and water containing debris, especially old chemical containers, should be avoided and fresh drinking water should be provided in clean buckets until the original water source has been cleared for animal consumption.

Pasture Availability & Quality
After flooding and being churned up with debris, pastures are often not suitable for grazing for quite some time.  Additionally, grasses growing on flooded pasture have often been leached of essential nutrients, making them significantly less nutritious than they previously were.  This may leave you relying on hay and premixed feeds to supply the bulk feed and nutrition that your horse requires and can be quite costly.   Supplementing your horses’ diet with protein and vitamin concentrates will help to prevent loss of condition and will promote recovery from stress and injury that may have occurred during the floods.  ePro® Topline Xtra  contains essential amino acids and omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to support  cellular repair and immune function.

Debris
One of the most devastating effects of the floods is the homes, properties and natural resources that have been destroyed from the force and volume of the water.  As a result of this, many pastures have been littered with rubbish, chemical waste containers, trees and wreckage that can be extremely dangerous for your horse.  Chewing on plastic bags and other waste can cause colic, while the wreckage of destroyed buildings can litter paddocks with nails, large splinters and glass which can easily cause hoof punctures and body wounds.  It is essential to check your paddock and clear it of all debris.  If the area is too large, clear it in stages, fencing horses off from unclean areas.

Hooves
With many wet days prior to the floods and the time taken for flood waters to recede, horses in QLD & NSW have been standing on wet or damp ground for quite a long time.  This significantly increases the risk of hoof and foot infections such as white line disease and greasy heel, while the softening of hooves in the wet conditions makes them much more susceptible to bruising of the sole which may lead to abscesses.  Using a high quality protein supplement such as ePro® Total Performance Xtra will encourage healthy hoof growth, strengthening the walls and soles and helping to grow out damaged hooves .

Parasites
The pooling of water in usually dry areas significantly increases the breeding habitats for mosquitoes.  After flooding there is often a steep rise in the mosquito populations, causing serious discomfort and irritation to horses and exacerbating Queensland Itch.   To help your horse repel the mosquitoes and repair damaged skin, without having to use harsh and sometimes painful and burning external treatments, add 15 – 30 grams of ePro® Garlic Xtra to his feed each day.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the flooding.  ePro® Equine Professional is committed to improving your horses health and performance and we encourage you to contact us if you need any information on helping your horse to recover.

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Garlic, Allium sativum, is one of the few herbs that are internationally recognised for their medicinal properties.  Garlic is a member of the onion family and is one of nature’s most versatile plants, when included in the horses’ diet it can have a huge range of beneficial effects including: internal and external parasite control, improved immune function, reduced joint pain and inflammation and improved appetite.

The 2 active components in garlic are Allicin and Aloene.  Allicin is the component responsible for giving garlic its potent characteristic smell, it is an enzyme that assists in attacking and destroying bacteria and viruses, in fact the antibiotic and anti-viral action of one medium sized clove of garlic can equal the antibacterial action of a 1% penicillin solution.  Allicin also stimulates the horses’ natural immune system by increasing the activity of T-helper cells which are central to the activity of the entire immune system.  Aloene promotes the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver, helping to destroy environmental toxins and thinning the blood to reduce blood pressure and bruising.  Aloene also assists in reducing fat levels in the blood, making it very useful in the treatment of Hyperlipidaemia.

Garlic is also a rich source of: vitamins A & C and selenium - powerful anti-oxidants which protect cell membranes and DNA from free-radical damage; B complex vitamins – essential for energy production; and sulphur – repels insects and is a major component in the formation of cartilage, tendons and ligaments which aids in making cells more flexible, removing toxins and increasing nutrient supply.

Garlic is effective in controlling internal and external parasites through two different actions.  In the gastrointestinal tract, the sulphur in garlic can block the receptor sites on the mucous membrane surface so that the parasite is unable to attach to it and is flushed out of the body.  On the skin surface, the potent smelling Allicin which is released through the horses sweat repels flying and biting insects, reducing skin irritation from bites and assisting in the treatment of insect related dermatitis such as Queensland Itch.

When feeding garlic there are two major factors that must be taken into consideration.

1. The active ingredient Allicin only becomes active on contact with air.  This means that freeze dried garlic granules are not the most potent form of garlic available.  Using a garlic additive that includes pure garlic oil, such as ePro® Garlic Xtra, ensures the highest levels of Allicin strongest health benefits.
2. Excessive use of garlic in the horses’ diet may stress the liver and cause anaemia (low blood iron levels), therefore recommended dosage rates should never be exceeded.

Garlic is truly one of natures all round power herbs and its multitude of health promoting properties make it a beneficial inclusion in the diet of all horses.

ePro® Garlic Xtra minpacks are usually 2 for $10, now you get 3 for  $10, giving a small horse (under 500kg) 48 days and a large horse 24 days dosage!

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