In addition to providing honest advice, we at AskHELTIE believe it's important to have a wealth of information available for horse owners. This way, you can expand your knowledge and help your horse to the best of your ability. Together, we ensure that horses come a little closer to nature.
Respiratory
The best housing for horses with respiratory problems
Horses can suffer from various respiratory conditions, such as a cough or a cold. Chronic issues like COPD, asthma, and dust allergies are also common in horses. How can you best accommodate your horse if it has respiratory problems?. Many people have learned that it is good to stay warm when we are sick. Close the windows to avoid drafts and dress warmly. However, for horses with chronic breathing problems, coughing issues, or a dust allergy, a closed stable is not a good option. Fresh air is very important. Outside! A horse with respiratory problems is best kept outside as much as possible. In a stable, the amount of irritating substances such as dust and ammonia is much higher. These substances irritate the lungs, causing...
Respiratory
Can a horse be cured of a pollen allergy?
When pollen starts floating in the air again in the spring and summer, your horse may suffer from hay fever. Some horses experience symptoms earlier in the year, for example, from blooming trees. Other horses are more sensitive to grasses and shrubs that bloom later in the year. How can you support your horse if he has symptoms, and can a pollen allergy be cured?. An allergy is nothing more or less than an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to certain substances, also known as allergens. Specific cells in the blood, called mast cells, play an important role in this process. They trigger a defense mechanism against the perceived intruder, in this case, an allergen. Horses or people with a pollen allergy will then cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose. The allergic reaction of the mast cells causes small inflammations in the airways and mucous membran...
Respiratory
Glanders: how dangerous is it for horses?
Every horse owner has heard of strangles. This contagious bacterial infection rears its head annually. The disease primarily affects younger horses and foals, with a large portion of adult Dutch horses having experienced strangles at some point. Horses become quite sick from strangles, but in most cases, it resolves more or less on its own. However, in 1 to 2 percent of cases, strangles can "strike inward," and then it is usually fatal.. The bacterium that causes strangles is called Streptococcus equi. The bacterium is highly contagious and can be transmitted through nose-to-nose contact, human clothing, water troughs, and items such as halters and brushes. The bacterium can survive for a few days in water and soil. Outbreaks usually occur in colder months. Infected horses develop fever and nasal discharge, initially white and then yellow. These horses should be immediately isolated. Monitor the other horses daily to detect case...
Cannabinoids
Respiratory
Black cumin
Brrr… cold! Will my horse catch a cold from that?
Horses are not humans, we all know that. But when it's cold, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how your horse feels about it. Does your horse also feel cold when it's cold outside? And is that actually a problem? Will your horse, for example, catch a cold from it? And what can you do to support the immune system and respiratory tract?. Horses feel most comfortable at temperatures between -5 and 10 degrees. Yes, that comfort temperature is much lower than for us humans. So, just because you feel cold doesn't mean your horse is cold. This is partly due to the digestion of horses. When digesting plant fibers in the large intestine, a lot of heat is released. In short, horses can handle winter temperatures much better than humans. They often even enjoy it! Customization Of course, there are individual differences per horse. For ex...
Respiratory
Which herbs to support a coughing dog?
Even dogs can sometimes have issues with their respiratory system. Due to a weakened immune system, a dog may start coughing and even have some mucus stuck in its lungs. Dogs that have had kennel cough can also benefit from some support. But which herbs can you use for dogs in these situations? Read more in this blog! Eucalyptus Almost everyone is familiar with the typical "sauna" scent of eucalyptus. But this tree also has a strong medicinal effect. Especially the older leaves are ric...
Guest blog
Respiratory
Guest blog: Francis Dalebout - The Limits of Supplements in respiratory complaints and where homeopathy goes further.
Hay fever, pollen allergy, dust allergy, asthma... Many horses suffer chronically from respiratory problems with coughing, excessive mucus production, and often even breathing difficulties. This never develops overnight; usually, it is preceded by a period of increasingly clear symptoms.. When the first cough arises, we try some supplements, some herbs, we ensure a dust-free environment, and then we hope it will go away. And sometimes it does. If it doesn't, then we go to the vet for 'stronger measures.' Sometimes that's enough, but more often than not, the treatment needs to be repeated regularly because the symptoms don't stay away permanently. And now that you think about it... secretly, it's getting a little worse, taking longer to recover, or the bad periods are coming close...
Respiratory
Sneeze! The 5 differences between pollen allergy and dust allergy in horses
Tickle in the nose, snot, coughing, and even shaking the head... sometimes your horse suddenly experiences respiratory problems. And it's not pleasant to ride a horse with an itchy nose or phlegm in its throat. But where does this come from? Is it a pollen allergy? Or is it due to dust? And what can you do about it?. We list the 5 differences between pollen allergy and dust allergy in horses: Difference 1 - summer or winter? If your horse sniffs, coughs, throws its head, or constantly wants to rub its nose, the first question is: what season is it? In autumn and winter, when horses are indoors more often, a dust allergy is more likely. But in spring and summer, when the trees and grass bloom, you should think more about a pollen allergy if your horse suddenly develops symptoms. Difference 2 - hay or grass? D...
Nettle
Respiratory
Horse with pollen allergy? Nettle helps!
You have probably heard that nettle is healthy for horses. This prickly plant contains a lot of minerals and vitamins. But what you may not know is that nettle is also a natural remedy for hay fever and pollen allergies! To find out exactly how, read this article.. Nettle is a well-known herb for horses. You can pick the young tips (with gloves!) and let them dry to remove the sting. Or you can use a ready-made supplement. A liquid extract of nettle is the most effective: highly dosed and easily absorbed by your horse. Nettle contains many minerals, such as silicon. What is pollen allergy in horses? An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. For example, pollen from a plant. The so-called ‘mast cells’ play an impo...
Cannabinoids
Clove
Respiratory
Can horses have hay fever or a pollen allergy?
Does your horse cough and sneeze a lot in the spring and summer? A pollen allergy, also known as hay fever, could be the cause. Pollen allergy is irritating for your horse, causing itching, coughing, a runny nose, and some horses may shake their heads when affected by pollen. We were asked if our product Healthie Horse Respiratory, which supports the respiratory system in cases of dust-related issues, could also help with a pollen allergy. The answer is: Yes!. Headshaking and coughing in horses Coughing and a runny nose can have multiple causes such as a cold or dust. Headshaking can also result from problems with the cervical vertebrae or teeth. However, if the symptoms occur in the spring and summer and disappear after the pollen season, when it rains, or when the horse is in the stable, then a pollen allergy is likely the culprit. Does my horse have hay fever or a pollen allergy? If you are not sure whether your horse has hay fever or a pollen alle...
Respiratory
# 10 tips to prevent respiratory problems in winter
Horses coughing, we see that regularly in winter. What are the causes of coughing? What should you do about it? And how do you prevent irritations to the airways from becoming a serious problem? Read our 10 tips!. There can be multiple reasons for a cough in your horse. A single cough may not be a problem, we also sometimes clear our throat without there being an issue. A passing dust cloud or a pellet of feed getting stuck can cause an occasional - harmless - cough in your horse. Also, when you start your training in cold weather, your horse may cough once, without you needing to worry immediately. Take coughing seriously Apart from the exceptions mentioned above, you don't really want your horse to coug...
Respiratory
What you need to know about respiratory problems in horses during the winter months!
As it is getting colder now, respiratory problems in horses are often seen more frequently during the winter months. This is related to several factors such as changes in diet, stable management, and climate. Read everything you need to know about respiratory problems in horses during the winter months in this blog.. Two groups of horses with respiratory problems Coughing in horses during the winter months can be broadly divided into two groups: Horses that start coughing due to irritation of the airways from prolonged exposure to irritating substances in the air such as dust, mold, and ammonia. Horses that develop inflammation of the airways as a result of reduced overall resistance. In the first group of horses, symptoms usually appear in the first half of winter. The second group generally starts showing...