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Is your horse a bleeder?  


 

Have you heard of natural options?? 

 

The term “bleeder” is commonly used for horses that experience exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH).  

 

EIPH occurs when there is increased pressure in the airways leading to rupture of small blood vessels in the lung. It most commonly occurs in horses that have high exercise demands, like racehorses, barrel racers, and three day eventers. However, it can happen to any horse depending on the situation and underlying airway disease.  



 

How would you know your horse is bleeding? 

  • Severe cases of EIPH will result in blood trickling from the nose (only 5% of bleeders) 

  • Exercise intolerance or poor performance 

  • Frequent swallowing or coughing associated with exercise 

 

Are there any diagnostics to confirm EIPH? 

  • An upper airway endoscopy can be performed to visualize blood in the airway 

  • A Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) can be performed to recover evidence of blood in the lower airway  

 

Whats the treatment?? 

  • The most common treatment is the use of Furosemide (Lasix). This is a diuretic that causes your horse to urinate, decreasing total body water. This reduces blood volume and can lower the blood pressure in the small blood vessels in the lung.  

  • Other common treatments are nasal strips to help open the nostrils to allow better airflow and limit resistance that can increase airway pressure.  

 

So….What’s the problem with Lasix? 

  • Lasix is an effective treatment of EIPH, but as you can imagine horses become dehydrated. Studies have demonstrated that racehorses given Lasix can lose 28 pounds in just water weight within 4 hours, yikes! 

  • Studies have also demonstrated that horses don’t increase their water intake to accommodate for this major loss for 20 hours and can take at least 24 hours, often longer, to recuperate the water loss.  

  • This fluid loss is considered clinical dehydration and increases the risk of colic, particularly impactions.  

  • It also significantly impacts electrolyte concentrations that can inhibit muscle recovery.  

 

Are there any herbs that can help? 

Yes!  

 

The one I wanted to discuss in this post is YARROW.  

 

Yarrow helps decrease the incidence of EIPH in the following ways: 

  • strengthening blood vessel walls 

  • decreased airway inflammation leading to less stress on the vessels 

  • Improved peripheral circulation  

  • Improved coagulation (clotting) to stop bleeding before it gets worse 

  • Studies have also shown that yarrow has anti-viral and antibiotic properties that can help prevent lung infections. 

 

Yarrow is a super herb for the lung, that’s why it’s included in our Equi-Breeze product! Veterinarian formulated, Equi-Breeze has safe and effective doses of the best herbs for your horse’s lung health.  

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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