We probably don’t need to tell you that this summer is proving to be a very hot one. We had a record-breaking heatwave in May, another in June and as we write this, the sun is out and the temperatures are soaring once more. For horse owners, that means juggling ways to keep horses cool, making sure they have plenty of forage and grazing, and keeping flies at bay. There’s also another challenge that can appear during the warmer months: seasonal allergies and respiratory conditions.
These can be triggered by dry, hot air, dust, pollen and poor air quality, and it’s awful to see horses and ponies struggling. At best, they might have a cough after work or a runny nose, but more severe respiratory conditions can leave them wheezing, coughing persistently and finding it difficult to breathe. But, as well as calling your vet, steaming or soaking hay and making sure your horse gets as much fresh air as possible when they’re stabled, what else can you do to help?
Why do horses struggle to breathe in summer?
Many people associate respiratory problems with winter, when horses usually spend more time inside, but summer brings its own challenges. Dry ground creates dust that can easily become airborne around yards, arenas and tracks. Grass, trees and wildflowers release huge amounts of pollen, while periods of hot, still weather can reduce air quality. Even horses that live out for most of the day can suffer from irritated airways in the wrong summer conditions.
If your horse already has a respiratory condition such as equine asthma, these environmental triggers can make symptoms much worse. Even horses with no previous history can develop coughing, nasal discharge or reduced performance when their airways become inflamed.
What is salt therapy?
One treatment that’s becoming increasingly popular for horses with respiratory conditions is salt therapy. The salt therapy chamber aims to recreates the environment of a natural salt cave by dispersing microscopic, pharmaceutical-grade salt particles into the air. As your horse stands in the chamber (which is a lot like a loose box), they breathe these tiny particles deep into their respiratory system.
Salt has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help to loosen mucus, clear the airways and reduce irritation. Many owners tell us their horses breathe more comfortably after a course of sessions, with less coughing, clearer airways and improved recovery after exercise.
Salt therapy shouldn’t replace veterinary treatment, but it can work brilliantly alongside your vet’s recommendations as part of a wider management plan for horses with seasonal allergies, equine asthma and other respiratory conditions. Plus, it’s not just breathing that can benefit from sessions in the salt therapy chamber.
The benefits of salt therapy doesn’t stop at the lungs
Summer is also the peak season for skin irritation, with sweet itch, insect bites and seasonal allergies causing some horses real discomfort. Constant rubbing to relieve the itchiness can leave horses with sore, inflamed skin and damaged manes and tails, and it’s horrible seeing horses upset and uncomfortable.
The dry salt particles that circulate through the chamber settle onto the skin and coat as well as being inhaled. Their natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help calm irritated skin, support healing and create a healthier skin environment while your horse continues with any veterinary treatment or management plan already in place. We know that lots of our customers use salt therapy alongside fly rugs, sweet itch rugs and midge control measures to help keep horses as comfortable as possible throughout the summer.
Could your horse benefit the salt therapy chamber?
Every horse is different, and salt therapy won’t be the right solution for every case. But if your horse is affected by seasonal respiratory problems, equine asthma, pollen allergies or summer skin conditions, sessions in a salt therapy chamber can become a valuable part of their routine during the warmer months.
If you’d like to find out more about our salt therapy chamber or chat about whether it could benefit your horse, we’d be happy to help you! Get in touch with us here to discuss your horse’s needs or book a session.