Equine Asthma (EA) is an umbrella term used to describe respiratory (airway) diseases in horses and ponies. It includes conditions we previously referred to as Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) and Heaves.
Equine asthma (EA) is a common cause of poor performance in racehorses and performance horses. Yet, the side effects of a drug commonly used to help mange clinical signs in the condition may play a significant role in anxious, worked-up, stressed, irritable behaviour in some horses.
Two commonly used medications in EA are Claire Gel and Airway Gel. The active ingredient in these products is the drug Clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is a beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist. Beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists work by mimicking the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the body.
It is widely known that the use of this drug has been exploited due to its ability to burn fat whilst preserving lean muscle tissue. Sadly, this practice can severely compromise the horse’s health.
Clenbuterol, being highly stimulating, can adversely affect the temperament and behaviour of the horse. It has also been shown to deplete the body’s levels of taurine and potassium- which may lead to cramping (amongst other undesirable side effects). Additionally, animal studies have demonstrated that the drug depletes zinc levels and causes irreversible damage to cardiac tissue.
Negative effects upon stallion fertility have also been postulated. The drug has been shown to permanently damage the Sertoli cells in the testes-these are the cells where sperm is produced.
In the case of preventing and managing airway disease- there are many steps which can be taken to reduce the need for the drug. These include practices during feeding and stable management which reduce airway irritation and inflammation in the horse. The strategic use of several permissible nutritional supplements can help to alleviate airway inflammation, spasm and mucous production.
For a horse not currently in competition, correctly prescribed herbal medicine provides many therapeutics to support immune function, reduce mucous production, thin mucous and treat respiratory tract infection- all which may help to rectify breathing difficulties in the horse..
Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.
As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.
