A healthy respiratory system is important for the overall well-being of your horse. Horses breath over 70,000 litres (500kg horse) of air a day when at rest and even more if exercised. In today's environment air contains several substances that can affect the lungs, and sometimes the whole body. These include atmospheric pollutants such as traffic fumes, irritants and allergens such as pollens and dusts. The lungs provide natural defences against many of these agents and experts believe that nutrition may have a positive impact on helping maintain a healthy respiratory system. Probably the most common respiratory condition encountered in horses is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), often referred to as 'heaves' or more recently Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). COPD is one of the oldest documented diseases of the horse and is similar to asthma in humans. It is thought that 50% of stabled horses are affected by COPD with signs varying considerably from reduced exercise tolerance through coughing, secretion of mucus and difficulty in breathing. Studies have shown oxidant and antioxidant imbalances occur in both humans and horses with a number of conditions including poor lung health. Recent research, by WALTHAM in collaboration with the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, has shown that antioxidants, in particular Vitamin C, may be very important to help maintain a healthy lung. The studies showed that lower levels of Vitamin C are found in the Epithelial Lining Fluid (ELF; the fluid that lines the lung) of horses suffering from COPD, and those with lung inflammation, when compared to a healthy horse. Researchers have also suggested that antioxidant supplementation may play an important part in maintaining lung respiratory health. However, feeding a mixture of antioxidants may be more beneficial than a single antioxidant. WALTHAM research has shown that WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ may be especially beneficial for horses with compromised respiratory function, as well as all stabled horses to help support the natural lung defences. WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ should be considered for all horses especially where optimal respiratory function is paramount, such as in the competition animal. As a result of the exciting new discovery by WALTHAM, showing the importance of Vitamin C in lung health, additional supplementary Vitamin C is also included in the WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ recipe. Research has suggested that not all forms of oral Vitamin C are readily available to the horse but our recent work has shown that the source used in WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ is available to the horse. These findings have been incorporated into WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ with ingredients that include dried herbs and spices, such as garlic, Rosemary and Nutmeg. This will provide your horse with a natural, rich source of antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Selenium and Carotenoids (Peas & Maize for example) that experts believe assist with lung health. As with all WINERGY¨ products, only the highest quality ingredients are used in

Winergy Ventilate has now changed- has been made more concentrated so you can feed less. 2.8kg will last a 600kg horse approx 28 days.

Environmental management also has a essential role in helping to maintain good respiratory health. Current recommendations include: If you are at all concerned or suspect that your horse / pony may be suffering from respiratory problems, seek immediate veterinary advice. Ensure that your horse is turned out as much as possible. Ensure that stables are well ventilated, without draughts, and situated away from manure heaps and hay stores. If hat is fed, consider soaking as this promotes the swelling of fungal spores so that they may be ingested rather than inhaled. It is currently recommended that soaking for 30 mins in clean water will help to reduce respiratory challenge and minimise nutrient losses. Forage types such as haylage, are valuable alternatives to hay and may provide less respiratory challenge. If stabled, use a bedding material such as paper (or another such material in conjunction with rubber matting) in order to reduce respiratory challenge. Avoid using deep litter bedding systems as these may allow ammonia to accumulate and irritate the respiratory tract. Remove the horse from the stable when mucking out, returning after the bedding has been left to settle.

When feeding WINERGY VENTIL-ATE¨ in conjunction with other products please ensure that the total daily selenium intake does not exceed the maximum permitted (0.5mg/kg feed [12% moisture], which approximates to around 1mg selenium/100kg bodyweight)