Heaves - raspiratory problems
I decided to write this due to popular belief that horses suffering with heaves are chronic patients and all we can do is managing symptoms. It is believed their story is coming to an end. I still hear stories how horses with heaves are humanly put to sleep because they suffer too much. Owners are tormenting themselfs with inhalations, medications with many side effects and substances that only eases breathing short term. Soaking hay takes a lot of time and is hard to do especially in winter. Steaming is also time consuming.
To show this is not necessary anymore I included three worst cases from last year evaluated to be 9/10, 9,5/10 and 10/10. In those videos you can see the horse's condition before therapy, while in therapy and after they leave our estate. Shown results are after six months of being at home.
Therapy is one-time. If simple instructions are being followed the results may last for years. We are now going on sixth year. This therapy is a result of eigth years research and constant improvement. It is based in natural therapy- herbs, spices, natural substances and bioenergy.
I named it Golden Breath.
FAQ
•What is duration of our therapy?
-Anywhere from 4 weeks to 12 weeks for the worst cases. On average it lasts 6 weeks.
Where is therapy performed?
-For now our therapy is practised in Slovenia on Dobrodih Estate.
•How does therapy work?
-First ten days we work on stopping the inflammation, opening up bronchi, decreasing acidity in the body and secretion of mucus. Then we start with lunging. Here is where we get rid of mucus and we strengthen raspiratory organs. Every horse reacts differently, therefore we adjust therapy for an individual animal.
Full breathing capacity must be achieved before the horse leaves our property!
•What follows after the horse comes home?
-Once a horse goes back home it must be fed haylage. Haylage is sealed hay dried on 80%. For bedding you can use shavings with no dust or straw. Horses must be worked according to their physical condition.
In the first two months after the horse arrives home there could still be some nasal discharge. In this time the lungs are starting to work normally again.
•Can haylage cause laminitis?
-It depends on time of cutting. First cutting should be made once the grass is mature and the colour is changing from green to yellow. That way the grass has more cellulose. In eight years we never had a problem with hoof inflammation.
•Can haylage bale go bad in a few days?
-Not if it's dried up to 80%. When dried correctly the bale does not overheat. This is a common problem with silage (for cattle) but not with haylage. The difference between the two is simple: silage is dried up to 50-60% while haylage is dried on 80%. Another difference is in smell. Silage has sour smile while haylage smells sweet. If haylage bale overheats it should be opened up so it can properly dry.
•Is it necessary for horses to stay on haylage for life?
-No. Haylage (or fresh grass) is necessary in the first year. After that, depending on a horse and its general condition fresh hay can be safely fed up until November. In winter haylage is preferable since humidity is higher and can cause spores and fungus in hay.
•Do you have to repeat our therapy?
-If owners follow this rules, no.
