Echinacea? Also in vets

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

This is also in vets but its not getting many views there so thought i'd put it here and see if i get a response, am at my wits end
Was wondering if anyone had any good experiences feeding echinacea? Rock gets very bad athsma attacks in the summer, but this year with the increased amount of rape around hes really struggling. He's on a breathing supplement (winergy ventilate) all year round which has helped hugely but with the addition of the pollen now summer is on its way hes gone downhill. Hes on ventipulmin atm as well as the ventilate after his attack on monday, and on surelimb vits+mins but have started feeding him echinacea as my physio told me her friends horse was the same and was fed this in the summer (from march to october) and since hes been on it hasnt had an attack.
So was wondering about peoples experiences on it?
Also has anybody had a horse who has COPD attacks in the summer and what did they do to help it? Vet has talked about an inhaler but has agreed there is just no way rock will let anyone near him with it lol

 

[Tempi]

try phoning Global Herbs - www.globalherbs.co.uk

they are fab and do some really good suppliments which would probably help with his COPD and asthma

Bloss has a severe pollen allergy and is very bad already this year, also due to the rape seed being out so early (and tree pollen) - shes on skratch and zephyr by global herbs, but obviously hers is more an allergy whereas Rocks is a bit different. Those two suppliments she has are by global herbs and they make her far more comfortable than she is if shes not on them.

I personally cant see how echinacea would work for asthma as its for the common cold - ie flus/viruses, just to help aid recovery. I dont know tho........

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Thanks for that i'll give them a ring and see what they say!
Yeh i thought that too as its an immune system boost, but physio said it worked so hmm will def give GH a ring and see if they can help me!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Have actually just rung the nutritionist rock was referred to over the winter and explained situation to her etc and shes actually said to put a nose net on him basically 24/7 - and you mentioned Ange that it helped Bloss? thinking about it now thats actually such a good idea, it went straight over my head but now i think about it i could see how that may well help it quite a bit as its the pollen agrivating his mild copd. She has also said the echinacea will help boost his immune system and would be something to feed him over the summer.
So i guess i'm off to buy a pack of nose nets!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I feed Echinacea over the Winter months to boost my mares immune system. She hasn't had mud fever since I started this.

 

[Tempi]

Well bloss wheres a full face equilibrium fly mask all the time, apart from at night as she always seems comfortable at night time.

She wears a nose net all the time for being ridden and lunged etc.......Im not sure on the rules for BSJA, but i had to get a letter from my vet and then obtain a dispensation form from BD which i then had to photocopy and send one in everytime i enter a competition.

They work really well with her, and i just put my nose nets in the washing machine one a week wth my saddle cloths - think ive only every had one pack the whole time shes had it (around 3 years now!)

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I ordered a full face fly mask for rock from ebay the other week so it should be here tommorow, and will venture down to my saddlery on the way to the yard this evening.
Yeh rocks is the same at night time hes fine, just in the day he struggles.
Don't know why i didnt think of trying one before! I really should be blonde!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Thanks for your reply thats good to know its working, i think i'll keep feeding him it (as its a rare thing hes not allergic too lol!) and try this nose net - fingers crossed i can get this sorted with him and find a routine for the summer that helps him!

 

[k9h]

You need to give Luffa for rape seed oil, I also give it with a mixed pollens allergen & it stoped my mare head shaking!! You can also compete whilst on it as no banned substance!

 

[ecrozier]

I was recommended echinacea for mud fever too and its has worked well - not sure about use for asthma though!

 

[juliebrewer]

Fed it to one of mine after he was broken in as he lost a lot of weight. it was to boast his immune system as he was low., ony fed it for couple of months when he was back upto weight.