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In April of 2024, a diet evaluation was requested for a 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding named Rage. He weighed approximately 1,200 lb (544 kg) and was located in Alberta, Canada. Reported concerns included respiratory, topline, and joint health, and as well as increased reactivity following an unknown illness five months prior. .
The horse owner’s primary goal was to maintain Rage’s overall health and support his immune function.
Presentation Prior to Diet Intervention
At the time of diet evaluation, Rage (9 year-old Quarter Horse) was listed as being at a normal weight and he was in light exercise.
He also presented with the following special care needs:
- Respiratory issues
- Poor topline muscling
- Joint issues
- Increased reactivity
The owner also noted they suspected gastric ulcers, but he was never scoped to confirm a diagnosis, and his digestive health was not a major concern at the time of submission.
The following photos were provided of Rage from November 2023 and April 2024 (prior to diet evaluation):
Rage November 2023
Rage November 2023
Rage April 2024
Rage April 2024
Horse History
In November of 2023, Rage’s owner noticed his condition was looking poor and he was exhibiting respiratory symptoms and atypical behavior. His owner immediately began working with several professionals to diagnose and treat his unknown illness.
His owner noted that his immune health had been an ongoing issue since she acquired him when he was 2 years old, despite being under excellent management and receiving regular veterinary care.
His owner noted that his issues could be hereditary or acquired, and that she suspected it could be the results of poor immune development as a foal, as he came from a ‘rough area’.
Despite efforts to investigate, the underlying cause of his symptoms was never confirmed. Following the results of his veterinary work-up, Rage was put on a frequent and intense deworming protocol, as well as a number of supplements aimed at speeding his recovery.
His dietary routine included free-choice access to hay and in the winter and pasture for the remainder of the year. Forage analyses were not available, so nutrient intake was estimated using averages for a mid-quality grass hay and pasture for his region.
Prior to receiving a diet evaluation from Mad Barn, Rage was supplemented with various nutraceuticals which included:
- 2 cups of Equine Power® 2000
- 30 mL (1 oz) of Aloe Vera gel
- 8 pieces of Rose Hips
- 3 tablespoons of Red Clover
- 2000 mg Vitamin C
- ½ tablespoon Chlorella
- 2 drops of oil of Oregano
- 1 teaspoon of Olive Leaf
- 1 tablespoon of colloidal silver
- 2 tablespoons of kelp
He was also fed 2 tbsp per day of an ‘acid cleanse’ solution which included apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and honey.
By December of 2023, his owner noted that he was showing improvements in his attitude and clinical signs with the above regimen.
Respiratory Health
Respiratory issues in horses can be caused by non-infectious disease processes like heaves or roaring, as well as a number of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections such as Equine Influenza, Strangles, and exposure to mold. [1]
Common signs of respiratory issues include: [1]
- Abnormal respiratory noise
- Increased respiratory effort
- Nasal discharge
- Cough
- Appetite loss
- Poor performance
Owners can support their horse’s respiratory health by implementing the following management practices:
- Feeding a balanced diet
- Ensuring adequate ventilation where horses are housed
- Checking for and eliminating moldy hay
- Soaking or steaming hay prior to feeding
- Maintaining a clean barn environment
It is hypothesized that Rage’s respiratory issues may have started as a respiratory infection, either viral or bacterial in origin, which can be common in young horses. While mild infections are often self-limiting, Rage did not make a full recovery by the time of diet intervention. His respiratory issues persisted, possibly due to suboptimal immune health.