⏰ Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Between stress, physical exertion, and climate variations, horses face numerous challenges to stay healthy. How can we optimize their natural defenses and maintain their well-being?
Immune System Alterations
FACTORS
The immune system can be weakened by several external and physiological factors:
🐎 INTENSE EXERCISE: Intense and/or prolonged exertion is perceived as a source of stress by the body, leading to the release of certain hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These substances have an immunosuppressive effect, inhibiting immune system activity.
😖 STRESS: Similarly, stress (caused by environmental changes, transport, living conditions,...) can trigger immunosuppression.
😷 OBESITY AND METABOLIC DISEASES: These disorders impair the immune system by inducing chronic inflammation and disrupting its defense mechanisms, making the body more vulnerable to infections and increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases.
👴👵 AGING: With age, the production and efficiency of immune cells decrease, while chronic inflammation intensifies. Aging thus weakens the body's response to infections, reduces vaccine efficacy, and compromises the ability to fight pathogens.
CONSEQUENCES
These factors weaken natural defenses, compromising the horse's overall health, athletic performance, and reproductive capabilities. It is therefore crucial to support the immune system, especially when it is altered or under threat:
- Training or competition phases
- Periods of stress
- Medical treatments
- Viral outbreaks
- Cold season
How to support immunity through nutrition?
There are various compounds capable of supporting and strengthening the immune function, and whose effectiveness has been scientifically demonstrated.
- Beta-glucans, known for their powerful immunostimulant properties.
- Vitamin C, a key antioxidant that protects the body and supports the immune response.
Beta-Glucans: A Powerful Immunostimulant
ℹ DID YOU KNOW?
Beta-glucans used in dietary supplements are primarily extracted from yeast or fungi. Known for their immunostimulant properties, they help activate the body's defenses, inducing a faster and more effective immune response.
MECHANISM
Beta-glucans from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), for instance, have a particular molecular structure capable of activating specific receptors on the surface of certain white blood cells, which trigger the immune response.
This activation generates a "danger" signal, leading to a general alert state in the immune system, enhancing the body's ability to respond effectively to threats.
BENEFITS
By stimulating general immunity, beta-glucans have positive effects on horses' athletic and reproductive performance.
The + : Supplementing with beta-glucans during the last two months of pregnancy helps improve the transfer of passive immunity from the mare to the foal by increasing antibody levels in colostrum.
Vitamin C: A Key Antioxidant
ℹ DID YOU KNOW?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant essential for multiple physiological processes. It plays a role in collagen synthesis, immune system support, and protection against oxidative stress.
Horses naturally synthesize vitamin C in their liver from glucose. However, in certain situations such as stress, illness, or intense exercise, their needs may exceed their production capacity. Additionally, in aged horses or those under prolonged stress, endogenous synthesis can be reduced, making supplementation particularly beneficial.
WHICH FORM TO USE?
Protected vitamin C comes in the form of phosphorylated L-ascorbic acid.
❓ What are its advantages over standard ascorbic acid ❓
- Unlike ascorbic acid, this esterified form is non-acidic. It is therefore more palatable and better tolerated in the digestive system, reducing the risk of gastric irritation and digestive disorders, especially in sensitive horses.
- It also offers greater stability and is better assimilated by the body than ascorbic acid, enhancing the bioavailability and overall effectiveness of supplementation.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C
Vitamin C helps to:
- Strengthen natural defenses against infections and diseases.
- Protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
- Speed up muscle recovery after intense exercise or competitions.
- Support collagen synthesis, essential for joint, tendon, and ligament health.
- Promote fast and effective wound healing.
- Support the body in stressful situations (e.g., transport).
- Reduce the risk of respiratory diseases.
- Prevent vitamin C deficiencies in daily nutrition, particularly in older or unhealthy horses.
Our Recommendations:
🦠 Reverdy Immune: Source of purified beta-glucans.
🦠 Reverdy Protected VitaC: Protected vitamin C (esterified, non-acidic).
For More Information...
👉 Immunity, Beta-glucans, and performance
Which Product to Use and in What Situation?
Our team of advisors and veterinarians from Reverdy is available to guide you in selecting the most suitable nutritional supplement for your horse. Do not hesitate to contact us!