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For the last 10+ years my horse has been battling summer heaves and every year it gets progressively gets worse. When the weather changes for the coming fall, he normally recovers and is a normal playful horse until summer. Then it starts all over again.
The only thing that ever worked for him was Clarity by Feedmark. We only quit using it because they stopped selling it in the US.
We've tried various supplements and doctor's orders but none of it seems to really help him. Last summer we finally tried the dry lot and did dex and Ventipulmin for flare ups. It worked pretty well. He doesn't mind all the meds but he was by himself so as soon as he felt better, he would rush the fence to get out. Someone would let him out to avoid serious injury and it would start all over.
I know he won't live to be an old man (he just turned 16) but he's a tough cookie and hasn't given up yet. We're not in the financial position to get him a friend and we can't put our other horses up with him because they will go crazy.
Can anyone recommend some kind of supplement to take the edge off? Or would anyone like to ship me some clarity (lol)? He's already started his summer battle and is losing weight again. During the day he puts himself in the barn in front of the fans. At night he grazes with his boys.
Ps.. we tried smartpak a couple of years ago and it didn't work for him. He will also stop eating if his heaves are too bad - can't breathe if your nose is buried in food.
Gingersnaps to those who read it all :) |
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Oh goodness this is terrible!! I would totally ship you some Clarity if I could! 😂 |
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Try getting it on Amazon, or some other internet site. Hope he feels better! |
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Lol thanks Mondor. I would totally reimburse you lol. I wish I could find some just to see if it would help him again.
Celestial, that's how we used to get it. Used to get it from Valley Vet, etc. Mom had contacted Feedmark about it and it was a no go. They were working on getting a US distributor but that was years ago. I've tried looking for it online but no one is selling to the US. |
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So I had searched Amazon for Clarity and I didn't see it. But when I searched it last night on Google (again), Amazon had it? Not cheap at all but I bought some today. Should hopefully get it within the next month or so.
I'm still looking for cheaper alternatives that are sold in the US. I'd really prefer things that are not prescription too.
Some that I found today: - Wendals herbs Respiration - Equine America Ventilator - Equine America Airways Xtra - Equistro Secretra Pro - Winergy Ventilate - NAF Respirator Boost
Any opinions? |
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Sorry but I've honestly never heard of a problem this severe before... Talk to a few different vets and see what they think? |
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We don't have too many good ones around here really. He just got the bad genes. If he was doing this year round he wouldn't be here. But it's when the heat cranks up and it's soupy humid 24/7 and all the pollen comes out that he has a lot of difficulty.
If he wasn't such a happy winter pony, we would have made the call a long time ago.
Dad saw him running the other morning though. When he stopped, he started all the coughing. He may not be able to breathe, but if he feels good enough to run.. |
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I`ve had horses with similar issues over the years and we put ours on Cough Free. I never had a case in which it didn`t work. |
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He's been on Cough Free, Heave Ho, Smartpak.. none of which seem to make a dent. In his big flare ups, he refuses to eat his food if there's anything else in it. Every summer it's a guessing game as to works and what doesn't.
Clarity Cough Free Heave Ho Smartpak Dexamethasone shots Ventipulmin Benadryl & beer Others that I don't remember..
We still have a little dex and Ventipulmin left. But I want to save those for the nasty flares. Both are prescription only and Ventipulmin isn't cheap at all. It worked pretty well especially with keeping him off grass.
Should be getting Clarity in the next 2-4 weeks. I'm hoping it'll work for everyday issues and maybe add the Ventipulmin for flare ups. |
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Maybe try seeing if a rescue in a cooler climate will take him if it ever gets THAT bad, rather than making THAT call. Or outright sell him to someone in a cooler climate. |
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Sunny
