Effects of a propriety oiled mixed hay feeding system on lung function, neutrophilic airway inflammation and oxidative stress in severe asthmatic horses.

This research investigated the effects of a special hay feeding system on horses suffering from severe equine asthma (SEA). The system, known as Nutri-Foin Système, mixes soybean oil with mechanically processed hay in an effort to reduce inhaled dust – a factor that can worsen asthma. The study found that this system was effective in improving lung function and reducing airway inflammation in horses, similar to a control group fed on alfalfa pellet regimen.

Research Background and Objectives

• The research primarily aimed at discovering effective ways of feeding hay to horses with SEA without causing exacerbation of their asthmatic condition.
• The researchers focused on the Nutri-Foin Système, which is a proprietary system combining soybean oil with mechanically processed hay. This reduces the dust inhaled by horses during feeding, thus potentially reducing airway inflammation.
• The objective was to compare the effects of this feeding system with that of feeding horses on an alfalfa pellet regimen.

Research Methods

• A total of twelve horses suffering from SEA were selected from a research herd.
• Of these, six horses were fed on the oiled hay, while the remaining six were given alfalfa pellet feed. The feeding experiment continued for three months.
• During this period, the researchers regularly monitored various health parameters of the horses. These included lung function, assessment of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology, and serum antioxidant enzyme kinetics.

Research Findings

• Both the alfalfa pellet regimen and the Nutri-Foin Système helped improve the lung function of the horses.
• The two feeding strategies also decreased airway neutrophilia – an inflammatory condition where a high number of white blood cells known as neutrophils accumulate in the airways.
• The antioxidant enzyme kinetics in the serum – indicating the body’s defense mechanism against oxidative stress – also showed significant improvement over time with both forms of feeds.

Study Conclusions

• Despite the small number of horses included in each group, the findings of this research suggest that Nutri-Foin Système could be an effective alternative to alfalfa pellets. Both were shown to control airway obstruction in horses suffering from SEA.
• Therefore, the proprietary Nutri-Foin Système can be considered a safe and reliable hay feeding strategy for horses with severe asthma.