Boosting the Immune system

Preparing for February: The Shortest Month that can pack a punch in the North

An unusually cold month with short days and long nights, February reminds us daily why geese and other "snowbirds" migrate south for winter. We hunker down indoors to avoid the dreaded cold and flu season that can knock us off our feet for days—a forced reminder to rest and nourish our immune systems.

Your horse faces the same challenges, making February an ideal time to support your horse's immune health.

The equine immune system relies on several key organs: the thymus gland, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and liver. These work in concert to produce immune cells and trap foreign substances, protecting your horse from infection. Let's take a closer look.

Key Organs in the Horse's Immune System

The immune system in horses consists of various organs that play crucial roles in defending against infections and diseases. Here are the primary organs involved:

1. Bone Marrow

• Function: Produces white blood cells, including B lymphocytes, which are essential for the immune response.

2. Thymus

• Function: Maturation site for T lymphocytes, which are critical for cell-mediated immunity.

3. Spleen

• Function: Filters blood, removes old or damaged blood cells, and helps produce antibodies.

4. Lymph Nodes

• Function: Act as filters for lymph fluid, trapping pathogens and facilitating the activation of immune cells.

5. Liver

• Function: Plays a role in filtering blood and producing proteins that are important for immune responses.

6. Mucosal Tissues

• Examples: Tissues lining the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts.

• Function: Serve as physical barriers and contain immune cells that respond to pathogens entering through these routes.

These organs work together to form a complex network that protects horses from various pathogens and helps maintain their overall health.

Supplementation

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase)

And here’s the crux in modern horse management: while we know what horses need for optimal immune function—natural movement, grazing, social interaction, stress-free living—domestication fundamentally disrupts all of these factors.

This creates a challenging situation where we're simultaneously:

• Asking more of their immune systems (travel stress, concentrated living conditions, training demands, exposure to more pathogens in show/lesson environments)

• Undermining the natural foundations that would support immune resilience (restricted grazing, limited turnout, disrupted social structures, feeding schedules vs. continuous browsing)

When it comes to supplementation, I caution against the seemingly endless amount of products marketed as immune boosters, since there's limited evidence that supplements can meaningfully compensate for lifestyle deficits. The immune system isn't something you can simply "supercharge" with products—it's fundamentally integrated with overall health and homeostasis.

From a professional standpoint, I suggest the most evidence-based approach: prioritizing management practices that mimic natural conditions as closely as feasible: maximizing turnout time, providing social contact, offering continuous forage access, minimizing unnecessary stress, and maintaining consistent routines. Supplements and interventions become secondary to getting these foundational elements right. With that in mind, sometimes supplementation is necessary, and February is the month to do it. Of course, I have a few suggestions.

As mentioned in a previous Blog, Re-establishing Homeostasis, Vitamin C is an amazing option: simple, straight forward, easy. In particular, I recommend using Rosehips. Ground or fresh, rosehips contain over 70% vitamin C, but that is not all; they ALSO contain fiber, vitamin A, B5, E, lycopene, beta carotene, quercetin, among other compounds. All combined, rosehips become a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immune boosting, skin healing, pain-relieving superfood. One teaspoon a day is all it takes.

Another incredible product is Immune, a mushroom blend by Immubiome, that uses Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor): A rich source of prebiotics and antioxidants to strengthen immunity, Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): Known for its ability to support cellular health and resilience, Probiotics & Prebiotics: Delivers 3 billion CFU of probiotics and 8,000 mg of prebiotics per serving to promote digestive health and nutrient absorption and Bovine Colostrum: Aids in boosting the immune response and supporting recovery. (Use code GE to receive 5% off).

Have more questions? Book an appointment today.

As always, these recommendations do not replace the advice of your veterinarian.