Airways in Focus: What Science Says About Inhaling Brine in Horses

What science says about saline inhalation in horses – For free breathing with Alpine pharmaceutical salt

Horses are susceptible to irritation from dust, allergens, and other environmental factors due to their sensitive airways. Inhalation of saline, especially with high-quality pharmaceutical salt from the Alps, offers valuable support to clear the airways and ease breathing. This article highlights the scientific findings on saline inhalation in horses, focusing on the positive results from using pure Alpine pharmaceutical salt and its osmotic effect.

Pharmaceutical salt from the Alps: Purity for horse health

Unlike natural saline, which contains a variety of minerals and trace elements, pharmaceutical salt consists of highly pure sodium chloride (NaCl) in pharmaceutical quality. This degree of purity is crucial to minimize unwanted reactions and achieve a targeted effect in the sensitive airways of horses.

Special attention should be paid to the origin of the pharmaceutical salt. Pharmaceutical salt obtained from alpine sources is characterized by its purity and low contamination. In contrast, sea salt may contain traces of microplastics or other pollutants due to increasing environmental pollution, which could additionally burden the horse's airways.

The osmotic effect: How saline helps the horse

Saline inhalation primarily works through the osmotic effect, which provides great relief for horse breathing. Hypertonic saline solutions (with a higher salt content than the cells) withdraw water from the mucous membrane cells. This has several positive effects that directly improve the horse's breathing:

• Liquefaction of mucus for easier coughing up: Stuck mucus is liquefied, which facilitates the removal of secretions, foreign bodies, and pathogens. This is especially important to relieve the lungs from burdens.
• Reduction of mucous membrane swelling for free breathing: By removing water, the mucous membranes shrink, which noticeably eases breathing.
• Support of the self-cleaning of the airways: Inhalation of saline promotes the natural cleaning function of the airways, allowing harmful substances to be better removed.

Why trace elements in inhalation saline make little sense

It is important to understand why the addition of trace elements like magnesium to inhalation saline for horses makes little sense:

• Low absorption: During inhalation, mainly the finest salt particles and water molecules are absorbed. Poorly soluble or larger ions such as magnesium, zinc, or iron are hardly absorbed. They mostly remain in the device or deposit in the throat area. Absorption through the lungs is very low, especially for non-gaseous substances. Therefore, the body practically absorbs no measurable amounts of these trace elements from the inhalation brine.
• Risk of irritation: Some additives such as zinc, iron, or iodine can even cause irritation or allergic reactions during inhalation. This is particularly counterproductive for horses with sensitive airways.
• No proven benefit: Trace elements in inhalation brine have shown no proven benefit for the airways. They are not effectively absorbed, can contaminate devices, and cause irritation.

Magnesium absorption in comparison (estimated):

• Nutrition (oral): 30-50% bioavailability (depending on the form of magnesium)
• Skin (transdermal): <1-5% bioavailability (controversial, minimal absorption possible via sweat glands)
• Inhalation: <1% bioavailability (practically none, magnesium remains local)

Scientific findings and results in horses

Research confirms the positive effects of brine inhalation with pharmaceutical salt in horses:

• Effective humidification for healthy airways: Inhalation moistens the airways and thus supports the loosening of mucus, which is especially important for horses with respiratory problems.
• Relief and support for respiratory diseases: Brine inhalation is used to relieve symptoms of various respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, rhinitis, and laryngitis and shows positive results in supporting the healing process.
• Improved lung function and well-being: Inhalation can ease breathing, promote tissue regeneration, and thus enhance the overall well-being of the horse.

Conclusion: Free breathing and improved quality of life for horses thanks to Alpine pharmaceutical salt

Inhalation of brine with high-quality pharmaceutical salt from the Alps is a proven method to help the horse live with free breathing and improved quality of life. Alpine pharmaceutical salt is characterized by its purity and targeted osmotic effect, which contributes to the liquefaction of mucus, reduction of mucous membrane swelling, and promotion of the self-cleaning of the airways. This leads to a significant relief of breathing, which can especially increase performance in horses with respiratory problems or sport horses. By choosing Alpine pharmaceutical salt, horse owners minimize potential risks and create the best conditions for the respiratory health of their animals.