Equicibus LLC

A Horse’s Environment Is Not Separate from Its Health—It’s the Foundation of It

Ammonia gas from urine breakdown in a horse’s stall is more than just a smell—it is a respiratory irritant that affects the horse’s mucous membranes, starting in the airways. When inhaled, ammonia can irritate and inflame these delicate linings, contributing to a stress response in the body and increasing cortisol levels. This stress response can reduce the stomach’s natural protective mechanisms—lowering mucus production, increasing acid exposure, and weakening the stomach lining—increasing susceptibility to ulcer development.

Mucous membranes are not just in one place—they are a continuous protective lining throughout the horse’s body. They line the nose, lungs, digestive tract, eyes, and urinary and reproductive systems. Think of them as the horse’s internal skin, forming a connected system that protects against the outside environment.

Because this system is connected, irritation in one area—like the lungs from ammonia—does not stay isolated. It can contribute to systemic inflammation and stress, which may weaken other mucosal surfaces, including the stomach. This is why environmental factors like stall air quality play a much larger role in overall health than many people realize.

When a horse is exposed to ammonia, you are not just affecting the lungs—you are influencing the entire mucosal system, including the stomach’s ability to protect itself from acid.

A horse’s health is built from the inside out—and protecting the mucous membranes supports the lungs, the stomach, and the foundation of the horse’s performance and well-being.

Treatment Approaches for Equine Gastric Disease
https://thehorse.com/1141800/treatment-approaches-for-equine-gastric-disease/

Video: Treatment Approaches for Equine Gastric Disease Treating equine gastric disease requires an accurate diagnosis and pharmacological therapy combined with management changes. Sponsored by Kelato.

🌱 Foaling season is just around the corner 🐴

One of the most special times of the year in every stable is about to begin.

New life.
Wobbly little legs.
Curious eyes discovering the world for the very first time.

For mares and foals, a clean, dry, and safe environment from day one makes all the difference.

At EQuiCIBUS, we love seeing the next generation take their very first steps. 💛

Spring is coming… and so are the foals.

There is something very special about watching a foal take its first steps in life. 🐎❤️

For breeders, it’s a huge comfort to know that the place where the foal rests, sleeps and grows is clean, dry and safe.

With EQuiLINUM flax bedding, foals get a soft and natural stall environment from the very beginning.

🌿 Dust-free bedding that protects sensitive young lungs
🌿 Highly absorbent flax fibres that keep the stall dry and reduce ammonia
🌿 A soft, natural mattress that supports growing joints and encourages deep rest
🌿 Cleaner stalls with less bacteria and moisture

A foal spends many hours lying down and resting while it grows. Giving them the right bedding from the start helps create the healthy environment they need.

We were recently honored by a wonderful testimonial from customers describing how our bedding system keeps stalls dry, encourages horses to lie down comfortably, and makes stable management easier. Feedback like that makes all the work we put into this so incredibly worthwhile. ❤️

If you are curious about how flax bedding compares to traditional bedding, try our stall bedding calculator and see the difference for your stable.

👉 Bedding calculator:
https://equicibus.com/flax-calculator/

If you would like to try EQuiLINUM directly in your own stable, you can order a full pallet or a sample package in our webshop:

🛒 Shop here:
https://equicibus.com/shop/

Because every foal deserves the best possible start in life. 💛

🚨 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚: 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🚨

Foal diarrhea, commonly called scours, is one of the most frequently seen conditions in neonatal and young foals. While mild diarrhea can sometimes occur as the gastrointestinal tract matures, scours may also be an early sign of infectious disease, dehydration, or systemic illness. Because foals can decline quickly, early recognition and veterinary evaluation are essential.

🔬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭?
Scours can result from both infectious and non-infectious causes. Common infectious agents include rotavirus, Clostridium perfringens, and Salmonella, which can range from mild to life-threatening in severity. Non-infectious causes may include normal intestinal adaptation often referred to as “foal heat,” sudden dietary or environmental changes, or overall gastrointestinal immaturity in newborn foals.

💉 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of disease but often focuses on fluid and electrolyte support to prevent dehydration. Foals with inadequate immune protection may benefit from plasma transfusion to support antibody levels. When bacterial infection is suspected, antimicrobial therapy may be indicated, along with additional supportive care such as gastrointestinal protectants and probiotics.

🛡️ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬:
◾Ensure good colostrum intake after birth
◾Keep stalls clean and dry
◾Isolate any sick or incoming mares and foals
◾Consider rotavirus vaccines for broodmares, or running plasma to foals within the first 24 hours of their life.

Diarrhea in foals should never be ignored. Even mild cases can escalate quickly, so early veterinary evaluation is key. With prompt care and good management, most foals recover well and continue to grow into healthy horses. If you notice any signs of scours in your foal, don’t wait, call your veterinarian!

📸: Zoetis Equine

www.sehtx.com | 📱 254-968-7898

At EQuiCIBUS we are aware that changing horse bedding is a decision that may take research and thought. We pride ourselves on top notch communication and any question is valid.
Below is an informative Q & A.
Horse Health & Behavior :
1. Does your horse have respiratory issues (e.g., heaves, RAO, or chronic coughing)?
- Yes: Flax is virtually dust-free and may significantly improve air quality.
2. Is your horse prone to thrush or other moisture-related hoof problems?
-Yes: Flax’s high absorbency keeps hooves drier than traditional shavings or hay.
3. Is your horse a "bedding eater" who currently consumes their shavings or straw?
- If Yes: Flax is generally unpalatable, though you should monitor for initial curiosity.
4. Does your horse spend more than 12 hours a day in a stall?
- Yes: The superior ammonia control of flax is more beneficial for horses with high stall occupancy.

Do you have additional questions concerning our bedding? Call Christine (949) 412-6854 or simply order online: www.equicibus.com/shop