Breathe™ paste helps stimulate vasodilation thereby effectively reducing the pressure in the bronchiole – capillary complex. The bronchioles are small airways in the lungs that help move air deep into tiny air sacs called alveoli, where oxygen is absorbed into the blood. Blood then transports that oxygen to the rest of the body.

When a horse is under stress or exertion, normal blood and air flow in the lungs can become restricted. Breathe™ paste doesn’t just open airways, it stimulates the blood vessels (called capillaries) around the bronchioles to relax and widen, or vasodilate. By opening those vessels up for more “traffic”, pressure is reduced and oxygen can be transported through the lungs and body more efficiently Just like widening the lanes on a busy freeway.

In bleeders, or horses diagnosed with EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage), the goal is to reduce pressure and increase elasticity of blood vessels in the bronchiole-capillary complexes. Simply said, it's like taking tightly constricted hoses (blood vessels), and opening them up for more flow. There are a few functional supplements you can add to a bleeder’s diet to nutritionally support these blood vessels:

LIFELINE®+ Equine given daily helps the overall health of blood vessels throughout the body including the capillaries in the bronchiole – capillary complex. The effect of LIFELINE®+Equine on blood vessels increases the elasticity of the capillaries meaning they can withstand greater pressure without rupturing.

Breathe™ given approximately one hour prior to an event, stimulates vasodilation, effectively reducing the pressure in the bronchiole – capillary complex.

Note: While Breathe™ can be given daily in combination with LIFELINE®+Equine, it is most important to give Breathe™ approximately one hour prior to an event in order to maximize the cumulative effect of the Lifeline and Breathe™ combination.

Together, LIFELINE®+ Equine and Breathe™ effectively increase the horse’s ability to exert maximal physical effort during exercise, while decreasing the chances of a significant bleeding episode. Real-world feedback has demonstrated that horses that previously exhibited a grade 2 or 3 bleeding episode may not noticeably bleed and horses that previously exhibited a grade 4 or 5 bleeding episode may only exhibit a grade 2 or 3 EIPH episode.

Breathe™ is safe to be administered with Lasix™. It can be used as a non-pharmaceutical supportive product to help maintain normal respiratory function and oxygen delivery, particularly in performance situations where efficient breathing and oxygen transport are important.

Breathe™ is not a medication and is not intended to replace or reduce the need for prescription therapies such as Lasix™. Any changes to medication should always be made in consultation with a veterinarian.

Always discuss medications with your vet first.  Breathe™ paste can be used in combination with albuterol. You may be able to reduce the amount of albuterol needed to get the desired effect when used with Breathe™ paste.

There are a few uses cases that are best to be approached specifically with Breathe™ paste:

• Wait at least 4 hours after NSAID before giving Breathe™ paste
• Discontinue 10 days prior to foaling
• Discontinue x days prior to surgeries (not required)
• Options for lor long term use
  • 3 or 4 weeks on, then 1 week off.
  • Cycles of 5 days on 2 days off.

Breathe™ paste is a drug-free formula and is show safe. 

Read more about Bluebonnet's safety standards here, or listen to Feed Room Chemist Episode #10.