Just because the summer temperatures are heating up, doesn’t mean that your horse needs to suffer from the effects of heat stress. Vitalize® has just introduced Vitalize Blazin’, the most innovative product available to help manage the effects of heat stress in horses.
Vitalize Blazin’ is a liquid product to support normal recovery from heat stress and exertion in horses. It contains a proprietary blend of L-arginine, L-citrulline, and Aspergillus oryzae to support blood flow and cooling. In addition, it promotes water retention and contains antioxidants to mitigate damaging free radicals that are caused by exertion and exposure to heat.
“Much like other ‘warm-blooded’ animals, horses have a thermoneutral zone of about 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Above 80, a horse must initiate physiological processes, like sweating, rapidly breathing and vasodilation (increased blood flow) to cool itself. As the temperature rises, horses may begin to experience heat stress. This can result in discomfort, fatigue, poor performance or even more severe symptoms. In addition to often being in warm climates, performance horses are also at a greater risk for heat stress because exercise generates heat. Recent work published in the Australian Veterinary Journal demonstrated that racehorses generate enough heat to raise their core body temperature by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit each minute they are galloping,” said Lynsey Whitacre, Ph.D., BioZyme® Inc. Companion Animal Business Development.
Vitalize Blazin’ is recommended for use during times of elevated exercise, exertion or performance, when the heat index reaches above 90 degrees or when acclimating to a new climate. Whitacre reminds equine enthusiasts that it typically takes a horse 15 to 21 days to acclimate to a new climate. Blazin’ is an easy-to-use top dress, and best results are seen when the product is used for three or more consecutive days.
“For decades, electrolytes have been used to try to support horses during heat stress. Blazin’ is a new, innovative approach – the next generation of product to help horses perform at their greatest potential, even when it is blazing hot!” Whitacre said. “It works by actually supporting blood flow to the skin’s surface, allowing the horse to cool itself more efficiently.”
