Immune Regulation in a World of EHV/EHM

Immune Regulation in a World of EHV/EHM

Everywhere you look right now, horse owners are talking about EHV and EHM. Shows are being cancelled, barns are tightening protocols, and many people are suddenly very aware of how quickly a virus can move through a barn or an event. While testing, isolation, and veterinary care are essential when there is an active concern, the quieter, daily work of supporting a horse’s overall vitality also matters. That work starts with nutrition.

There is credible data on the immune-modulating properties of AFA that lend itself to whole body support in the face of illness.  Key Bioactive Compounds include:

•Phycocyanin (especially C-phycocyanin): Strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; inhibits COX-2, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6).

•Polysaccharides: Immunostimulatory in some studies (activate macrophages, NK cells).

•Phenylethylamine (PEA): Sometimes claimed to support mood/endorphins, but minimal direct immune relevance.

•Chlorophyll and carotenoids: General antioxidant support.

•Plus, AFA-specific phycocyanin pigments

One of the more studied benefits is the rapid increase in trafficking of killer-T cells, which are a primary surveillance mechanism. While AFA lacks direct virucidal compounds like calcium spirulan (from spirulina), its polysaccharides, which are also immunostimulatory, may interfere with viral attachment.  In a 21-patient study on recurrent herpes, a fucoidan-rich algae supplement reduced reactivation by 80% and sped healing; AFA shares similar polysaccharides, and multiple in-vitro studies suggest that it may be useful in viral diseases.

From a veterinarian’s perspective, a horse’s ability to handle stress, travel, and exposure begins long before a thermometer ever shows a problem. Horses that are well‑fed in a deep, whole‑body sense tend to weather life’s ups and downs more comfortably. Good forage, clean water, turnout, and low‑stress routines lay the groundwork. On top of that, the quality of what goes into the feed tub influences how well the body can build and maintain its own internal defenses. This is where whole‑food support, such as Aphanizomenon flos‑aquae (AFA) blue‑green algae can be a valuable piece of the program—acting as dense nutritional “backup” rather than a quick fix.

AFA blue‑green algae, like the specific AFA used in E3Equine, is a simple freshwater plant naturally rich in a broad array of nutrients: naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, pigments, and essential fatty acids that help round out modern rations. Many owners and trainers describe the same pattern when they add an AFA product—horses look more “deeply nourished,” with better coats, stronger hooves, and steadier energy. Those outward signs often reflect what horse people really care about in times like these: animals that handle hauling, new environments, weather swings, and routine changes without falling apart.

Travel, show schedules, clinic weekends, and even frequent comings and goings at home all add up. Performance horses deal with long hauls, busy stall rows, and constant stimulation. Backyard horses face their own kind of stress in the form of limited turnout, inconsistent routines, or shifting herd dynamics. In both cases, stress is unavoidable—but how well a horse copes with that stress is highly influenced by daily care and nutrition. Building the ration around quality forage and adding a food‑based, nutrient‑dense support like E3Equine gives the body more of what it needs to stay resilient when life gets intense.