Georgina Bloomberg is a well-known and longtime advocate for horse welfare. Her recognition of the 2019 EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award is the latest of many good works achieved by the international Grand Prix amazon daughter of former presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg.
Kim F Miller, Equestrian Journalist
Her competition horses, including retired ones, are much luckier than those helped by Georgina, but she is just as determined to make them feel good too. When she and her team noticed that some of her show jumpers were occasionally coughing, they did not ignore the signal.
Random, sporadic coughing in a horse can also be an early indicator of inflammatory airway disease. Several studies indicate that IAD affects a surprisingly high percentage of active sport horses-up to 88 percent, according to a recent three-year study of 730 horses published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
“We have had one or two horses that have developed sporadic coughing over the years,” Georgina says. “Stopping a horse from coughing is not always an easy thing to achieve.” Since he put his horses on a regimen of Haygain-Steamed hay last fall, the cough has disappeared.
“We believe that being proactive toward the respiratory health of our horses is much better than waiting for the problem to occur. Haygain has played a crucial role in that.”
Georgina Bloomberg
The only good thing about coughing in a horse is that it can bring more attention toward equine respiratory health. “It’s not talked about much unless the problem arises,” Georgina comments. “We believe that being proactive toward the respiratory health of our horses is much better than waiting for the problem to occur. Haygain has played a crucial role in this regard.”
In Haygain’s purification process, high-temperature steam is evenly distributed through the hay in a heat-sealed box. Temperatures rise up to 100°C, killing fungi, bacteria and mold that are also found in high-quality hay. Steam purification reduces up to 95 percent of the respirable dust particles found in hay. Because respirable irritants of any kind are the leading cause and aggravating factor in inflammatory airway disease, purification with Haygain is the key to preventing and managing this common and often undiagnosed condition.
Additional benefits
Haygain Steamed hay offers additional benefits. Georgina likes Haygain’s ability to maintain hay consistency for the horses, whether it is at home in upstate New York, in Florida for the winter, or anywhere in the world where they compete.
The steam purification process, which typically takes an hour, adds water to the diet, supporting healthy digestive function. Its proven palatability makes it a hit with even the pickiest eaters, and it helps horses get the amounts of forage and nutrients they need for optimal health.
The addition of Steamed hay is in line with the management practices of top equine athletes, notes Richard Padilla, manager of Georgina’s stable. “As the international sport of show jumping becomes more and more specialized, I think everyone wants to do what they can to give their horses the best.”
“The fact that there are so many variables in what happens on the field makes it even more important to be diligent about what you can do off it. Everyone tries to give their horse an advantage.”
Georgina Bloomberg
Richard first noticed Haygain Steamers on the European circuit. Haygain’s steam purification process was developed in Europe, in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural University in England, and European riders quickly recognized and incorporated its advantages. “They are always at the forefront of new methods, so I knew it was a good testimony for Haygain to see so many Steamers in Europe,” Richard continues. For example, Martin Fuchs, the current number one rider in the world, is one of many converts to Steamed hay.
American riders are gaining ground rapidly: Along with Georgina, other members of Haygain’s “steam team” are Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Margie Engle and Jessica Springsteen, to name a few.
Haygain congratulates Georgina on her well-deserved honors and achievements, on and off the show field, and is proud to be part of her horse care routine.
Haygain is committed to improving equine health through research and innovation in respiratory and digestive health. We understand the importance of clean forage in maintaining the horse’s overall well-being. Our hay Steamers are recommended by many of the world’s leading equine riders, horsemen, trainers and veterinarians.
