Sodium Succinate for Horses: A Deep Dive into Managing Bleeding (EIPH)

Introduction

If your performance horse has experienced bleeding or you’re concerned about the risk of Exercise‐Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH), you may have come across the term Sodium Succinate. This supplement/therapeutic agent has been gaining attention in the equine world. In this blog post we’ll explore what sodium succinate is, how it relates to bleeding in horses, what the science says, and what you need to consider before using it.

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What is Sodium Succinate?

Sodium succinate is the sodium salt of succinic acid – a naturally-occurring organic compound that plays a role in the Krebs cycle (cellular energy production).

In equine applications it is marketed (or discussed) for its purported benefits in respiratory support, anti‐inflammatory action, and tissue protection.

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Understanding Bleeding in Horses (EIPH)

What is EIPH?

EIPH stands for Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage. It typically occurs in performance horses (e.g., racehorses, barrel racers, eventers) when intense exertion results in capillary rupture in the lungs, leading to bleeding into the airways.

Sometimes you’ll see visible blood at the nostrils (epistaxis), but often bleeding is internal and detected only by endoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage.

Why does it happen?

During intense exercise, the pulmonary (lung) blood vessels are under very high pressure; combined with high cardiac output and mechanical stresses in the lung, capillaries may rupture.

Chronic inflammation or oxidative stress may further weaken the capillary-walls or lung tissues, making the horse more susceptible to bleeding.

The consequences

Bleeding in the lungs impairs oxygen exchange, reduces performance, and over time may cause lung damage, fibrosis or reduced athletic career.

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How Does Sodium Succinate Come Into Play?

Here’s how sodium succinate is theorized to help manage or prevent EIPH in horses:

1. Cellular energy support

Because succinic acid is a component of the Krebs cycle, sodium succinate may improve mitochondrial (cellular) energy production in lung and muscle tissues. Better energy may help tissues cope with stress and recover faster.

2. Anti‐inflammatory & antioxidant effects

In the context of EIPH, inflammation and oxidative stress (from intense exercise) are contributing factors. Sodium succinate is described as having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may protect lung capillaries and surrounding tissue from damage.

3. Capillary support / tissue resilience

Some proponents suggest sodium succinate may help strengthen or stabilise the pulmonary capillary walls (or support the lung micro-environment) reducing the likelihood of rupture under high stress.

4. Alternative or adjunct to diuretic therapy

In the racing world, the diuretic Furosemide (Lasix) is commonly used for bleeders, but it carries side-effects (e.g., dehydration, electrolyte imbalance). Sodium succinate is sometimes discussed as a non‐diuretic adjunct or alternative under veterinary guidance.

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Evidence & What We Know

There are blog and product posts outlining sodium succinate’s promise in EIPH, but peer-reviewed clinical trials are scarce. For instance, an article by First Choice Equine outlines mechanisms and benefits, but it is a blog source rather than a rigorous study.

While succinate’s basic biology is sound (in energy metabolism), its specific effect on EIPH capillary rupture in horses remains less well studied in large controlled trials.

Because of the limited hard data, sodium succinate should be considered a supportive therapy under veterinary supervision, not a guaranteed fix.

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Practical Considerations for Horse Owners & Trainers

Vet supervision is essential

Before introducing sodium succinate, a diagnosis of EIPH (via endoscopy, etc) is required and your veterinarian should design a treatment protocol. Dosing, route (IV/IM/oral), withdrawal times and competition regulations must all be respected.

Competition and regulatory compliance

If your horse competes, check with the relevant racing or sport authority regarding permitted substances and withdrawal periods. Although sodium succinate is not as widely regulated as some others, oversight is still essential.

Integrating into overall management

Sodium succinate is not a standalone solution. Effective EIPH management includes:

Proper training and conditioning to reduce extreme pulmonary stress

Environmental management (dust control, good air quality)

Nutritional support and electrolyte balance

Monitoring of lung health (regular scopes, etc)

Using sodium succinate alongside these measures yields better results.

Safety & side-effects

Generally, sodium succinate is considered well tolerated in the equine context as per blog reports.

However:

Monitor for injection site reactions (if IM/IV)

Be aware of possible interactions with other medications

Always follow dosage as per vet instructions

Ensure the formulation is appropriate for horses and from a trusted source

Cost vs. benefit

As with any adjunctive therapy, you’ll balance cost and practicality: Is your horse at high risk of EIPH (strongly bleeds, poor recovery)? Will sodium succinate meaningfully reduce episodes or improve performance? These are questions to discuss with your vet.

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