Anyone else have breathing problems when grooming?

[FionaM12]

I have asthma. It used to be extremely severe, life-threatening brittle asthma but now it's just a nuisance. I was very allergic to horses, now I'm only slightly so. However what really sets me off now is brushing off the dried mud when Mollie's been rolling.

Sadly we have very little winter turnout, but she does get to go out in a small paddock for an hour or so each day. She uses that time to cover herself as thoroughly as she can with mud. I do rug her, not that she needs it, but to keep at least part of her clean.

Tonight I tried to brush the dried mud off her neck, and the dust choked me. I was sneezing and wheezing and had to give up. I reached for my inhaler, took a gasp of it and as it was full of bits of hay from inside my pockets, I coughed my guts up!

I've tried wearing a decorating mask, but my breath is pushed up into my glasses and steams them up so I can't see . I need my eyes covered as the dust affects them too.

Any ideas? I'm going to try to afford a rug which covers her neck, but she'll still manage to get mud everywhere else.

In the summer I sort of damp-dust her with a flannel, but that doesn't work with her winter woollies.

Anyone else have these problems or am I alone with my useless lungs?

 

[Mare Stare]

Yes! I'm asthmatic too (with an allergy to hay thrown in for good measure!).

I know exactly what you mean. This time of year is the worst for me. It's not just the hair but the dry mud that affects me.

Have you spoken to your doctor about your inhaler usage? I'm currently on the red and green steroid inhalers as well as "Old Faithful" the blue ventolin inhaler. The green inhaler holds forces your lungs to stay open for 24 hours after using it. Tbh the air has never felt so soft and easy to breathe in. (During an attack I always feel that breathing is like trying to suck up treacle with a straw)

 

[Shantara]

I used to be awful, but I just stuck it out, however, that doesn't seem like the best idea (I was 5 and it got better at roughly age 15)

I agree going back to your doctor, it doesn't sound fun I don't know if you've tried a mask? It worked a bit for me, but I found it still affected my eyes.

I hope you find something to help *hugs*

 

[FionaM12]

Yes! I'm asthmatic too (with an allergy to hay thrown in for good measure!).

I know exactly what you mean. This time of year is the worst for me. It's not just the hair but the dry mud that affects me.

Have you spoken to your doctor about your inhaler usage? I'm currently on the red and green steroid inhalers as well as "Old Faithful" the blue ventolin inhaler. The green inhaler holds forces your lungs to stay open for 24 hours after using it. Tbh the air has never felt so soft and easy to breathe in. (During an attack I always feel that breathing is like trying to suck up treacle with a straw)

Thanks but I have all the inhalers (brown, green, blue) plus nasal one and several tablets. As I say I have a history of extreme asthma which required countless emergency trips to intensive care. They weren't allowed to take me to casualty, I had to go straight to ICU.

I haven't told my doc about my return to horses, he'd probably think I'd lost my marbles. But it's my life, I'm pretty old now and I see this as my chance at last to do what I love most.

I'm more looking for suggestions of masks or other barriers people might have found effective. Or any other bright ideas.

 

[Tnavas]

I've tried the decorating masks but find they restrict my breathing - I feel claustrophobic in them, but now use a headscarf/handkerchief over my nose - also try the cloth masks used during surgery.

Also using the metal curry comb to move the mud or a hacksaw blade if your horse is clipped. Tends to just drop off rather than get flipped into the air.

Also got hold of an old vacuum cleaner and use that when grooming. My horses are seriously laid back.

 

[flying solo]

OP I know its not ideal but clipping your horse so there is less hair for mud to hang on to is always a option too.

 

[FionaM12]

Also using the metal curry comb to move the mud or a hacksaw blade if your horse is clipped. Tends to just drop off rather than get flipped into the air.

Also got hold of an old vacuum cleaner and use that when grooming. My horses are seriously laid back.

Oo, the curry comb/blade sounds like a good idea. The brush gives off clouds of dust.

I used a vacuum on my old verylaid back horse (circa 1975) but Mollie would hit the roof!

OP I know its not ideal but clipping your horse so there is less hair for mud to hang on to is always a option too.

Yes, it might come to that. I was hoping to avoid clipping as she does so little work she hasn't needed it.

 

[FionaM12]

I used to be awful, but I just stuck it out, however, that doesn't seem like the best idea (I was 5 and it got better at roughly age 15)

I agree going back to your doctor, it doesn't sound fun I don't know if you've tried a mask? It worked a bit for me, but I found it still affected my eyes.

I hope you find something to help *hugs*

Thanks. Most people do grow out of asthma during their teens, sadly mine got worse.

As explained above, I'm not telling my doc what I'm up to, and I'm on the maximum of everything already. It's pretty effective, I'm healthier than I've ever been. Just can't cope with grooming. And I do like a nice clean horse

 

[Mare Stare]

There's always "alternative" treatments like salt pipes.

My mum got me one last year but tbh I've never had much faith in it and never really bothered with it.

 

[FionaM12]

There's always "alternative" treatments like salt pipes.

My mum got me one last year but tbh I've never had much faith in it and never really bothered with it.

I confess to being a little cynical about alternative therapy, even though I have tried one or two things in the past (to no avail).

I saw a quote recently which said, "What do you call alternative medicine which can be proved to work?" "Medicine!"

For the last 35 years I never thought I'd be able to go near a horse again, let alone ride. It left a gaping hole in my life but there was nothing could be done.

Now, amazingly, I'm back in the land of neddies! And as I say I'm relatively well. So I'm not complaining. Just looking for bright ideas to deal with Mrs Dusty Mud Monster. .

 

[McNally]

Ask your Dr about Singulair tablets, I no longer have that problem ;-) They are for people like us who insist in carrying on doing what makes asthma bad!!!

 

[Mickeymoo]

I am so allergic its unreal. I take a hayfever tablet everyday through the year and use an inhaler. I fill hayets with a fork and have a frame to hang the haynets on so I hardly touch the hay.

Mick is rugged but still gets mud on his head and neck. If I brush his neck I look away so the dust doesn't get in my face.

For general riding - I only brush where the saddle and bridle go - an old riding school I used to go to always said - it'll only be back tomorrow.

 

[FionaM12]

Ask your Dr about Singulair tablets, I no longer have that problem ;-) They are for people like us who insist in carrying on doing what makes asthma bad!!!

Already on them McNally.

 

[FionaM12]

If I brush his neck I look away so the dust doesn't get in my face.

Turning away doesn't really work for me, it's still in the air so gets in my lungs and I'm off. Some sort of barrier is needed, I think.

 

[CrazyMare]

If it were me - I would get someone to clip the horse - don't do it yourself, as that made my asthmatic sister and friend with a lung condition far worse! Then I would rug every possible inch - Mine wear Snuggy Hood turnout hoods if I need to keep them even cleaner than their full neck turnouts.

If money is an issue - Some tack shops do good deals - R&R recently did 20% off rugs - it brought some good, warm rugs to under £50, for full neck versions.

 

[FionaM12]

If it were me - I would get someone to clip the horse - don't do it yourself, as that made my asthmatic sister and friend with a lung condition far worse! Then I would rug every possible inch - Mine wear Snuggy Hood turnout hoods if I need to keep them even cleaner than their full neck turnouts.

If money is an issue - Some tack shops do good deals - R&R recently did 20% off rugs - it brought some good, warm rugs to under £50, for full neck versions.

Thanks, good tips! I now have an image of a confused Mollie going out swaddled, bandaged and wrapped from head to toe!

 

[noblesteed]

Have you tried grooming outside? I get really snuffly if I groom in the stable so I groom in the open air. Mine is well rugged and I only remove the mud I need to, with a plastic curry comb. Anyway if your horse isn't rugged you really don't need to groom that thoroughly. I do minimal grooming on mine, and despite the fact he is a grey, he has a nice layer of natural grease which keeps him clean! That and a lightweight turnout - Amigos are brill for 'cleaning' while on!
I also bed on Nedzbed because straw gives me sniffles and shavings make me sneeze.

 

[CrazyMare]

To add to my post - I'd clip every square inch I could!!!! Really limit the amount of mud/dust the coat can hold onto.

My wimpy broodmare has this rug - lovely, snuggly warm, nylon lined which helps keep them shiney and a good price for a nice warm rug....

http://www.randrcountry.co.uk/produ...t-350-winter-combo-turnout-rug/0,206,587,199/

 

[Archiepoo]

Hi i have a bad chest when ive groomed and ive found the best thing is always do it outside and i use a shedding blade to gently scrape away the mud rather than a brush which turns the mud into dust ,works brilliantly! also make sure you stand upwind of the horse so the dust blows away from you!

 

[FionaM12]

Have you tried grooming outside? I get really snuffly if I groom in the stable so I groom in the open air. Mine is well rugged and I only remove the mud I need to, with a plastic curry comb. Anyway if your horse isn't rugged you really don't need to groom that thoroughly. I do minimal grooming on mine, and despite the fact he is a grey, he has a nice layer of natural grease which keeps him clean! That and a lightweight turnout - Amigos are brill for 'cleaning' while on!
I also bed on Nedzbed because straw gives me sniffles and shavings make me sneeze.

Hi i have a bad chest when ive groomed and ive found the best thing is always do it outside and i use a shedding blade to gently scrape away the mud rather than a brush which turns the mud into dust ,works brilliantly! also make sure you stand upwind of the horse so the dust blows away from you!

Thanks both.

 

[superted1989]

If she's not out for very long, maybe one of the cheapy, lycra hoods could work? You can pick up battered, cheap ones on Ebay (they dry very quickly too).
Grooming outside has already been mentioned....................how about using one of the coat shine sprays to stop mud sticking (something in my brain is saying Nettex- 7 day mud away, but that may have been around donkey's years ago!). Pig oil onlegs and mane and tail will also help to stop mud sticking.
A thinnish scarf tied over your lower face, bandit style, may work better than a decorator's mask along with a peaked, baseball style cap.

Grooming - the art of transferring dirt from horse to human!

 

[CrazyMare]

Oh yes, Superted - I use 7 day mud away on my broodie. Works brilliantly. She is still slightly muddy, but not caked like she was before!

 

[FionaM12]

If she's not out for very long, maybe one of the cheapy, lycra hoods could work? You can pick up battered, cheap ones on Ebay (they dry very quickly too).
Grooming outside has already been mentioned....................how about using one of the coat shine sprays to stop mud sticking (something in my brain is saying Nettex- 7 day mud away, but that may have been around donkey's years ago!). Pig oil onlegs and mane and tail will also help to stop mud sticking.
A thinnish scarf tied over your lower face, bandit style, may work better than a decorator's mask along with a peaked, baseball style cap.

Grooming - the art of transferring dirt from horse to human!

Wow, some fab ideas. And a great quote at the end.

 

[Fii]

I agree groom outside better for both of you, use a plastic curry comb, and keep the wind/ breeze behind you, so that any dust is blown away from you.

 

[FionaM12]

Actually, the week I got Mollie, last June, I'd had conjuctivitis and a dreadful allergic reaction to the prescribed drops. My face looked like a burns victim's. I could hardly open my eyes, barely see and for the fist few days I had to handle her wearing goggles, a mask and a peaked cap pulled down low.

I wonder what she made of her new owner!!

 

[Fii]

Be very carefull using lycra hoods, there have been some horror stories about them on here!

 

[FionaM12]

Be very carefull using lycra hoods, there have been some horror stories about them on here!

What sort of horrors can happen?

 

[MagicMo]

I have also had this problem, not so bad at the moment as current horse is not a mud monster so the dust isn't so bad. Clipping/rugging and grooming outdoors all helped. Someone got me a cycling mask from a cycling shop and that worked really well, might be worth a try?

 

[Fantasy_World]

Regarding the lycra hoods it is them slipping and becoming embedded into eyes I don't know if this was with the one's with eye holes only as you can get ones that just go over the ears.
I also get a bit chesty after grooming sometimes but have never had asthma diagnosed. However I do get panic attacks and know that my breathing is affected then. I also can't handle a lot of dust now as well as cleaning products like bleach and so on as get chesty with it. To be honest I don't know if this is age or as a result of exposure to things as I have cleaned in the past and also done a lot of cleaning at yards that have been actually quite filthy with dust, cobwebs and so on. There is of course the asbestos roofing as well in agricultural buildings but don't know if any dust from these sheets breaking down is as a dangerous as the lethal stuff. Add to that dust from hay and straw and even shavings and it all adds up as fibres and particles which have been inhaled over the years.
With regard to grooming I think there have been some valid points pig oil is good on legs and tails, don't know it would use on manes though and certainly not the forelock in case it ran into the eyes.
Have used baby oil on manes and tails though and it has helped to repel the mud.
Like someone has already mentioned those scarves you can make it headbands etc could be useful and what about even a mesh mask for horses modified by sewing on some elastic to go around your head? It would be more breathable than a dust mask as it shouldn't create as much condensation but should filter out some of the dust/dirt.
Good luck x

 

[Gleeful Imp]

I understand!

I'm not as bad as you, as my asthma is kicked off by my straw allergy. I'm having to move from my yard which I love because I am now surrounded by horses on straw rather than shavings and my asthma has come back with a vengeance.

Moulting time is bad for me too - so clip clip clip every bit off and pig oil the legs, its a godsend. Dont worry about her work levels not justifying it - YOUR health does!