Breathing problems

[moomoos]

Has anyone had a horse/pony with breathing problems. My boy came to me I put him on shavings and he ate them to the point he gave himself choke. His breathing went so bad he was heaving and had flared nostrils. Got vet out who agreed that the shavings has caused the bad cough which has irritated his airways. Vet popped him on ventipulmin saying I need to break the cycle of him coughing and irritating his airways. Within 3 days of the ventipulmin finishing he was coughing again. So popped him on ventilator but that's not doing much at all. His hay is soaked. 90percent of the time theres no breathing issues when worked. Occasionally he'll cough out in the field when living out, but mainly when he's stabled. Does anyone have any experiences with this? What worked? What was the cause? Whats the best bedding to use? What's best hay/haylage?

Many thanks

 

[be positive]

It would be best if he could go out 24/7 until at least the end of the summer to give him a decent chance to get over this stage, if his airways keep getting irritated by exposure to the irritants then it will become a chronic condition and start to have an effect on his ability to cope with exercise eventually.

I would put him on haylage, I have had far better results than with soaking, one of mine couldn't cope with soaked hay but is fine on haylage, bedding is a bit trial and error and depends to a degree on what the ventilation is like in the stable, if it is poor then any bedding may prove too dusty, rubber mats and paper may be the best way forward if he has to be in but the best long term solution is to be out as much as possible, if the yard cannot offer 24/7 turnout for the spring/ summer/ most of the autumn then moving may be something to consider, my sensitive horse lives out apart from the worst of the winter, normally in Jan/ feb/ March at the most, he now is so much healthier and is fine in for the short time he has to be.

 

[Spottyappy]

Try mega zorb for bedding, it is expensive though.
I woudl also say turn out if at all possible.
I have been using carol here with a mare with a pollen allergy. She's been helpful and the herbs seem to be helping my mare:https://www.btowstore.com/epages/BT...gories/"Does Food Matter? Feeding our Horses"

 

[Spottyappy]

Try mega zorb for bedding, it is expensive though.
I woudl also say turn out if at all possible.
I have been using carol here with a mare with a pollen allergy. She's been helpful and the herbs seem to be helping my mare:https://www.btowstore.com/epages/BT...gories/"Does Food Matter? Feeding our Horses"