can a horse have flu with no cough

[Gallop_Away]

Any vet that can diagnose a horse over the phone must be amazing! I'm sorry but I certainly wouldn't be prepared to accept that from my vet.

The fact that this girl is still very concerned for her horse, despite all the "experienced people" that have looked at it, tells me that she that she hasn't felt very reassured that the horse is ok and that there isn't anything wrong. At the very least a visit from the vet would reassure her that it truly is nothing to worry about.

It could be nothing, or it could be any number of things but I certainly wouldn't want to take the chance.

 

[AmyMay]

I think it would be wise for everyone to step away from both threads now.

OP is 15, and has people around her to help and support.

 

[Rowreach]

Any vet that can diagnose a horse over the phone must be amazing! I'm sorry but I certainly wouldn't be prepared to accept that from my vet.

The fact that this girl is still very concerned for her horse, despite all the "experienced people" that have looked at it, tells me that she that she hasn't felt very reassured that the horse is ok and that there isn't anything wrong. At the very least a visit from the vet would reassure her that it truly is nothing to worry about.

It could be nothing, or it could be any number of things but I certainly wouldn't want to take the chance.

Whereas I would go along with a YO who is looking at the horse every day and an equine vet who has already seen the horse, has listened to the owner/parents on the phone, has made a judgement in RL, and knows that these are inexperienced owners with a new horse. And we don't know the exact context of those conversations, so a load of randomers on the internet aren't really adding anything but angst to the proceedings.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Perhaps you would be prepared to risk it. I would not. Each to their own.

In any event, the OP should not actually be posting on this forum at only 15yo.

 

[Upthecreek]

Added to which we now know that the horse has had a major change in environment,, routine, feed, lack of exercise, is stabled next to a stallion, and is wearing a 200g rug day and night in April.

I find it odd that these “experienced horse people on the ground” haven’t suggested that the horse shouldn’t be wearing a 200g rug in April or be stabled next to a stallion if the horse is finding this so unsettling. The symptoms described (there are many on both threads) did not sound normal to me for a 14 year old horse that is used to being stabled.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Those parents shouldn't have a horse if they won't spend any money on basic veterinary care !

Well yes but it's not them posting is it, so it's been left up to a 15 year old to try and seek some help which they are doing.

 

[Peglo]

I find it odd that these “experienced horse people on the ground” haven’t suggested that the horse shouldn’t be wearing a 200g rug in April or be stabled next to a stallion if the horse is finding this so unsettling. The symptoms described (there are many on both threads) did not sound normal to me for a 14 year old horse that is used to being stabled.

My horse is currently in a 200g as it has been hail showers and wind here and dropping to -1 at nights so saying it’s April doesn’t determine good weather (unfortunately) OP never said what temperatures they are getting there so it may be cold.

 

[Upthecreek]

My horse is currently in a 200g as it has been hail showers and wind here and dropping to -1 at nights so saying it’s April doesn’t determine good weather (unfortunately) OP never said what temperatures they are getting there so it may be cold.

It might be. It’s just that over-rugging was suggested as a possible cause for some of the symptoms.

 

[MuffettMischief]

My horse is currently in a 200g as it has been hail showers and wind here and dropping to -1 at nights so saying it’s April doesn’t determine good weather (unfortunately) OP never said what temperatures they are getting there so it may be cold.

I’m glad someone said this! It’s bitterly cold here over night and feels more like January than April! Horses almost in summer coats with winter temperatures. I won’t mention what rugs mine are wearing I don’t think!

 

[ponynutz]

Perhaps you would be prepared to risk it. I would not. Each to their own.

In any event, the OP should not actually be posting on this forum at only 15yo.

The vet cannot come out unless parent says “Yes” and so there is nothing that can be done. OP as far as I know took the advice of taking some videos to send to the vet and/or people on here at some point and has given a LOT of detailed information about horses situation and set up. It is very clear horse is stressed and the vet does know about the situation and we are assuming will be coming out should it get any worse or if symptoms don’t subside.

Also, seeing as OP’s parents won’t call the vet out I can well understand her turning to an internet forum for advice (I did it too at 18 when I was under similar circumstances).

@HHO admin is it possible to merge these threads?

 

[ycbm]

In any event, the OP should not actually be posting on this forum at only 15yo.

There's no rule against a 15 year old posting on the forum. We've had some great young people on the forum. It helps if we know, and if older posters make the necessary allowances for youth and inexperience.

 

[Kaylum]

To be fair we had an experienced eventing horse person telling my friend her shetland needed to be rugged. It certainly did not. Go to any yard and they are all run different ways. Just because your a horse/yo doesn't mean you know everything. Asking for advice on the forum as the op is concerned is better than never being able to ask advice or question about what is happening around you. We must encourage conversation and questioning, not stop it

 

[Goldenstar]

If he has flu he will have a temperature , other horses will have flu it’s highly infectious .
Is he vaccinated ?

Horses with temperatures are usually depressed and stand with their heads lowered they can be cold or hot and sweaty or both .

I think it’s diffcult for us to advise you not knowing how you keep the what the yard is like what advice on the ground you have access to .What your horse is like everything you describe could be in most post due to a horse in a new environment being cared for by an anxious person .

I think you could video the horse and edit to a short clip showing the behaviour you are worried about and send it to the vet you will to speak to them first .

Meanwhile get your horse into a good routine be calm get him out as much as possible .
Is their anyone kind on the yard who would advise you and mentor you bit through this first bit of horse owner ship .

Its highly unlikely that your horse needs a rug at night at this time of year .
Too hot horses are unsettled .
The snotty nose could be allergy from being in a stable with bedding that does not suit him .
There’s so many things it could be .
I think your parents need to aware of the the likelihood of vets bills on an ongoing basis and they need if they don’t want to go down the insurance route to be putting away at least the cost of the monthly premium every month to help cover stuff that happens .
Your parents must have third party liability cover for this horse it could ruinous if they don’t do this .

 

[ester]

Perhaps you would be prepared to risk it. I would not. Each to their own.

In any event, the OP should not actually be posting on this forum at only 15yo.

Yes she should, there is no reason a 15yo shouldn’t be posting where on earth did you get that idea from!?

 

[ester]

I also want to know where everyone is that it’s not freezing overnight still as it certainly is here and horses are in 200/300 as a result depending on the horse.

 

[Upthecreek]

To be fair we had an experienced eventing horse person telling my friend her shetland needed to be rugged. It certainly did not. Go to any yard and they are all run different ways. Just because your a horse/yo doesn't mean you know everything. Asking for advice on the forum as the op is concerned is better than never being able to ask advice or question about what is happening around you. We must encourage conversation and questioning, not stop it

I completely agree, but the downside is you will get a broad spectrum of different advice and answers to questions. How do you know which is right? Which advice should you follow and which should you ignore? If you are young and inexperienced this would be difficult to decide. The OP is taking advice from so called experienced horse people at her yard because she has no choice. The whole situation and the horse’s symptoms/behaviour described by the OP need someone knowledgeable to intervene (even if it doesn’t require veterinary treatment) or the OP is at risk of getting hurt. She has no saddle so has been riding bareback and has already fallen off once.

 

[Upthecreek]

I also want to know where everyone is that it’s not freezing overnight still as it certainly is here and horses are in 200/300 as a result depending on the horse.

It’s not freezing here in Dorset. Mine have been in 100g and 50g at night and naked during the day for weeks.

 

[ester]

It is drier over here normally but I think it was warmer in Somerset.