Constant running nose and heavy breathing, no other symptoms

[duvet-thief]

Hey guys,
My old man has gone from fighting fit (literally, double barreled me in the chest recently) to having an almost constant running nose. It'll run when I work him or even being turned out to the field. When it is running it's more of a stream than a drip, and the gunk coming out is a clearish white???

Also in conjunction with this, over the past weeek I have noticed that his breathing becomes slightly heavier when walking either in the school or on a hack, it doesnt stop him from galloping off when it suits him though!! Would these two be linked though?

thankees xx

 

[WandaMare]

My older horse gets like that when the hay is a bit dusty. Do you feed hay and if so do you soak it? It sounds as though the symptoms are linked.

If the discharge is white rather than yellowy / green its more likely to be allergy than infection. Sounds like something in his environment is causing it, if not hay, dust in stable?

I would eliminate all dust from around him first, then if it still persists or you notice other symptoms eg discharge turning yellowy, loss of appetite or quietness then give your vet a call.

 

[duvet-thief]

He does have slight COPD but I have been managing that and haven't changed anything though have developed slight stable ocd , he's on timothy grass haylage which is better for older horses or those with breathing problems and he's on verdo bedding which is virtually dust free....

bizarre.