Coughing & soaking hay...

[Sarah1]

Hi everyone

Wonder if you can shed some light on something for me please?

My horse recently (about a month ago) recovered from a virus that did the rounds on the yard. He was very lethargic with a snotty nose & a cough. He had a week off work & returned to normal & has been fine ever since.

Over the last couple of days he's been in overnight & has now developed a cough again. He's fine in himself however does have a white discharge.

What do you think? Could it just be that his hay needs soaking?

If I do start soaking his hay how long should I soak it for just to remove the dust spores?

He's going to be changing to haylage soon so obvioulsy I will have to mix it with his hay to begin with - is it ok to soak haylage as you would hay to remove dust (although I'm aware it's dust free - it will be in same net as the hay)?

Many thanks

Sarah x

 

[carthorse]

I would soak your hay for about 30 minutes . My horse has to have his very good hay soaked and even coughs on haylage so we stick to hay.
Is he on dust free bedding as well?

 

[Sarah1]

Thanks - his hay is good quality so I haven't soaked it up to now & now I feel awful!!!!!!
He's on shavings
The whole yard is switching to haylage as it will be much cheaper for us & the haylage is a better crop than the hay - can I still soak this if necessary?
I'm not sure it will be - he's not usually that sensitive to things like that!

 

[carthorse]

Not sure about soaking haylage but can't see why not. If it persists then he may need some Ventipulman to help him but lets hope he will be fine once on haylage.

 

[OWLIE185]

If your horse has suffered from a cough then he is also likely to build up an intolerance to dust from hay etc.

It is important to keep your stable and adjoining stables free from dust so sweep down the walls and ledges and also remove all cobwebs once a week.

Hay should be soaked for at least 2o minutes in fresh water and fed from the floor not a hay net or rack so that your horses sinuses can drain while he is eating.

 

[annunziata]

no dont soak haylage as you will loose all the mineral ect he should be find on haylage!

 

[ladyt25]

I actually just spray my horse's hay off prior to putting in his stable. This has stopped his cough (he does not have a severe one and is bedded on straw).He was just suffering a cough and snotty nose in the mornings and we've found just spraying the hay with a hose works fine.

 

[clover1]

My horse has had problems with coughing and the white discharge. I found soaking hay for 20 to 30 mins did him the world of good. He has needed ventapulmin in the past but only for a short time and keep some in the tack room just in case.

 

[amandaco2]

i used to spray with a hose but its too messy
now i steam the hay
stick it all in a plastic bin, kettle of water in put lid on and its ready in 5mins!