Coughing?

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rforsyth1984

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Horse has always has a slight cough/snort when ridden, but recently seems to have got a little worse. He didn't used to do it everytime ridden, but now he does. Only a couple of times, at the start of work, a few coughs/snorts then he wont do it again.

I spoke to my vet about it, she checked his breathing etc and couldn't find any problems. Thinks he is probably just 'clearing his airways' as he starts work, and that he probably just needs to do it a little more often now he's older (15), and not to worry.

I keep him on rubber matting and easibed, as he does seem to have a slight respiratory allergy. Fed haylage and turned out 12 hours a day. There has been a recent dip in performance (lacking spark) but that has been much more recent, and may be more due to an increase in work, the increase in coughing started about a year ago.

Its not affecting his performance in that he can still give a good gallop on the beach, jump round a course of jumps, school for an hour etc, though he might be breathing a little heavier after hard work, and during canter but I'm not sure if thats me just noticing things that have always been there now I'm looking for them?!

Is this a common occurance as horses get older? Any advice?
 
Hey
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Just wondering how long you walk him before starting trot work? I have to walk Buster (my horse) for about 10-15mins before moving on as he'll cough and snort otherwise!
 
just try him on a cough syrup for a few days to see if that helps if it does not it might be worth running bloods because he has lost his spark as well!
 
Wasn't sure if syrups/supplements were worth it, have you had any sucess with any of them?

I do wonder if the 2 are linked, quite possible even though the coughing has been a more long term thing and the lack of spark is more recent?
 
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