Coughing

[elliebean]

Hi guys, could do with your expertise/advice on this one. My horse has often coughed probably once or twice when being warmed up, normally when we go into trot. Ive never been too bothered about it as its quite a regular thing.

However, over the last week or 2, this has got worse. Whereas before he would only cough in the school, he is now coughing out on hacks. He is coughing more times and they seem kinda deeper (if you know what I mean). Nothing has changed in his routine which would be the reason for this. He lives out and isnt getting hay or haylage in his field (obviously, cos its summer lol). He hasnt got a snotty nose and the coughs are always dry.

Im all out of ideas about why this would have happened, and whats the best way forward? Supplements, for example, or should i get the vet involved? I am reluctant to do this as they obviously need to make a living, and it sometimes feels like they make things more complicated than they really are with scoping etc. Clearly, if it is necessary i will do anything to help him get better

Thanks in advance guys

 

[debradley]

Hi there, my mare suffers from hay fever so when the pollens high or there's been a lot of grass cutting going on she can develop a cough usually just as you're warming her up and just beginning trot (usually just a couple of coughs). It doesn't usually develop into anything worse tho. I was told that as long as after her cough she sort of takes a snortie breath (blows out kind of) almost like clearing herself then she should be ok, but if this disappears then get it checked!! I'd say if your guy seems to be struggling a bit more than usual get it checked to be on the safe side.

 

[Hayleycob]

There seems to be a lot of coughs about at the moment !
My mare was coughing, sounds the same as yours, no snot, but big "belly" coughs, especially at exercise. I did call the vet (I always panic !) she said it was a mild inflamation of the upper airway and gave her 5 days of antibiotics and bute (which aparently works as an anti-inflamatry on the upper but not the lower airway....!) so I didn't ride her for a week and it was about 2 before she was back to normal.
I think you could wait a few days and see if he is getting better or worse, most of these things are like our coughs and sniffles, and no big problem.