Does Anyone Event a Horse with COPD?

[Finns Mum]

As we all know horses like to challenge us Having smoothed over various issues and progressed over the last few years, I have got to the point where myself and the hoss feel ready to do some BE the plan was to join next year and continue to get experience unaff the rest of this year.

So just as I was feeling smug and like I had got to a place I never thought we would, my horse has started to show signs of COPD which I think it pollen related as it seemed to start in the hot weather we had in April then was okay and we ran at Mattingly in May with no problems in fact his respiratory and recovery rate after xc there was the best its ever been, but it was cold and wet that day and I had already done lots of fitness work with him before any signs of breathing problems had appeared.

The vet left me with some Ventapulin and said to give him some Propell to help with his lethagy. This was helping but yesterday with it being so warm his rates were raised again. The vet said the noise in his lungs is slight, and he is showing no signs of coughing or being snotty, he just blows a lot during exercise, but I know that it tends to get worse with age so would like to see if I can control it now before forking out for BE next year.

My long winded ramblings does have a point Does anyone event a horse with COPD, I would only look to be doing lower levels, but how do you manage with the fitness work, do plan your comps / interval training around weather (is that possible!), is there medication that is comp legal as know Ventapulin isn't?

I have tried Winnergy Ventilate with no results, NAF Respirator powder not much help, the liquid seemed to help him the most, I have just ordered some Secreta Pro Max after reading some threads on here.

 

[sare_bear]

Sadly, I have retired my mare from eventing. She has a pollen allergy and I have had mild breathing issues since March this year as it was so warm and dry. She started to become exercise intolerant and puffs more, but no wheezing. She is now bored in a field, and for the last few weeks I started to lightly ride her again. Her breathing was great, until a hot day was thrown in and we were back to square one. Nothing BE legal worked and I did a hunter trial the year before and although fine, had a nose bleed later on that day so sadly called it quits.

The fitter they are the better, but your fitness work will need to be done in the winter. May be you can event spring and autumn? Also may be try a product called cavalesse ( for sweet itch), but they suggest it may help with COPD as has a similar mechanism. I may try this on my mare next year (live in hope). Sorry not much help.

 

[Ludi-doodi]

I don't event, but my horse was dianosed with a recurrent airway obstruction last year. He was put on an inhaler which had to be adminstered through a baby spacer up his nostril about 20 mins before exercise. He did get used to it eventually!

I also put him in NAF Respirator Boost. I've since stopped the inhaler as after not riding for a month becuase of the snow I kept forgetting to give it to him! I've kept him on the boost but at half daily dosage (30mls instead of 60mls).

I found the liquid boost better than the powders and they offer a money back guarantee if you don't see a diffrence in 48 hours so worth a try. Not cheap at about £20 a litre, but I've since bought 5l bottles having negotiated a good price with my feed merchant!

The heat does make a difference and on hot days I do panic a little that he's taking a turn for the worse again, but when its cooler he's back to normal!

 

[Finns Mum]

SB sorry to hear about your mare, fingers crossed the cavalesse helps her next year.

LD think I will get another bottle of liquid boost, definately seems the best thing so far.

Sounds like I am joining the club that spends the summer hoping for rain and cold weather