EIPH/Equine Nosebleeds what would you do?

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longtalltilly

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Last February my horse has his first Nosebleed. He out XC schooling and after pulling up from a fast canter up the hill his nose was pouring! It had stopped by the time we got back to the lorry. After talking to the vet we decided to continue with working him as it may have just been a one off! He then completed Poplar Park without anything and a few hunter trials. He had a few in the field but nothing all that bad and more of a slight trickle than anything else!! He went to Little Downham last April/May time and had one XC - you wouldn't have known from sitting on top, he didnt slow up, lose performance of anything! This took a good 45 mins to stop! Took him off to Rossdales shortly after and their conclusion was a slight dust allergy brought on the EIPH and to give him a dust free environment. was suggested by the vet at Rossdales to try Flair Strips as they can help. So off He went to Stratford Hills Horse Trials armed with his Flair strips. He completed the day without bleeding
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About 6 weeks after this he had another in a jump lesson. The lesson had only really just got started but he really lost performance just before he bled and refused a couple of fences (something he never does when showjumping) Its was rather hot that day and 'close' so put it down to the fact that maybe that was 'stressing' him and bringing them on (little downham was similar weather wise)

He was then out of work Aug - November due to lameness and has been brought back into work fine. Had some really demanding jump lessons where you would have thought he may have one but nothing has ever come of it.

Took him out hacking this morning, had a nice gallop but he pulled up bleeding. He wasn't distressed but again he really lost performance and it was noticeable something was up. This took a good half an hour or so to stop although not help by the fact that every time it did he snorted!

He is rather fit ready for Poplar Park, hasn't been coughing and lives in at night in a large airy stable, with dust free bedding and soaked hay.

I have Poplar park in a week - what would you do? He will be wearing Flair strips if I do take him so this may help. Do I continue with he plan and still compete? Withdraw and give him a break? take him with the thought that do the dressage, and showjumping and then see how he is XC, take it slow if I decide to do it and pull him up the minute I dont think he is happy?

Cookies, cake and Ice cream if you get this far!!!
 
i would carry on as normal and see how he goes when he gets there, if dressage is ok, then s/j, if that ok then see what you think at the time!
 
Unfortunately EIPH can damage lung tissue and the affected areas may not return to full function. Also, because the exact causes are still not known, with several theories, it is hard to treat. Flair strips and dust free management are certainly excellent steps.
You could try using herbs that are rich in antioxidants to support the respiratory system and also help the circulatory system. Buckwheat would be a good herb to try as it is rich in a substance called rutin that strengthens blood vessels. Hawthorn is also good for the circulation and nettle is rich in antioxidants.
 
did u have him scoped at the vets? if not then this could indicate an underlying problem. mine has bleed several times and after several bleeds (all minnor) scoped her and she had a resp infection despite being absolutly fine in every other way.she now has RAO and has the odd bleed due to this now. so maybe scoping could show up something going on?
 
Forgot to say, if hes fit enough i would go to Poplar and see how it goes. You can always pull up at any time. If he bleeds again go back to your vet for more help
 
My last horse kept getting recurrent nosebleeds, nothing as dramatic as yours though. He was scoped and they couldn't find anything but put it down to a dust allergy of some sort in the end. They looked in the one gutterul pouch (sp.) but couldn't get into the other one as it is quite difficult in some horses, but from what I can remember I think they said if there is an infection in the g.p this can cause nosebleeds.
 
Just read about your horse having nosebleeds. My horse suffered from a nosebleed early last year, we had him scoped but they couldnt find anything wrong, unfortunately the underlinning problem was cancer which we found out 3 weeks later when he was in Leahurst having test. H & H did a piece on him last year. Maybe have some blood tests done to make sure everything is working properly. Good luck
 
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