Equine Asthma

[Horsegirl25]

Does anyone have experience with equine asthma? My boy got 'diagnosed' term used loosely as he didn't actually get scoped.
He was coughing a lot around November time even when not moving and just standing in the stable. Vet came out, he got a salbutamol and clenil inhaler which we used for around 10 days before weaning him off - all was well after that and we haven't had any flare ups. *I should add he is also on soaked hay* However the past couple of days he has started to cough at the start of exercise (first trot) but this doesn't continue through our full session like it did prior to the first vet visit in November. He also has started to sweat up quite a lot during our sessions, now this could be due to this random weather we have been having and he could be doing with a clip.
He events so we regularly do interval training, now he normally has no bother with this but last couple times I have noticed his breathing heavier than usual although no coughing.
Anyway I think he could possibly be having a little flare up, I am not sure if this time it isn't as bad due to the extra turnout time he is having (out overnight) compared to the winter when he was on limited turnout.
I have started him back on his inhalers and will see how we go.
What is everyone's opinions on a nebuliser? I thought about it when it flared last year however wanted to wait and see if it ever happened again before purchasing as they aren't the cheapest. Do you use the nebuliser daily? Are they worth the money?
Is anyone else experiencing an asthma flare at this time of year? I found his breathing to be worse in colder temps so was a bit surprised to find him struggling more in 'summer'.

 

[Fransurrey]

Allergic asthma is pretty common, as is having more than one (seasonal) trigger. It's not unusual therefore to be triggered simply by cold air and dust, then have flare ups in the summer (again due to dust, but also different pollen species). I have seen nebulisers for sale secondhand, so worth putting out some wanted ads if you want to try one. I know a couple of owners who have had great success with them.

 

[Highmileagecob]

My old boy was diagnosed at 17yo. He is now 29yo, and recognising his triggers has gone a long way in his management. He has had three really bad episodes during that time when injected steroids were necessary. Used inhalers, oral steroids and tried Ventipulmin. My lad reacts to pollen, hay and horse fly bites. For the past four years he has been better than usual by using a low dose of NSAID, to reduce soft tissue inflammation, and a fly rug at the first signs of warm, humid weather. Hot weather is a killer for him, but he will not stay in a cool stable on his own and will take the door down in his efforts to get out. Be careful with exercise when breathing is compromised, as your horse is not getting normal lungfuls of air.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Thank you for your replies. Since posting this I have started him back on his inhalers and his breathing has returned to normal thankfully. I think it may be the pollen that has caused a flare.
I am 50/50 with a nebuliser, to be quite honest I don't really fully understand them and need to do a bit more research/get vet advice.