Field spraying and coughing horses - related or coincidence?

[Grumpy Herbert]

I used to keep my horses at a yard a few years back where the YO had the fields sprayed whilst the horses were in an adjacent field. (she didn't bother to let me know the spraying was happening) I'm not sure what was sprayed, either weedkiller or fertiliser I think. My horses were then put back into the sprayed field after a week or so. My gelding developed a cough which was investigated thoroughly by the vet, but no cause could be found.

I am now at another yard. My horses are stabled in a barn with 7 others. They now both cough, and are the only horses in the barn that do, so it is unlikely that anything that is done in this yard causes the coughing. I suspect that whatever was sprayed has caused some kind of damage to their respiratory systems.

Can I have some opinions, please?

 

[itsme123]

I doubt it would have been the spray (though i stand to be corrected), as the other horses on the yard would have been affected and it would have done sufficient damage for a vet to pick up.

 

[jrp204]

I would be surprised if the spray was still around after a week or so, most herbicides recommend a withdrawel period of 7 days.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

Thanks guys! Probably being over suspicious, but I can't figure out why my two are the only ones out of nine horses that are coughing - most likely just the law of sod!!!