Horse with a cough

[Thompsnozzle]

Hi all, hoping anyone might be able to help me out as a fairly novice horse owner - I have had my gelding since last June, (not my first ever but first for a while) we moved yards at the end of march so changed supplier of straw and haylage. He has had a cough for a little while, nothing when walking but when I ask for trot he has a few coughs and sometimes in canter, it's not every time I ride him but when I think 'oh it's gone' he starts doing it again! I had the vet to him about 3 weeks ago (not cough related) who checked him over thoroughly and said he looked in good shape but he had a bit of clear nasal dishcharge, I mentioned the cough to him when the vet pointed out the dishcharge but he said he had no temp, no raised heartbeat etc etc so was reluctant to give him anything, he seems to have had this little cough thing on going over winter and I'm not sure if to go back to the vet or if it's nothing much to worry about, not sure if it's dust/pollen or has he had a cold all winter and I just haven't realised, he seems fine/normal in himself, just after other peoples thoughts please

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I'd say it was dust personally, my pony does this too the first time I ask for faster work and then is fine.

 

[smja]

Horses don't get colds the way humans do. Does he cough throughout your ride, or just at the beginning? It's likely to be dust, as falconers says, from bedding/feed/school surface. Unless he's coughing repeatedly and frequently, or the discharge turns yellow/green, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Rosiejazzandpia]

Benylin

 

[Buddy'sMum]

If your vet isn't concerned and it's just the occasional cough and the discharge is clear then it's probably nothing to worry about. But you could try swapping the straw for a less dusty and more absorbent bedding. Also make sure your stable is as dust/cobweb free as possible and provide as much turnout as possible.