Birker2020
Well-Known Member
My friend has a eight or nine year old gelding who appears to breathe rapidly following exercise (he inhales and exhales at the same rate, but just very quickly) and sometimes the exercise is only very slight, i.e a hack up the block. The horse has also been known to suffer from synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (hiccups) for which rapid breathing can be attributed so I don't know whether this is why. He has been put on a course of electrolytes to restore the balance as it is thought that an electrolyte imbalance can contribute towards this problem of hiccuping. The horse does not cough so therefore does not appear to suffer from COPD or any other respiratory problem. He looks very well in himself, he is alert with a shiny coat and pricked ears and bright eyes, and is not overweight and he is turned out for the day. When he does this rapid breathing he does not look distressed at all. My friend isn't unduly worried, and I guess I am only posting because I am interested in finding out if anyone else has come across this before. x