How are horses so depressing

[Ladybird L]

The new mare has just been diagnosed with asthma. I just want to cry.
Can you tell me your experiences. Have/ how have you kept them in full work? What management? Any tips and encouragement, would be appreciated.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

There are two horses at my yard with asthma, they both have inhalers. One is a 20yr old cob that got it as a result of a virus and with his inhaler is a-ok and still in full work, competed at HOYS with it even. The other I believe is pollen related so isn't the best to hack in the middle of summer, tends to go in the woods rather than through the long grass fields, but again is in full work and gets on absolutely fine. I think it's something that generally can be well managed if it's not too severe.

 

[maya2008]

I knew one in full work SJ BS at a good height no issues. Just needed inhalers twice a day and dust free bedding with soaked hay in winter.

 

[SantaVera]

Hopefully medication should help. I find horses can be depressing especially when i couldn't hack or go to shows because of lameness or whatever. Nowadays I just find them a joy, I have no expectations of them if I get to ride it's a bonus. I just love having them in my life.

 

[nutjob]

I had a horse with breathing issues but it was ages ago so things have probably moved on. A low dust environment helps a lot, dust extracted bedding and haylage or soaked hay. Try to avoid barn type stabling where other people are using straw for example and where people are mucking out throughout the day if your horse is indoors. Mine was on a steroid inhaler via a baby expansion chamber. I also tried a nebuliser that I borrowed from the vets but it scared him and I couldn't use it. There are a more options available now.

I used to have a trainer who wanted me to plan and to have short and medium term goals for my horse. This is a really easy way to feel like a failure as there are so many things that can go wrong. Pro's often have a string of horses so can switch their attention elsewhere. Amateurs have limited options and if you make your only goal to do your best for your horse and have anything else as a bonus then this helps with the relentless stuff that can go wrong with them.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Mine was managed with the right bedding, living out, a Flexineb, and soaked hay or haylage. Maybe a supplement too. The horse stayed in full work and was quite ok.

 

[Ladybird L]

Thanks everyone she’s doing well so far just out on soaked hay, will be getting haylage and shavings for winter when she comes in. We have our emergency meds and am looking into supplements. So far so good though, she’s still in full work for now x

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'm not a massive fan of supplements in general but i really did notice a big difference in my old horse using Naf Respirator Boost. My vet recommended Balsamic Air but to be honest I found the Naf one better and easy to get hold of as it's sold everywhere.
There are few supplements I notice a big difference on and that was definitely one of them.

 

[Ladybird L]

Thank you