how to cure a cough caused by dusty hay

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EJ87

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My mare has had a cough for the last week so i got her granules for her feed and thought that was it cleared but i rode her today and when we cantered she coughed a couple of times but then stoped. i brought her home and gave her hay but she started coughing again in the stable im now starting to think it is the hay thats causing it as its quite dry. iv got new hay that isnt as dry but wondered what i need to do to clear her cough? will it clear in its own time now tgr hay has been changed? how long before she will stop coughing and is it still ok to ride her?
 
I would let her have a week or so off. In the meantime soak her hay! And I mean soak it for at least 45 minutes and then feed it to her straight away wet! I wonder whether your horse has an issue with the spores in the dry hay which if you continue to feed as it is will possibly lead to respiratory infection requiring anti-biotics etc. Hopefully you can clear this before it gets too bad. If however you already have a nasal discharge then I would call the vet and get anti-biotics now.
 
She may already be past the stage where she will get rid of it easily on her own. Is she heaving or breathing more heavily while standing in? If there is even a subtle difference in her breathing that remains the same within 24 hours I would get the vet as you may well need a course of Ventapulmin or similar.

Soaking definitely helps but as I say she may need a check at this stage.
 
Yes, remove the cause - the dusty hay... Either steam or soak the hay (my mare coughs a bit on older hay, and a simple bucket of water over it is enough to stop her.. She doesn't cough at all on haylage - so perhaps this is worth a try?)
 
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