Is this a big deal?

L

Lydz85

Active Member
Joined
29 August 2011
Messages
44
Location
Leicestershire
Visit site
Hello,

Quick query is it a big deal if a horse coughs on straw bedding and wears a nose net in bright sunlight when hacking to make him more comfortable?

Obvious thing is to avoid straw bedding, but it is just an allergy? or something to be weary of?
 
I wouldn't use straw on a horse as you describe. The allergy is not good, cops or RAO as it is now called can totally ruin a horse!!!!

Some end up so bad they can no longer breath well enough to be ridden or medications and supplements are expensive

would never buy a horse like this either no matter how cheap
 
and I would be incredibly worried that the owners have left a horse that coughs, on the straw. This could really cause long term damage. It was called heaves, COPD and RAO but its pretty much the same thing.

Years ago my horse devleoped a slight persistent cough. Vet came out as cough was staying - pronouced horse had early stages of COPD and horse was moved IMMEDIATETLY off the straw.
 
Luci07 said:
and I would be incredibly worried that the owners have left a horse that coughs, on the straw. This could really cause long term damage. It was called heaves, COPD and RAO but its pretty much the same thing.

Years ago my horse devleoped a slight persistent cough. Vet came out as cough was staying - pronouced horse had early stages of COPD and horse was moved IMMEDIATETLY off the straw.
Click to expand...

He's not kept on straw, he is mainly out but when in stable is kept on shavings or pelleted sawdust. Nose net is only needed very occassionally apparently.

:( gutted now.
 
It is not just straw thats a problem,most cannot have hay unless very well soaked,not easy when its freezing.You never know when they may have to be kept in for some reason.
The nosenet suggests a very sensitive horse that could become allergic to more as time goes on and you will be unable to insure it for respiratory problems .
Sorry but there are many horses out there with fewer issues,although most will be far from perfect.
 
Lydz85 said:
He's not kept on straw, he is mainly out but when in stable is kept on shavings or pelleted sawdust. Nose net is only needed very occassionally apparently.

:( gutted now.
Click to expand...

I really would walk away!! Some horses it gets worse as it gets older. some get worse in different areas too.

It would restrict what stables you could use too need outdoor or exceptional ventilation

I have had one with mild problems and it can affect them so much.... in the spring/summer it can be much worse. which may well be the real reason for selling now
 
I think ive confused myself now.

Reading online - nose nets are used for head shaking - so am i correct in thinking that without the nose net, his allergies would flare up causing him to head shake in irritation?

Is there any way a vetting could determine how severe his RAO is? As reading up about it, it doesnt seem a massive thing to deal with when mild - just alter environment.
 
Yes nosenets help prevent headshaking it can be very difficult to ride a horse that does this and can vary from mild twitching to uncontrolled violent throwing ot the head and rubbing on legs.
Look at the thread COPD how do you cope a few down from here,it will give you a fuller picture,it is something you can deal with but it is a long term situation that usually gets worse not better.The treatment is not cheap and management can be difficult.
The horse would have to be very cheap with the two problems,either would be a failure in a vetting.
Both would have to be declared to insurers.
 
Lydz85 said:
Hello,

Quick query is it a big deal if a horse coughs on straw bedding and wears a nose net in bright sunlight when hacking to make him more comfortable?

Obvious thing is to avoid straw bedding, but it is just an allergy? or something to be weary of?
Click to expand...

Weary= tired/worn out.
Wary= not sure/scared of something.

I'd be wary of taking on a headshaker.
 
It would depend on what u want to do with it and how much it is. My horse is like that and ducking awesome! Wouldn't change her for the world.
 
Spotsrock said:
It would depend on what u want to do with it and how much it is. My horse is like that and ducking awesome! Wouldn't change her for the world.
Click to expand...

Would want to do school, hacking and riding club events. The asking price is £3500 ono. In every other way he's a little star, i didn't realise not being allowed on straw is such a big deal!
 
if he is clean in the stable then shavings is good. However £3.5k is a lot for a horse with allergies that need careful monitoring - BUT if you like him and he is what you are after then its not the end of the world - its manageable! xx
 
I wasnt going to say any more on this, you have to remember they are selling so will play down the issues with his health,they have been honest in declaring the two problems but are going to say its not too bad,they want to sell.
Yes he can obviously still work and do a job for you but it will be an ongoing and possibly progressive problem,the posters that say their horses are fine and they deal with it may not have bought if they had known about it at the time or it may have come on since purchase.
He is not going to be insurable for these issues and a vet will not usually pass a declared headshaker this is considered to be an unsoundness,they often do pass vetting as it is not always declared by the vendor.
He does however look a really good sort and at the right price could be a good buy as a forever pony,I feel the price does not really reflect this.They have put or very near offer which suggests they will not drop as much as I would want them to.
I have bought 2 headshakers at very reduced prices about half what they want for him,they were not pollen related and both came right after treatment.
 
What a smashing looking wee horse! I personally wouldn't knowingly buy a headshaker BUT my last horse turned out to be one. Very violent headshaking, staggering etc, really dangerous. A nose net all but cured it although I still picked where I hacked in the summer. Current boy has a touch of it too :eek:, doesn't shake but does rub his nose on his legs which is very annoying - especially if the itch appears on a busy road :D

The allergies could well be a pain too, although if you could winter him out then probably not a big deal.

My opinion would be to walk away, but if you're mind is made up then a reduction in price or LWVTB would seem reasonable options.
 
Rather than asking strangers on a forum, I would ask a reputable and trust worthy instructor to go with you and look. Just because he is not kept on straw does not mean he has a serious respiratory condition. Wearing a nose net does not make him a confirmed head shaker either. Take someone with you who knows their stuff.
Don't miss out on what could be a cracking little horse from advice from strangers who don't know the whole picture.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice, it's really made me have a good hard think about this horse. The uninsurable part is a big worry.

I have just arranged to have my instructor view him with me next week. So I am also waiting for her opinion and verdict. I understand that the owners will play down his issues, but I do feel this must be a very mild allergy which is prevented through good management.

He is a riding school horse, so is worked regularly, and not had any time off over the spring/summer - i've spoken to people on the yard that have ridden him in lessons, on hacks, etc and have had nothing but good things to say.

So im keeping an open but cautious mind.

Thank you Kirstie for the reality check :)
 
kirstie said:
Rather than asking strangers on a forum, I would ask a reputable and trust worthy instructor to go with you and look. Just because he is not kept on straw does not mean he has a serious respiratory condition. Wearing a nose net does not make him a confirmed head shaker either. Take someone with you who knows their stuff.
Don't miss out on what could be a cracking little horse from advice from strangers who don't know the whole picture.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.
A lot of horses will cough when stabled after a winter on straw, especially if its dusty. Good management, ie, changing bedding or turning out can prevent long term damage.
Regarding the nose net, some horses are sensitive to particular pollens in certain weather conditions. I've had horses really troubled by pollen which was no longer a problem when liveried in a different area.
Take an expert with you, ask if you can speak to their vet and use your gut instinct to decide whether the sellers are genuine or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top