Newbie and advice needed please

[HenryisHandsome]

I am new here so hope that it is ok to ask a question so soon? I have had my boy Henry for about 5 years (he is 13) but I’m worried about him as he developed a cough about a month and a half ago, he doesn’t cough in his stable or the field, and shows no problems breathing (about 9 breaths per min at rest). He seems very well in himself and doesn’t have a runny nose, eyes or anything like that and no wheezing. He coughs when he is being worked, but really only in canter and sometimes in trot, we often have a bout of 3 or 4 coughs a couple of times during a 45min schooling session, then he seems fine to carry on, he is not at all reluctant to work or anything. I discovered that when we went to an indoor venue for a lesson he was fine, no coughing at all, and when we boxed up for a hack about 25miles away he was again fine – which makes me think maybe it is an allergy?

He has been seen by the vet, who can find nothing wrong with him whatsoever, which is a bit of a mystery. Rather than using ventipulmin as the examination/symptoms didn’t really warrant it the vet suggested trying Winergy’s Ventilate as a first port of call. He has been on it for 3 weeks and it doesn’t seem to have had much effect.

He is out at grass (with a muzzle as he’s a good doer) all day, and in at night in a well-ventilated barn (his stable is by the door). He is bedded on shavings on rubber matting and has soaked hay in a haybar.

I really am at a loss and don’t know what to do next / for the best, it is really getting me down, as although it seems a relatively minor problem I am worried about what it is and what damage it is doing.

Any help advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

(I have posted this in the veterinary section as well)

 

[HenryisHandsome]

Is nobody able to help me or offer any suggestions

Have I posted this in the wrong section or something new to the forum so still getting to grips with where things go.

 

[Damnation]

Could it be an evasion?
My mare realised that she could stop mid trot/canter if she coughed, little sod!
If it was me I would leave it a few more weeks - if he is fine in himself and not snotty then I wouldn't be worrying too much.
However because of the length of time it has gone on I would be tempted to ring the vet and ask what they think.
D

 

[HenryisHandsome]

Thanks Damnation, I did wonder about it being an evasion, wasn't sure if he was capable of realising that a cough got him out of working as hard!

He saw the vet 3 weeks ago, who could find nothing wrong and suggested trying the Ventilate. Guess I may need to speak to my vet again.

 

[Tilda]

My mare occasionally coughs after our first trot or canter but with her it is just a kind of clearing her throat cough as if the exercise has given her lungs a good clearout (probably not a very good description) could your boy's cough be something similar?

 

[HenryisHandsome]

Thanks Tilda, he coughs when he first starts cantering and sometimes the same with trot, but it will usually happen again during exercise and it seems odd as he never did it before I keep thinking maybe I should keep him cantering / trotting when he starts coughing, but then i worry that it may be harmful.

 

[Tilda]

Mmm sounds like an obvious thing but do you school in an arena could it be that he is kicking up sand/ dust when he goes faster which is irritating him?