Numpty question re feeding and RAO

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Ranyhyn

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That I posted a few days ago in NL and didn't have any response.

Hay replacement feeds - can they provide a viable alternative to hay and help in cases of RAO/COPD?

Because I always consider my horse might be sick (lol) when he coughed once I considered he might have RAO and began looking into it and wondered if the above would help?

Hope this makes sense

Kit
 
He coughed once?!

Dont let it worry you.


Hay replacements such as hi-fi, would still need to be dampened down, so yes can be fed to horses with COPD.

Obviously the most beneficial would be good quality haylage but in cases of horse who have bad teeth/ laminitis. A hay replacer would be ideal.

Or hay soaked for a long time!

Lou x
 
I know - I'm terrible, then I googled RAO/COPD and saw heave lines and was convinced I saw some on Ed!

It was one occassion - ie one ride out. Not just the one cough! Heh..ooh I am a fuss pot mummy!
 
It certianly dosnt sound like COPD, more like a tickle in the throat that day.
What's his breath rate ? Count them at rest, they should be between 8-12 breaths a minute. My COPD / SPACOPD horse has a base line of 20, and up to 55 at her worst!

COPD horses cough with all exercise, and often at rest have a heave line (running from girth to flank, showing exagerated breathing)
Soft heave lines can 'appear; when a horse takes a deep breath, or is puffing with work. But true heave lines dont dissapear.

Your not the first to panic about coughing, but the most important thing to monator, is breath rate, and if thats within normal range, a cough is probably just a cough nothing more
 
Thank you Scally, will have a look and see what his breathing rate is, I am a terrible worrier about him - mind you I am almost convinced he's geriatric and he's only 13 going on 14 lol
 
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