Snotty horse!

[Marigold43]

My 4yr old mare has got a runny nose! Just the one nostril at the moment but it is green. Not much of it either. She is eating well and doesn't have a cough or sneezing. I have been advised by my YO to give it a couple of days to see how she goes. They feel she has maybe got a bit of the snots from being exercised and schooled and getting hot and sweaty and she isn't clipped so her coat is not drying quick enough. I thought colds were airborne and like humans, were caught by coming into contact with the germs as against getting cold??? My mare doesn't leave the yard but lots of the others are out on a weekly basis at shows, hunting etc. I wonder if she had picked it up that way? Anyway, my question is, before rushing down the penicillin route (as will be no help unless a bacterial infection) is there anything I can give her to help boost her immune system so she can help fight this cold off herself? I am keen on natural remedies for my children rather than pumping them with antibiotics and wondered if it's possible to adopt the same principal with my horse? I won't put her at risk though and just want what's best for her. Any suggestions gratefully received and rest assured, if I am in any doubt, the vet will be straight out! Thanks 😄

 

[Circe]

Not sure if there are other things, but Echinacea is meant to boost immunity.
Not sure where you'd get it from though? Maybe look online to see if there is a supplier of horse herbs you can ask for advice?
Kx

 

[hairycob]

Sorry but green snot is likely to be a bacterial infection, not "a cold" & may well be on the chest rather than upper respiratory tract. The only way to be sure is for a Vet to listen to her chest. Once you know what you are dealing with, then you can discuss treatment options. Tbh by the time anything herbal has time to have an effect if it's going to pass by itself it already will have.
Longer term you could make sure she has a properly balanced diet by having your foraged analysed to check the mineral balance & make sure hay & bedding are good quality & as dust free as possible.

 

[Marigold43]

Hi, many thanks for this and yes, won't take any chances and will get onto the vet. Thanks again 😄

 

[hairycob]

One of mine has COPD & despite careful management we get the occasional snotty nose so I know how you feel. White/clear snot that doesn't persist doesn't worry me but if it's coloured I know there is more going on.

 

[Kaylum]

A good health check and one your yo should know is taking the horse's temperature. This can help let you know how your horse is and it's also what the vet will do when they arrive.