Does your horse have a winter cough or nasal discharge?

Does your horse have a winter cough or nasal discharge?

The Winter period is in full swing which means colder, wetter weather and fewer daylight hours. For many horse owners this means much less turnout (if any) and horses spending more time stabled. Some owners may start to notice their horses develop an environmental winter tickle or cough that they normally wouldn’t have, and some are more noticeable or seemingly irritable than others. Respiratory issues can cause difficulty in breathing, reduced stamina and performance, lethargy, and reluctance to work among other problems.

A developing cough and nasal discharge could, however, be a result of a respiratory infection and close proximity to other horses can increase the risk of infection or disease spreading rapidly from horse to horse. So, if you are at all concerned about your horse’s respiratory health then you should contact your veterinarian for advice.

There are some potential factors which can result in the development or exacerbation of an environmental cough in your horse, let’s look at some management practices you can adopt to reduce the risk of a cough developing:

1. Some bedding is dustier than others and can make coughs worse, replacing straw with dust extracted shavings and keeping your horse’s bed clean and dry could help. Whilst you’re mucking out grab that broom and get rid of any dirt collecting cobwebs! Avoid deep littering as a soggy bed will encourage ammonia build up and potential endotoxins which will also irritate your horse’s airways. Avoid mucking out whilst your horse is in the stable.
   
   
   
   
2. A lack of free-flowing fresh air can cause a build-up of dust in the stable. Providing good ventilation and avoiding closing the top stable door even in very cold weather will help. Keep your stable well swept and if feeding forage from the floor or a manger then ensure any debris is removed before refilling. Ideally turning your horse out as much as you are able and when weather conditions allow, to provide as much fresh air as possible.
   
   
   
3. Poor quality hay can be full of dust and fungal spores, soaking it can certainly help however this will reduce its nutritional value, in which case the use of a vitamin and mineral supplement can be particularly beneficial. Depending on your horse, haylage could be a viable alternative. Also consider how you store your hay, ensuring that that it is kept clean and dry. Poor storage conditions can encourage moulds, toxins and dust accumulation.

If you'd like more help, then call us on 0800 585525 or email [email protected]  to speak with a member of the Feedmark team.