My friend i away for a month and i’m looking after her horses, she had bought a haflinger mare 14yro at the end of the winter in 2007, they live out all year, but i have noticed that when she is around hay or tied up, she tends to wheeze and cough quite often. I’ve asked my friend and she said she did cough a little last winter, but cleared up after a month. I’m worried she may have COPD, she is fed on hay in the winter, the hay is watered over with a hose (but i’ve started to soak it in a bucket for 20 minutes, as using a hose doesn’t wet all of the hay) But i’ve noticed that she is on the think side, she coughs when near a dusty environment and she wheezes at the end of exhaling. It may be something or it maybe nothing, what do you all think? by the sound of it i think it may be a recurrent cough that comes back every winter, she sometimes wheezes when shes around a high pollen area, but its not bad. what do you think? or what else could it be? Is there anything i can give her?
I’d get the vet out, but i’d rather wait until my friend is back, but if its urgent i will, it could just be an aggrivated cough caused by dry hay and she just needs haylage instead, advice? thanks.
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7 Comments
You are right. It isnt called COPD anymore, but that sounds like a classic case. Well done for noticing!
Hi, these symptoms do sound like COPD. The first thing I would do is switch her to haylage and if no improvement then it’s time for the vet. It is good that she is out in the fresh air and not kept in and just make sure her hay is wet through when she actually eats it. Soaking hay can take the nutrients out of it so just thoroughly drench it. I wouldn’t ride her until you’ve got to the bottom of this. Unfortunately I lost my first pony to COPD and I was heart broken to say the least, this happened very suddenly, I don’t want to scare you but if in doubt get the vets advice. Good luck x
It’s not COPD but the symptoms are very similar. Horses do not tolerate particulates in the air very well. Many horses do very poorly and develop symptoms because people mistakenly think that keeping them in a nice, closed, draft-free barn is a good idea. These areas with bedding and hay are irritants to the lung tissue and keeping the horse in a run in shed is a much better idea. Soaking the hay is a good idea and not keeping them in an area where straw or shavings are used (or if used, not have the horse around while the material is being moved/cleaned). Always good to have a vet look at something like this. A horse’s lungs are nothing to ignore.
It does sound like COPD but could be other things. It’s a real toss up what to do, the horse is getting older and needs to be kept warm but she also needs the fresh air. Has anyone tried “Cough Free” with her? It’s an herbal solution that really clears congestion. Does she cough when excercised? And is it possible that she can’t chew the hay and she’s getting pieces caught in her throat? Maybe she needs her teeth done. Your vet can answer all these questions.
It could be a temporary cough, caused by an infection or the start of COPD. I agree with the recommendation to change to haylage if possible & get the vet out. The wheezing doesn’t sound good…..
Give the mare plenty of fresh air. If she is stalled change your bedding to peat moss or slightly dampin the bedding to keep down dust. Soak her hay in water. Do not give grain as it can be dusty, Make sure she has fresh water at all times. Check her flanks for heaving. Does she tire easy when running or cough after a run? Can you call your friend and get permission for a vet to come check her out?? Sooner the better!!
Yes but it could be asthma. My pony has that and has to be on shavings and wet hay. It does sound more like COPD though.