Why is my horse coughing?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Why is my horse coughing?

justice · Grand Prix

Could be dust/allergies, or a small whisp of hay stuck somewhere. Also possible that, and sounds like he is relatively fit : ) Not uncommon for a fit horse to cough at beginning canter and briefly because it took that long to tap into his respiratory tidal volume: the depth that we breathe when we start to get "out of breath". The lungs have four lobes. The lower two are the tidal volume that we can hardly fill even on purpose until out of breath. When a being is in fair to good shape( 'specially marathoners), this volume isn't disturbed until one is into the deeper, rhythmic breathing of sustained exertion. When at resting rate, this tidal volume is not disturbed tho what we inhale still circulates thru it to a degree, including all the dust etc that we inhale with every breath. A reasonably fit being will tap into this later in a workout and it CAN produce a dry, tickling, brief cough as the "ventilation" is refreshed in the lower lobes. Hope this makes sense.

It could also be that the air is just crisp, dry and cold making the hay the same : )

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 08:52:48 PM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 08:54:55 PM

NaturallyUnbridled · Well Schooled

How's the ventilation in the barn? Could be that he needs fresh air. Could also be the cold air hitting his lungs. ...Just a few thoughts.

Queenrider · Advanced

Given that he is otherwise healthy, then the coughing is a normal response that happens when the horse adjusts his breathing for his work. For dressage he must breath deeper and more regularly and slower. This is actually a good response and one I expect to see. The sooner this happens in a ride the better it is! After the coughing is done then he is ready for some more intense work. Some horses will "outgrow" this stage when they get fitter.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Really, that's so interesting! I have been quite worried. His former owner who is in Germany recommended Schuessler salts. They are electrolyte-balancing salts. Anyone ever heard of them?

justice · Grand Prix

Queenrider said it far better than I : ) Thank you!

Have heard of them, Barb, but not familiar with them. Not familiar with addressing respiratoury issues with electrolye mgt, either, but I am not qualified anyway : )

dbliron · Advanced

Hi, Barbara:

I have never heard of the salts to which you refer, but I think that Queenrider and Jutice have made really good points. I'm not at all sure what "electrolyte balancing" salts might have to do with the issue, but chemistry's not my strong point, so maybe I'm missing something here...

The snorting/coughing thing at the beginning of real work in any given session is something I've noticed for years, both with my own horses and clients' horses. I have to say that it's much more noticeable and prevalent in more schooled horses, and less so in really young and green horses. I think it's a learned response; the schooled horses know the warm-up routine, and are aware at what point they will have to begin really deep and effective breathing, and that's usually at the point where they have to start to engage. The younger and greener horses don't yet have that response built in.

I might worry more about allergies/irritants if I kept my horses differently, but they're on all day turnout regardless of the weather, and our barn is very well ventilated. Additionally, I have not ever noticed a decrease in optimal oxygen uptake or recovery, quite the opposite, so I'm not leaning towards COPD or allergic reactions as being the cause or part of the cause. Unless I'm seeing decreased tolerance for work, increased recovery requirements, and/or increased nasal discharges or hives, I usually see the coughing as a good thing.

-- Edited by dbliron on Thursday 10th of February 2011 05:51:07 PM

Laura F · Well Schooled

Does old fashioned Zev work? Does anyone still use it?