Why Is My Horse Coughing? Solve this upsetting symptom in your horse today.

Understanding Respiratory Issues

Horse coughing is a common issue that can be frustrating for owners and something we often get called out for. It’s not always a sign of serious illness, but it can indicate underlying respiratory issues that need attention. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you provide the best care for your horse, ensuring their comfort, health, and performance.

Common Causes of Horse Coughing

A horse coughing can be caused by a wide range of factors, from various environmental triggers to more serious medical conditions. Below are the most common causes:

Environmental Factors causing horse coughing

  • Dust from hay, bedding, or other surfaces is a frequent irritant.
  • Mould spores in hay and bedding can set off a respiratory reaction.
  • Poor ventilation in stables exacerbates breathing problems.
  • Accumulated urine under rubber matting can be a respiratory irritant.
  • Pollens and spores can cause marked respiratory symptoms.

Infections

  • Viral infections, such as equine influenza, are highly contagious, but severity of symptoms can be variable.
  • Strangles is a bacterial infection which is both contagious and very serious.
  • Other bacterial infections can cause severe coughing, other symptoms and pneumonia.

Chronic Respiratory Conditions

  • Equine asthma (Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)/heaves/COPD) often results from exposure to allergens.
  • Equine Asthma can develop in horses of any age, not matter how they are looked after.
  • Equine asthma is the most common respiratory condition in horses that we treat.

Parasites

Lungworm infections are not common in horses, but they are still a possible cause of horse coughing when horses are turned out with donkeys.

Structural issues

Horses can get growths/obstructions/develop abnormalities in their airway which can result in horse coughing and other respiratory symptoms.

When to Worry About a Horse Coughing:

While occasional coughing may not be a cause for alarm, there are horse coughing situations where veterinary attention is essential. Watch for the following red flags:
  • Persistent or worsening coughing.
  • Nasal discharge, particularly if it’s thick or yellow/green.
  • Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or noisy inhalation.
  • Lethargy, fever, or reduced appetite.
  • Weight loss or poor body condition.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet for an evaluation. Prompt action can prevent minor issues from becoming more serious.

Diagnosing Respiratory Issues

Determining the cause of coughing often requires a thorough investigation by your vet. Here’s how respiratory issues are typically diagnosed:
1. Veterinary Examination : A vet usually does a full clinical examination for a horse coughing, including listening to the lungs and observing the horse’s breathing patterns. In many cases, the vet’s examination is all that is required to make a likely diagnosis and get treatment started.
2. Endoscopy : When further examination/diagnostics are required for a respiratory case, we will perform an endoscopy. We pass the endoscope up the horse’s nose and can directly look at the airways. We can do this in the horse’s stable, and you can see what we see on the screen.
3. Respiratory Secretions Testing : Techniques like bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or a tracheal wash collect samples for laboratory analysis, identifying infections or inflammatory cells. We will often do this at the time of endoscopy if it is required.
4. Blood Tests: Bloodwork can rule out systemic infections or other underlying health conditions.
5. Environmental Assessment: The vet may inspect your horse’s stabling etc to see if there are any likely triggers.

Treatment Options for Respiratory Conditions in horses.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, but here are some common approaches:

For Infections

It depends on the infection type suspected and the symptoms’ bad. A lot of respiratory infections do not require antibiotics, but they are used in certain situations. Viral cases often require supportive care, including rest and hydration.

For Chronic Conditions

Environmental changes are critical. Switch to dust-free bedding, soaked/steamed hay or haylage, and ensure good ventilation.
It is much more difficult to manage the outside environment if summer asthma or pollens are a trigger and many of these horses will need seasonal medication.
Medications such as bronchodilators or corticosteroids are required in some cases and some horses will need long term medication, just like human asthmatics.

For Allergies

Identify and remove allergens, such as mouldy hay or dusty environments.
Often it is not possible to tell that the hay is the source of the problem just by looking at it and changing it alone does not lead to immediate symptomatic relief.

Medication is often required, either short-term or long-term.

Management of the individual for the specific circumstances is essential.

For Parasite-Related Coughing

Administer appropriate wormer which targets lungworm.
Treatment plans should always be guided by the vet to ensure they’re tailored to your horse’s specific needs.

Horse Coughing: Preventing Respiratory Issues

Prevention is often easier and more cost-effective than treatment. Follow these steps to minimize respiratory risks:
New horses in a yard should be isolated for 3 weeks. Any horses showing nasal discharge should have their temperature monitored and possibly be isolated if this gets above 38.3, depending on veterinary advice. Horses should not get too close to horses from other yards at competitions, fun rides, etc. Conditions such as strangles and flu will pass through a herd quickly.

Improve Stable Management

Use low-dust bedding and clean under rubber matting periodically if they are not sealed.
Feed good quality forage and remember that even this could cause a specific horse a problem.
Make sure the stable/barn has good ventilation and airflow.

Maximize Outdoor Time

Allow your horse as much turnout as possible in clean, open-air spaces.

Implement Regular Health Checks

Get used to taking your horse’s temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate.
Remember to check for nasal discharge and swelling in the throat/top of neck area.

Vaccination and Deworming

Depending on the individual situation, it may be prudent to vaccinate against Equine Herpes Virus and/or Strangles.
Remember to mention if your horse co-grazes with donkeys when planning your parasite management with the vet.
If your horse is experiencing persistent coughing, don’t hesitate to contact the vet for advice tailored to your horse’s unique situation.

Call South Moor Equine today for complete peace of mind.

Our team of equine specialists will be delighted to see your horse. We appreciate your concern and will be sure to put your mind at ease either by giving your horse the appropriate treatment or reassuring you that it is not a serious situation.

Get in Touch.