Coughing

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Postby newbie » Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:08 pm

While riding my boy tonight he did quite a bit of coughing...since I really have ZERO knowledge about this I wanted to ask...do horses pick up colds like us humans?&nbsp; My B/O and coach told me not to worry - but Geeez...did I mention that I am an <strong><EM>extreme</EM></strong> worrier?&nbsp; He has been blanketed all winter and goes in only at night...
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Postby Marty_Jones » Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:39 pm

It will probably pass. The footing that your riding on is it dusty? It could have been a bit of dust in his throat. If he were to have a cold I would think that he'd have a lil bit of a runny nose or a temp. Just keep an eye on it and if it continues then you may want to get it checked out. But there is probly no reason to worry.<IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">
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Postby pmc » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:21 am

Yes, if the footing is dry and dusty, it can cause your horse to cough.&nbsp; But do keep an eye (or is that an ear?) on it.&nbsp; Is there any wheezing when he coughs?
I've also found that if it's cold out, the horses might cough once or twice when they are out in it.&nbsp; Almost like it tickles their throats.
But if there's a runny nose, change in body temp or just general listlessness, it's time for the vet.
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Postby Lix » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:25 am

Don't worry about it too much for now. He wasn't a cougher before right? If he's coughing suddenly, it could be a cold, the dry weather, etc. <br /> <br />But do keep an 'ear' <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"> out for it in case it continues and there is an underlying problem. I find in my case though, that when my horse has a cold, the vet always says "just let it pass". Even right now, after having just recovered from Strangles, and my horse starting to show cold symptoms again, my vet just says to wait it out. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0"> But that may just be my vet... <br /> <br />I'm like you newbie, I worry! LOL <br /> <br />How is your boy otherwise anyway? Are you having a good time with him? It's Silver right? <br />
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Postby rubberman » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:46 am

If your horse is coming at night and getting hay it could be a little coughing as a result of dry hay. I find that even excellent quality hay will tend to cause a bit of coughing at this time of the year. As already mentioned the cold may also cause your horse to cough a little.
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Postby Dee22 » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:56 am

A few of the horses at my barn have a bit of a cough this winter including my own. Some have it a bit worse than others (mine is very slight). It could be due to the cold, dryness, dust in the arena or, it was a very crappy season for hay, no ones fault (mother nature) but our hay&nbsp;has been&nbsp;a little dusty so I've been just puring a bucket of water over Eja's hay every night. It seems to be just enough to dampen&nbsp;the hay &amp; some of the&nbsp;dust in there and her coughing is going away. For a bit there she was coughing a few times during a ride, now she might cough once or twice, if at all.
Basically, it's not much to worry about at the moment but a horse can get a cough without getting a full blown cold. Keep an eye on him, listen for wheezing or like a fleghmy (sp)&nbsp;sound from him. You could try doing what we've been doing with just pouring a bucket of water over the hay to dampen it, you might find that&nbsp;will clear it right up. <IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">
&nbsp;<edited><editID>Dee22</editID><editDate>38386.4148842593</editDate></edited>
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Postby newbie » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:10 pm

Thanks everyone for your info.&nbsp; I called the BO tonight and she reported no coughing today and I went out to see him after that and although I didnt ride him I did bring him out and groomed him and he didnt cough at all so I am hopeful that it was just an irritation.&nbsp; He has no other signs - no runny nose or eyes and no fever so hopefully it was just a fluky thing...&nbsp; I will keep an ear out for more though.
Lix you remembered!&nbsp; Silver is doing well - my B/O&nbsp;&amp; coach has been riding him and polishing him up for me - he hadn't been worked much before I bought him and was well on the way to developing a few new tricks and he needed a little bit of a reminder on how to behave himself...&nbsp; In the meantime I was taking lessons on some calmer steeds but I have once again resumed riding Silver and he is a better horse now.&nbsp; One of the things he was missing were brakes - but thanks to my coach he's got some now.&nbsp; (I am so lucky to have found her!!)&nbsp; He does have the tendency of <EM>constantly</EM> testing his rider and there are times that he is just too much horse for me - but then my coach gets on and he gets the idea quickly!&nbsp; All in all - things are improving and hopefully my riding is coming along also at 3 lessons a week weather permitting.&nbsp; I am <EM>so</EM> enjoying my boy - thanks for asking!
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Postby loki » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:16 pm

&nbsp;Its great to hear that he's ok. The footing being dusty could have caused it and also the weather. If its really cold&nbsp; they sometimes get a bit of a cough. And horses do get colds but you can't give or recieve a cold from a horse.
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Postby *Giddy Up* » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:56 pm

If it was only that one night, then I wouldn't worry. However, if it keeps recurring then you should check it out.
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Postby Lix » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:16 pm

Good to hear newbie! Thanks for the update! <br /> <br />I'm glad things are looking up for you guys. It's normal to have an adjustment period when you get a new horse, specially being a new rider. I'm sure things will be fine. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"> You are doing exactly the right thing by seeking help. You are lucky to have a great coach to help you out. If I'm not mistaken, Silver is a TB right? They are sensitive horses and take time to trust people but the advantage is that once you have it, their all yours and will give you 120%. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0"> <br /> <br />Keep us updated!
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Postby newbie » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:12 pm

Yes Lix Silver is a TB - and sensitive and oh <strong>so</strong> kind.&nbsp; There is not a mean bone in his body... as a matter of fact, my coach laughs and sais that even when he is being "bad" he really isn't being bad and he is easily corrected.&nbsp; I've known him now for 6 months and so far he has not done one nasty thing to either person or horse.&nbsp; He has those kind, puppy dog eyes - even back when he had hurt his leg at that other stable - he warned me before he kicked out when I was trying to clean his "ouchie".&nbsp; I know him and I are going to spend many wonderful years together...
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Postby Piaffing » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:44 pm

When ever one of my guys cough I give them ZEV. It works great so I always have a jug of it on hand.
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Postby TackOhBelle » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:47 pm

I find that horses can get sick and cough when the weather goes up and down like it has in the past couple of weeks. I also know that we have an older horse that gets stressed and colics then the weather changes drastically. I was riding last sun and the horse coughed maybe a couple times at the first then stopped. i find that that doesnt bother me. but when they continue to cough during the whole riding time, that is a cause for concern. we have a young horse that actually has a lung infection and has fluid in her lungs and she is on expectorant to make her cough. they scoped her last week and it turns out that she is able to breath thru her mouth!!!! how bazaar is that!?!? it might heal or it might not. if it doesnt, she wont be able to go to the upper levels since she will be a roarer.
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Postby newbie » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:59 pm

Well guys I hope that his coughing isn't going to turn into anything serious - today he was ok and I will see him again tomorrow and ride him both days on the weekend so I shall keep you posted.&nbsp; Thanks for everyones input.
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