My horse is coughing: What to do now

Immediate Measures for Acute Coughing

Inhalation or medicinal herbs can provide short-term relief and ease breathing. Tea or onion syrup can also help. However, such home remedies should be carefully monitored and documented. This way, the vet already has an overview if intervention is needed. Mucolytics can be helpful in some cases but are ineffective for dry cough.

"Of course, owners can do a lot themselves by improving the horse's living conditions. Herbs, inhalation, acupressure, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (vitamins E and C) can help. However, the most important thing is that treatment is properly initiated under veterinary supervision after a thorough diagnosis," explains veterinarian Dr. Julia Mack from Ohlstadt.

When Should I Call the Vet?

If the horse experiences difficulty breathing or fever, a vet should be consulted immediately. If the coughing persists for more than two weeks, a veterinarian should be contacted. However, it’s always better to act sooner rather than later.

Dr. Olivier Brandenberger provides further advice: "It's not always easy for horse owners to recognize all symptoms, but it's important to look beyond the lungs and bronchi. The larynx, for example, should also be examined. One common issue is 'roaring,' a paralysis that restricts airflow. If unusual breathing sounds occur at the larynx, their cause should be determined rather than ignored. Even in the absence of fever, this warrants attention."

Danger: When Coughing Becomes Chronic

It is relatively common for horses to experience respiratory issues from time to time. However, horse owners should not hesitate to involve a vet in such cases.

“Respiratory diseases can affect horses of any age,” explains Dr. Michael Paar, a veterinarian from Sottrum. “Acute infections are more common in younger horses, while chronic bronchitis is more frequently seen in older horses. This can become a serious issue if it leads to a long-term decline in performance and health. For sport horses, this can be devastating, but even for leisure or older horses, it significantly impacts their quality of life.”

If the cough does not resolve on its own or keeps recurring, it is essential to identify the cause. Environmental factors often play a major role in worsening or prolonging respiratory issues.

Prevention: The Key to Health

Prevention is always better than treatment. While not every case of coughing can be avoided, there are many ways to reduce the risk of respiratory issues for horses.

Stable Hygiene and Ventilation

“It’s crucial to minimize dust formation in the stable,” emphasizes Dr. Michael Paar. “For example, horses should be kept outside during mucking and bedding changes to avoid exposure to excessive dust. Hay and straw should never be stored in the stable aisle but rather in separate, well-ventilated rooms, even if it seems more convenient to store them inside.”

Dust consists of tiny particles, including feed components, bedding, manure, sand, bacteria, yeast, mold spores, mites, toxic substances, ammonia, hair, and skin flakes.

High-Quality, Low-Dust Feed

Dr. Olivier Brandenberger points out that modern bedding and feed often contain more dust, increasing the risk of respiratory disease. "The ideal solution is to provide the highest quality, low-dust hay possible. However, this is not always feasible, so alternative measures are needed. Hay steaming or soaking will become increasingly important in the future to reduce dust exposure. Additionally, switching from straw to alternative bedding, such as wood shavings, pellets, or bio-forest floor, can further reduce dust levels. Some of these options also absorb ammonia effectively, reducing its concentration in the stable. These combined measures can greatly help in managing chronic bronchitis and allergic cough."

"Soaking hay for about ten minutes is sufficient; soaking it longer, for 15-20 minutes, may remove sugars (which some horse owners prefer) but also washes out essential minerals," explains Dr. Michael Paar. "Steaming hay also leads to some nutrient loss, and while this method is more complex and costly, most horses prefer steamed hay over soaked hay."

Boosting the Immune System Through Stress Reduction and Exercise

Pasture, paddock, trail riding—outdoor time is essential. Experts agree that even with optimal stable hygiene, getting horses outside is crucial. "The best bedding cannot replace a good gallop in the pasture," says Dr. Michael Paar.

However, simply placing a horse in a paddock is not enough. Free movement on a large pasture allows the lungs to work more effectively than limited paddock space. Regular trail rides, including galloping stretches and hill work, expand lung capacity—an investment in long-term respiratory health. Horses should have opportunities to move freely and under saddle in fresh air. Even during recovery from injuries, spending time outside on a halter and lead rope is beneficial. This supports the immune system and reduces the stress that inevitably results from prolonged stall rest. Physiotherapy and massages can also play a role in both treatment and prevention.