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Most of us have experienced it at some point: we are riding our horse in the indoor arena in winter and suddenly we notice a strange noise coming from the direction of the head. A cough. But what does this mean? Is our horse actually ill? Or is there a completely different cause? Diseases and problems with the respiratory tract of horses are a broad field, ranging from the upper respiratory tract to the depths of the lungs. Diseases are often attributed to a single cause and other reasons are ignored. However, as it often happens, it is worth taking a closer look at the husbandry conditions and environmental influences that our horses are confronted with on a daily basis. An overview of the diseases and problems that exist and what to do in an emergency.
Causes of coughs in horses
It is therefore always important to take a critical look at the environment of the affected horse and uncover any problem areas. The vet and horse owner should always work closely together.
External influences
A number of issues are important if we as horse owners want to find out exactly where our horse's - potentially chronic - cough is coming from. Some of the most important ones:
- Does my horse have regular access to fresh air? (particularly relevant in winter)
- Are the stables well ventilated? Is there possibly too high a concentration of ammonia due to infrequent mucking out?
- What is the quality of the hay, straw and concentrated feed? Could they be infested with mold?
- What is the condition of the riding arena and indoor arena grounds? Is it watered regularly and sufficiently? Are there any critical additives?
- Is my horse exposed to significant temperature fluctuations, for example between day and night or between the outdoor stable and indoor arena?
- Is my horse allowed to move freely in the fresh air (even if it is cold)?
All questions must of course be answered honestly in order to help the horse.
Alarm signals from the lungs - recognizing symptoms reliably
If there is an acute or chronic respiratory disease, there is a need for action in every respect. But if you want to take action, you first need to know what to look out for.
Checklist: Which symptoms to pay attention to?
The most common signs of respiratory disease are
- Reluctance to eat
- Nasal discharge (in particularly serious cases also bloody), which does not look watery but mucousy and is discolored if the respiratory tract is infected by bacteria.
- Cough in combination with and without nasal discharge
- Cough when dust formation occurs
- Swollen lymph nodes in the area of the ganaches as a sign of the body's own defenses - Chills and fever, or increased temperature of more than 38.5°C
- Increased pulse of up to 50 or 60 beats per minute
- Loss of performance, unwillingness to work and tiredness
- Immediate action required in case of high fever and shortness of breath!
Acute illness vs. chronic cough
If a cough lasts for more than two weeks, it should definitely no longer be taken too easily, no matter how mild it appears. Every horse should then be taken to a vet, as the risk of chronic illness is high. In this case, the symptoms are often insidious and often result from an acute illness that has not been properly cured.
“It is assumed that around 40 percent of horses in our country suffer from a minor or major lung problem,” explains Dr. Olivier Brandenberger from the ‘Hanseklinik für Pferde’. “It is important to find out whether these are acute and can be treated in this way or whether they are the beginnings of a chronic disease. The horse's lungs have a volume of over 200 liters. It is extremely important that it functions as well as possibleas horses are predestined for moving. If a disease is detected at an early stage, it can be counteracted effectively. For instance, no overly strong medication needs to be administered and some time in the pasture is usually sufficient for relief.”
Coughing while riding
When riding, it is always important to warm up the horse properly. In winter, the muscles, tendons and airways take longer to actually reach “ working temperature”. Therefore, the horse should first be warmed up extensively by walking in the riding arena. At least 20 minutes should be allowed for this. During the last half hour of the training or ride, the horse should also be ridden at a walk on a long rein so that it can relax and recover and its body temperature drops to normal. During these phases in particular, the rider should pay attention to whether the horse is coughing and how its general condition is.
Coughing while riding is generally not dangerous, but every rider should be alert and keep a close eye on their horse. Coughing is often a first indication of stuck mucus, which can become chronic if not treated. In particular, if the problem occurs when riding through the neck, it may also be laryngitis, which must be clarified.
Different forms of respiratory diseases
Taking a look at the three most common forms of respiratory diseases. These symptoms are to be expected and can thus be differentiated.
Acute bronchitis: symptoms and treatment
In the case of bronchitis, mammals suffer from inflammation of the lungs, which causes them to swell and makes breathing difficult. The first symptoms may be as follows:
- At the beginning, mainly a slimy cough, which turns into a dry cough a few days later
- Heavier and strained breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Swelling of the lymph nodes on the neck and head
- Fatigue, reluctance to eat, reduced performance
- Sometimes increased temperature and fever, but not a must
Chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB): Causes and treatment options
According to a specialist article by Kerstin Fey from the Equine Clinic at the University of Giessen, around 50 percent of horses kept in stalls suffer from chronic obstructive bronchitis. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) is also known as equine asthma. It is also colloquially referred to as “dampness”. Diseases of the respiratory tract should never be taken quite so lightly, as horses suffer greatly when they cannot get enough air. Nevertheless, horses are often presented in clinics or at the vet far too late with a respiratory disease, namely when their performance is significantly impaired. Vets repeatedly emphasize that consistent conventional medical treatment is essential.
The nasal discharge in chronic bronchitis usually differs from the acute version. While it appears watery in acute bronchitis, it is cloudy and yellowish in COB. A spasmodic cough often occurs due to a narrowing of the respiratory tracts. Respiratory problems are always considered chronic if the symptoms persist for at least six weeks.
Allergy-induced cough: symptoms and treatment
Feed or the wrong bedding can cause allergies. However, these can also occur outside at certain times of the year, especially with newly introduced plant species (“neophytes”). Time and again, there are cases in which horses react to the pollen of certain plants, making it necessary to change the grazing or paddock area or even the stable. Medications often only help to a limited extent against allergic reactions. Furthermore, allergies in horses are often not triggered by the direct flight of pollen in spring, but by pollen in hay, which can be fed in all seasons. If you think you have identified a problem in a certain context, you should start looking for reasons here. If necessary, you may have to switch to hay alternatives such as haylage, or a change of pasture may help. A hay analysis can quickly help with excessive dirt and dust. If necessary, you can then switch suppliers. In addition, the vet can administer medication for severe reactions. It is important that a differential diagnosis is carried out by a veterinarian first. Various tests, including a blood analysis, are carried out to determine whether the horse is suffering from an allergy or another disease (acute or chronic bronchitis) or simply “only” an intolerance.
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The author
Born in 1983 in Mühldorf am Inn, I discovered my passion for writing, culture, horses, and travel early on. After graduating from high school and earning a B.A. in Cultural Studies, I began my journalism career in 2007. My article on Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum's European Championship victory received multiple awards. Since then, I have written for over 30 specialist magazines, contributed to book projects such as Selected Stallions of Germany, and managed PR campaigns. Additionally, I focus on travel journalism, including my series Tournament Hopping.
Alexandra Koch
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