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The Equine Cough

Cinch Magazine

The loud, dramatic and eerie equine coughs are impossible to ignore-often sending shivers down horse owner’s backs after their horse has a bout. But the sound and intensity alone don’t necessarily tell you the severity of the cough.

Many coughs are just natural attempts to clear an irritant from the respiratory tract; others signal more serious or chronic conditions that can signal long-term health implications. If you listen carefully and determine the frequency of the cough or how the horse otherwise looks, you can usually determine the type of cough you’re dealing with.

While you’ll rely on your veterinarian to diagnose the cause of your horse’s cough and determine the appropriate treatment, you can gather information yourself that will assist in the process. Here are seven of the most common equine coughs, along with what usually triggers them, and what actions you need to take.

Frequent dry coughs are characterized by watery nasal discharge, fever, reluctance to eat and/or lethargy. These coughs are not triggered by exercise, and are likely the sign of an early viral infection. Mucus production in dry coughs, which stem form the upper respiratory tract, is minimal, leading to a drier sound. If you suspect dry coughs, rest the horse for two days for every day he coughs and make she he gets plenty of air. Notify your veterinarian about the situation, though a farm visit may not be necessary. Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections, but nursing can help the horse’s immune system conquer the invasion.

Periodic wet coughs are not triggered by exercise, and are distinguished by a gray or yellow nasal discharge. Loss of appetite, fever and lethargy are also common signs. The likely cause is a bacterial infection. For treatment, call your veterinarian, who will most likely make a visit. Antibiotics may be prescribed, but make sure you finish the entire course even if the horse looks better after a few doses. Rest the horse twice as long as he was ill, and make sure plenty of fresh air is available.

Occasional wet or dry coughs may not have any other signs, but the horse has had a respiratory illness within the past few months. These coughs are sometimes triggered by exercise. The likely culprit are the residual effects of the earlier respiratory illness. The inflammation from such infections can take weeks or months to resolve, making the horse’s airway receptors hypersensitive. Over time, the inflammation will subside and the horse returns to normal. To encourage healing, allow the horse plenty of fresh air and avoid physically overtaxing him. If coughing continues two months after the original illness resolved, contact your veterinarian, as other problems could be present.

Repeated wet coughs are signaled when the coughing worsens at predictable times or in certain environments, such as the stall, at feeding time, or while being ridden. Coughing improves when the horse is turned out on pasture. Repeated wet coughs are sometimes triggered by exercise. The likely cause is recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), or heaves. This condition is an allergic response to airborne antigens such as dust from bedding or hay. Heaves is a chronic condition, which means the horse will always have a reaction to the antigen, and the reactions may progressively worsen as the lungs become more inflames and sensitive. Consult your veterinarian. Year-round turnout is generally recommended, though for acute cases, medications may be prescribed.

Warm-up coughs are always triggered by exercise. After a few coughs, the horse has no further respiratory disturbances. The causes are undetermined. The culprit is believed to be accumulation of mucus, and because the start of exercise encourages a horse to breathe deeper, the cough may perhaps be to clear the mucus from the larynx into the throat. If coughing is limited and never occurs after the first few moments of your ride, there’s no cause for alarm. Just be careful that you don’t tune-out your horse’s warm-up cough over time. Keep track to make sure it doesn’t worsen.

Arena cough is triggered by exercise and has no signs after the initial five or so coughs. The horse is fine and has a normal workout. This occurs most commonly in the winter. The fact that this occurs indoors dismisses it as a warm-up cough. It turns to the fact that indoor rings are notorious for producing dust that can cause serious respiratory irritation. Deep coughs at the start of your ride in an indoor arena are an early warning that the air in the ring and barn is not only unhealthy for horse lungs, but human ones as well.

Coughs with strange body postures are not triggered by exercise, but the horse seems distressed and may stand with his neck out or twisted oddly. Retching noises may also be made. The likely cause is a foreign object lodged in your horse’s airways. This is quite common. Many times horse can dislodge the object with coughs themselves, but sometimes veterinary assistance is necessary. Call your veterinarian if you suspect your horse is coughing due to a foreign object.

Many coughs manage to resolve on their own, but others are a clue that something is amiss within your horse’s respiratory tract. Many times coughs can signal an infection or chronic disease that will only worsen with time if not addressed. This is why it’s important to pay close attention when you horse coughs and gather clues about the potentially critical situation. Your horse’s long-term respiratory health depends upon it.